The specialist you finally get referred to.
Over two decades across two continents, an international lecturer in hair loss, gold medallist, and the NHS consultant who built one of London's first dedicated hair loss clinics.
Now she's on the top-rated podcasts on menopause, skin and hair — and there's more to come.
Two ways to work with Archana
Struggling with hair loss, skin of colour concerns, or something GPs haven't solved?
Private consultations across three London clinics, plus an NHS clinic at Kingston Hospital. Most insurers accepted, including BUPA Platinum.
See ClinicsResearching Archana for a feature, a panel, or her forthcoming book?
Her office handles all media requests, speaking invitations, and enquiries about the book directly.
Press & Book Enquiries
Meet Archana
Archana's understanding of skin began in Mumbai and was further consolidated at Imperial College London. This dual grounding in two health systems and two very different patient populations places her in a unique position; she doesn't guess at skin of colour, she trained in it.
"I built the hair clinic I wished had existed when I was training, because so many of my patients had been told to just live with it."
Two decades on, she splits her time between NHS Consultant duties at Kingston Hospital and private practice, still seeing the patients everyone else sent away.
Mumbai, India
Dermatology, dermatosurgery and skin of colour.
Imperial College London
Dermatology and dermatosurgery.
Consultant Dermatologist
Appointed at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.
Published in Nature
Research on Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia.
Hear Her on the Leading Menopause Podcasts
On skin and hair changes during this transition.
The credentials behind the confidence
"Dr Rao is kind, calm and compassionate."
C, patientHair, skin of colour, and the conditions in between
Hair Disorders & Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
One of the first dedicated NHS hair loss clinics in London, built from a decade of unmet clinical need.
Learn About FFA →Ethnic Skin
Dual-continent training gives a depth of understanding in skin of colour rare among UK dermatologists.
Perimenopausal Skin & Hair
An underserved patient group finally getting a straight answer: yes, hormones can explain what you're seeing.
After two decades of consultations, a book.
Archana is writing about the patients, the misdiagnoses, and the questions she's been asked most in clinic. The title isn't public yet. The people who hear it first will be the ones who asked.
Quoted on skin and hair, on the record
"Skin of colour needs a dermatologist who has actually trained in it, not one who is guessing."
Dr Archana Rao, Evening StandardIn their own words
My appointment with Archana Rao was excellent. She has a way of alleviating all the stress that usually comes with these visits.
PatientI have been under the care of Dr Rao for the past six years. She is all you could ask for in a consultant - professional, efficient, caring, personable and with a keen sense of humour.
JShe took the time to listen to my concerns, thoroughly examine my skin and recommend a personalised treatment plan.
JAFour ways in, one specialist
New Victoria Hospital
Coombe Lane West, Kingston Upon Thames
Mon, 1-4pm · ~12 wk wait
Parkside Hospital, Wimbledon
53 Parkside, Wimbledon
Fri, 8:30-11am · ~12 wk wait
Kingston Private Health Hospital
Esher Wing, Kingston Hospital
Mon, 9am-12pm · ~8 wk wait
Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
GP referral required
Wed mornings · ~1 yr wait
Ready when you are.
Whether it's a hair loss consultation, a second opinion, or a question about the book, Archana's office is a message away.