A new chapter in cosmetic dermatology and laser medicine at HDLS
Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery is delighted to welcome Dr. Rishi Chopra, MD, MS, FAAD, to our team this July.
A board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Harvard fellowship-trained laser specialist, Dr. Chopra brings an exceptional depth of experience in laser medicine, injectables, regenerative aesthetics, skin of color, and skin longevity. His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for HDLS, one rooted in innovation, prevention, natural-looking results, and long-term skin health. We sat down with Dr. Chopra to get his perspective on the move, his professional journey up to now and his views on dermatology, research and future inspiration.
Q: What made joining Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery feel like the right next step in your career?
Hudson Derm felt like the right next step because it represents where I believe aesthetic medicine is heading: science-driven, innovative, deeply personalized, and focused on long-term skin health.
What made it especially meaningful was the opportunity to build alongside Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, who has been both a close friend and an extraordinary mentor throughout my career.
“From our earliest conversations, I felt a shared vision for something larger than a traditional dermatology or laser practice.”
We share a vision of a destination where clinical excellence, technology, artistry, prevention, and imagination converge to help define the future of skin health and aesthetics.
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Harvard training at the forefront of laser innovation
Dr. Chopra completed his advanced fellowship in Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the world’s leading center for laser research and development.
During his training, he learned from leaders involved in the development of many of the technologies that shaped modern aesthetic dermatology, including Fraxel, CO₂ laser resurfacing, VBeam, radiofrequency microneedling, laser hair removal, tattoo removal lasers, PicoSure, AviClear, CoolSculpting, and Ellacor.
This background gives Dr. Chopra a rare perspective on how advanced technology can be used safely, strategically, and beautifully. His approach is not about using the latest device simply because it is new. It is about choosing the right treatment, for the right patient, at the right time.
Q: How did your fellowship training at Harvard and the Wellman Center shape the way you approach cosmetic dermatology today?
I pursued advanced fellowship training because I wanted to understand lasers and energy-based devices at the deepest level. I wanted to understand how and why they work, so I could help develop the next generation of treatments and protocols.
I wanted to train directly at the source of laser innovation: the same institution where many of the aesthetic technologies we use today were invented.
Learning directly from Dr. Rox Anderson, the godfather of modern laser medicine, was a once-in-a-lifetime privilege and one of the most formative experiences of my life. It gave me a skillset, scientific foundation, and perspective that I truly could not have gained anywhere else.
"That training taught me to think beyond standard protocols, question conventional limitations, and understand these powerful technologies as tools that can be adapted with precision, creativity, and intention."
Today, that foundation allows me to design more thoughtful treatment plans, develop new techniques, and use lasers and energy-based devices in ways that are safer, more effective, and more personalized for each patient.
Expertise across lasers, injectables, skin of color, and regenerative aesthetics
Dr. Chopra’s expertise spans many of the most advanced areas of cosmetic dermatology, including neuromodulators, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, vascular lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, skin tightening, acne scar treatment, body contouring, regenerative treatments, tattoo removal, hair restoration, and medical skincare.
He is especially recognized for his work in aesthetics for skin of color. Dr. Chopra frequently lectures on melanin-safe laser techniques, hyperpigmentation, acne scar management in darker skin tones, and treatment planning for diverse skin types.
His work has also extended into the development and refinement of aesthetic technologies. He serves on advisory boards for leading companies and has contributed to the launch, optimization, or clinical education surrounding devices and treatments such as Fraxel FTX, Clear + Brilliant, Sofwave, Thermage, AviClear, Ellacor, Potenza, Secret Pro, DermaV, Accufit, Pure Impact, and Evolysse.
Q: Why has advancing safer and more effective treatments for skin of color become such an important part of your work?
This part of my work is deeply personal.
“Growing up, I remember dermatologists being hesitant or outright refusing to treat my skin with lasers because I had more melanin and was considered at higher risk for discoloration or scarring. That experience stayed with me."
It became one of the driving forces behind my career. I chose residency training in Brooklyn, where the majority of my patients were patients of color, and later pursued advanced laser fellowship training at the epicenter of laser innovation. I wanted to understand these technologies deeply enough to change that experience for patients like me.
Treating skin of color safely requires precision, respect for melanin biology, and an appreciation for how different skin types heal. My goal is to ensure that every patient, regardless of skin tone, has access to the safest, most advanced treatments our field has to offer.
A recognized educator, researcher, and leader in aesthetic medicine
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Chopra is a respected educator and researcher. He has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered over 100 national and international lectures on advanced laser techniques, injectable facial balancing, acne scar treatments, skin tightening, body contouring, and regenerative aesthetics.
He has served as invited faculty for major dermatology and aesthetic medicine conferences, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Masters of Aesthetics, and the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress.
His work has earned multiple distinctions, including New York Super Doctors Rising Stars, Pfizer Rising Derm Star, the 4 Under 40 Medical Aesthetic Vanguard Award, and three Maverick Awards recognizing innovation and lasting impact in the field of aesthetic medicine.
He has also been featured in national media outlets including The New York Times, TIME, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, CNN, Newsweek, NPR, Allure, and more.
Q: Research and teaching have become such major parts of your career. What motivates you while also caring for patients?
Research and teaching are meaningful to me because they are both driven by the same purpose, which is advancing what is possible for the benefit of patients.
I have always been motivated by innovation. By asking for example how we can make treatments safer, more effective, more precise, and more predictable, we can make real progress.
“Research allows us to challenge assumptions and discover better solutions and teaching allows those discoveries to spread, helping physicians deliver better care and ultimately improving outcomes for patients around the world.”
The person behind the practice
While Dr. Chopra is recognized nationally and internationally for his work in cosmetic dermatology, his patient care philosophy remains grounded in something simple: helping people feel confident, understood, and cared for.
He brings a balance of scientific precision and human connection to each visit. Whether he is designing a long-term skin longevity plan, treating acne scars, refining facial balance with injectables, or guiding a patient through laser options for the first time, his goal is to make the process feel thoughtful, transparent, and deeply personalized.
Q: What first drew you to dermatology, and what continues to inspire you in this field?
I have always been a hardcore physics nerd, and lasers were one of the first things that truly captivated me about dermatology.
I was fascinated by the idea that you could harness the principles of light and physics, deliver energy into the skin with extraordinary precision, and trigger a biological response that can soften wrinkles, improve scars, reduce pigmentation, stimulate collagen remodeling, or restore elements of skin quality.
"It felt almost unbelievable, like magic, and honestly, it still does."
Dermatology sits at this remarkable intersection of science, technology, artistry, and human impact, and that combination continues to inspire me every day.
Dr. Chopra’s aesthetic philosophy
Dr. Chopra’s aesthetic philosophy centers on natural, harmonious results. His work is guided by precision, restraint, and a deep respect for each patient’s individual features.
He believes that the best cosmetic treatments should enhance, not erase. His approach prioritizes facial balance, skin quality, collagen preservation, and evidence-based care. Rather than focusing on isolated procedures, he creates personalized treatment plans that consider each patient’s anatomy, goals, skin type, lifestyle, and comfort level.
This philosophy aligns closely with the HDLS approach to aesthetics: refined, thoughtful, and never overdone.
Q: When a patient meets you for the first time, what do you hope they feel or understand by the end of that visit?
The most rewarding part of my job is helping people rediscover confidence in themselves. Aesthetic dermatology is not superficial, nor is it about chasing perfection.
"At its core, it is about helping people feel more comfortable in their own skin."
Many patients arrive at their first consultation carrying insecurities, uncertainty, or concerns they have lived with for years.
My goal is to listen carefully, understand what matters most to them, and help them leave their first visit feeling hopeful, reassured, and understood.
I want every patient to know they have a physician who genuinely has their best interests at heart. Someone they can trust to guide them with honesty, expertise, and a thoughtful long-term plan.
Ultimately, our goal as dermatologists is not just to restore skin glow. It is to restore inner glow and help patients feel more confident, more comfortable, and more like themselves.
Welcome to the HDLS family
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rishi Chopra to Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery.
His clinical expertise, academic background, commitment to innovation, and thoughtful aesthetic philosophy make him an extraordinary addition to our practice. We are excited for our patients to experience his approach to cosmetic dermatology and skin longevity, and we look forward to this next chapter together.
Welcome to HDLS, Dr. Chopra. We are so happy to have you here.
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Medical disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Skincare products and treatments should be selected in consultation with a qualified dermatologist, especially for individuals with underlying skin conditions or sensitivities.
About Dr. Rishi Chopra
Dr. Rishi Chopra, MD, MS, FAAD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Harvard fellowship-trained laser specialist with expertise in laser treatments, cosmetic injectables, regenerative aesthetics, skin of color, and skin longevity.
At Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery, he combines advanced technology, evidence-based care, and personalized treatment planning to help patients achieve natural-looking results while supporting healthier, more resilient skin over time.
