The Dear Leader Joe is one of those tycoons who never skimp on himself, only on others. Price is no object if it means looking younger without having to go under the knife.
There is nothing worse for me than seeing someone my age who looks younger and better than I do. I make no secret of my envy. I’ve asked several acquaintances the secret to their youthful appearance, and they all gave the same answer: “We go for laser treatments with Dr. Dora Barić at Dea Clinic.”
I decided to find out who this Dora is and interview her. If she’s really as good as my acquaintances say, I’ll pay her double, just so she stops treating them and works only on me 🙂
Photo: Dear Leader Joe, Flash.hr
1. What is the advantage of laser devices for face and body treatments compared to other procedures, and what kinds of issues can be addressed with a laser? For example, I have a bald head, and it annoys me that I have to shave it every three days. Could you burn off the little bit of hair I have left to make my life easier?
Lasers are excellent because they allow us to target specific skin structures using controlled energy while causing minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Depending on the type of laser, we can treat pigmentation, dilated capillaries and redness, acne scars, wrinkles, and signs of photoaging, as well as remove unwanted hair and improve skin texture and tone. Of course, there is no single laser that solves every problem — that would be like expecting one doctor to fix your tooth, your knee, and your love life 🙂
As for your head, I have good news: laser hair removal could make your life easier, but first, we need to see what kind of hair we’re dealing with. Lasers work best on specific types of pigmented hair; if the hair is gray or very light, the results might be less effective. And I wouldn’t promise that you can forget about your razor forever after the treatment. Still, we can certainly discuss ways to shorten your morning routine. To start, I recommend coming in for a consultation, but don’t throw away your razor just yet!
Photo: Ljubica Alabdulla, Dea Clinic
2. Which lasers do you use at Dea Clinic and what is the difference between your devices and the Chinese ones from Temu that my neighbor uses? Is there a Mercedes or Rolls-Royce among lasers?
There are significant differences in the world of lasers. Not all devices are the same, just as not all cars are identical simply because they have four wheels. Key factors include technology, wavelength, the ability to precisely adjust energy levels, cooling systems, and safety features, as well as clinical evidence demonstrating the device’s effectiveness for the specific indication being treated.
With medical devices, the most important thing is not how they look in the photo or how good their advertisement sounds, but what they can actually do and how safely they can be operated. Maintenance, service support, staff education and proper patient assessment are also important.
Is there a Mercedes or Rolls-Royce among lasers? Let’s just say there are devices that are technologically highly advanced and others intended for simpler applications. But even the best laser in the world cannot compensate for a doctor who doesn’t know what they are doing. It’s like handing a Formula 1 car to someone who got their driver’s license on a PlayStation.
As for neighbor Mirjana and Temu, I have nothing against online shopping, but the face is hardly the ideal place to experiment with the “I bought it cheap on Temu, let me try it on your face” method.
At Dea Clinic, we use the most modern and currently highest-quality laser systems in Croatia, such as the Candela Nordlys, a serious medical device designed to address a wide range of dermatological and aesthetic indications. A major advantage of this system is that it integrates various technologies, including SWT Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), 1550 nm and 1940 nm fractional lasers, and a 1064 nm Nd laser, depending on the device configuration.
Photo: Dear Leader Joe, Flash.hr
So, we aren’t just talking about beautifying the skin, but about a medical device that allows us to target specific skin structures. It’s like having several specialized vehicles in your garage rather than a single car trying to handle every single job.
We also use a CO2 laser, which acts ablatively—controlledly removing surface skin layers while stimulating skin renewal and collagen production. Depending on the indication, we use it to treat wrinkles, certain scars, signs of photoaging, and selected benign skin lesions. Nordys is excellent for targeting specific skin conditions without traditional surface removal, whereas the CO2 laser enables more intensive, controlled skin renewal. The choice of laser always depends on the specific issue being treated.
3. How much does laser therapy cost, and is the price of the treatment the only thing patients should pay attention to? Are there any hidden pitfalls? How do I know you are qualified to work with lasers? Did you go to medical school, and where did you learn to operate these devices? My neighbor Mirjana learned everything on YouTube and she even watched ”Star Wars” three times.
The price depends on the type of treatment, the area being treated, and the number of sessions required. However, patients should not look solely at the price tag; they should also consider who is performing the treatment, which device is being used, the nature of the pre-procedure assessment, and how realistic the promised results are. The most expensive treatment is not automatically the best, just as the cheapest is not necessarily bad; yet, when it comes to the skin, a suspiciously low price can sometimes indicate cost-cutting in areas where corners should not be cut.
A patient has every right to ask who is performing the treatment, what education and training that person has completed, what device is being used, and what the potential risks and side effects are. Medicine does not operate on the principle of “I watched three videos, so I think I know how it’s done.” Completing medical school, understanding skin anatomy and physiology, recognizing contraindications, and undergoing proper training to operate the device is not the same as watching a few tutorials.
I completed medical school, a residency in dermatovenereology, and a postgraduate specialist program in dermatology and venereology. Training in laser application is an integral part of the residency; I further honed my knowledge and practical skills by working with laser devices and attending numerous training courses in Croatia and abroad, as working with lasers involves more than just pressing a button and selecting a program. It requires knowledge of skin anatomy and physiology, an understanding of how different wavelengths affect tissue, the ability to correctly select parameters, the recognition of contraindications, and the judgment to determine when a specific treatment is not the right choice for a patient.
I would tell my neighbor Mirjana that YouTube is great for recipes, travelogues, and fixing a leaky faucet. However, for laser facial treatments, I would stick to the experts. A discount on a burned face sounds tempting only until you realize you actually paid more than you thought. After all, YouTube and ”Star Wars” cannot replace medical education and practical experience. Don’t get me wrong, ”Star Wars” is a great movie, but a lightsaber isn’t a medical qualification 🙂
At one point, the clinic’s owner, Ljubica Alabdulla, joined us. She signaled with a look that I should wrap up the interview, as Dr. Dora had work to do 🙂
Photo: Dear Leader Joe, Flash.hr
4. Who are laser treatments intended for? Are there patients who should not undergo them? How often should one come in, and how long do the results last? And if a “Laser Operators’ Union” doesn’t exist yet, I’d like to be its president and organize the first protest!
Laser treatments are intended for individuals who wish to address specific skin issues or improve their skin’s appearance; however, the appropriate treatment is always selected on an individual basis. It is important to consider the desired outcome, the current condition and type of the skin, and whether there are any medical reasons to postpone or avoid the treatment.
For example, with certain treatments, issues may arise from a fresh tan, active skin infections, certain skin conditions, a tendency to scar, or the use of specific medications. This does not mean that any of these circumstances automatically rule out all laser treatments, but rather that a professional assessment is required beforehand.
The number of treatments depends on the indication. Hair removal usually requires multiple sessions because not all hairs grow at the same time. For pigmentation, capillaries, or skin rejuvenation, the treatment plan may differ. Results are not always permanent either: some issues can be significantly reduced for an extended period, while others require maintenance or may recur.
As for the union, I support any initiative that fights for workers’ rights, but I’m afraid that as the president of the Laser Operators’ Union, you’d have your hands full. First, you’d have to explain to the members that a laser isn’t a magic wand; then, you’d have to negotiate breaks between treatments; and at a protest, you’d probably have to wear safety goggles. Still, I admit the slogan “Hands off our radiation!” has potential.
Photo: Dear Leader Joe, Flash.hr
5. Apart from laser treatments, what other services does Dea Clinic offer, and can lasers be combined with other treatments? I’ve heard you have a miracle cure for obesity? A pretty face is of no use if the body in a yellow raincoat looks like a school bus.
At Dea Clinic, we approach skin and aesthetics individually, because there is no one treatment that suits everyone. In addition to laser treatments, we also offer classic dermatological examinations as well as mole examinations. Other medical branches include gynecology, internal medicine, abdominal surgery, orthopedics, lab. diagnostics and nutrition.
As for a miracle cure for obesity, I have to disappoint you: there is still no magic formula that can turn a school bus into a sports car overnight. There are medically proven ways to treat excess weight and obesity, and the approach depends on the individual and their health status. At Dea Clinic, we treat obesity using a multidisciplinary approach.
Still, I have to admit I like your logic, a beautiful face and satisfaction with one’s own body should go hand in hand. I’d just leave the school bus out of the equation. A body isn’t a mode of transport, and aesthetics isn’t a competition to see who can fit into the smallest clothing size 🙂
6. Is the interview for Flash.hr the highlight of your doctoral career and if not, feel free to lie and say it is?
Absolutely! After years of schooling, exams, professional training, and working with patients, I’ve finally reached the moment where I can say I’ve made it in life an interview with Flash.hr! The Nobel Prize in Medicine now seems like a perfectly logical next step.
Joking aside, I love my job precisely because it combines medicine, aesthetics and working with people. If through this interview I make someone laugh, and along the way encourage them to take better care of their skin and make more informed choices about treatments, I will consider that we have done a good job. And if the interview goes viral, I promise I won’t change. Maybe I’ll just buy a slightly better face cream.
7. Where were you in 1991?
If you’re wondering where I was in 1991, the answer is simple: in my mom’s belly 🙂
If, however, you are expecting a dramatic story, I will have to disappoint you. My biography is hardly an action movie, and not every dermatologist leads a secret life worthy of a Netflix series. That said, given the amount of drama we witness on human skin every day, there is certainly no shortage of material for a screenplay.
8. If you think there is something I didn’t ask but should have, speak now or forever hold your peace.
I think you covered just about everything—from lasers and bald heads to school-bus proportions. The only thing missing was the question of whether we can go out in the sun immediately after the laser treatment, but that might have spoiled the fun.
And if I had to add something I consider important, it is that patients should not be afraid to ask questions. Aesthetic treatments are not an impulse buy, like a new handbag. It is important to understand what is being done, why it is being done, what results to expect, and what the possible risks are.
And finally, one rule always applies: the skin remembers more than we think, so it is better to provide professional care than to try and repair the damage later. As for the gentleman with the bald head—I look forward to seeing him at Dea Clinic; I might not be able to promise he’ll forget about shaving forever, but we can certainly find the best solution for him 🙂
Photo: Ljubica Alabdulla, Dea Clinic
My Suma Summarum:
In the old days, if you were born ugly, there was no hope for you. No one wanted to play with you. Whether we like to admit it or not, people prefer those who are pleasing to the eye, and beautiful people fare better in life. With all the aesthetic procedures available on the market today, beauty is within everyone’s reach. As the ancient Latins said, “In vino veritas”—or, in translation: “There are no ugly people, only poor ones :)”
Order today for laser skin rejuvenation and beautification at:
Ul. kneza Branimira 28
10040 Zagreb
Author: Josip Novosel aka the poor man’s Vin Diesel, self-proclaimed Dear Leader Joe, recreational spell-caster from Cucerje, corresponding member of the magazine ”You are not ugly, you are just poor”, friend of the wealthy, and above all a human being, and only then a tycoon and Gastro Snob.
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