Dr Ratna Rajaratnam

A Commitment to Excellence

Dr Rajaratnam's professional journey began at the University of Birmingham Medical School, where she earned First Class Honours for her intercalated BSc in Pathology. She completed her specialist dermatology training in the UK through the West Midlands Deanery, earning prestigious awards such as the Roy Summerley and Douglas Oakley Prizes. Following a successful career in the United Kingdom, she spent 10 years as a consultant at Changi General Hospital (CGH) in Singapore before joining Shine Dermatology.

Her dedication to patient well-being has been recognized with multiple Singapore Health Quality Service Awards, including Gold Awards in 2022 and 2024, reflecting her exceptional standard of care.

Comprehensive & Specialised Expertise

Dr Rajaratnam provides evidence-based, practical, and thoughtful care, tailored to each individual patient. Her extensive expertise includes:

General Dermatology: She is highly skilled in managing a wide range of common and complex skin conditions, from acne, eczema, and psoriasis to more challenging autoimmune diseases and hair loss. At CGH, she led the eczema clinic, specializing in the care of patients with severe, treatment-resistant conditions.
Skin Cancer & Mole Checks: With significant experience from a major UK skin cancer center, Dr Rajaratnam excels in the diagnosis and management of skin cancers, including melanoma. She performs minor surgical procedures with an emphasis on precision, safety, and optimal cosmetic outcomes.
Laser & Aesthetic Dermatology: Dr Rajaratnam has advanced fellowship training in cutaneous laser medicine and surgery from the University of Ottawa, Canada. She expertly uses a variety of laser technologies for conditions such as vascular and pigmented lesions, scarring, and rejuvenation. Her aesthetic approach is a blend of clinical expertise and a philosophy that favors subtle, natural-looking results.

A Passion for Education & Research

A passionate educator, Dr Rajaratnam has a long history of training and mentoring future dermatologists. She has served as an examiner for the National University of Singapore's medical program and as Associate Programme Director for the national Dermatology Residency Programme. She is also a dedicated clinical researcher, having served as an investigator in clinical trials for emerging treatments. She has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and presented her work at numerous international conferences, ensuring her practice remains at the forefront of dermatological science.

Patient-Centered Care

At the core of Dr Rajaratnam's practice is a belief in clear communication, empathy, and partnership. She takes the time to thoroughly explain diagnoses and treatment options, empowering patients to make informed decisions. Known for her meticulous and compassionate approach, she is committed to providing personalized care throughout every stage of your skin health journey.

Publications by Dr Ratna Rajaratnam

Wong CJ, Lua ACY, Tay YK, Tan SH, Rajaratnam R. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms secondary to minocycline complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. JAAD Case Rep. 2024 Jul 8,51:1-3.
Zhen YCP, Lee XH, Tay HM, Rajaratnam R, Ang CC. A patient with bullous pemphigoid presenting with haemorrhagic oral erosions, oral hematoma and haemoptysis. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2022 Dec;47(12) 2333-5.
Tee LY, Tan SH, Rajaratnam R. Asymptomatic waxy brown papules in the auricular concha. Int J Dermatol 2020 Oct;59 (10): e347-348.
Rajaratnam R. Resiquimod for actinic keratosis: is this a new treatment option? British Journal of Dermatology 2019 Feb; 180(2):254-255
Yeo PM, Tan KW, Lim RS, Seng SC, Ong JP, Rajaratnam R. Neutrophilic Dermatoses as a continuous spectrum: an illustrative case. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2016 Dec; 45(12)569-571.
Salim A, Rajaratnam R, Dommane E. (2014). Chapter 55: Melasma, BMJ Evidence based dermatology; (3rd ed., pp ) Wiley-Blackwell.
Jutley GS, Rajaratnam R, Halpern J, Salim A, Emmett C. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials interventions for melasma: an abridged Cochrane view. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2014 Feb; 70(2): 369-73.
Rajaratnam R, Laughlin SA, Dudley D. Pulse dye lasers double-pass treatment of patients with resistant capillary malformations. Lasers in Medical Science 2011 Jul;26(4): 487-92
Rajaratnam R, Balasubramaniam P, Marsden J, Shah F, Lim R, Papini R, Moiemen N, Lewis H. Toxic epidermal necrolysis: retrospective analysis of 21 consecutive cases managed at a tertiary centre. Clinical Experimental Dermatology 2010 Dec;35(8
Interventions for melasma(systematic review) Rajaratnam R, Halpern J, Salim A, Emmett C. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010 Jul 7;(7):CD003583.
Collin B, Rajaratnam R, Lim R, Lewis H. Review of cutaneous sarcoidosis within a dermatology department. Clinical Experimental Dermatology 2010 Mar;35(2):131-4.
Ramachandran S, Rajaratnam R, Smith AG, Lear J, Strange RC. Patients with BCC and SCC are less likely to develop further BCC compared to patients with BCC alone. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2009 Aug; 61(2):247-51.
Rajaratnam R, Smith AG, Biswas A, Stephens M. The value of skin biopsy in inflammatory dermatoses. American Journal of Dermatopathology 2009 Jun; 31(4):350-3.
Orpin SD, Scott IC, Rajaratnam R, Heagerty A. A rare case of epidermolysis bullosa and verruciform xanthoma. Clinical Experimental Dermatology 2009 January; 34(1): 49-51.
Rajaratnam R, Mehmi M, Lim SPR, Lewis H. Focal craniofacial hyperhidrosis associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Clinical Experimental Dermatology 2007 September; 32(5): 587-8.
Rajaratnam R, Marsden JR, Marzouk J, Hero I. Pulmonary carcinoid associated with melanoma. British Journal of Dermatology 2007 April; 156(4):738-41.
Rajaratnam R, Balasubramaniam P, Marsden JR. Thorium X and skin cancer still a problem in the 21st century. Clinical Experimental Dermatology 2007 Jan; 32(1):125-6.
Pal BR, Hussein NR, Howlett A, Harun YE, Rajaratnam R. Protective medical legislation. Deficient knowledge of maternity rights for work-adjustment exists amongst flexible trainee doctors: Is there a risk to maternal and foetal health? European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2006 July; 127(1):79-87.
Lyons M, Onion D, Green NK, Aslan K, Rajaratnam R, Bazan-Peregrino M, Phipps S, Hale S, Mautner V, Seymour LW, Fisher KD. Adenovirus type 5 interactions with human blood cells may compromise systemic delivery. Molecular Therapy 2006 July 14(1): 118-28.
Palmer D, Mautner V, Mirza D, Oliff S, Gerritsen W, Sijp JR, Hubscher S, Reynolds G, Bonney S, Rajaratnam R, Hull D, Horne M, Ellis J, Mountain A, Hill S, Harris P, Searle P, Young L, James ND, Kerr DJ. Virus directed enzyme prodrug therapy: Intratumoural administration of a replication deficient adenovirus encoding nitroreductase to patients with resectable liver cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2004 May; 22(9):1546-52.
Freestone B, Rajaratnam R, Hussein NR, Lip GY. Admissions with atrial fibrillation in a multiracial population in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. International Journal of Cardiology 2003 Oct;91(2-3):233-8
Chong AY, Rajaratnam R, Hussein NR, Lip GY. Heart failure in a multiethnic population in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. European Journal of Heart Failure 2003 Aug;5(4):569-574.