Where dermatological science meets beauty innovation. A clinically inspired product line built with care, bridging research and real-world confidence.

Dr Si Beauty Labs began long before it had a name - in a small salon in Pinetown, Durban, called Leccacci Hair Salon. At the time, I had no idea I was laying the foundation for what would become a science-driven beauty brand. I simply wanted to help people feel confident in their hair again.

Working behind the chair every day, I noticed a growing number of women struggling with hair loss. It wasn’t just about beauty - it was about identity, confidence, and healing. My background in science became my compass, guiding me to explore solutions rooted in research rather than trends. We began experimenting, drawing insights from Pinterest and Google, testing combinations that actually worked. Those early experiments became the first spark of innovation.

Our journey took a major step forward when we partnered with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Bioprocessing Platform in Durban. With their help, we reformulated and refined our first products - Folibuild and Kerabuild. They worked beautifully, though stability remained a challenge. Even so, we knew we were onto something real.

Then came the toughest chapter. Just as the business began to thrive, our Pinetown salon was broken into twice, leaving us shattered both emotionally and financially. I was devastated but determined to rebuild. We moved to Musgrave, taking a larger space - a decision that, in hindsight, became our hardest lesson. The business fell, and I found myself at the lowest point of my entrepreneurial journey.

But even in the darkest days, one conviction never left me - there was something special about what we had started. I rented a small, shared room, working hand-to-mouth, all while trying to keep the dream alive. That period of reflection gave me clarity: to make a true difference in hair health, I needed deeper expertise.

So, I began a PhD in Dermatology, specialising in alopecia. It wasn’t just a career move - it was a recommitment to the vision that began in that little salon in Pinetown. That decision transformed everything.

From those humble beginnings, Dr Si Beauty Labs emerged - a brand built on clinical insight, botanical intelligence, and unwavering belief in the science of beauty. Thank you to TIA – IKS unit for funding the development of these products. Today we have a range of 7 products, all developed with you in mind.

The story continues through Nothile BioPharma, where scientific research meets innovation - and where our breakthrough compound, BSY, was born.

Acknowledgement

We gratefully acknowledge the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and Innovation Hub (IKS) for their support in the development of the Dr Si product line and for nurturing the innovation pipeline that led to the birth of Nothile BioPharma.