Conrad is the editor of Medical Academic, a well-known online CPD platform for South African health workers. He is a former senior journalist for the South African Medical Association and former editor of the SAMA Insider.

Dr Essack was born in Johannesburg and lived most of his life in Durban. He completed his undergraduate medical degree (M.B.Ch.B.) at the University of Natal Medical School (now known as the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine - University of Kwa-Zulu Natal) in Durban in 1998. He completed his internship at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban in 1999. In 2000, he spent a year doing Community Service at R.K. Khan Hospital in Durban. During this time, he obtained experience in trauma and emergencies, general family medicine and paediatrics. The following year, he continued at King Edward VIII Hospital, spending time in the paediatric speciality units for gastroenterology, haematology, endocrinology, neonatology and ICU. He then obtained experience in internal medicine at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Durban. In 2003, he joined the Department of Dermatology as a Medical Officer at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban. The following year, he began post graduate studies at the Department of Dermatology at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine. In 2006, he obtained a Fellowship of the College of Dermatologists of South Africa (F.C.Derm (S.A.)). After spending more than a year as an acting consultant, he continued for a further year as a consultant with responsibilities including teaching undergraduate and postgraduate dermatology. He moved to Johannesburg in 2009 for family reasons, where he started private practice. He has keen interest in skin cancers and their treatments, dermatological surgery, HIV dermatology and general medical dermatology. He also provides aesthetic services including (but not limited to) toxins, fillers, injectables, microneedling, chemical peels, biostimulators, hair loss treatments, ivi drip therapies, skin boosters and thread lifts. Dr Essack is called upon regularly to lecture at dermatology workshops and symposia and continues to be involved in the teaching of dermatology to other practitioners. In addition, he writes regularly for print publications including hospital and heath magazines and has been featured on numerous broadcasts including radio, television and Social media platforms and uses these platforms to educate the public. He also collaborates with various manufacturers and laboratories and shares his expertise in product research and development. He is also a member of the Dermatological Society of South Africa, the South African Society for Dermatologic Surgery and is a supporter of the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa.