The Healthy Skin Show

Have you tried a gluten-free diet for eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or some other type of chronic skin problem? Whether you noticed an improvement or not, you might wonder if it’s worthwhile to continue avoiding gluten… And if so, for how long? I want to share with you my thoughts based on research as well as my clinical experience as to why I recommend to clients to avoid gluten. AND why I don’t really care about whether it’s an actual food trigger that flares your rashes. Gluten is a much bigger problem for chronic skin issues than it simply being a potential “food sensitivity”. No matter what you decide, I hope that this different perspective on gluten and skin rashes helps you decide for yourself whether to stay gluten-free or not! In this episode: Why I ask my clients to remove gluten (even if it’s not a food trigger + skin issues don’t improve) Research connecting gluten to eczema, psoriasis + rosacea Gluten’s distinct role in increasing leaky gut Do you have to avoid gluten forever if you have skin rashes? Quotes: One study found that women with rosacea had “twice the odds of having type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis or Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Gluten increases leaky gut every time it’s consumed whether you are sensitive to gluten, have celiac or are non-reactive.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a progressive, underdiagnosed, possibly devastating condition. My guest today will discuss some possible ways to find relief. My guest today, Dr. Daveluy, is an associate professor and program director at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He holds special interests in teledermatology, noninvasive skin imaging, skin of color, integrative dermatology, and complex medical dermatology, including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Dr. Daveluy serves on the board of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation. He serves on the editorial board for the JAAD and is building a growing body of publications of his own. Join us as we discuss how yeast and zinc can play a role in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). We also talk about whether or not laser hair removal might be helpful. Do you struggle with HS? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Does hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) progress? Yeast and HS - should you try a yeast-free diet? Diseases associated with HS How zinc could be helpful (RESEARCH) Antibiotics for HS Laser hair removal + HS Quotes “For the majority of patients, it does progress. Once in a while, there are some people where it doesn't really get past Stage 1. But even in Stage 1, you're still having these recurrent boils in your armpit, and your groin, under the breasts, and the buttocks.” [1:41] “We've done a lot of studies to see what other diseases are associated with HS, and unfortunately, there's quite a long list.” [8:13] Links Follow Dr. Daveluy on Instagram | Twitter HS Foundation website Healthy Skin Show ep. 152: Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An Integrative Approach w/ Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov Healthy Skin Show ep. 103: Hidradenitis Suppurativa: The Tip That Stopped My FlaresReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Have you ever wondered if biologic drugs are bad for you? It’s a question that I frequently answer on my Instagram profile, but I also find that clients share similar concerns. So I figured that I’d take this moment to explain my feelings on biologic drugs which is not a black + white answer. It is complicated and it’s also highly personal for every single person considering this route. I hope that my approach is helpful on your journey so that you can ultimately decide what is best for you. In this episode: My non-medical practitioner opinion about whether biologic drugs are bad for you My personal belief system about informed consent (and where it came from) A simple analogy to understand how biologic drugs work Do biologic drugs cure your condition? Suggested steps before agreeing to a biologic (or any other type of serious medication) Can you still do root cause work if you’re taking a biologic? Quotes: There’s too much shaming and fear-mongering that can make it difficult for you to advocate for and trust in the decisions that you make. My opinion about how using or not using medication was instilled in me by my father who was a very staunch advocate for informed consent.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Have you ever heard of MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)? My guest today is going to tell us all about it, as well as research into why a mindfulness practice could be beneficial for those with chronic skin issues (such as eczema, psoriasis, and alopecia areata). Jessica completed her BSc at York University in Toronto, ON and has completed her Doctor of Naturopathy degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Her passion for integrative medicine and research led her to a postdoc position at UC Davis’ Department of Dermatology and now more recently, to work with Integrative Skin Science and Research. Her research interests include nutrition, the microbiome, mindfulness, and quality of life in various dermatological conditions. Join us as we discuss research surrounding the benefits of mindfulness for chronic skin rashes. Do you have a regular stress reduction and mindfulness practice? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Can our state of mind affect our skin? What do the terms "itch intensity" and "itch catastrophizing" mean? Can a mindfulness practice help people with alopecia areata? What is MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)? Quotes “You can think of mindfulness as the practice of paying attention on purpose to the present moment without judgment.” [5:40] “Itch catastrophization could be thoughts along the lines of this itch is only going to continue to get worse and worse and it's never going to go away. And so seeing maybe the extremes of the negatives and the anticipation of it becoming gradually worse. And itch intensity is more so about the physical sensation of it really increasing and how you feel the itch.” [7:51] Links Follow Jessica on Instagram Articles highlighted in this episode: Alopecia - Gallo R, Chiorri C, Gasparini G, Signori A, Burroni A, Parodi A. Can mindfulness-based interventions improve the quality of life of patients with moderate/severe alopecia areata? A prospective pilot study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(4):757-759. doi:10.1016/j.jaaReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

I have to be honest – lanolin can be a real pain for anyone who’s allergic to it. If you’ve never heard of lanolin and you’re struggling with mystery “contact” dermatitis, it could be worthwhile asking your dermatologist or allergist to do a patch test. While lanolin allergies aren’t that common, they are tricky to navigate since lanolin is not required to be labeled and can hide quite sneakily in products you probably take daily (and would never suspect). Since I’m all about helping people connect the dots, this seems like the perfect opportunity to discuss lanolin and its connection with vitamin D. I know you’ll find this fascinating, so get ready to do a quick dive into lanolin – a commonly used ingredient used in popular skincare products and daily supplements. In this episode: What is lanolin (and where does it come from)? How would you find out if you are allergic to it? Where it is found in skincare Lanolin + vitamin D issue Other names for lanolin Extensive (but not complete) list of products containing lanolin Quotes: Research shows an increase in sensitization between 2004 and 2015 with data from 2019 showing that a lanolin allergy impacted up to 1.2% of those in the test group. Lanolin isn’t a required allergen to be listed on labels which is why it hides in so many products!Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

The Mediterranean Diet is one of the world's healthiest ways of eating, and for good reason! There's a large body of research touting its benefits which is why I think it's a great place to start from if you're looking to make smart shifts in your diet for the benefit of your skin. This does not mean that other traditional cuisines aren't as good for your skin, by the way. After careful consideration, it seems like a great place to start if you're looking to make changes that could be gradual rather than some sort of change that many find unsustainable. While it focuses heavily on plant-based foods with lots of healthy fats, it also balances everything with lean sources of protein -- which you must recall, protein intake is crucial to helping your skin and your health! If you're not sure where to start, my guest today is an absolute expert to help inspire you to try some new recipes and encourage you to get back in the kitchen to start cooking! Suzy Karadsheh is the founder of TheMediterraneanDish.com, the leading site for modern Mediterranean cooking and lifestyle. She has been featured on ACCESS, Barron’s, Today, HuffPost, as well as Good Housekeeping, Well and Good, Food Network’s Delish, Shape, Pure Wow, The Kitchn, and more. Suzy was born and raised by the shores of the Mediterranean in Port Said, Egypt, and now and lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, their two daughters, and dog Max. . Join us as we discuss the basics of the Mediterranean Diet, and some practical tips for incorporating it. Has changing the way you eat helped your skin? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: What is the Mediterranean Diet? How to get started eating the Mediterranean way How to choose extra virgin olive oil What is za'atar? Tips for making fresh parsley last longer in the fridge Quotes “We eat more of the vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains. We focus a lot on healthy fats. So my fat of choice to cook with is extra virgin olive oil. We do more fish than most other cultures do.” [2:46] “Eat with the season, use whole foods and above all, share.” [8:30] Links Find Suzy online Check out Suzy's FREE Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan Italian Sausage and Lentils with Fennel Mediterranean Spinach Stew with Chickpeas Homemade Basil Pesto More Mediterranean Diet resources Follow Suzy on Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

If you’re one of those people who can’t stick to changes that you want to make to help your skin, this episode is for you! One of the biggest reasons people fail at making changes is that habits that you already have are VERY strong. Motivation simply isn’t a good driver for habit change (because that’s actually what you want to do). Your skin needs you as a partner on this journey called life, so becoming skilled at changing routines and taking actions that support your skin are huge! So let’s talk about how you can start to make changes that will actually stick without feeling like it’s such a hard uphill battle to “stay on the wagon”. In this episode: Why depending on “feeling motivated” will not help you long-term with changes The power of habits (and why they’re more important to focus on) My #1 book recommendation to learn more about habits Tips to help you start breaking out of habit loops that aren’t in alignment with changes you want to make Quotes: Habits are patterns that allow your brain to go on autopilot so that it doesn’t have to think its way through every moment of your day. To change or break a habit, something must change in your environment to keep your mind from going on autopilot.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

If you have hit some really tough patches this past year with your skin or you’re struggling now to stay positive, this episode is for you. Mindset is one of the greatest tools that you have to help you in the darkest of moments. It’s what honestly can keep you staying the path or throwing in the towel. We talk a lot about research and all sorts of physical things that can go wrong, but the truth is that some tools – like your mindset – are intangible. It’s my hope that these ideas that I’ll share with you will help you see how to use mindset and my own personal “mindset of choice” that I’ve found to build the most resiliency. In this episode: One thing to get your mindset in the best place possible Why I’m such a fan of being “relentlessly persistent” What to do if you start to have an intense flare Why seeking THE ONE THING that could be wrecking your skin is a bad idea Quotes: My experience coaching clients has taught me that if you do not feel hopeful or believe that you can be helped, you’ll likely throw in the towel at the slightest inconvenience or issue. Focus on what you can control and what actions you can take no matter how small on any given day so that you don’t get stuck.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Have you heard that if you're going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), that you just have to wait it out? "Just give it time... time is what heals." But when you say that to someone who's years (3 or 5 or even 8 years) into TSW, that statement starts feeling like a bitter pill with no hope in sight. Some practitioners (like myself) are finding that there are things you can do to better support your body as it goes on this journey. There's certainly no silver bullet solution as we still do not have enough research to know the best way forward. But if you could help your system not be as reactive, that may be a win to make things more manageable for you. My guest today, Dr. Julie Greenberg, is a licensed ND who specializes in integrative dermatology. She is the founder of the Center for Integrative Dermatology, a holistic dermatology clinic that approaches skin problems by finding and treating the root cause. Dr. Greenberg holds degrees from Northwestern University, Stanford University and Bastyr University, and received advanced clinical training at the Dermatology Clinic at the University of Washington Medical School and at the Pediatric Dermatology Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She is also the Program Chair of the Naturopathic & Integrative Dermatology series on LearnSkin.com, a learning platform for integrative health care professionals. Join us as we discuss whether TSW really is just a "waiting game" or if there are other things you can do that can help. I'd love to know if you have tried any of the tips that Dr. Greenberg has shared in this episode -- Let me know in the comments! In this episode: What is happening to someone going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)? Testing that could be helpful for TSW Concerns over vastly different potencies of different types of steroid creams Is TSW the ONLY thing you need to worry about at the moment (if you're experiencing it)? Collagen supplementation for TSW Thoughts on adaptogenic herbs -- do they have a place to support your body through TSW? Quotes “You have to think if you put that hydrocortisone on 600 times, that's equivalent to one dose of betamethasone or clobetasol. Some of them are 150 times, so it depends on the strength of the steroids. The surface area that you're using on, how frequently and how long have you used it. And of course, one thing that we forget to mention is that we have higher systemic absorption of these topical steroids on compromised or broken skin.” “We know that that red, inflamed skin is vasodilation. The vessels have been constricted for so long artificially with the topical whatever you're using and now they're also bouncing back. So we get vasodilation, which means that the blood vessels are over-expanded, over dilated. We get this blood influx, which is why they have that red, inflamed skin and moisture leaking out of their skin and they're oozing.”Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Today we're talking all about acne. My guest shares her favorite nutrients on the journey to clearer skin...and some of them are quite controversial! My guest today, Robyn Johnson, is a Functional Medicine Dietitian Nutritionist. Her passion of using food and lifestyle as medicine found her after a personal battle and triumph with psoriasis. She specializes in helping women optimize their hormones, gut and skin by finding the root cause to their symptoms. Robyn runs a virtual private practice, is the creator of The Clear Skin Lab. Robyn believes healthcare should be individualized and that starts with each person understanding how their body works and what their body needs to truly thrive! Join us as we discuss some controversial nutrient solutions for acne. Has working on your nutrition helped your acne? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Different types of acne Robyn's favorite nutrients for acne Thoughts on Vitamin A toxicity: How worried should you be? Sources of vitamin E + why it can be helpful for hormonal acne Iodine and acne Topicals that may be beneficial for skin health Why are minerals important for the skin? Quotes “Vitamin A is used for acne, but people don't talk about the importance of food and using it in its most natural form.” [4:11] “Vitamin E is beneficial for acne for many reasons, I would say the top reason is it's potent antioxidant effects.” [10:41] Links Find Robyn online Healthy Skin Show ep. 016: Can Fluoride Be A Hidden Trigger For Your Skin? w/ Melissa Gallico Healthy Skin Show ep. 211: Why You Need Minerals For Your Skin (And To Stop Peeing All Day) w/ Kaely McDevitt, MS, RD What is my acne type? quiz FREE clear skin guide Follow Robyn on InstagramReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com