The skin is the largest organ in the body. The health of the skin is often a reflection of what’s happening on the inside of the body. Skin conditions, like acne, eczema, and psoriasis are usually a manifestation of a larger issue with your health, such as hormone imbalances, poor digestive health, immune dysregulation or problems with detoxification.
For some, having a skin condition often takes an emotional toll, leading to feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem. These are areas that are often overlooked during treatment.
At Naturally Sue Wellness in NYC, we practice naturopathic care for skin disorders in-person (in NYC) and online, nationwide.
The naturopathic approach is a holistic one. We work closely with our patients and look at the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. Our approach is rooted in addressing the underlying cause of your skin problem. Getting to the root issue offers a much more viable and long-term solution for skin health. As a result, there are overarching benefits to overall self-image and well-being.
As the largest organ, the skin covers and protects the entire body. It has many functions, such as:
Skin disorders can develop when the skin is damaged or as a symptom of an internal health condition, which can cause clogged, irritated, or inflamed skin. Often these conditions are a reflection of your internal health, expressing itself on the outside in the form of a rash or other skin irritation. The lining of your gut is external as the digested food must move through the wall of the intestines to be absorbed into the body.
The most common skin conditions we see at Naturally Sue Wellness include dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, hives & rosacea. These skin conditions can have a variety of underlying causes, including:
A general term for a number of skin conditions that cause inflammation, rashes, itchy, dry skin. Dermatitis is caused by genetics, low immune health, infections, allergies, or external substances, like detergents, cosmetics, etc. Contact dermatitis, diaper rash, and dandruff are some common forms of dermatitis.
Eczema is a type of atopic dermatitis that causes patches of itchy, dry, leathery or cracked skin. It is often a reflection of poor gut health. Genetics, an overactive immune system, and response to stress also cause eczema, as do external factors, like climate, fabrics, and personal care products.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition of the skin that causes inflammation in the form of patchy, thick, scaly, sores, called plaques. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition. It can flare up seemingly out of nowhere. There are several types of psoriasis and it can show up anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails. It can also show up internally and affect your joints. This is known as Psoriatic Arthritis.
Acne is a very common skin condition that causes pimples. Acne can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormones, poor digestive health, and personal hygiene. Read about our approach to acne treatment here. [LINK TO ACNE SERVICE PAGE]
Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin condition that causes skin to lose its color. With vitiligo, areas of the skin that lose their pigment are called “macules”. Macules are smooth, patchy areas of the skin that appear lighter or even white in color. It usually starts with a few small white patches on the hands, arms or face and may gradually spread over the body. You may be at risk for vitiligo if you have certain other autoimmune conditions.
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes chronic redness, rash or flushing of the skin. The flushing may come and go at first, but eventually becomes persistent if left untreated. It is common in females, but males can get it too, and may be genetic. It can be caused by hormone fluctuations, poor gut health, viral infections, H. Pyloir, sugar imbalances and regular alcohol use. It’s possible for rosacea to affect the eyes as well.
The doctors at Naturally Sue Wellness have experience dealing with a wide variety of skin conditions, especially when patients have been to many dermatologists with varying steroidal creams that may just provide relief to the the skin affliction temporarily, but is never achieving full healing. Once these lotions are stopped, many patients flare with worsening skin symptoms.
It’s not always obvious what is causing a skin disorder, and many skin conditions have similar symptoms. Working closely with a practitioner who has expertise in identifying the cause of your skin issues and personalizing treatment is essential for effective, long-term treatment and prevention of future skin problems.
With proper, personalized treatment, you can heal from your skin disorder.
Book your free consultation with Naturally Sue Wellness and start healing now.
Our naturopathic approach to the treatment of skin conditions starts with supporting key health systems as a means to get to the root of your problem, such as:
When given the right conditions, the body has an amazing ability to heal itself of a variety of health conditions, including skin disorders. As naturopaths, we foster the body’s innate healing process by blending modern, evidence-based treatments with natural therapeutic tools. Herbal remedies, nutrition, and lifestyle therapeutics are exceptional at treating the root cause of most skin conditions.
What causes a skin condition in one person is not the same for another. Therefore, treatment is not a one-size-fits-all. The doctors at Naturally Sue work with you to personalize your treatment based on what is causing your skin disorder.
Natural treatments for skin disorders are not only safe, but they may be more effective than conventional treatments because we treat the root problem for long-term improvement of the overall health of your skin.
Contact us for an individualized plan for your skin condition and start healing now.
When you come to Naturally Sue Wellness for treatment of skin disorders, we will do a full health evaluation to assess your condition to make an accurate diagnosis.
We will review the following during your initial evaluation:
We can also conduct the following diagnostic exams to look for underlying health conditions or imbalances that contribute to your skin condition:
It is likely that your skin condition stems from an underlying systemic disfunction in your body.
With so many different skin conditions, and so many possible causes, an accurate assessment and diagnosis is essential for long-term, successful treatment.
Contact us for an individualized plan for your skin condition and start healing now.
By addressing skin health from the inside out, we uncover the reason your skin condition is occurring in the first place.
At Naturally Sue Wellness, we curate treatment for skin conditions by integrating herbal medicine, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and mental health care in our holistic approach for each patient.
Herbal treatments for skin conditions should have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and/or antimicrobial properties. We use herbs to help heal and restore gut health, rebalance hormones, and reduce inflammation as a way to treat the skin.
Not all skin conditions are treated with the same herbs. It’s important to work with a professional to determine the best herbal remedies for your needs to avoid adverse reactions. Common herbal treatments we use to treat skin disease include the following:
Ginkgo Biloba is a strong antioxidant that helps enhance the immune system. It is useful for skin conditions caused by autoimmunity or a weakened immune system
Nutrition is one of the first areas we address in natural medicine for dermatological conditions. The foods we eat can lead to skin conditions if we aren’t getting the nutrients we need.
We will make dietary modifications to ensure your nutrient needs are being met. We will also address any gut health or hormone imbalances that can be improved with food choices.
Key nutrients for skin health include the following:
Gut health is an important factor in the prevention and treatment of skin conditions. Poor digestive health can lead to nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, immune disfunction, and food intolerances. Ensuring good gut health is one of the best ways to keep skin healthy and strong.
A well-rounded diet that is rich in protein, fats, fiber, and complex carbohydrates is supportive to the health of our skin. For example:
What you eliminate is just as important as what you eat. Highly processed and sugary foods increase inflammation, disrupt the gut microbiome, and increase risk for skin conditions. We recommend reducing or eliminating the following:
Nutritional Supplementation
Many of us may need help filling nutritional gaps, even if we are eating a healthy, whole foods diet. At Naturally Sue, we will help you identify any nutrient deficiencies you may have and make specific recommendations to help you fill gaps that will also address your skin health needs. A few supplements that we commonly suggest for skin conditions include:
Hydration is also an essential nutrient for our skin and detoxification. Our skin is 64% water. Proper hydration helps regulate your skin’s normal oil production, and helps to flush out toxins and other waste.
Like nutrition, lifestyle factors, such as sleep, stress, and your environment is an often overlooked area in the management of skin health. Lifestyle factors that can lead to poor skin health include the following:
Stress: The stress hormone, cortisol, is linked to various hormone imbalances, which could result in lowered immunity and cause a flare up of any number of skin conditions. While stress is an inevitable part of life, chronic stress doesn’t have to be. Managing stress will be essential if you have a skin condition that is caused by lowered immunity.
Choose activities that calm and regulate your nervous system. Breathing techniques, meditation, or yoga work well. Other ideas include getting outside, moving your body, reading, cooking, art, music are all easy ways to relax. Find the things that work well at relieving stress for you.
Sleep: Similar to stress management, getting good, quality sleep is essential for keeping hormones like cortisol in balance and preventing so many health conditions. Sleep is how our body resets and recuperates from each day and is key to overall health and wellbeing. Aim for 7-8 hours a night, manage screen time at least an hour before bed, and create a cool, dark, and relaxing sleep environment.
Exercise: Physical activity not only helps relieve stress, but it helps with circulation, which can be reflected in our skin. Movement is essential for immunity and overall health. If you do exercise, it’s important to practice good hygiene if skin health is an issue for you. Sweat can lead to clogged pores and dermatitis for some people. Bacteria build-up on towels and clothing may be an issue for sensitive skin if not laundered after each use.
Environment: Your immediate environment may contribute to the health of your skin. Protect your skin from damage caused by pollution and too much sun exposure. Skincare, makeup, and other personal care products may also be harmful to the skin, especially if you already have a condition. Chemicals and synthetic ingredients in detergents and lotions can irritate the skin and worsen your condition. They can also contain endocrine disruptors, which are known to cause hormonal imbalances. We recommend gentle, natural skin care products. You can check the health of your skincare and detergents on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website
Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been shown to be effective at treating various skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Acupuncture promotes healing by reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, stimulated blood flow and circulation, and reducing discomfort, such as itching and pain of skin conditions. Acupuncture is regarded as a viable alternative therapy for restoring skin health.
Having a skin condition can take an emotional toll and impact self-esteem and self confidence. Residual effects of certain skin conditions, like rashes, bumps, pimples, or scarring, can cause embarrassment and self-consciousness causing issues with self image.
In addition, factors like stress, poor sleep, or mental health conditions can make a skin disorder worse by causing inflammation. Thus creating a cycle of mental health and skin health being co-factors for the other.
A good, holistic treatment plan will factor in mental health as a fundamental component for skin conditions.
A 40 year old patient presented to my practice with eczema over her pregnant belly. After a thorough history, I thought eggs may be the culprit. Having her remove eggs completely cleared her rash. Sometimes, it may just be a food allergen and sometimes it can be a bit more complex.
You can read more about my patients cystic acne clearing on our Acne article
-Dr. Sue
Why Choose Naturally Sue for Acne?
The doctors at Naturally Sue work together with our patients to personalize treatment that is specific to them. Everyone has a different cause for their skin condition, and therefore treatment should be specialized as a result. Treating the root cause of each patient’s disease is much more effective for long-term health than treating just the symptoms.
Book your free consultation with Naturally Sue Wellness and start healing now.
Why Choose Naturally Sue for Acne?
Naturopathic medicine is very effective in treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and other skin conditions. Most skin conditions are a symptom of a larger health issue. A naturopath approach identifies the underlying cause of your condition and treats it rather than focusing solely on the symptom. Naturopaths create a holistic and patient-centered treatment plan to clear skin, naturally and for good.
Natural treatments for a wide variety of skin issues, like psoriasis and eczema are as safe as conventional treatments. Natural treatments may possibly be more effective in the long run, as conventional treatments focus on the skin itself rather than what is causing the skin to flare up in the first place.
A Natural approach to treatment of skin conditions focuses on the underlying cause or root of the issue. This approach makes the condition much less likely to return.
Treatment outcomes will be different for everyone depending on the type, severity, and cause of their skin condition.
The range of underlying factors that can be involved in skin conditions, like gut health or hormone imbalance, requires patience and commitment to treatment.
Some people may see improvements within a couple of weeks. A complete clearing may take a few months. The root cause for your skin disorder will determine your prognosis and the time it will take to recover.
A naturopath can treat eczema safely and naturally using a variety of therapeutic tools. Once we diagnose what is causing eczema (or other skin conditions) in a patient, we will collaborate with the patient to curate a plan that is personalized to them. We will include dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, and herbal treatments and supplements. We may also recommend methods such as acupuncture to supplement the treatment.
The cause for eczema is not the same for everyone. Your naturopath will work closely with you to assess the cause of your eczema and make suggestions accordingly.
Naturopaths take a patient-centered approach to treatment, which means
The patient is an active participant in the planning and decision making for their treatment.
Naturopathy aims to educate patients about their disease and what is causing it. Being informed gives patients autonomy and empowerment to support the body’s innate ability to heal for long-term health and well-being.
Naturopaths help the patient work on treating underlying causes instead of merely suppressing the symptom with a medication or even an herb.
Naturopaths use a wide range of modern, evidence-based therapies with traditional therapeutic modalities for integrative and holistic care.
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