One of the core concepts of Nutritional Aesthetics™ is building optimal skin health, both on the inside with the right beauty nutrient-dense foods, and on the outside with beauty nutrient-dense skincare products and treatments. NAA Advisory Board member, Dr. Trevor Cates, ND, exemplifies this core concept both in her private practice, and to her global audience. She encourages an anti-inflammatory diet, integrative skincare treatments, and natural skincare products via her bestselling e-book, Glowing Skin from Within, the Glowing Skin Summit, on her blog and podcast, and now in her brand new natural skincare line, The Spa Dr.’s Daily Essentials. We’re thrilled to have Dr. Cates on our Advisory Board, and to share her enthusiasm for Nutritional Aesthetics™ and the Nutritional Aesthetics™ Alliance with you.
The Nutritional Aesthetics™ Alliance:
What excites you the most about The Nutritional Aesthetics™ Alliance?
Dr. Trevor Cates:
I love how The Nutritional Aesthetics™ Alliance is embracing and exploring an integrative approach to skincare. So often I hear aestheticians and dermatologists addressing skin problems by suppressing the signs and symptoms (such as a topical steroid for eczema). I think skin is such a key indicator of the overall health of our bodies, and when we suppress a symptom without looking for the root cause, we miss an opportunity to achieve glowing skin and vibrant health for the long-term.
The NAA:
How has Nutritional Aesthetics™ (integrating nutrition and lifestyle changes with skincare and holistic spa treatments) impacted your practice and/or work?
Dr. Cates:
I have become more aware of aestheticians who use a more integrative approach through this organization. I was used to a more traditional spa environment where aestheticians didn’t look at the deeper opportunities. I was excited to have NAA president and co-founder Rachael Pontillo on my podcast (The Spa Dr.) recently and hope to have more of these mindful practitioners on my show.
The NAA:
Complete the sentence: “For optimal skin health, I wish people would do more of ___________________, and less of ___________________.
Dr. Cates:
I wish people would focus more on nourishing their skin (internally and externally) and less on activities and behaviors that trigger ‘skinflammation.’ We need both internal and external skin nourishment with clean ingredients and nutrients such as antioxidants and essential fatty acids for optimal skin health. We also want to be mindful of nurturing the skin’s microbiome for healthy skin. I find that internal inflammation is one of the biggest underlying causes of skin problems. Environmental toxins and certain foods are two big contributors of internal inflammation. Other imbalances in the body such as with hormones and digestion can be triggers as well.
We want to hear from you!
Dr. Cates advocates addressing skinflammation both internally and externally with a balanced diet, healthy environment, and nourishing natural skincare regimen. What steps have you taken in your skincare regimen or with your clients to address skinflammation? What have you found most helpful? Please share in the comments below.
what i have done to address inflammation is decrease sugar and bread, flour intake. and add green juices and fiber in many forms to my diet. also beauty sleep is my fav. i find that sleeping by 10pm makes a huge difference in my faces glow, the way my eyes look, the smoothness of my skin to apply make up and overall this relaxed vibrance that comes off my eyes and being. plus a nice lavender salt bath is always good to sweat and bring that inflammation down internally and externally. for my clients i usually reccommend a detox or cleanse to start. i find that no matter what good we put in, if it is in a muddy system or clogged digestion, it does only 20-40% good and is a waste of time and money. cleanse first than just about anything you put in or on your body with some education, will give you far greater results!
Tania, thanks for reading and for taking the time to share!