Whole Person
Skin Health
In my practice, over and over again, I found that skin conditions are rarely limited to the skin alone.
For some patients it's their diet, and for others it's stress and emotional upset. Then there are those patients that live a healthy and stress free life. For them it's something else entirely, perhaps genetics, the liver, the nerves, or simply the skin itself. Everyone is different.
I like to think of myself as a detective looking beyond the surface, gathering clues and trying to understand the reasons why this particular problem is happening to this particular person.
The Sensuality of Treatment
The reason I became interested in skin conditions is because of the sensuality of the treatment.
In my early days as a homeopath I had a patient with acne. I’d treat her with homeopathic remedies and she’d get better. Then a few weeks later she’d get worse, so I’d treat her again and a few weeks later her symptoms would return. This up and down pattern continued for months.
Then, during a consultation she spoke of her makeup and skin care routine. Basically, she was plastering huge amounts of chemicals on her skin every day.
So I started making chemical free skin care products for her. I remember the first one well. It was a blend of coconut oil, aloe vera gel, with sandalwood essential oil added in. The mixture emulsified beautifully with my handheld blender. It was like making mayonnaise.
The next remedy was a kaoline clay face mask. Just clay, water, and cell salts.
Her up and down pattern changed. Get better, get worse, get better, get worse settled into get better and better and better.
The wonderful thing about this lady was that not only did her skin improve but she became healthier and more confident overall.
A little about me.
I’m Dr. Rodger Douglas, DMH, B.Psych. I gained a degree in psychology from Nelson Mandela University and then studied homeopathy and heilkunst at the Hahnemann College of Heilkunst (HCH). I’m now a proud member of the International Heilkunst Association (IHA).
Now, you might be wondering what Heilkunst is. In German Heil is heal and Kunst is art, so Heilkunst is the art of healing. Basically, it’s the broader practice of homeopathy that includes counseling and psychology along with healthy lifestyle advice. I take a four-part approach to treatment of skin conditions.
1. Nutrition
The food a person eats can make a huge difference to their health in general. I don't believe everyone with a skin problem needs to follow the same diet. One person may feel considerably better eating more meat, while another will thrive on plenty of fresh vegetables.
I also don't believe that a person's diet needs to be completely overhauled. My aim is not to turn your life upside down with a completely new diet. I prefer to make a few tweaks here and there. Eat a bit more of this. It’s good for you. Eat a little less of that. It clogs your digestive system.
2. The Mind
Many people notice their skin changing during periods of stress. An itch becomes more intense, a rash flares, or acne worsens during an emotionally difficult period. There is an established field known as psychodermatology devoted to the relationship between psychological wellbeing and skin disease.
I use a combination of counseling, relaxation techniques, and journaling. I always include a flower remedy or two at each consultation.
3. Remedies
The core of my practice revolves around Homeopathic remedies. I‘ll ask you about your condition in detail sand then select a remedy based on the complete picture. This may include the nature of the symptoms, their appearance and location, what makes them feel better or worse, accompanying symptoms, and much, much more. Be prepared to tell me everything.
I also use Cell salts. These are remedies made from the minerals that the human body is composed of. They are the hidden gem of skin care because when your body is deficient in a particular mineral it shows up in the skin. For example, a deficiency in Silica manifests as dry skin and wrinkles while a deficiency of Calcium fluoride shows up as brownish discoloration around the eyes; broken capillaries; shiny or flaking skin; chapped lips.
4. Natural Skin Care
The things we put directly onto our bodies every day, such as soaps, shampoos, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes and moisturizers can all affect our skin. I am particularly fond of helping my clients make simple, chemical free home skin-care preparations that are made with natural ingredients. Of course, not everyone
More about the skin
Not sure where to begin?
If you’d like to talk about your skin concerns and whether my approach may be suitable for you, you’re welcome to book a free 20-minute introductory call.
Prefer to message first?
If you have a quick question, you’re welcome to send me a message. I usually reply within 1 - 8 hours. Messages only, please.