The Growing Role of Integrative Medicine in Aesthetic Dermatology

To conclude her conversation with Dermatology Times, Jennelle Daly, MPAS, PA-C, discussed the growing convergence of aesthetic dermatology and integrative wellness, emphasizing an “inside-out” model of skin health. She has observed increasing interest among aesthetic providers in incorporating laboratory evaluation and systemic assessment into cosmetic practices, reflecting a broader shift toward holistic, functionally oriented care. However, she stresses that this trend requires appropriate clinical training, standardized protocols, and evidence-based oversight to ensure patient safety and meaningful outcomes.

Daly frames the skin as a visible marker of internal health, noting that chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance, metabolic dysfunction, and gut health may all influence conditions such as acne, dyschromia, and premature photoaging. She reported that patients with persistent skin concerns despite repeated external treatments—such as serial chemical peels—often show improvement when systemic contributors are addressed. In her model, laboratory testing may include sex hormones, metabolic markers, inflammatory indicators, and nutritional status, which are used to guide individualized care plans alongside procedural and topical therapies.

She also highlighted the use of advanced imaging technologies, such as 3D skin analysis systems, to enhance patient education and objective tracking. These platforms can visualize subsurface UV damage, vascular changes, pigmentation patterns, pore characteristics, and porphyrin activity, allowing clinicians to quantify change over time and align treatment strategies with measurable endpoints. Daly noted that presenting data such as “skin age” relative to chronological age can motivate adherence while providing a structured framework for monitoring response.

Daly also discussed emerging interest in peptide-based therapies and multi-modal regenerative approaches as adjuncts to traditional aesthetic interventions. She emphasized the importance of clinician guidance in navigating wellness and skin care trends circulating on social media, advocating for medically supervised evaluation rather than self-directed experimentation.

Overall, Daly characterized the future of aesthetic dermatology as increasingly integrative, data-informed, and preventive. By combining external treatments with internal optimization and objective diagnostic tools, she believes clinicians can better address the multifactorial drivers of skin aging and chronic dermatologic concerns in patients.

“The future is a box of chocolates,” she concluded. “Having an integrative care plan with the resources and tools to maximize the patient's options is great.”