Introducing “Functional Aesthetics”

It’s exciting to be re-defining the Aesthetic practice model.

The world of Aesthetic medicine is in the throes of a transformation, from one that reacts to signs of aging to one that comprehensively addresses the connections between internal and external factors. It is linked into terms loosely referred to as “biohacking” and “longevity medicine.”

This expanded focus is firmly on internal-external combination therapies, allowing us collaboratively to slow down and even prevent some concepts of external aging attributed to internal changes.

“Functional and Nutritional training has elevated my aesthetic practice to an entirely new level, supporting you to look better from the inside out, resist disease and feel great”

This is vitally relevant for both your skin and your scalp.

Without a healthy base, all aesthetic treatments fall short of ideal as skin returns to its dull expression, structural supports appear less effective and hair regrowth stalls and starts shedding again. 

So what is Functional Aesthetics ?

People often ask what my clinic does.

It’s hard to explain because I use multi modality training and a multi-method approach to give you the best care. I believe it is nearly impossible to separate internal health and external aesthetics since the two are interdependent. The aim is always for the most sustainable and natural results.

Studies show that over 75% of people are interested in personalised health care solutions, however this requires longer consultations and can be more expensive.

Patients are likely to experience fewer side effects the less synthetic the products and the more personalised their treatment plan. They are also more likely to be complaint with their personalised care rituals if they understand their unique “why”.

As a Functional and Nutritional practitioner, using a science-based approach to explore then treat the root causes of your hair loss, gut problems, stubborn skin rashes and persistent outbreaks instead of only managing your symptoms is the only way.

Let’s consider how your genetics, environment, lifestyle, and health history all work together to understand your complete health. This contrasts to pure aesthetic medicine which typically focuses on treating your visible external signs of aging with surface level treatment..

Harness your Inside-Out Aesthetic Connection 

If you are going to spend money on cosmetic enhancements, I encourage you to optimise your whole body outcomes....you will likely heal, feel and look better. 

We know a lot about inner health, like that smokers don’t heal well and that metabolic imbalances promote inflammation and delay healing, Poor nutrition will manifest in dull lifeless skin with likely more “age spots”.and can exacerbate hair loss.

The best Functional aesthetic practitioners pay attention to micronutrient deficiencies, toxic burden and use science backed regenerative aesthetics treatments such as Platelet-rich plasma, Exosomes and Polynucleotides to support better tissue health. A growing body of research has shown that antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and certain supplements can support visibly reducing the signs of ageing.

The use of external LED modalities are well ground in evidence and my current favourite is the LED white light, more on this soon.

To me, the gold standard Functional Aesthetic model also offers crafted solutions for skin and hair care that address removing controversial chemicals while nourishing and improving skin quality and hair regrowth for all skin types and all daily rituals.

My GOLD standard for patient aesthetic collaboration contains:

Familiarity with multiple categories including — 

• skin and hair genetics

• metabolic and mitochondrial health

• “inflammaging” and health weight

• epigenetic and hormone balance

• micronutrient and nutritional deficiency

• microbiome assessment

• food allergies and sensitivities

• potent compounded skin care and targeted hair regrowth strategies

  every patients journey is unique

The Roots of Functional Medicine 

The Institute for Functional Medicine was founded in 1991 and characterized functional medicine using several specific descriptors outlined by Jones and Quinn in the Textbook of Functional Medicine (2) In it, functional medicine is defined as:

• Patient centered, not disease centered; seeing “health” as more than merely the absence of disease 

• Focused on function versus pathology; taking a systems biology approach that considers how physiological factors interconnect 

• The complex interplay of genes and environment; a personalized approach based on biochemical individuality (genetics, microbiome, lifestyle, environmental stress) 

• Prioritizing organ reserve and health span 

References:

1. Bland J. Defining Function in the Functional Medicine Model. Integr Med(Encinitas). 2017 Feb;16(1):22-25. PMID: 28223904; PMCID: PMC5312741. 

2. Jones DS, Quinn S. Textbook of Functional Medicine. Gig Harbor, WA: Institute for Functional Medicine; 2010. 

3. Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, (2020). “Nutritional Dermatology”, the role of Diet in Skin Health and Ageing,

4. National Institute of Health (NIH) 2019. “Gut Microbiota and Skin Health : Insights into the role of the Gut-Skin Axis"

5. American Journal of Aesthetic Medicine. (2021) “The influence of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Skin Ageing and the role of Functional Medicine.