Dermatologists address a wide range of skin, hair, and nail issues, from cosmetic concerns to serious autoimmune diseases and some cancers. While traditional pharmaceutical and surgical treatments are common, many patients increasingly seek alternative options, with Americans spending around $60 billion annually on supplements.
Functional medicine dermatology combines conventional treatments with evidence-based, root-cause approaches, using personalized diets, lifestyle changes, and targeted herbal, supplement, and pharmaceutical therapies to tackle underlying causes of chronic conditions like eczema, acne, rosacea, and psoriasis.
Incorporating functional medicine can enhance patient outcomes and make dermatology practices more fulfilling and profitable. This article explores functional medicine and how to integrate it into your clinic.
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What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a patient-centered, systems-based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease. It examines how genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors interact to contribute to health issues.
In a dermatology context, functional medicine means looking beyond surface-level symptoms to uncover and treat underlying triggers of skin conditions, such as:
- Chronic inflammation: inflammation can manifest on the skin as troubling rashes, acne, and skin outbreaks.
- Hormonal imbalances: healthy, balanced hormones support youthful skin. Hormone imbalances can promote skin aging, and may be triggers for certain conditions such as psoriasis.
- Gut microbiome dysfunction: the microbiome plays a big role in skin health; gut microbiome imbalance, also called dysbiosis, can drive skin problems.
- Nutritional deficiencies: deficiencies in key nutrients can cause problems like poor healing, rapid aging, and drive inflammatory conditions in the skin.
- Environmental toxin exposure: environmental toxins can also worsen skin conditions, cause various problems such as contact dermatitis, and pose dangers to systemic health.
Unlike traditional dermatology, which often focuses on symptom management, functional medicine takes a holistic view, aiming to improve skin health by optimizing overall wellness.
Why Add Functional Medicine to Your Dermatology Practice?
Functional medicine can provide life-changing results for your patients.
Enhanced Patient Outcomes
Patients with chronic skin conditions often feel frustrated by conventional treatments that offer temporary relief but fail to address root causes. Functional medicine allows dermatologists to:
Build deeper relationships with patients: functional medicine emphasizes individualized treatment plans and ongoing follow-up and engagement, encouraging trust and collaboration.
Deliver personalized care plans: these plans consider functional medicine lab results, lifestyle factors, and patient preferences, offering solutions tailored to individual needs.
Improve adherence: patients are more likely to stick with care plans when they feel heard, see meaningful results, and have regular support from team members such as health coaches.
Achieve transformational results in their health: By addressing underlying triggers like inflammation, gut health, autoimmune conditions, or hormones, functional medicine can improve not only skin health but also overall well-being.
Ashley’s Story
Ashley, a 33-year-old mother, found hope and healing for her painful postpartum acne after discovering functional medicine.
Despite struggling with severe breakouts on her face and chest, as well as postpartum changes like constipation, Ashley transformed her health by addressing the root causes of her symptoms—imbalances in her gut, hormones, and nutrition.
With personalized guidance, she cleared her acne, restored her skin’s natural glow, and reclaimed her confidence.
Sam’s Story
Sam, a 30-year-old who endured the pain and frustration of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) for over a decade, found life-changing relief through functional medicine.
By uncovering and addressing root causes like gut dysfunction, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances with tailored nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes, she reclaimed her health—reducing HS symptoms by 75%, restoring her energy, and rediscovering joy in daily life.
Her inspiring transformation showcases the profound healing potential of a personalized, whole-body approach to chronic conditions.
Conner’s Story
Twelve-year-old Conner had been battling chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), digestive issues, and fatigue when functional medicine uncovered the root cause: intestinal parasites.
Through targeted dietary changes, gut-healing protocols, and a customized anti-parasitic regimen, he experienced a complete resolution of CSU, improved digestion, and renewed energy within four months. Conner's journey demonstrates the transformative power of addressing underlying imbalances to restore skin health and overall vitality.
The information provided in this section is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any treatment plan. Individual results may vary, and the outcomes described in patient stories are not guaranteed. Functional medicine approaches should be tailored to each person’s unique health needs and conditions.
Financial Benefits
Integrating functional medicine can improve your practice’s financial health. By diversifying revenue streams and reducing reliance on insurance reimbursement, you can improve profitability while building out a team-based care model that provides you more work-life balance.
Key financial benefits include:
Cash-based services: many functional medicine labs and treatments are not covered by insurance, allowing practices to charge competitive rates.
Membership models: bundling services into subscription plans provides steady income while encouraging long-term patient engagement.
Higher appointment value: functional medicine labs, follow-ups, and personalized care plans increase revenue per patient visit.
Increased patient retention: patients who experience life-changing results are more likely to remain loyal and refer others to your practice.
Benefits for Your Team
Functional medicine isn’t just transformative for patients; it can also reinvigorate your team:
Greater job satisfaction: providers and staff can find passion and purpose in guiding patients through life-changing health transformations.
Opportunities for professional growth: team members can develop new skills and expertise through functional medicine training and continuing education opportunities, increasing the likelihood that they will want to continue working for you.
Improved personal health: staff can follow functional medicine principles themselves to experience better health and productivity.
Some clinics enhance employee wellness by providing access to functional medicine labs and personalized health assessments, giving their staff the opportunity to experience the benefits of functional medicine directly.
Steps to Incorporate Functional Medicine into Your Dermatology Practice
Offering functional medicine in your dermatology practice begins with selecting a few key areas to explore:
Define Your Functional Medicine Focus
Start by identifying which underlying concerns or root causes are most prevalent in your dermatology practice. Consider focusing on areas such as:
- Gut health: consider addressing the gut-skin connection for conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis, and more.
- Hormonal imbalances: managing conditions influenced by hormones, such as hormonal acne or hair loss, can provide powerful changes in your patients’ health and lives.
- Chronic inflammation: supporting patients with chronic inflammatory or autoimmune-related skin disorders can empower them to be less dependent on strong, expensive pharmaceuticals.
Select Lab Tests and Tools
Functional medicine relies on specialized lab testing to uncover root causes. Popular tests for dermatology practices include:
- Comprehensive stool analysis: evaluates the gut microbiome, digestion, and inflammation markers.
- Food sensitivity testing: identifies dietary triggers for inflammation and skin flares.
- Hormone testing: assesses imbalances in cortisol, sex hormones, and thyroid function.
- Autoimmune and inflammatory panels: tools like the Lymphocyte MAP provide insight into immune dysfunction.
- Micronutrient testing: identifies deficiencies in nutrients critical for skin health, such as zinc, vitamin D, and antioxidants.
Decide How to Offer Functional Medicine Services
Once you understand what root causes you want to help your patients identify and how you’ll identify them, it’s time to build out your care delivery model.
Delivery models for functional medicine services include:
- One-off visits: these allow patients to access specific labs or consultations as needed. While this may seem more cost-effective, patients can drop off more easily in this model. Ensure that patients understand that they can invest in a health coach for a more budget-friendly support system.
- Memberships or programs: bundling services into comprehensive programs encourages long-term engagement and delivers ongoing support. For example, a six-month program could include lab testing, follow-ups with their healthcare provider, and access to a health coach.
Pro Tip: Membership models are particularly effective at creating recurring revenue streams and fostering patient loyalty.
Build and Train Your Functional Medicine Team
Now that you know what you want to do and how you’ll do it, it’s time to clarify the roles you will need to help you deliver top-tier care. Remember, implementing a functional medicine model requires a collaborative, team-based approach.
Key Roles to Consider
- Functional medicine-trained dermatologists or nurse practitioners: these healthcare providers will lead patient care and interpret lab results, and create the patient’s individualized treatment plan.
- Health coaches: health coaches support patients in implementing lifestyle changes and staying accountable.
- Nutritionists: nutritionists provide tailored dietary guidance based on lab findings and patient preference and lifestyle.
- Medical assistants: assist with lab coordination, initial check-ins, and vitals.
- Administrative staff: administrative staff play a vital role in functional medicine clinics. Office managers oversee daily operations and support team members. Front-desk staff manage patient communications, appointment scheduling, and logistical coordination.
- Billing specialists: billers adapt to the shift toward cash-based services while managing insurance claims and fielding important patient questions about payment and coverage.
Team Training
Once you’ve clarified the positions you will need in your functional medicine practice, creating training programs is necessary. Focuses for a functional medicine training program include:
- Care delivery: train providers on new operating procedures, functional medicine principles and how to create and execute personalized care plans.
- Billing and coding: educate billers on handling cash-based services alongside insurance. Prepare them to field patient questions and concerns before they come up.
- Patient communication: equip staff to explain the benefits of functional medicine services clearly. Prepare them to answer questions about changes to their care plans, the benefits of addressing the underlying causes of their conditions, and all of the ways that you and your team are showing up for them to provide the best care possible.
Market Your Functional Medicine Services
Now that you have created your functional medicine offerings and trained your staff, it’s time to let your patients and your community know!
Engage Current Patients
- Highlight new services through newsletters, emails, social media, and in-office materials. Some clinics run special offerings for current patients within a set window of time.
- Host workshops or webinars on topics like the gut-skin connection or the role of hormones in skin health.
- Share testimonials and case studies to build excitement and credibility.
Attract New Patients
- Enhance your digital presence with an SEO-optimized website, blogs, social media, and patient success stories.
- Collaborate with local wellness or beauty businesses for cross-promotion.
- Offer introductory packages or consultations to encourage patients to try functional medicine.
Address Common Concerns
Two common concerns that potential patients have about functional medicine include:
- Cost: emphasize the long-term value of functional medicine in preventing chronic conditions. Discuss the value of enjoying more healthy years with themselves and their families.
- Lifestyle changes: reassure potential patients that your team will provide the support they need to succeed.
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Launch and Refine Your Functional Medicine Dermatology Services
While you’re off and running, it’s still important to keep these steps in mind as you start to offer your functional medicine services:
Start Small
Focus on one or two functional medicine areas, such as gut health or hormonal imbalances, to build confidence and refine workflows. You’ll also want to start addressing gaps in care now and gathering patient testimonials.
Monitor Outcomes
Track patient satisfaction, clinical results, and financial performance to identify areas for improvement.
Expand Gradually
Once your initial services are running smoothly, consider adding new labs, services, products, or membership tiers.
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