TRANSCRIPT

The Impacts of Nutrition on Your Skin Health w/ Dr. Brooke Jeffy (Ep. #28)

00:00:00 Dr. Brooke Jeffy shares her unique approach to dermatology through her concierge practice in Arizona. She combines medical dermatology, skin care, and lifestyle modification strategies to help her patients achieve skin wellness. Dr. Jeffy, a health enthusiast, also founded a skincare line and brand for tweens and teens. During a clinic day, she heard a resolution from a teen patient about being consistent with face washing and sunscreen use. She emphasized the importance of having a flexible mindset towards goals rather than rigid resolutions. Dr. Jeffy discussed her journey from completing medical school and residency in Kentucky to moving to Arizona for family reasons and starting her concierge practice.

00:05:00 In this section of "Concierge Practice and the Impacts of Nutrition on Your Skin Health”, Dr. Jeffy discusses her decision to open Arizona's only Direct Care Dermatology practice. She had previously worked for various practices since moving to Arizona but was prompted to start her own after a series of events, including the sale of the practice she was working for to a private equity group. This transition left her feeling unable to provide the care she believed her patients needed, leading her to adopt a more holistic approach and a cash-based model. Dr. Jeffy explains that while primary care doctors are also moving towards membership-based models, it doesn't make as much sense for Dermatology due to the broad scope of conditions treated and the frequency of visits required. She currently offers fee-for-service or direct pay options and may consider expanding into a membership model for the cosmetics aspect of her practice.

00:10:00 Dr. Jeffy discusses the addition of cosmetic procedures to her practice. She mentions that with her shift to a cash-pay model, she has attracted a younger crowd who have requested cosmetic services. To keep these patients in-house, she offers procedures such as chemical peels, micro needling, and laser treatments. By providing these services, she aims to prevent patients from seeking care elsewhere and to maintain a good patient experience. Dr. Jeffy also shares her experience in creating a skincare line for tweens and teens, noticing a gap in the market for specific products for this age group. The process of bringing the products to market involved branding, formulating, and manufacturing, but she saw a need for it based on the increasing number of younger patients in her practice.

00:15:00 Dr. Brooke Jeffy discusses the importance of using age-appropriate skincare products for young individuals. She mentions that while there are many products available for younger skin, some adult products contain active ingredients that are not ideal for children. Dr. Jeffy shares her experience of creating a skincare line, Between, specifically for tweens and teens, as she noticed a demand for products marketed to them. The line focuses on fragrance-free, gentle cleansers and moisturizers that support a healthy skin barrier and are tolerable for young users. Dr. Jeffy emphasizes the significance of starting a good skincare routine early to potentially prevent acne and other skin issues.

00:20:00 Dr. Jeffy discusses the differences in skin health between teenagers and adults, specifically focusing on acne. She explains that while teenagers may start to produce more oil and their skin may become more tolerant to products, it can still be sensitive and irritated by over-the-counter acne treatments. She suggests that for younger teens, simple skincare routines such as washing the face twice a day and using a moisturizer can be effective. Dr. Jeffy also explains that during puberty, hormonal changes cause the skin to become less resilient and more prone to acne. As individuals age, their skin becomes thicker and cell turnover becomes more disorganized, leading to clogged pores and acne. She emphasizes that lifestyle choices such as diet, stress, and sleep play a significant role in skin health and oil production.

00:25:00 Dr. Brooke Jeffy discusses the impact of nutrition on skin health, focusing on both foods that can promote good skin health and those that can be detrimental. She mentions dairy and alcohol as major drivers of skin issues, while encouraging the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and avoiding excess sugar and processed foods. Dr. Jeffy also emphasizes the importance of stress management and sleep for skin health, particularly for teenagers. She encourages patients to make positive steps towards better nutrition, acknowledging the challenges of living in a culture that prioritizes fast food and unhealthy choices. The conversation then shifts to sunscreen, with Dr. Jeffy explaining the importance of SPF and the difference between chemical and physical sunscreens, emphasizing the need for year-round use due to sun exposure occurring regardless of weather or location.

00:30:00 The discussion revolves around the risks associated with chemical sunscreens and the benefits of physical sunscreens. Dr. Jeffy explains that studies have shown that long-term use of chemical sunscreens can lead to internal malignancies in rats, but the argument against this is that these studies were not representative of real-life use. She suggests using physical sunscreens with zinc and titanium instead, as they have been around for a long time and can leave a white cast but now come in better formulations. The conversation then shifts to moles, with Dr. Jeffy explaining that they are benign proliferations of melanocytic cells and that having more moles increases the risk of melanoma. She also mentions that a grouping of moles in a certain area could potentially be a sign of toxicity in that area, affecting not only the skin but also internal organs.

00:35:00 Dr. Jeffy discusses the connection between internal inflammation and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. She explains that while sun exposure can trigger these conditions, research suggests that they may also be caused by inflammation originating from the gut. Dr. Jeffy encourages patients with these conditions to consider treating their gut health to improve their skin conditions. She shares her personal experience with her daughters, who had eczema, and how eliminating gluten and dairy from their diets helped clear up their skin. Dr. Jeffy clarifies that while both eczema and psoriasis can manifest on the skin, they have different underlying causes and are treated differently. She mentions that while topical treatments like creams and steroids are commonly used for psoriasis, her focus with Between, her skincare line, is on encouraging healthy habits for long-term skin health.

00:40:00 Dr. Jeffy discusses her expertise in treating chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, and acne, which is the focus of her concierge practice. She mentions that while skin cancer is important, her practice offers a significant impact to a larger population by addressing these chronic conditions. Dr. Jeffy explains that she finds personal reward in treating these conditions as she can see a noticeable change in patients' self-esteem and confidence. The largest portion of her practice consists of children with acne, followed by adults, particularly women, who are more likely to seek treatment.

00:45:00 In this section, the topic shifts to hair loss and its impact on individuals, particularly during their professional years. Dr. Brooke Jeffy acknowledges the distress caused by hair loss and the genetic predisposition that often contributes to it. She explains that while there are treatments available for hair loss, they are mostly interventions rather than cures, and they require early implementation. The discussion also touches upon the evolving field of hair loss treatments, including medications and cosmetic procedures. Dr. Jeffy shares her personal experience with patients dealing with hair loss, emphasizing the importance of starting interventions as soon as signs of loss appear. She also mentions the difference between androgenetic alopecia, the primary cause of hair loss in both men and women, and autoimmune forms of hair loss, which may require specific treatments. Lastly, she briefly touches upon work-life balance and her struggles with managing it, admitting that she did a poor job in the past.

00:50:00 Dr. Brooke Jeffy discusses her personal struggle with work-life balance as an entrepreneur, particularly in managing two businesses and a family. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, including eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising, but acknowledges the challenge of finding time for these activities with a busy schedule. Dr. Jeffy mentions delegation as a solution to manage her plate and prioritize self-care, but admits it's a common struggle for entrepreneurs. She also touches on the importance of getting a good night's sleep and finding time for health and wellness activities, such as red light therapy, even in the midst of a 16-hour workday. Dr. Jeffy then discusses the benefits of red light therapy for the skin, including reducing inflammation and stimulating collagen production. She notes that home devices are less intense than professional treatments but still offer some benefits.

00:55:00 Dr. Brooke Jeffy discusses the potential benefits of using medically advanced devices such as red light masks for skin health. She also mentions the scientific evidence supporting the use of saunas to increase the body's resilience to aging. Dr. Jeffy promotes her practice, Brooke Jeffy MD, located in North Scottsdale, where people can find her contact information, schedule appointments online, and purchase certain products on her website. She is also active on social media under the handle @BrookeJeffyMD on Instagram and @BrookeJeffyMD on TikTok. Dr. Jeffy expresses her appreciation for the opportunity to share her knowledge and looks forward to future collaborations.