My name is Samantha and I have been a physician assistant practicing dermatology since 2018. 

 

I decided to become a dermatology PA when I was 15 years old. I had acne, and when I was scheduled with a PA at a local dermatology clinic near me, I left my appointment with Cetaphil samples, a topical prescription, and a conversation with my mom where I said, “I think that’s what I want to be when I grow up… I want to be a dermatology PA.” I never changed my mind. 

 

As I entered into my teenage years, the acne worsened, and it was a constant frustration for me.  I was on and off every topical and oral prescription you could take. By the time I reached 16, I had been placed on Accutane. While I was on it, my lips cracked endlessly, I experienced multiple bloody noses, and at least two blistering sunburns – all normal side effects. 

 

Despite the Accutane, the acne continued into my college years. I played for a stressful college soccer team. Going into medicine, my classes were difficult and time consuming as well. My diet was poor. I was on and off antibiotics all throughout college for my acne. I went on birth control around 19 as a means to control my acne. I don’t remember if this helped. I stayed on it long term regardless. 

 

After undergrad I was accepted into a PA program in Ohio. Upon graduating in 2017, I began my career as a Dermatology PA in Hawaii. 

 

In my first dermatology position, I told myself finally!! I have the knowledge to have my best skin and help others get theirs! There were times when my skin glowed, and I beamed any time a patient or coworker mentioned it. But I blocked out the day-to-day skin issues, like the back acne that returned and me asking my coworker to prescribe me antibiotics to help treat it. I blocked out the cysts I would experience on my chin when I traveled. I blocked out the recurrent UTIs I experienced, asking for more antibiotics to treat these as needed. I missed my family. I missed my friends. Work was difficult and lonely. I ate mostly processed foods. I gained 10lbs. I was sad. And stressed. But it was a beautiful place, and my skin glowed sometimes. 

 

After 2 years in Hawaii, I made the decision to move to Oregon to be with my boyfriend. Within one week of moving, acne flooded my cheeks, forehead, and chin. I hadn’t changed any of my skin care products. I thought it was bad water – I had it checked. I purchased more skin care. I purchased more skin care tools. I went back on antibiotics. I experienced more frequent and resistant UTIs. 

 

By January 2022, I went back on Accutane, thinking this time it would be the cure. I experienced eczema for the first time on the back of my hands, which ripped open Monday-Thursday as I washed my hands patient after patient in my practice. I also experienced joint pain to the point where it hurt to sit down. I continued to have acne breakouts throughout the entire treatment. Within one month off Accutane, the acne began to recur. Within 6 months, I was back to having daily breakouts. 

 

A lot of acne presented around my mouth, and in May 2023, I started to wonder if my toothpaste was causing any of these issues. I stopped fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate toothpastes, and saw improvement. 

 

Then I started wondering about my skin care products. I stopped anything that seemed to cause issues, and only used sunscreen and a basic moisturizer. This helped, too. 

 

I discovered the brands Clearstem and With&Within, both of whom discussed pore clogging ingredients in skin care, hair care, body care, and oral care. I also started learning about nutritional and stress causes of acne. I began my own elimination diets. I worked on stress. I added more skin care back into my routine. My skin got better and better. 

 

I studied Functional Medicine Labs and received an Integrative Health Practitioner Certification. I learned more about nutrition and supplements and how they can assist the body to balance, which in turn creates healthy and happy skin. I felt after all of this, and curing my own acne after 17+ years, that I could help my patients – really help them, not just dampen their acne symptoms but really help them cure themselves - and anyone else interested, too. 

 

There is a place for western medicine in this world. I was trained in it, and I believe deeply in it. But I also believe if we can fix ourselves without systemic medications that cause additional side effects, or spending tons of money on countless appointments, products, and treatments, we’ll all be better for it. I hope you find you learn something within the pages of this website. After all of the learning I have done, I’ve realized we cannot separate our skin from the rest of our body. It truly is a cohesive network that determines the health of everything. And nourishing our mind, body, and soul will lead to our best skin yet. 

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