Authority Magazine: 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Each day, millions strive to unlock the secrets of blemish-free, luminous skin, yet many find this goal frustratingly out of reach. In a market saturated with quick fixes and fad trends, it’s vital to cut through the noise and understand what truly works. Our skin is our largest organ and the shield between our bodies and the outside world; it deserves more than just a superficial approach. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Corinne Erickson.
Dr. Corinne Erickson, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Georgia Skin Specialists and CLEAR Aesthetics MD in Atlanta, takes an integrative approach to dermatology. She believes in enhancing skin longevity not only through medical-grade skin care and in-office treatments such as lasers, but also by working with patients proactively on health and wellness lifestyle strategies relevant to their individual skin and hair issues. This custom, whole-health methodology has proven effective for her patients over the more than 14 years she has been in practice.
Erickson also has a special interest in hormone-related skin conditions and focuses on the intricate connection between hormones and skin health. She provides patients with tailored treatments that address both the symptoms and underlying hormonal imbalances contributing to their skin concerns, including female hormonal acne, hair loss, rosacea and aging.
Native to Georgia, Erickson grew up in Macon prior to venturing to Stanford University for her undergraduate degree and the University of Rochester for medical school. She attended the University of Maryland for her intern year in internal medicine and her dermatology residency.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Myjourney into medicine began with me on the receiving side of medical care when at age 13 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Terrified of the potential consequences, I threw myself into healthy eating and exercising regularly at a time when most of my peers were sucking down sugary drinks and indulging in fast food. However, my mental health suffered trying to keep such a tight control over my blood sugar levels. When I made the decision to go into medicine, I reflected on this early journey. I decided that I wanted to be a physician who cared for the whole person and inspired a desire to be healthy out of feeling good rather than fearing the dire consequences of failure, like I had.
When I first began my premed program, I pursued pediatric endocrinology with the thought of helping newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetics manage their disease. However, I really found my calling when I rotated into dermatology during my fourth year at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. I loved the conversations with patients and the complexities of helping manage their visible conditions that often had hidden, underlying causes. My patients who couldn’t hide from their ailments inspired me to bring my own invisible condition into plain view, and I began clipping my insulin pump to my waistband instead of uncomfortably hiding it on my person.
I pursued and completed a dermatology residency, and, for the first 10 years of my career, I worked in private practices in Atlanta and Dallas. When I moved back to Atlanta in 2020, I joined Georgia Skin Specialists (GSS), which, compared to where I had been working, was a smaller, female-only private practice with a supportive culture that I loved. I knew it was my forever home. When the founder wanted to retire and approached me about taking over GSS in 2022, I embraced the opportunity to use my experiences from my past practices to take this leadership role and grow it into the first and only dermatology practice in Atlanta to take an integrative approach to medical and aesthetic skin health.
Today, I am filled with gratitude for my patients who entrust me with their skin health and who also join me on this path to well-being.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
A year and a half ago, though my glucose levels were regulated well, I was not feeling right. My doctors told me repeatedly that my labs were “normal.” Dissatisfied, I went to see a functional medicine provider who took a deep dive into my health history, hormones, diet, exercise and emotions. I made a few meaningful, small changes and gradually noticed improvements in my sleep and mood. Overall, I feel better.
Inspired by this personal, positive experience with functional medicine, I decided to explore how to take a more integrative approach with my dermatology patients and started an intense integrative dermatology training program. My patients have been incredibly open to dialogues about their overall health and lifestyle as it pertains to acne, rosacea, psoriasis and, well, everything. I have found that, like me, so many of my patients were frustrated by being told what they were going through was normal and just given prescription creams and pills to put a Band-Aid on symptoms.
One acne patient is particularly memorable. She had struggled for years, been on several courses of Accutane, and just wanted to clear her skin with diet and supplements. At her nine-month follow-up appointment, she presented with clear skin and a huge smile. She thanked me for not forcing her down a path of oral antibiotics or more Accutane as other dermatologists had before.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Empathy, deep listening and gratitude.
Empathy for patients is a quality every doctor should have. It fuels our desire to be of service to another fellow human. As a working mom, I also empathize with the challenges fellow working moms face professionally and personally. I’m proud to run an all-female practice with several working mothers, and I am always striving to improve my work culture so that it supports women.
Listening closely to the needs of patients, providers and staff, and implementing changes at my practice improves morale and outcomes. For example, I launched an aesthetics division in my practice, basically a business within a business, not even six months after taking over Georgia Skin Specialists in 2022. I was tired of seeing my patients come in with complications from inadequately trained med spas without medical oversight. We now provide our patients with a full range of safe, effective aesthetic services.
To maintain a gratitude-oriented mindset, I start and end every day writing in a journal expressing gratitude. Being in a positive mind frame allows me to better interact with my patients and more than 30 team members, even during stressful times.
What are your “5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin”?
1. See your dermatologist for regular skin checks and help. Preventing skin cancer is top priority so an annual skin checkup is key, and more often might be necessary if you have a history of skin cancer. A dermatologist also can help advise about or treat any skin issues that might be bothering you.
2. Be consistent with skin care. Follow a regular “protect and repair” skin care habit suited to your skin’s specific needs and to your budget. For example, at minimum, everyone will improve their skin with a daily sunscreen with SPF 30 to 50 in the morning and a moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, glycerin and ceramides in the evening because these pull more water into the skin and seal the barrier to reduce water loss. Additionally, get into a cleansing habit. For sensitive skin, I prefer a creamier cleanser without foaming agents like sodium laurel sulfate to avoid stripping needed oils from the skin. For those who are oily or acne prone, I recommend cleanser with ingredients like glycolic or lactic acid that gently exfoliates dull surface skin cells and clarifies pores. When it comes to what we call “actives,” and these are often in serums, I recommend medical grade antioxidants with either L-ascorbic acid or THD which are the most effective forms of vitamin Cs for anyone with sun damage or concerns of skin aging. For anti-aging and anti-acne, I incorporate serums or gels with retinol or retinoic acid when safe and appropriate. Whether you have $20 or $200 to spend on products each month, a basic, consistent routine is achievable. In general, ignore what skin influencers are touting as the next big and best thing. It usually isn’t based on any science and can be a waste of money.
3. Stay hydrated and minimize water loss. Skin hydration means increasing its water content, which can be achieved using humectants and moisturizing regularly. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most effective humectants and can be found in some over the counter and many medical-grade products. Plus, drink lots of water; eat hydrating foods; and limit caffeine, alcohol and salt intake since these things can dehydrate you.
4. Manage stress with simple breathwork. Relax facial muscles that can tense up, create wrinkles and make us look tired and angry. Take five minutes each morning to be still and breathe. Clear your mind and focus on your breathing. And yes, if your facial wrinkles bother you, neurotoxin injections such as Botox can help.
5. Take an inside out approach. This means eating foods and taking supplements to support healthy skin. I emphasize the importance of eating more plants and proteins. Fruits and veggies boost our fiber and antioxidant intake, which can improve gut health, reduce inflammation and optimize glucose levels. Proteins are critical for collagen building and wound healing, but I recommend patients get those from plants when possible, and then other sources like fish. Supplements really vary based on the skin issues and dietary choices, but generally most people need more vitamin D and omega-3s.
What are the most common misconceptions about daily skincare routines that prevent people from achieving radiant skin?
That they are expensive and time consuming.
Could you share your insights on how diet and nutrition directly affect skin health, and perhaps suggest some superfoods for skin radiance?
Our Standard American Diet (SAD for short!) is full of fast, easy energy from processed foods and lacks the fiber and micronutrients our bodies need — hence the rise of hormone imbalances, gut issues and insulin resistance in the U.S. All of these issues contribute to common skin problems including acne, hair loss, psoriasis and eczema. So, as mentioned above, it’s very important to eat more plants and quality sources of proteins. I like 2/3 of the plate to be covered in colorful vegetables (“eat the rainbow” approach) and the remaining 1/3 split between protein and whole grains.
How do you recommend individuals tailor their skincare routine to address the unique needs of their skin type and environment?
The great thing about skin is that it shows when it needs a change, so pay attention. Feeling dry, tight and flaky? Change to a gentler cleanser, avoid acidic toners and serums and increase hydration. Breaking out in the jaw line area? Put attention on your hormones and whether there could be an imbalance or hypersensitivity to monthly hormone shifts. Red and flushing frequently? Track diet and activities that may be exacerbating that and see if minimizing those exposures helps. Not sure where to start? That’s what dermatologists are here for.
What advances in skincare science or new ingredients are you most excited about that promise to enhance skin health and radiance?
I get excited about skin care product innovations that improve the delivery of active ingredients into the skin. For example, the brand Hydrinity Accelerated Skin Science has a dual molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) that hydrates on the skin’s surface and a small molecule that carries anti-inflammatory and cell-regenerating peptides deep into the skin. Exosome technology also interests me. Applying an exosome product is like sending tiny engineers into your skin to help each cell do its job better. Some tell cells to stop releasing pigment, which helps reduce melasma. Others tell cells like fibroblasts to crank up collagen production to help with wrinkles. The amazing thing about exosomes is that one product can repair multiple issues, such as pigment, redness, wrinkles and inflammation, all of which ultimately will help us need fewer products to accomplish our goals.
Can you describe a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses not just topical treatments but also lifestyle and wellness practices?
A holistic approach to skin care is the whole-body approach that I take with my patients and practice myself. I’ve already mentioned eating a diet rich in plants, the more colors the better, and maintaining a skin care routine that meets your skin’s current needs. Also understand that your skin needs change over time.
Fostering good, quality sleep is a big part of skin care, too. You’ve likely heard that about “beauty sleep,” but let’s dive into why sleep is so important for skin health. Good sleep coincides with a person’s normal circadian rhythms and is usually at least seven hours a night. Sleep is when our bodies restore and repair, and that includes our skin. Poor sleep, either from staying up too late or not getting enough of it increases our body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol levels increase oil production and can worsen acne. They also lead to hair loss.
Stress is problematic as well and often correlated with poor sleep and higher cortisol levels. That can be a chicken-or-the-egg situation — stress begets poor sleep and vice versa. Establish a mindfulness and gratitude practice to reduce the negative impact of stress and cortisol on skin and overall well-being.
Exercise also regulates cortisol levels, improves insulin resistance (helping to prevent diabetes) and increases blood flow to the skin. Maintaining healthy muscle mass is important to maintain a more youthful look as our muscles are part of the skin’s underlying support and structure.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
If I could start a movement in the medical field, it would be that every dermatologist and medical doctor would be required to receive more training on nutrition in medical school. There would be more emphasis on preventative health versus treatment of disease. Let’s not lose sight of the body as a whole and the beautiful, intricate ways every system impacts the other.
And this way of thinking should trickle down to our patients. I want to empower women who are going up in decades to stop accepting that just because they are experiencing changes in hormones, mood, sleep and skin that looking and feeling bad is “normal.” Instead of white-knuckling it through perimenopause, which can span a decade, or clinging to injections and surgery as the only hope, I want to normalize a proactive, integrated approach to skin aging (and aging in general). We must talk about and approach aging openly and without shame.
For example, many people have normal blood sugar levels on lab work and are told by doctors that they are fine and not to worry about diabetes. But their fasting insulin levels, the hormone needed to keep blood sugar levels normal, are not tested. These are often through the roof, indicating that the body is working too hard to maintain control. The patients don’t understand why they are losing hair; breaking out in acne; have an awful, oily flaky scalp; are erupting in skin tags and have thick discoloration on their neck areas. Sure, the single blood test hormone panel may have been normal, but there is nothing normal about the way the hormones are impacting these patients. I want better than that for them.
My movement encourages patients to listen to their bodies and when they don’t feel healthy but get normal laboratory results and are told they are fine, to push harder. Physicians need to look at the bigger picture and patients need to feel empowered to have those conversations.