Gut-Skin Advanced Practice Cohort

On-Demand Lecture Watch Time: 37 minutes
Lecture Outline:

• Clinical definition and relevance of the gut-skin axis
• Key structural and functional components of the gut and skin barriers
• Role of the microbiome, mucosal immunity, and systemic communication related to skin conditions
• How intestinal dysbiosis contributes to dermatologic symptoms
• Systemic inflammation as a shared mechanism in gut and skin dysfunction
• Review of current research linking GI health to chronic skin conditions
• Functional medicine framework for identifying gut-related skin triggers
• Laboratory markers, patterns, and diagnostic tools for gut-skin assessment
• Foundational interventions that support both skin and gut restoration
• Strategies for initial clinical evaluation and integrative care planning

Q & A Total Watch Time: 15 minutes
Lecture Q & A Questions:

• How do you determine when a gut-skin patient needs pharmaceutical support versus nutraceutical or herbal protocols?
• Which GI-MAP or stool test findings are most predictive of skin flares—and how do you use that data to guide your protocols?
• What are your favorite protocol ‘starting points’ for stubborn cases of acne, eczema, or psoriasis when gut involvement is suspected?
• How do you prioritize addressing gut permeability vs. dysbiosis in patients with chronic skin conditions?
• What supplements or botanicals do you use most often to support skin outcomes via the gut—and what’s your clinical rationale?
• How do you integrate stress and nervous system support into gut-skin protocols when stress is a major driver?
• What dietary changes yield the most consistent skin improvements when addressing gut-driven inflammation?
• How do you explain the gut-skin connection to patients in a way that encourages buy-in and protocol compliance?
• What’s your approach to cases where the skin is worsening during gut protocol treatment—how do you troubleshoot flares?

On-Demand Lecture Watch Time: 74 minutes
Lecture Outline:

• Clinical definitions, presentations, and subtypes of acne and HS
• Underlying pathophysiology: follicular occlusion, biofilms, and immune activation
• Hormonal, metabolic, and microbiome-driven contributors
• The role of intestinal permeability, SIBO, and dysbiosis in persistent cases
• Conventional and functional diagnostic tools and lab markers with recognizable patterns for root cause analysis
• Acne classification systems and HS staging (e.g., Hurley system)
• Review of relevant testing: stool analysis, organic acid testing, hormone testing
• Review of topical options, oral hormones, antibiotics, retinoids, biologics, etc.
• Evidence-based nutraceuticals and anti-inflammatory protocols including dosage ranges
• Dietary and lifestyle modifications for skin barrier repair and microbiome balance
• Special considerations for scarring, recurrence, and long-term remission strategies

Q & A Total Watch Time: 15 minutes
Lecture Q & A Questions:

• What’s one overlooked intervention that’s made a big difference in resolving stubborn or cystic acne in your clinical experience?
• What does your typical protocol look like when addressing post-pill acne or acne that emerged after stopping hormonal birth control?
• When acne improves on antimicrobials but rebounds after, how do you approach rebuilding the microbiome to prevent recurrence?
• How do you sequence detoxification and microbial clearing in acne protocols to avoid skin flares or Herx reactions?
• How do you counsel clients who are frustrated with slow skin progress—especially when gut healing takes longer than expected to show visible results?
• HS is often described as a condition of immune dysregulation—how do you target the immune system without triggering over-detox or flares?
• Are there any patterns you commonly see between gut permeability or endotoxemia markers and severity of HS symptoms?
• How do you support the microbiome in HS cases without triggering symptom flares—especially when the skin and GI symptoms are both active?
• Do you take a different approach with patients who are already on biologics or immunosuppressants for HS? How do you layer in gut-based care safely?
• What are your go-to interventions when HS flares during treatment—how do you troubleshoot or adjust without losing clinical momentum?

On-Demand Lecture Watch Time: 42 minutes
Lecture Outline:

• Clinical definitions, subtypes, and distinguishing dermatologic features in Psoriasis with supporting graphics/images provided for use in clinical diagnosis
• Pathophysiology covering initial phases of disease, dendritic activation, keratinocyte response and key inflammatory mediators
• Review of diagnostic criteria and severity indexes
• Review of associated conditions and comorbidities such as IBD
• Review of risk factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and microbial influences
• The role of gut permeability, LPS, and molecular mimicry in disease activation
• In-depth review on H. pylori, SIFO, SIBO, inflammation, endotoxemia in disease onset and progression
• Conventional and functional diagnostics including stool analysis, organic acid testing, heavy metal evaluation, gut integrity, and metabolic load
• Overview of conventional therapies including corticosteroids, biologics, and immunosuppressants and how they work, their limitations, etc.
• Nutraceutical dosages, when to use, how to integrate, etc.
• Dietary strategies to modulate inflammation and immune response
• Deep dive into lifestyle considerations for disease including: sleep, stress, detox capacity, and phototherapy
• Clinical guidance for integrating pharmaceutical and functional interventions

Q & A Total Watch Time: 15 minutes
Lecture Q & A Questions:

• When you first suspect psoriasis in a client, what are the top 3 clinical or lab patterns you’re checking to guide your root-cause workup?
• When initiating a gut-focused protocol for someone with psoriasis, where do you typically start—and how do you decide what to prioritize first?
• If a client begins a gut protocol and experiences a flare in their psoriasis, how do you manage that? Do you pause, slow down, or push through?
• What are your go-to interventions when managing an active psoriasis flare—whether it’s gut-based, immune, or topical support?
• If you could only use one topical in a psoriasis protocol, what would it be—and why?
• For clients healing slower than expected or discouraged by lack of visible progress, how do you approach that conversation while keeping them motivated and compliant?
• When reviewing a GI-MAP or stool panel for a psoriasis client, which 1–2 markers tend to carry the most weight in shaping your treatment plan?
• How do you support detox and lymphatic drainage in clients with psoriasis, especially if they show signs of sluggish bile flow or poor clearance?
• Do you modify your gut-healing approach for clients who are currently on biologics for psoriasis—or can your strategy still move forward as planned?
• What’s one clinical pearl or intervention that’s made the biggest difference for your psoriasis clients—especially in stubborn or relapsing cases?

On-Demand Lecture Watch Time: 102 minutes
Lecture Outline:

• Clinical definitions and subtypes of eczema (atopic, contact, dyshidrotic) and urticaria (acute vs. chronic)
• Common symptoms and patterns of presentation across lifespan and severity spectrum
• Pathophysiology diving into: Regulatory T cells, skin barrier dysfunction, histamines, genetic predispositions, and more.
• Deep dive into disease contributors and root cause categories
• Conventional diagnostics: visual, scoring systems, biopsy and scraping options
• Functional medicine evaluation including what to order and assess and address on stool testing, organic acids, labs, etc.
• Overview of standard pharmaceutical options including topical steroids, antihistamines, immunomodulators, and biologics including mechanisms of action, when to use, what to be cautious of, etc.
• Science-supported nutraceutical options including oral and topical
• Lifestyle guidance including environmental detox, skincare protocols, and nervous system regulation strategies
• Case Review: 28 yo female with PMH of severe atopic dermatitis for two years
• Supporting Resources:
  • Urticaria Workup Checklist to guide comprehensive assessment of histamine load and mast cell activation
  • Root Cause Mapping Tool for Eczema to categorize and organize potential contributing factors by system

Q & A Total Watch Time: 23 minutes
Lecture Q & A Questions:

• When working up a new case of eczema, what are the top clinical or lab patterns you’re evaluating to identify the root cause?
• What does your initial protocol typically look like for eczema clients—and how do you decide where to start when multiple systems are involved?
• Are there any GI-MAP or stool markers that you consistently see in moderate-to-severe eczema cases? How do those results influence your treatment plan?
• What internal interventions—whether immune, gut, or drainage focused—have made the biggest difference in stubborn or recurrent eczema presentations?
• Do you have a favorite topical for eczema clients that you find helpful during the deeper root-cause healing process?
• How do you counsel clients who are discouraged by the slow pace of skin improvement, especially when they’re compliant with protocols but not seeing rapid change?
• What’s one clinical pearl or underused intervention that’s become a game-changer in your care of eczema clients?
• What’s your initial workup for a client presenting with chronic urticaria—what labs or history clues help guide your approach?
• When you suspect histamine intolerance or mast cell involvement, what are your go-to interventions for calming an active urticaria flare?
• How do you tailor your urticaria protocols when clients have multiple overlapping factors—like histamine issues, gut dysbiosis, and mold exposure?
• What’s one intervention that consistently helps reduce flare frequency or severity in urticaria clients—especially those who’ve failed multiple therapies?

On-Demand Lecture Watch Time: 92 minutes
Lecture Outline:

• Clinical definitions and subtypes of rosacea: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, ocular, and phymatous
• Common dermatologic features to assess in patients for each subtype
• Addressing pathophysiology and epidemiology of rosacea
• Disease contributors and associations including overview of H. pylori, methanogens, fusobacteria, + more
• Diagnostic review of labs, markers, patterns to analyze, and more
• Review of oral and topicals
• Science supported nutraceuticals including how they impact the disease process- oral and topical
• Review of nutrition and lifestyle strategies
• Skin protocols and product recommendations
• Clinical pearls for long-term flare prevention and symptom stability
• Case review: 38yo female with PMH of IBS, rosacea, allergies, and metabolic inflexibility

Q & A Total Watch Time: 16 minutes
Lecture Q & A Questions:

• What are the first 2–3 things you assess when starting a rosacea case—especially when GI symptoms are also present?
• When you’re unsure what’s driving the rosacea (gut, immune, vascular), where do you begin clinically?
• What’s your clinical next step when a rosacea protocol isn’t producing results—do you retest, shift strategy, or wait longer?
• If there’s minimal change after 6–8 weeks of a gut-based protocol, how do you reassess and pivot your approach?
• If rosacea worsens after starting a gut protocol, how do you determine whether it’s die-off, detox, or the wrong direction?
• When skin flares during gut treatment, how do you decide whether to pause, push through, or change course?
• What’s one unexpected intervention that’s made a big difference for your rosacea clients?
• What’s one clinical lesson you wish you had known earlier in treating rosacea from a gut-based lens?
• What topical or barrier-supportive products do you recommend to provide relief while root-cause work is in progress?
• Do you have any favorite skin-soothing ingredients for active rosacea flares that don’t interfere with gut protocols?

On-Demand Lecture Watch Time: 71 minutes
Lecture Outline:

• Review of the science on skin aging including collagen and elastin degradation, impact of free radicals, cell turnover, hormones, etc.
• Gastrointestinal impacts on skin aging and sagging
• How to use quantitative PCR testing to evaluate skin again
• Conventional dermatologic assessment tools and cosmetic grading scales
• Review of conventional mainstream anti-aging products including mechanisms of action, benefits, and side effect profiles to consider
• Functional medicine approach to evaluating systemic contributors to premature skin aging
• In-depth review on injectables, lasers, chemical peels, CO2, peptides and more
• How to balance internal and external therapies and management
• Review of functional medicine topical and oral options for anti-aging
• Dietary and lifestyle modifications to slow the aging process
• 2 sample protocols for patients including AM routines, PM routines, products, interventions, etc.

Q & A Total Watch Time: 21 minutes
Lecture Q & A Questions:

• When evaluating premature skin aging, what are the top internal factors you assess—and how do you test for them?
• How do you decide when skin aging concerns are primarily internal (e.g. nutrient depletion, inflammation) vs external (UV, barrier damage)?
• What does your foundational protocol look like when addressing skin aging from the inside out—and how do you prioritize where to start?
• What role do gut health and the microbiome play in accelerating or reversing signs of skin aging in your clinical experience?
• Are there any lab markers (serum or stool) that correlate strongly with collagen breakdown, loss of elasticity, or dermal thinning?
• What nutritional or supplemental interventions have made the most visible difference in skin texture, tone, and resilience in your patients?
• What is your stance on in-office aesthetic interventions like microneedling, PRP, or radiofrequency—how do you integrate these into holistic protocols?
• How do you support clients who are post-Botox, filler, or cosmetic procedures from a functional medicine standpoint?
• What’s your go-to skincare ingredient or topical intervention for supporting skin longevity—especially for barrier integrity and hydration?
• What’s one underused or overlooked strategy that you’ve found to be surprisingly impactful in slowing or reversing skin aging?
• Without saying whether you use it or not—if you had to choose just one botulinum toxin product, which would it be and why?

On-Demand Lecture Watch Time: 64 minutes
Lecture Outline:

• Clinical definitions and dermatologic patterns of alopecia (areata, androgenic, telogen effluvium), vitiligo, and lichen planus
• Key presenting features including pattern hair loss, pigment loss, mucosal involvement, and inflammation
• Pathophysiology: autoimmune targeting of follicles and melanocytes, T-cell activation, and oxidative stress
• Root cause drivers: viral triggers (e.g., EBV, HSV), gut-immune disruption, oxidative load, and nutrient deficiencies
• Conventional diagnostic workup: trichoscopy, biopsy, labs (ANA, TSH, ferritin, zinc, etc.)
• Functional medicine evaluation: expanded immune panels, gut testing, and inflammatory markers
• Overview of pharmaceutical options including corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and JAK inhibitors
• Nutritional and supplement protocols for immune modulation, re-pigmentation, and follicular support
• Lifestyle considerations: stress and trauma recovery, topical tolerance, toxin exposure, and mitochondrial care

Q & A Total Watch Time: 14 minutes
Lecture Q & A Questions:

• When working up a new alopecia case, what clinical markers or lab findings do you rely on most to identify root causes?
• If a hair loss protocol seems to stall after 6–8 weeks or doesn’t show clinical improvement, how do you reassess—do you retest, shift strategy, or give it more time?
• What’s your clinical approach when a client experiences increased shedding or scalp inflammation during early treatment phases?
• Are there any topicals you lean into for alopecia?
• When a vitiligo client presents with multiple potential drivers—oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, and detox issues—how do you decide where to begin?
• How do you explain and manage expectations when there’s internal progress (like improved labs or energy) but no visible pigment return yet?
• In your experience, are there any surprising environmental or microbiome patterns that tend to show up in vitiligo cases?
• What are your favorite short-term interventions for symptom relief while deeper immune or gut work is underway?
• What’s one clinical pearl or underused intervention that’s made a noticeable difference in stubborn or treatment-resistant lichen planus cases?
• How do you structure your protocols when there’s both mucosal and cutaneous involvement—do you treat them as one condition or differentiate support?