Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Corinne Erickson
Hi Dr. Corinne , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Georgia Skin Specialists, and I take an integrative approach to dermatology. I believe 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 patients over the more than 14 years I’ve been in practice.
I have a special interest in hormone-related skin conditions and focus on the intricate connection between hormones and skin health. I provide 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, I grew up in Macon prior to venturing to Stanford University for my undergraduate degree and the University of Rochester for medical school. I attended the University of Maryland for my intern year in internal medicine and dermatology residency.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At age 13 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and 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.
We’ve been impressed with Georgia Skin Specialists, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
A holistic approach to skin care is the whole-body approach that I take with my patients and practice myself. I recommend 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.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
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.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://georgiaskinspecialists.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaskinspecialists/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaSkinSpecialists/
Image Credits
AtlantaBrandingPhotographer.com
