Steven Daveluy, MD, FAAD

Can Supplements Help to Address Acne? With Steven Daveluy, MD

2026 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA)

 Annual Summer Dermatology Conference in Denver, Steven Daveluy, MD, of Wayne State University, spoke with the 

 team about various concepts covered in his session on integrative dermatology, noting the ways in which evidence-based complementary therapies can be incorporated into conventional 

Dairy products and whey protein may contribute to acne inflammation and treatment resistance.

Probiotics can be beneficial in dermatology, but effectiveness depends on the specific strain and condition being treated.

Integrative therapies should be guided by clinical evidence rather than online trends or anecdotal recommendations.

Open discussions about diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes can strengthen patient trust and engagement.

How Do Diet Changes and Probiotics Impact Acne?

In this second segment of his on-site interview, Daveluy expanded on practical applications of integrative dermatology, particularly delving into the management of acne. He highlighted a growing amount of data linking dairy consumption, including whey protein supplements, to acne-related inflammation, noting that some patients with treatment-resistant disease have seen significant improvement after eliminating these products.

“A lot of people don't know that that whey protein powder comes from milk, so they're still getting dairy that way,” Daveluy explained. “There's been a few studies that showed for people who had really resistant acne, [wherein] the medications weren't working, when they stopped taking whey protein, all of a sudden things worked.”

Daveluy also discussed the value of evidence-based supplement use, highlighting that probiotic benefits are strain-specific and should be selected according to the condition being treated. Additionally, he cautioned against the many unsupported remedies individuals often commonly encounter online.

How Clinicians Should Incorporate Integrative Dermatology

Beyond acne, Daveluy stressed the importance of helping clinicians thoughtfully incorporate integrative approaches into their everyday clinical practices. He encouraged providers to begin by reviewing available evidence for supplements, dietary interventions, and lifestyle modifications relevant to common dermatologic diseases, building a reliable foundation of recommendations that can be used during patient encounters.

Rather than dismissing questions about nutrition, supplements, or alternative therapies, he suggested that clinicians engage with patient interests and seek out the available evidence when needed. One major theme of Daveluy’s comments was the value of maintaining an open dialogue with patients in dermatology settings. He noted patients can often be highly interested in lifestyle-based interventions, adding that the dismissal of those questions can undermine trust and engagement.

By acknowledging uncertainties, researching emerging literature, and discussing scientifically supported options, Daveluy believes dermatology providers can strengthen patient relationships while expanding the range of evidence-based tools available for the management of diseases.

Disclosures: Daveluy previously reported serving as a speaker and consultant for AbbVie, UCB, and Novartis, and as a researcher for AbbVie, UCB, Novartis, Regeneron, Pfizer, and Sanofi.

Daveluy S. Integrative Dermatology. Presented at SDPA Summer 2026. Jun 10-14, 2026.

Daveluy S. How Can Oils, Acupressure, and Supplements Improve Skin Conditions? HCPLive. June 12, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/how-can-oils-acupressure-supplements-improve-skin-conditions-

Videos

This SDPA interview with Steven Daveluy, MD, highlights integrative dermatology practices, acne strategies, and the value of supplements and dietary changes.

How Can Oils, Acupressure, and Supplements Improve Skin Conditions?

 Annual Summer Dermatology Conference, Steven Daveluy of Wayne State University discussed key concepts from his session on integrative 

, highlighting how evidence-based complementary therapies can be incorporated into conventional dermatologic care.

Integrative dermatology combines conventional medicine with complementary therapies supported by scientific evidence.

Daveluy highlighted acupressure, L-histidine supplementation, and select plant-derived oils as evidence-based options for atopic dermatitis.

Sunflower seed oil was identified as one of the best-supported integrative therapies, with research showing benefits in eczema and neonatal health.

For psoriasis, Daveluy emphasized the Mediterranean diet and encouraged patients to make gradual, sustainable dietary changes.

, Daveluy emphasized that integrative dermatology should not be viewed as an alternative to traditional medicine but rather as an extension of it. In his discussion, Daveluy described the field as an effort to evaluate complementary and alternative therapies through the same scientific lens used for prescription medications, recommending only interventions supported by clinical evidence. He noted clinicians should remain open-minded when discussing non-traditional treatments or supplements with patients while still relying on published data to guide recommendations.

How Should Clinicians Approach Conversations About Alternative Treatments?

“[Traditionally] there's been an us versus them, conventional medicine versus complementary and alternative medicine [mentality],” Daveluy said. “And so I think integrative [dermatology] bridges that really well.”

A significant portion of the discussion focused on integrative approaches for managing atopic dermatitis. Daveluy highlighted several interventions supported by emerging evidence, including acupressure, nutritional supplementation, and the use of certain plant-derived oils. Among his preferred recommendations is acupressure of the Large Intestine 11 (LI11) point near the elbow, which has been shown to help diminish itch in those living with eczema.

He noted the technique may provide dual benefits by both alleviating pruritus and keeping patients’ hands occupied, potentially reducing scratching behavior. Daveluy also pointed to L-histidine supplementation, describing it as a precursor to filaggrin that may help support the skin barrier by enhancing the body’s ability to produce natural moisturizing factors. Additionally, he pointed to literature supporting the use of virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, and virgin sunflower oil as possible moisturizers.

Which Integrative Dermatology Treatments Have the Strongest Support?

When asked which integrative therapies have the strongest supporting data, Daveluy singled out sunflower seed oil. Beyond research pointing to benefits in eczema management, he referenced research in premature infants showing that topical sunflower oil use was associated with reductions in sepsis and mortality, findings he described as particularly compelling. Daveluy also addressed dietary strategies for patients with psoriasis, highlighting evidence supporting high-fiber, omega-3-rich eating patterns such as the Mediterranean diet.

He noted studies have shown improved outcomes among individuals who adopt Mediterranean-style dietary habits, whether used alone or alongside systemic drugs. Notably, Daveluy encouraged clinicians to approach discussions about diet collaboratively and to emphasize gradual, sustainable changes rather than dramatic lifestyle overhauls, helping patients integrate healthier habits in a realistic and attainable way.

Daveluy S, et al. Integrative Dermatology. Presented at SDPA Summer 2026. Jun 10-14, 2026.

This discussion of integrative dermatology highlights ways to combine conventional medicine and complementary or alternative medicine.

During the 2025 New Wave Dermatology Conference, the 

 team spoke in an interview with Steven Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director at Wayne State University, about treating conditions such as 

Daveluy was asked several questions that had been touched on in several of his sessions during the conference. This interview segment features his responses related to the aforementioned dermatologic conditions. 

 first asked him about in-office procedures related to treating HS.

Treatment Strategies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Atopic Dermatitis, with Steven Daveluy, MD

“I am always excited for dermatologists to do in-office procedures for HS, because there are so many things that we can do that can have a huge benefit,” Daveluy explained. “Intralesional steroid injections can help, and I usually do it at a concentration of 40 milligrams per cc, because at that dose, it's been shown to resolve lesions. We can also do de-roofing, which is basically taking the roof off and letting it heal by secondary intention. Then there's a technique called cryoinsufflation, where you can use your liquid nitrogen and spray it into tunnels to get them to go away.”

Daveluy was also asked by the editorial team about ways to perform the procedure known as deroofing for patients living with HS.

“Deroofing for hidradenitis suppurativa is a really simple technique, and all dermatologists already have the skills,” Daveluy said. “You just numb [the area] around the lesion, and then if you can feel where the tunnel is, you can probe into it. Then you just take the top of it off. Sometimes there's this sort of gooey lining on the inside, so you scrape that out with your scalpel or with gauze or a curette. Then, you just stop any bleeding and let it heal.”

Later, Daveluy was asked about different examples of integrative treatments for patients living with atopic dermatitis.

“There are some great integrative treatments for atopic dermatitis,” he explained. “So, for rice paper, you can create a mask. It's the same rice paper you would buy to make spring rolls, and you just cut it into pieces, a piece for the forehead, for the cheeks, for the chin, dip it into some warm water for a few seconds, and put it on your face. The starch that is in the rice has been shown to be beneficial for as a moisturizer and sort of soothing.”

When patients are dealing with eczema on their face, Daveluy noted, such individuals can wear this mask to bed and it may help them to fall asleep.

“There are a few oils that have been shown in studies to be beneficial for eczema such as coconut oil, virgin olive oil, and sunflower seed oil,” Daveluy said. “So if patients are looking for a more natural moisturizer, that's an option that they can turn to. I like to combine it with a massage, because there was a study in children that showed if parents did 20 minutes of massage a day, it helped their eczema improve and then they felt less itchy. So you can combine the two and massage in your moisturizer or your oil, and it's a good bonding time for parents and kids, and it'll help their eczema.”

To find out more about subjects such as these, view the full interview segment posted above.

The quotes used in this summary were edited for the purposes of clarity.

Dr. Steven Daveluy, at the 2025 New Wave Dermatology Conference, discussed in-office procedures for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and integrative treatments for atopic dermatitis. For HS, he highlighted intralesional steroid injections, deroofing, and cryoinsufflation as effective techniques. Deroofing involves numbing the area, probing the tunnel, and removing the top layer. For atopic dermatitis, Daveluy recommended rice paper masks and natural oils like coconut, olive, and sunflower seed oil, combined with massage, to soothe and moisturize the skin, enhancing patient comfort and bonding.

This video includes a discussion of different procedures designed to help treat patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and atopic dermatitis.

 team at the 2025 New Wave Dermatology Conference, Steven Daveluy, MD, associate professor and program director at Wayne State University, spoke about the biggest takeaways from his talks on treating several 

 and addressing concerns of patients with diverse skin types.

 editorial team asked about Daveluy’s talk ‘Color-Centric Care: Enhancing Dermatologic Treatments for All Skin Types.’ Specifically, Daveluy was asked to give examples of racial disparities impacting dermatologic care and ways that dermatologists can address such disparities.

Options for Managing HS and Cutaneous Lymphoma, with Steven Daveluy, MD

“In the literature, we've found a few different racial disparities in dermatology,” Daveluy explained. “There are disparities in psoriasis where patients aren't always offered the same therapeutics, including biologics, where we see that Black patients are offered biologics less frequently than White patients…In eczema, where you live and your parents' income, their education level, and housing situation, can impact the severity of your eczema for children.”

These examples, Daveluy noted, highlight a disparity that children have no control over but can, nevertheless, impact their lives and disease state. Later, Daveluy was asked to discuss the challenges when diagnosing cutaneous lymphoma.

“Cutaneous lymphoma can be very tricky to diagnose,” Daveluy said. “It can look a lot like eczema or psoriasis, and it actually may require multiple biopsies because it doesn't even show up on the first biopsy a lot of the time. Some of the clues are if it looks a little bit atrophic or has a kind of wrinkly texture. Also, if it's distributed in the bathing trunk distribution, or the areas like the buttocks, the groin areas, which are really sun-protected because you're wearing pants and underwear.”

Daveluy noted that cutaneous lymphoma also can appear at an older age, typically around the ages of 50 - 60. He noted the value of not making a misdiagnosis, given that some of the available medications for other conditions—such as TNF alpha inhibitors—can make it flare. Later, Daveluy was asked about addressing HS and about some of the drugs in the treatment pipeline for the condition.

“I'm really excited about some of the novel treatments coming for HS,” Daveluy explained. “We're seeing biologics that are targeting different pathways in the immune system, and it's actually making me learn new pathways in the immune system that I didn't even know about. And we're seeing a new class of drugs called nanobodies that work a lot like a biologic, because they block cytokines, but they're smaller, so they can get into tissue better.”

Daveluy highlighted that this, hopefully, will mean that nanobodies will be more beneficial in HS.

“I'm also excited that we're doing more studies on surgery, because most patients with HS need a combination of medications and surgery to treat the tunnels and the persistent lesions,” he said. “We haven't had a lot of research on surgery before. So there are some innovative things going on in that realm that should help guide us.”

For any additional information about these subjects, view Daveluy’s full interview video posted above this summary.

The quotes used in this interview summary were edited for clarity.

Steven Daveluy, MD, discussed racial disparities in dermatologic care, highlighting that Black patients are less frequently offered biologics for psoriasis compared to White patients. He emphasized the challenges in diagnosing cutaneous lymphoma, which can mimic eczema or psoriasis and may require multiple biopsies. Daveluy expressed excitement about novel treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), including biologics targeting new immune pathways and nanobodies. He also noted the importance of combining medications with surgical interventions for HS and the need for more research in surgical treatments.

This interview with Steven Daveluy, MD, features a discussion of hidradenitis suppurativa, cutaneous lymphoma, and addressing racial disparities.

Steven Daveluy, MD, FAAD

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