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This SDPA interview with Steven Daveluy, MD, highlights integrative dermatology practices, acne strategies, and the value of supplements and dietary changes.
During the 2026 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Annual Summer Dermatology Conference in Denver, Steven Daveluy, MD, of Wayne State University, spoke with the HCPLive 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 dermatology.1,2
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.
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.
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