How to Make Your Skin Glow for Holiday Pictures and Beyond
I always say that true skin vitality begins at the cellular level, where hormones, detox pathways, and nutrient status all play a role. Now, I'll explain how skin ages, why it loses its glow, and how you can restore and maintain a luminous complexion through functional medicine and targeted supplementation.
-Dr. John Salerno
The Science of Glowing Skin: Inside-Out Strategies for Lasting Radiance
Skin naturally changes over time. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, the proteins that give our skin its firmness and elasticity. This decline leads to sagging, fine lines, and a duller appearance. Cell turnover slows, allowing dead skin cells to linger on the surface, contributing to uneven tone and texture.
Hormonal shifts, especially reductions in estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA, further impact hydration, skin thickness, and resilience. Add in oxidative stress from environmental toxins, poor nutrition, and chronic inflammation, and it's no surprise that skin can begin to look tired and less vibrant.
Restoring Balance to Hormones
At Salerno Wellness, we take a comprehensive approach to restoring skin health. One of the first steps is to evaluate and balance hormones. Estrogen and progesterone are critical for maintaining skin moisture and elasticity, while DHEA and testosterone support collagen production and skin tone. When these hormones decline, the skin often becomes dry, thin, and more prone to wrinkles. Through bioidentical hormone therapy and individualized hormone panels, we help patients restore balance and rejuvenate their skin from within.
Detoxification
Another key factor in skin health is detoxification. When the liver, lymphatic system, and gut aren't functioning optimally, toxins can accumulate and manifest as breakouts, dullness, or inflammation. Supporting these systems with targeted supplements can enhance bile flow and liver function, while probiotics and digestive enzymes improve nutrient absorption and reduce systemic inflammation.
Inflammation
Approximately 60% of deaths are now linked to chronic inflammation. Reducing inflammation is also essential, as chronic inflammatory responses break down collagen and damage skin cells. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and resveratrol are powerful anti-inflammatories that help calm the skin and protect it from premature aging.
Nutritional Support
Nutrition plays a foundational role in skin vitality. At SalernoVitamins.com, I personally created vitamins and supplements based on my experience of treating tens of thousands of patients. Many of these supplements support skin health at the cellular level.
- Hair, Skin & Nails Factor includes biotin, MSM, vitamin A, D3, selenium, and horsetail to promote collagen production, hydration, and elasticity. It also contains botanicals such as saw palmetto and stinging nettle to support follicle health and reduce inflammation.
- For deeper structural support, our Collagen Factor formula combines FORTIGEL® peptides, TENDAXION®, and Mobilee® hyaluronic acid to restore firmness and moisture. Vitamin C and magnesium are included to enhance collagen synthesis and bioavailability.
- Glucose Factor contains Alpha Lipoic Acid, another standout supplement that provides antioxidant protection and mitochondrial support to energize skin cells and reduce oxidative damage.
- For those with hormonal imbalances, we also offer DHEA, Pregnenolone, and Adrenal Factor, which has adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola and schisandra to help regulate stress hormones and support skin resilience.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle habits are just as important as supplementation. Prioritizing sleep is essential, as the skin repairs and regenerates during deep rest. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night, and consider using magnesium or melatonin to support circadian rhythm if needed. Managing stress is equally critical, since elevated cortisol levels can break down collagen and increase inflammation.
Techniques such as breathwork, meditation, and listening to Solfeggio frequencies, particularly 528 Hz, known for its role in cellular repair, can help restore balance. Even simple practices like humming or cold exposure can improve vagal tone and enhance skin resilience.
Regular Exercise
Daily movement also plays a role in skin health. Exercise stimulates circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to skin cells while promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, the creation of new, healthy mitochondria that power cellular repair. Activities such as brisk walking, yoga, strength training, or tai chi are excellent choices.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is one of the most effective non-invasive treatments for restoring skin vitality and reversing signs of aging. We use medical-grade red and near-infrared light to stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and accelerate cellular repair.
This therapy penetrates deeply into the skin's layers, energizing mitochondria and enhancing ATP production, both essential for healing and regeneration.
Patients often notice improvements in skin tone, texture, and elasticity, along with reduced fine lines, acne, and redness. Whether you're preparing for holiday photos or seeking long-term skin rejuvenation, red light therapy offers a powerful boost to your glow from the inside out.
Healthy Diet
When it comes to diet, focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. Grass-fed meats and wild-caught salmon provide protein and creatine, which are essential for ATP production and collagen support. Healthy fats from avocado, olive oil, and ghee nourish the skin barrier, while antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as berries, pomegranate, and broccoli, combat oxidative stress. Legumes such as black beans and kidney beans offer fiber and micronutrients that support gut and skin health. For vegetarians and vegans, creatine supplementation may be necessary, as plant-based diets do not naturally provide this compound.
Personalize Your Skin Care Treatments to Maximize Effectiveness
An Annual Holistic Physical will help target treatments for optimal results. To truly optimize your skin, it's important to begin with testing. Hormone panels can reveal imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, and cortisol. At the same time, micronutrient testing can identify deficiencies in zinc, selenium, biotin, and vitamin A. This personalized approach allows us to create a protocol that supports your skin, hormones, and detox pathways in harmony.
