Ayurvedic Care for Skin and Hair in San Ramon: Eczema, Acne, Psoriasis, Hair Loss

Eczema that flares, acne that will not settle, psoriasis, thinning hair or hair loss: skin and hair concerns are some of the most common reasons people search for an Ayurvedic doctor near them. Preeti Gupta at Minute Wonder Ayurveda in San Ramon helps people with skin and hair concerns by looking at the whole person, not only the patch of skin or the scalp.

Ayurveda is a traditional system of wellness. Preeti does not diagnose pathological conditions from a Western perspective, so her work sits alongside the care of your physician and never replaces it. Skin and hair conditions should be diagnosed by a physician or dermatologist.

What Ayurveda looks at

Ayurveda sees skin and hair as connected to digestion, elimination and the balance of the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). A skin or hair concern is rarely looked at on its own. Preeti asks about your digestion, diet, daily routine, sleep and stress as well, and the consultation includes a skin examination and tongue diagnosis.

She also looks at what you put on your skin and scalp. Ayurveda uses warm herbal and sesame oils for both, and Preeti has written about the routines she teaches.

What a consultation with Preeti covers

Preeti Gupta is Ayurvedic Doctor-level certified (NAMACB) and a professional member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). Your first visit is a 90-minute consultation ($250). She goes through your health concerns and symptoms in detail, reviews your daily routine, diet, digestion, exercise and sleeping habits, and uses a detailed health history, pulse analysis, skin examination and tongue diagnosis to understand your constitution and where it is out of balance.

You leave with a personalized diet, herbal and lifestyle plan. Follow-ups are $125 for 60 minutes. Preeti usually recommends focusing on one or two imbalances at a time. See pricing.

What she may recommend

• Diet and daily routine changes that support digestion and elimination, in a customized plan.

• Oils for home use, such as the Kunkumadi face routine and the Nilibhringadi sesame hair oil routine described below.

• Abhyanga, the warm oil full body massage ($150 for 60 minutes, $200 for 90). The page lists prevention of dry skin among what it supports.

• Herbal supplements and decoctions where they suit you, after you have told her about your medications.

What you can start this week

• Herbal Kunkumadi Oil. Her nightly face routine: cleanse with warm water, pat dry, press a few drops of warmed oil onto the face and neck with upward strokes, leave it for at least 30 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water.

• Haircare, the Ayurvedic Way. A scalp massage with warmed Nilibhringadi sesame hair oil for 10 to 15 minutes, left on for at least 30 minutes, then washed off with a mild herbal shampoo. Her post says people with certain scalp conditions, such as psoriasis or severe dandruff, should check with their healthcare provider before starting a new hair care routine.

If your skin is broken, infected or in an active flare, do not apply new oils without asking Preeti or your dermatologist first.

When to see your physician

See your physician or dermatologist promptly for a rash that is spreading fast or comes with fever, skin that is hot, swollen, weeping or painful, blistering, a mole or spot that changes size or color or bleeds, or sudden patchy hair loss. Do not stop prescribed creams or medicines for eczema, acne or psoriasis without talking to your doctor, and tell Preeti about all of them.

Common questions about skin and hair

Can Ayurveda help with eczema, acne or psoriasis?

Preeti looks at the whole picture behind a skin concern: digestion, diet, routine, sleep, stress and your constitution, and recommends diet, daily routine and oils that support you. It does not replace a dermatologist, and it is not a promise of any particular result. Many clients report feeling a difference within the first few weeks of following their plan, and lasting change usually comes over months.

Can Ayurveda help with hair loss?

Preeti looks at hair loss through digestion, diet, stress and the scalp itself. Her hair care post describes scalp massage with Nilibhringadi sesame hair oil, which she writes supports blood circulation in the scalp and hydrates it. If hair loss is sudden or patchy, see your physician first.

Is it safe to put herbal oils on my skin and scalp?

Skin is individual. Her posts note that scalp conditions such as psoriasis or severe dandruff need a healthcare provider's advice first, and that oil should go on completely dry hair. Tell Preeti about any allergy or skin condition before you start.

Ayurveda is a traditional system of wellness and is not a substitute for medical care. Content here is educational. Please consult your physician about any medical condition. Preeti Gupta is not licensed by the State of California as a healing arts practitioner; Ayurvedic services are complementary to the care of licensed providers.