A Different Conversation about Skin and Health

At Bergen Dermatology, I’m having a slightly different conversation with patients these days.

Not just “what’s going on with your skin?” But, “how is your body functioning and could that be showing up on your skin?”

My goals are simple and intentional. I’m not launching a full longevity practice or promising a total reset. Instead, I’m focusing on optimization, starting with two of the most evidence-backed drivers of long-term health and skin resilience:

Zone 2 aerobic fitness and sleep optimization.

A Real Example: When Data Speaks Before Symptoms (and Skin)

In December, I purchased an Oura Ring to better understand my own sleep, recovery, and stress patterns.

Not long after, my Oura flagged a dip in HRV (heart rate variability) and asked a simple question: “Are you okay?”

At the time, I felt mostly fine, maybe a little more tired than usual. A few days later, I developed the flu.

That HRV drop was my nervous system signaling physiologic stress before obvious symptoms appeared.

Clinically, this matters. Dermatologically, it matters even more because the skin often reflects internal stress after these systems are already strained.

Right now, the optimized response for me is rest: prioritizing sleep, pulling back on intensity, and letting recovery do its job.

Why Functional Health Shows Up on Your Skin

Skin is not isolated. It’s a stress-responsive organ.

When sleep is poor or the nervous system is under strain, we commonly see:

• Acne, rosacea, and eczema flares
• Increased skin inflammation and sensitivity
• Slower barrier repair and dullness
• Worsening hyperpigmentation
• Delayed healing and collagen breakdown
  

You can have the best skincare routine in the world, but you can’t out-skincare poor sleep and chronic stress.

This is why I often explain it this way to patients: if we improve how your body handles stress during the day and how well it recovers at night, your skin almost always improves.

Zone 2 Training: An Underrated Foundation for Skin and Health

When I talk about exercise, I’m not talking about extremes.

Zone 2 training is moderate, steady movement where you’re breathing harder but can still hold a conversation. It’s one of the most effective ways to improve:

• VO₂ max and cardiovascular fitness
• Mitochondrial and metabolic efficiency
• Insulin sensitivity (a big driver of acne and inflammation)
• Circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin
  

A lower VO₂ max doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” It usually means the aerobic system hasn’t been trained consistently and that’s highly reversible.

For many patients, focusing on Zone 2 is less about extremes and more about building a strong, consistent foundation: better energy, calmer skin, and more predictable recovery.

Sleep: The Most Overlooked Skin Treatment

Exercise challenges the body. Sleep is where the repair happens.

During quality sleep, the body:

• Regulates inflammatory pathways
• Supports collagen production
• Restores the skin barrier
• Balances cortisol and insulin

When sleep is fragmented or insufficient, skin flares more easily and heals more slowly even if labs look “normal.” My recent experience reinforced something I see in clinic every day: Listening to recovery signals is optimization, not weakness.

Simple. Intentional. Skin-Informed.

This approach isn’t about doing everything at once.

It’s about starting with what works:

• Improving aerobic fitness through Zone 2 training
  
• Protecting sleep and recovery
  
• Reducing systemic stress that quietly shows up on the skin
  

When patients feel better internally, their skin becomes calmer, more resilient, and more predictable and motivation follows naturally. That’s the care philosophy I believe in and practice at Bergen Dermatology.

Ready to Start Optimizing Without Overwhelm?

If you’re curious how sleep, fitness, stress, and skin health may be connected for you, we can start the conversation with no extreme plans and no pressure.

👉 Schedule a consultation at Bergen Dermatology to talk about practical optimization strategies that support both your health and your skin. Remember your skin is a longevity organ.