How working with naturopath, Charmaine D, healed my skin and helped me understand my histamine intolerance
Three years ago I stumbled upon Charmaine D, naturopath and skin specialist. I was searching for someone to support me with my skin issues and was hoping a naturopath could help. With Charmaine’s additional expertise in skincare, I knew she was the perfect fit.
For much of my life, but specifically my adult years, I was suffering from acne and redness. It was an issue I had been dealing with for some time that led me to months and months of frustration. I bought silk pillowcases, I increased my water intake, I fell for Instagram ads for the ‘perfect skincare’, and nothing helped.
Finding Charmaine felt like a saving grace and from our very first consultation we deep-dived into my history, my health, my childhood – everything! You see, Charmaine sees every client for what they are, a complex, multi-faceted equation of experiences, diet, lifestyle and health. She understands the holistic nature of all things and wanted to fully understand me and my history in order to appropriately guide and support me in my own unique needs.
Through thorough consultations and skin treatments, it became clear to Charmaine that the major factor was in fact a histamine intolerance. This histamine intolerance had been completely dictating my life and many more health issues than just skin flaws. It suddenly answered my persistent inflammation, my itchiness, my low immunity, my fatigue, and my intolerance to certain foods.
All this time I had thought my acne was caused by a dirty pillowcase or too much sugar, and for some people that may be the case. But for me, it didn’t matter what I did externally because it was my internal system that was putting up the fight.
While conducting my facial treatments to try and support my overall skin health and hydration, Charmaine and I would discuss what histamine intolerance meant for me, how to best combat it and all the many ways it could impact me in the future. Basically, through my skin treatments, we were also able to also conduct consultations. Because of this it meant I was being constantly educated about my health and the inner workings of my bodily systems. Our focus was to heal myself naturally, using food as medicine, and to make changes in my lifestyle that meant my health concerns never returned. Charmaine helped me to see there is no quick fix, no magic pill, and no one-size-fits-all approach.
Externally, we focused on changing my makeup and skincare to all natural, organic products that were plant-derived and support my skin as the organ it is. We used Cell Defence, a botanically-based skincare range made here in Australia from the most organic and potent ingredients. We also engaged in fortnightly facial treatments to work on the build-up of chemicals and damage from my past. These facial treatments used Charmaine’s Cell Defence line of skincare, as well specialised facial treatment machines to support lymphatic drainage and scar repair.
Internally, we used herbs, natural supplements, and an akalised, low-histamine diet to support my reduction of histamines and to create more balance in my system. We figured out my trigger foods through a process of elimination. We focused on my gut health, killing of a candida overgrowth and then a gut-lining healing protocol. Charmaine made it clear to me that with an unhealed gut, no real progress can be made with your health, especially for your histamine levels and skin health.
Although it seemed overwhelming at first, Charmaine was able to talk me through each stage. She supported me and educated me through each stage, and helped me to see the importance of following the protocol. I was determined to make life-long changes and was willing to commit to any changes that needed to be made. Charmaine was there for me every step of the way and over a three year process, we healed my gut, healed my skin, found a perfect balance for my histamines and worked towards my overall health.
Charmaine’s approach is to work in-depth with her clients, to pass on her knowledge, not gate-keep it. She believes that every person should understand how their body works and how to support themselves. Charmaine believes in consistent, lifelong care, and is under no misguidance that any health problem can be fixed in one or two consultations. In a society where instant gratification is so commonplace, it is hard to comprehend that some things take time, but I chose to reframe my perspective. Instead, I saw Charmaine as my health champion, someone who was going to walk alongside me and educate me as I lived my life. Health is ongoing, and you are either supporting yours or decreasing yours at any moment of the day. I chose to support mine and knew I needed the support of a professional.
Charmaine made an otherwise overwhelming situation, manageable and enjoyable. Through this process I not only gained the outcome I was hoping for, but I also learnt more about myself, my body, my internal workings, and my health. I feel empowered and support and forever grateful that I was shown the tools to support my own health.
To begin your journey with Charmaine D, reach out to her for your first free phone consultation and see where she can take you.