The other day, a longtime patient came in for a visit, and we began reflecting on how much her life had changed over the years…Not just her skin, but also her confidence, her mood, and the very way she navigated the world.
When she had first come to see me, she had suffered from severe rosacea for over a decade. Her skin was red, inflamed, and often painful. But what affected her most was the visibility of the condition and how this affected her self-esteem. She felt deeply embarrassed and, over time, began to withdraw from social situations and limit her life choices.
At that first visit, she told me she had basically given up hope that anyone could help her and had only come in at the insistence of a friend who had been seen recently at our clinic, so she decided to give one last try with a doctor. Much to her surprise, I told her that I was confident she could get better. And that she just needed a little guidance and the right types of products customized for her variation of rosacea.
She decided to trust the process. Over time, her skin cleared completely, and all irritation, painful bumps, and swollen, bleary eyes were gone… And along with that, so did her embarrassment! What had emerged was not just healthier skin, but a healthier, happier person. She became more open, confident, and free to make choices she once thought were out of reach.
As we reminisced, I said to her, “This is exactly why I named our practice and skincare line — SkinHappy — the blend of 'Skin' and 'Happy' — so people could be happy with the skin they’re in!” She lit up and said, “Wow! I hadn’t thought of that before, but it makes so much sense!”
That moment meant a lot to me. Since early in my dermatology career, I’ve understood how deeply our skin affects our emotional well-being, and how our emotional health, in turn, affects our skin and hair health. Stress and anxiety can exacerbate many common skin conditions, including acne, shingles, cold sores, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, and others. These generally aren’t considered life-threatening issues, but they can be life-altering, steering the course of our behaviors and choices in dramatic ways. Every year, statistics are published about skin conditions leading to depression, social isolation, job loss, and broken relationships. In the most heartbreaking cases, they’ve even contributed to suicide.
That’s why the name SkinHappy has always felt so meaningful to me. I first thought of it while living in Hawai’i, on the island of O‘ahu. At the time, I was running a practice called Kenner Dermatology Center and was preparing to expand my community presence with a medspa serving local residents, tourists, and in particular, many Japanese-speaking visitors. I wanted a name that was warm, clear, and easy to understand across cultures. SkinHappy felt just right. Simple and joyful, almost like something out of the Hello Kitty world, which was very popular at the time and still brings smiles today.
When I moved to Monterey, opened a full medical and aesthetic dermatology practice, and eventually launched my skincare line, I knew the name SkinHappy needed to stay. It reflects more than just products and procedures. It aligns with my mission: to help people feel healthy, empowered, and emotionally confident in their skin.
At SkinHappy, whether you’re visiting us in person or using our skincare at home, our goal is the same. We’re here to support your journey to healthier skin and a happier you.
