Dr Nigma Talib
Naturopath-to-the-stars Dr. Nigma Talib brings 20 years of experience in naturopathic medicine to bespoke facials, acupuncture, and nutritional IV therapy
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As a naturopathic doctor, your approach is famously holistic. How do you target inner health for outer skin wellbeing?
Your skin is a direct reflection of what you’re eating and provides a signal if something is not agreeing with your body. The gut is home to over a trillion bacteria. The bad kind can create inflammation that triggers certain immunological responses. So we look at the body as a whole, and do a lot of face mapping, where certain parts of the face indicate areas that are struggling. Breaking out along the chin could suggest something gynecological, for example, while under eye darkness and puffiness could be dehydration, or skin sagging a sign of excess sugar.
In my book, ‘Reverse The Signs of Ageing,’ I created four faces of ageing: wine face; dairy face; sugar face; and gluten face. It wasn’t to shame people, but for people to be more aware that you can control this, beyond plastic surgery, filler or heavy-duty botox. You can treat but also prevent.
What does a treatment look like?
It's bespoke: no two people have the same treatment. Naturopathic medicine is about getting to the root cause before providing any plans. To me, that is true science. So I always recommend that my patients have a cup of tea and take their time filling out the forms, because I’m acting like a biochemical detective - if I’m trying to solve a mystery, the more clues you can give me, the more I’m going to be able to resolve the issue. Then I’ll prescribe a treatment plan specific to diet, supplements and, occasionally, pharmaceutical drugs, to achieve a complete state of balance.
What are the foods and/or supplements to prioritise?
It matters regionally. If you look at UK weather, it’s quite grey and cloudy, so people can lack Vitamin D, K1 and K2. Others commonly lack B Complex vitamins that help with hormone metabolism.
"It’s exciting that the wellness world is coming alive but we just have to be careful about what is being said and that we’re not pushing people towards a single viewpoint. There is a balance."
Dr. Nigma Talib
What was your journey into skin health?
My best friend growing up, Julie, was so ahead of the game. A good 20 years ago she told me to look into LED cold laser therapy. I ended up buying a machine for my practice in West Vancouver at the time, where I’d mix more modern technologies with different peptides and the bespoke herbal concoctions that I’d studied in naturopathic school. I kept advancing the work and the results were incredible.
Any changemaking career moments?
When I redo a client’s blood work or microbiome analysis following treatment, it’s incredible to see the difference, particularly when it means they are no longer suffering from chronic pain. This is about reaching and maintaining optimal health and wellbeing.
You’ve since treated numerous A-list stars, from Sienna Miller to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and for some of the most prestigious red carpet events. What is that process?
Working with A-listers is an amazing way to raise awareness of naturopathic medicine. Sienna Miller has always been my biggest cheerleader and she's a lovely friend and an all-around amazing, beautiful human. I want people to understand that you are in the driving seat - that you can make a difference. The body has an innate ability to heal given the right environment.
In the run up to a big event, I will usually prescribe a series of treatments or supplements, or it could just be a single facial using the right technologies.
What hero products are on your beauty shelf?
My Serum No.1 is literally the hero of all hero products. I made it in 2015, infused with different plant stem cells. You can really see the difference if you stop using it, it’s like night and day. Then my Cleanser No.1 is incredible - it contains zeolites and brightens the skin right away, removing dirt without dehydrating. A Vitamin C serum is up next.
What does your morning routine look like?
I’ll wake up and do my Kirtan Kriya meditation before anything else. It sets the intentions for my day. Then I’ll sup Elissa Goodman bone broth and walk my dog Dante, followed by a protein and veggie-packed breakfast, with a mix of my Vitamin-C and Collagen Cocktails.
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty is being optimally healthy. If you’re not, there's no amount of moisturisers or serums that will mask it on your face. Beauty is also kindness. You become more of a kind person when you’re healthier because serotonin (the feel-good hormone) is mostly located in the gut. But you can fake it until you make it! There was a study showing that people who smiled more created a memory in their brain that they’re happy.
