Functional Skin Consultation

Personalized treatment for Demodex-related skin concerns.

A comprehensive functional skin practitioner consultation for Demodex, rosacea, blepharitis, folliculitis, acne, and any condition where Demodex may be involved. Thorough intake, targeted lab testing, and a personalized treatment plan refined with 4-week follow-ups.

Detailed intake — photos, history, medications, current routine
Strategic lab testing based on your specific presentation
Personalized treatment plan once labs return
Optional 2–4 week follow-ups to refine your protocol (billed separately)

Book Your Consultation How It Works

★★★★★ 4.9 from clients who completed the full process

Book Your Consultation

Begin your functional skin assessment.

Virtual call 60 minutes Worldwide Includes follow-ups

What's included

Comprehensive intake form & photo review
60-minute initial consultation call
Personalized testing strategy
Treatment plan after lab results
Baseline routine while waiting for labs
4-week follow-up sessions available (billed separately)

Secure checkout powered by Shopify · Lab tests and 2–4 week follow-up sessions billed separately

Who This Is For

Built for complex, treatment-resistant skin conditions.

This consultation is designed for people who have tried multiple products, multiple practitioners, and multiple approaches — and still haven't found answers. Especially when Demodex may be the underlying driver.

Demodex

Confirmed or suspected

Rosacea

Treatment-resistant

Blepharitis

Recurring or chronic

Folliculitis

Scalp & body

Adult Acne

Won't respond to standard care

Keratosis Pilaris

Persistent body texture

Unexplained Itching

Especially at night

Unclear Diagnosis

When others can't tell you what it is

Not sure if your condition fits? Book a consultation and we'll determine that together during your intake.

The Process

A complete functional approach.

Not a 15-minute appointment. This is a methodical, multi-phase process — designed to actually understand what's driving your skin concern before recommending any treatment.

Phase 01 · Intake Before our call

Thorough patient intake

Before we ever speak, you complete a detailed intake. The depth here is what makes the rest of the process possible — most practitioners never look this carefully.

Detailed symptom history & timeline
Clear photos of affected areas
Current skincare routine & product list
Supplements, medications, and recent changes
Full medical history relevant to skin and inflammation

Phase 02 · Assessment Our 60-min call

Determining likely drivers

We meet on a 60-minute video call to review your intake together. We discuss what your symptoms suggest, what the most likely drivers are (Demodex, gut, hormones, barrier dysfunction, etc.), and what we need to confirm with testing.

Review of all intake information
Discussion of likely contributing factors
Your questions answered in depth
Clear next steps documented

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Phase 03 · Testing Targeted, not shotgun

Strategic testing strategy

We create a focused testing plan based on what your specific presentation actually warrants — not generic panels run on everyone. This may include Demodex density testing, blood work, hormone panels, gut testing, or nutrient assessments depending on what's relevant.

Tests ordered based on your specific case
Direct lab access (no doctor referral needed in most cases)
Clear explanation of what we're looking for & why
Lab tests billed separately from consultation fee

Phase 04 · Baseline While waiting for labs

Start your baseline routine

We don't wait passively for lab results — we use the testing window to make foundational changes that almost always help. Removing skincare irritants, calming the skin barrier, and starting the right topicals so you're already making progress when the full plan is ready.

Remove irritants from your skincare & environment
Start the correct foundational topicals
Simplify your routine to a calm baseline
Begin gentle lifestyle & environmental adjustments

Phase 05 · Treatment Plan Once labs return

Personalized treatment plan

Once lab results are in, we identify your main driver and build your treatment plan around it. This isn't a template — it's a plan specifically built for your symptoms, your test results, your sensitivities, and your lifestyle.

Identification of the primary driver(s)
Specific Ovanté protocol matched to your case
Supplement & dietary recommendations as relevant
Clear timeline & expected progression
Written plan delivered for reference

Phase 06 · Follow-Ups Every 2–4 weeks · billed separately

Ongoing support & refinement

Real treatment isn't set-and-forget. Optional follow-up sessions every 2–4 weeks let us review symptom progression, adjust the plan, troubleshoot any reactions, and refine your protocol as you respond. Follow-ups are billed separately and scheduled as you need them — not bundled into your initial consultation.

Optional check-in calls every 2–4 weeks (billed separately)
Symptom progress review with updated photos
Protocol adjustments based on your response
Messaging access between calls for urgent questions

What You Receive

A complete treatment partnership.

Your consultation includes everything you need from initial intake through ongoing treatment refinement.

Detailed intake review

A thorough written review of your history, photos, current routine, and existing medications — completed before our first call so we use the time well.

60-minute initial call

A focused video consultation to discuss your presentation, likely drivers, and the testing strategy that fits your specific case.

Personalized testing strategy

Targeted lab recommendations based on your symptoms — not generic panels. Direct lab access for most tests, no doctor referral needed.

Baseline routine

A calming baseline protocol implemented while waiting for labs — removing irritants and starting foundational support so you're not standing still.

Custom treatment plan

A written, individualized treatment plan delivered once labs return — built specifically for your case, your sensitivities, and your goals.

Optional follow-ups

Optional follow-up calls every 2–4 weeks throughout active treatment, plus messaging access between sessions for urgent questions. Follow-ups are billed separately from your initial consultation.

Marina Ivakhnenko

— Functional Skin Practitioner —

Functional Skin Specialist Co-author, The Demodex Solution Founding Member of Ovanté · Est. 1992

— Your Practitioner

A functional approach to skin you've tried everything for.

I'm Marina — a functional skin practitioner specializing in Demodex and Demodex-related skin and scalp conditions. I co-authored The Demodex Solution and work alongside dermatologists, ophthalmologists, functional medicine doctors, and naturopaths on the cases conventional treatment alone hasn't solved.

"The patients who come to me have usually tried everything. The reason it didn't work isn't always the products — it's that nobody asked the right questions or ran the right tests."

My approach is rooted in the functional medicine principle that chronic skin conditions almost always have multiple drivers — and that the only way to actually resolve them is to identify those drivers through targeted testing, then build a treatment plan that addresses each one. Not just the visible symptom.

I work with clients worldwide via virtual consultation. Most see meaningful improvement during the 8–12 weeks of active treatment. Many describe it as the first time someone really listened to what was going on.

Frequently Asked

Questions about the consultation process.

Are tests always required?

Not always — but often. Tests are determined after reviewing your symptoms, photos, and medical history during our initial call. For some cases, the picture is already clear from the intake and we can move directly to treatment. For others, targeted testing makes the difference between a plan that works and one that misses the underlying driver.

What kinds of tests might be ordered?

It depends entirely on your case. Common ones include Demodex density testing, comprehensive blood panels, hormone panels (especially for adult acne and rosacea), gut health markers, MTHFR/methylation testing, thyroid panels, nutrient testing (iron, B12, vitamin D, zinc), and food sensitivity testing. We only order what's actually relevant to your specific presentation.

Do I need a doctor's referral for the labs?

For most tests we order, no referral is needed — we use direct-access labs available to consumers. For certain specialty tests, you may need to coordinate with your primary care doctor or a functional medicine physician we can refer you to.

How much do the lab tests cost?

Lab costs vary by what you actually need, typically ranging from $150 to $600 for a thorough initial workup. We always discuss costs before ordering anything. Labs are billed separately from the consultation fee, paid directly to the lab.

What if I don't live in the United States?

We work with clients in 42 countries. International lab access varies — for some tests we can recommend the equivalent panels available in your country. The consultation itself, the treatment plan, and follow-ups all work the same regardless of location.

How long does the full treatment usually take?

Most active treatment runs 8–12 weeks because that's how long it takes to interrupt multiple Demodex life cycles and let underlying drivers actually shift. Some cases resolve faster, some need longer. The follow-up cadence (every 4 weeks) means we're calibrating throughout — not setting a single plan and hoping.

Is this a replacement for medical care?

No. A functional skin consultation complements — not replaces — care from licensed dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and physicians. For prescription medications, surgical interventions, or acute medical issues, you should continue working with your medical team. Many of our clients work with us alongside their dermatologist or ophthalmologist.

What if I want to stop after the first call?

Completely fine. You're never locked into anything beyond the initial consultation. After our first call, if you don't feel this approach is the right fit, you don't proceed. No questions asked.