Owner of Woods Aesthetics and Woods Gynecology, Dr. Grayson Woods, is a women’s healthcare expert board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Woods graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Colorado and earned her medical degree from ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine. During her training at Vanderbilt in Obstetrics and Gynecology, she served as the Chief Resident and received the Hillman Award for teaching. She founded Woods Aesthetics in 2005 to meet a growing demand for women who want a caring, safe place to address their health and beauty needs.
Dr. Woods will be answering questions on women’s health, emotional wellbeing, skincare and FYI — her newest endeavor that will act as a health and wellness club for women. We got a chance to ask Dr. Woods some questions before we meet her at the Body + Soul event happening this Saturday!
The Nashville Edit: You’re going to speaking a lot on hormone health at our Body + Soul event. Can you give us some quick tips for balancing hormone health? Do you recommend any natural ways to maintain a balance?
Dr. Grayson Woods: Get enough calcium and magnesium regularly. Consistent exercise. I love my sleep! Whatever your best sleep pattern: 10-6, 11-5, 11-7, try sticking to the same sleep hours seven days a week. De-stress to keep your cortisol levels in check. Try herbs like chamomile, lavender, ginger, green tea, maca root, and ashwagandha. Eat proteins and healthy fats throughout the day to keep insulin levels balanced.
TNE: How does gynecology play a role in our skin’s health? What about our mental health?
GW: As a gynecologist, I’m privileged to walk with women through many hormonal milestones like puberty, pregnancy, bad PMS, menopause, life stress. All of these hormonal shifts impact our skin and mental health.
TNE: What are three quick tips for healthy skin?
GW: A simple daily routine of good products, use your sunscreen rain or shine, and stop stressing out.
TNE: What does your nightly skincare routine look like?
GW: Cleanse, Koji pads, retinol, and moisturize.
TNE: Any products you highly recommend?
GW: Woods Aesthetics Tinted BB Cream with SPF doubles as your light foundation for every day. Our Koji ‘power’ pads are the most popular. A retinol and C&E antioxidant should be in everyone’s tool kit for anti-aging skin. Look for products with active ingredients that are medical grade.
TNE: What are some simple ways to fight inflammation (both internally and of the skin)?
GW: A diet heavy in leafy greens, berries, nuts, and olive oil help fight inflammation inside and out. Pre-Biotic foods high in fiber like garlic, onion, oats, and apples are great tools also. And I still take my probiotic daily. Also for skin, great anti-inflammatory products are our Calming Cleanser and SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask. And remember…. quit picking your face — dark spots result from the inflammation!
TNE: What is your current beauty mantra?
GW: Look refreshed, not fake.
TNE: What foods are best to snack on for keeping hormones balanced?
GW: Healthy proteins and fats. Nuts, avocado, and hummus with veggies are my favorites.
TNE: Tell us a bit about your upcoming health & wellness club, FYI.
GW: As women’s health providers we wanted to create a sanctuary where women can come and have direct access to a variety of medical and wellness specialists to ask their questions. We want you to meet and mingle with our favorite cardiologists, nutritionists, chiropractors, therapists, pediatricians, skincare experts, wellness coaches and many more. Think of what an interactive TED talk with a group of your friends on the back porch would feel like. This is the essence of FYI.
TNE: What can we expect to learn from you at our Body + Soul event?
GW: Hormonal roller coasters and balance deserve much respect! They have a profound effect on our mood and spirit. That’s why I’m so excited about Body + Soul because one cannot function well without the other. Helping educate women is my passion since there’s so much we didn’t learn in school or from our Moms. And Dr. Google can be very dangerous!
