About Me

It’s so nice to meet you!

Let me tell you a bit about myself: I was born and raised in a small town in Oregon, but always saw myself somewhere else. For most of my adult life I lived in the Portland Metro area, but in 2021 my husband Sam and I decided to go on an adventure. We packed everything up and moved ourselves to Petaluma, California for a new start.

Before I was your friendly neighborhood anti-diet and body shame smashing provider and holistic skin expert, I worked as a professional makeup artist. While it was fun and sometimes glamorous, it was really hard on my body. After running out of pain relief options after a particularly bad injury  I found Chinese Medicine and it changed my life. However, it was my fascination with global beauty techniques and the rising popularity of cosmetic acupuncture that ultimately lead me to begin studying Traditional Chinese Medicine at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 2008.

My passion is skin and has been so since high school. I do have a love-hate relationship with the beauty industry, though. This is because the western standards of beauty have never made sense to me. While it has gotten better during my 2 decades in the field, we still have a long way to go!

I’ve always believed that everyone deserves to be comfortable in their own skin, and to feel amazing and beautiful and I try to bring that to each interaction.

Being the first dual-licensed acupuncturist and esthetician in the state of Oregon gave me a unique perspective. Due to my credentials I had the ability to learn and practice techniques from all around the world. I’m so excited to be able to bring my unique integrated approach to the online space and share my message beyond my neighborhood.

As a provider I am committed to body liberating and intuitive eating principles.  My practice is designed to be comfortable for Every Body and is a 100% Body Positive Zone. While health topics inevitably come up, I promise to offer my advice in a weight neutral and non-judgmental environment.

I really hope we can get to know each other soon!
Smiles,

Dr. Melissa Durfey DACM, LE