Today we’d like to introduce you to Saya Obayan.
Hi Saya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was choosing to attend Spelman College. Being at an HBCU, especially one like Spelman, was transformative. It was the first place where I felt deeply seen, nurtured, and encouraged to stretch into the fullest version of myself. That experience grounded me in confidence, community, and purpose- values I carried with me through medical school, residency, and into the creation of my own dermatology practice.
When I first opened my practice, I followed the model I was trained in: fast-paced, insurance-driven, and focused on surface-level fixes. But something about it didn’t sit right. I saw patients struggling with skin issues tied to deeper imbalances—hormones, stress, nutrition, even trauma, and I knew I needed to offer more than prescriptions. That realization led me to integrative and functional medicine, which completely transformed how I practice today.
Now, I focus on treating the whole person, not just the skin. I’ve created a space where patients, especially women of color, feel truly seen, supported, and empowered in their own transformation. At every stage of my journey, from childhood to clinic, transformation has been a consistent thread. That belief continues to guide everything I build, from patient care to the skincare line and supplements I’m now developing. This work isn’t just about skin—it’s about freedom, embodiment, and creating new possibilities for how we choose to heal and who we become.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all—it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. But I’ve learned that transformation rarely is.
Building a private dermatology practice from scratch as an immigrant, a woman of color, and someone without a financial safety net came with enormous pressure. I was doing everything—managing a team, seeing patients all day, dealing with insurance billing, running the business—and it started to take a toll on my mental health. I looked like I had it all together on the outside, but inside I was burned out, anxious, and constantly running on fumes.
That’s actually how I first discovered integrative medicine—not through a course or conference, but because I needed it myself. I started taking adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and rhodiola to manage stress, and I began meditating daily, practicing breathwork, and exploring mind-body techniques. Slowly, I started feeling like myself again. And I realized: if this could help me, it could help my patients too.
That was the turning point. I started seeking out functional and integrative training, rethinking how I practiced medicine, and redesigning my clinic to reflect this new philosophy. I’m now transitioning away from taking insurance and moving fully into a concierge model that allows me to offer more personalized, comprehensive care—especially for patients dealing with chronic skin and hair concerns, hormonal issues, or stress-related flare-ups.
It wasn’t easy to get here. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve been exhausted. I’ve had to make scary decisions and trust myself when the path wasn’t clear. But every challenge helped me realign with my core values—and the more I’ve honored my own transformation, the more I’ve been able to hold space for others to do the same.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Nature of Skin Dermatology, we believe that healthy skin starts with a deeper understanding of your overall well-being. Our integrative approach blends clinical dermatology with personalized wellness strategies to support lasting improvements in skin, hair, and aging. It’s not just about treating symptoms—it’s about creating long-term transformation.
We’re especially known for our expertise in skin of color, and for treating hormonal acne, hair loss, and pigmentation with the finesse and care they deserve. Our cosmetic offerings include natural and regenerative enhancements like PRP, exosomes, Botox, fillers, chemical peels, and laser treatments—all designed to help you age gracefully.
What sets us apart is how personal the care is. We take time to understand the full picture—stress, hormones, nutrition, environment—and tailor each plan accordingly. Our team includes a laser nurse and esthetician who offer inclusive services like facials, peels, resurfacing, and laser hair removal. As we transition to a membership-based model, our goal is to offer deeper, more supportive care beyond the limits of traditional insurance—so you feel truly seen, supported, and empowered in your skin.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I didn’t grow up seeing myself as a risk-taker. If anything, I was taught to be the “good girl”—to follow the rules, do the right thing, achieve quietly, and never rock the boat. For a long time, I thought safety came from doing what was expected of me. But the older I got, the more I realized that kind of safety often came at the cost of my full self.
Some of the biggest risks I’ve taken have been deeply personal—like coming out as a queer woman and marrying my wife, sitting in sacred medicine ceremonies, and delving into the depths of my true self: what I wanted, what I needed, and what I was avoiding. Learning to show up as myself daily—even when it’s uncomfortable—has required unlearning years of conditioning and choosing to live in alignment with who I really am, not who I was taught to be. It was terrifying at first. But letting go of the need to be “the good girl” has led to some of the most profound transformations of my life—both personally and professionally.
That same courage has shaped my career. I left behind the traditional insurance-based model to create a more intentional, integrative dermatology practice. I chose to build a business on my own terms, to speak openly about representation in medicine, and to design long-lasting care that centers wholeness over quick fixes. I take risks when they lead to more freedom, more authenticity, and more truth. To me, that’s not just risk-taking—it’s an essential part of self-transformation.
Pricing:
- Cosmetic Consultations: $200 for 15 minutes; $400 for 30 minutes
- Integrative visits: $400-650
- Laser services: $199-$450+
- Esthetician services: $175-$350+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natureofskinatx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsayaobayan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natureofskinatx/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsayaobayan
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nature-of-skin-dermatology-austin
Image Credits
Carla Taylor
