Dr. Cristyn Watkins, MD
Founder, Medical Director, and Visionary Behind aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness
Double Board-Certified in Family & Integrative Medicine
Advanced Certification in Functional, Metabolic, and Nutrition Medicine
Dr. Cristyn Watkins is redefining what it means to be well. As a physician, entrepreneur, national educator, and thought leader in aesthetics and functional medicine, she brings over 15 years of expertise — and a deeply personal mission — to every aspect of care at aNu.
She doesn’t just treat symptoms. She gets to the root. And she’s built a destination that helps patients transform from the inside out — with science-backed care, cutting-edge treatments, and a team that believes whole-person health is the future of medicine.
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Meet Dr. Cristyn Watkins
Before she was a nationally recognized leader in integrative aesthetics, Dr. Watkins was practicing Family Medicine in underserved communities across Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Missouri. It was there—listening to patients, navigating gaps in care, and managing everything from acute illness to chronic skin concerns—that she began to feel a shift.
Her clinical instincts ran deeper than prescriptions. She craved more answers. More outcomes. More options. And she believed her patients deserved them too.
Dr. Watkins’ journey is as personal as it is professional. Like many of the patients she now treats, she faced her own chronic health struggles. This gave her a front-row seat to the limitations of traditional care—and sparked her relentless pursuit of something better.
From Traditional Medicine to Transformational Care
After completing her Chief Resident year, Dr. Watkins opened the first aNu location in Kansas City’s Northland in 2011—while continuing to serve the community in federally qualified health centers. By 2014, she was named the youngest Chief Medical Officer at Northwest Health Services, overseeing nearly 20 providers across 7 clinics.
But even with that success, she knew something was missing. Treating symptoms without understanding the full picture felt incomplete. And so began her shift from conventional care to root-cause medicine, combining the best of what science offers with a deeper understanding of how the body works—and heals
Today, her integrative approach focuses on conditions like:
Hormonal imbalances (thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, PCOS)
Gut disorders and IBS
Autoimmune diseases
Infertility and cycle health
Chronic infections and inflammation
Fatigue, burnout, and metabolic dysfunction
“At aNu, we don’t just keep up—we lead. I’m constantly seeking the newest, most advanced therapies so our patients have access to the absolute best in wellness and aesthetics. If it’s cutting-edge and effective, you’ll find it here.”
— Dr. Cristyn Watkins
The aNu Origin Story: Wellness Meets Aesthetics
As her interest in skin health grew, so did her expertise in advanced aesthetics. From treating acne and performing skin procedures in primary care to becoming a Master Injector certified by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Watkins made aesthetics a core part of her philosophy: that how you feel and how you look are deeply connected.
What started as a one-woman clinic has grown into a multi-location destination for those who want both medical credibility and visible results. Her approach to beauty is never surface-deep—it’s supported by biology, balance, and belief in what’s possible when the whole person is treated.
Innovation That Doesn’t Stop
Dr. Watkins is always learning. Always evolving. Always asking what’s next.
In 2017, she expanded aNu’s offerings to include Regenerative Medicine, becoming a national trainer in PRP, peptide therapy, IV nutrition, ozone, and advanced biologics. She co-founded a regenerative clinic before fully integrating it into aNu’s services—making cutting-edge care accessible to the patients who need it most.
Today, aNu is one of the few clinics in the region offering this full-spectrum blend of aesthetics and optimal wellness, led by a physician with credentials and heart in equal measure.
A Teacher, Leader, and Lifelong Student
Dr. Watkins’ education didn’t stop at med school. She has completed advanced training through George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and continues to train alongside the country’s leading experts in hormone therapy, metabolic health, and longevity science.
She mentors other providers, speaks at national conferences, and continues to develop treatment protocols that are now used by clinics around the country. Whether she’s leading a consultation or standing on a stage, her goal is always the same: to empower others to take control of their health—and never settle for “normal” when vibrant is possible.
Explore More From Dr. Watkins
podcast + media
Where she’s been featured and how she’s shaping the conversation around aesthetics and wellness.
PHILOSOPHY
The beliefs that guide every decision and every treatment at aNu.
EDUCATION
From medical school to master certifications, see the training behind the title.
Favorite Products
Shop the skincare, supplements, and tools she uses and recommends — many with affiliate savings.
Dr. Watkins’ Preferred Products
Tried, Tested & Totally Trusted
These are Dr. Watkins’ go-to picks—the products she uses herself and recommends daily. Browse affiliate favorites and special savings.
The Vision Moving Forward
Dr. Watkins created aNu as a new kind of medical space. One where beauty isn’t vanity. Where wellness isn’t vague. And where patients are heard, not rushed.
With aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness, she’s built more than a clinic. She’s created a community of practitioners and patients rewriting the narrative of what it means to feel well, age well, and live well—with clarity, confidence, and care.