The Skin Real ®

🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist and laser expert Dr. Janelle Nassim to cut through the hype around laser resurfacing. Prompted by the scary recovery photos from her own erbium laser, Dr. Mina asks what’s really normal after a resurfacing laser and when it’s time to call your doctor. The two explain what a laser actually is, how ablative and non-ablative lasers differ, and why the person holding the device matters more than the brand name. Dr. Nassim walks through prep and recovery day by day, from no tans and cold sore prevention to the sloughing phase and the scarring risk of picking. They also cover lasers on skin of color, preventing hyperpigmentation, and managing melasma as a chronic condition. The episode closes with an important warning about med spa trends and lasering spots that were never checked, including a melanoma that was almost lasered over, plus a first look at Dr. Nassim’s new sun-protective clothing line.
In this episode: 
0:00 — What’s normal after a CO2 laser
0:18 — Welcome to The Skin Real
1:34 — My erbium laser recovery photos and meet Dr. Janelle Nassim
2:34 — Is the overfilled look finally over?
5:02 — The hot girl hamster wheel and being intentional
7:41 — Trending treatments and why device names don’t matter
9:49 — What is laser resurfacing? How lasers work
12:09 — Why the person holding the laser matters
14:05 — Ablative vs non-ablative lasers explained
15:38 — Is a CO2 laser too strong?
17:18 — My erbium laser over Memorial Day
18:08 — Before your laser: tans and cold sores
19:06 — Laser resurfacing recovery day by day
20:36 — Why picking slows healing and can scar
21:57 — Healing off the face: neck, chest and arms
23:41 — Lasers and skin of color
25:34 — How to prevent hyperpigmentation after a laser
27:06 — Who is prone to PIH? The palm crease test
29:08 — Melasma: manage it, don’t expect a cure
31:29 — Med spa red flags: Moxi, BBL and knowing your goal
32:37 — Protect your investment: timing and sun
34:04 — The melanoma that was almost lasered
36:58 — Nelle Sunwear: sun-protective clothing
39:17 — Where to find Dr. Nassim
39:44 — Final thoughts
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
About the guest: 
Dr. Janelle Nassim is a Harvard trained dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University and continued her education at the FAU Schmidt College of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honors Societies.
She completed her internship in Boston, MA in internal medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and her residency in the Harvard Dermatology Program, training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
In addition to medical dermatology, Dr. Nassim offers a variety of cosmetic treatments including injectables such as Botox and fillers for facial rejuvenation, chemical peels, customized skincare regimens, and laser treatments for sun damage and brown spots, redness and blood vessels, hair removal, acne scars, tattoo removal, CoolSculpting and more.
Connect with Dr. Janelle Nassim:
Website: https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/janelle-nassim-md
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjanellenassim
 
About the host: 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://www.theskinreal.com/clinic
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina explains why hormonal acne comes back in midlife and how to treat it. As estrogen rises and falls in perimenopause and then drops after menopause, testosterone becomes relatively more dominant. That can bring back breakouts on the chin and jawline while the skin barrier gets drier and more sensitive. Dr. Mina, a dermatologist who still gets the occasional breakout at 46, goes through hormonal acne treatment from first steps to in-office options. She covers the best retinoids for midlife skin and how to tolerate them, and why stripping oil from your skin backfires. She explains when azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, topical antibiotics and the new clascoterone cream are worth using. She also covers why spironolactone is her go-to for midlife women, why Accutane often isn’t a lasting fix, how cortisone injections and the new 1726 nm acne lasers fit in, and what we do and don’t know yet about hormone replacement therapy and acne.
🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
In this episode: 
0:00 — The hormone that’s been protecting your skin
0:12 — Welcome to The Skin Real
2:13 — What is hormonal acne?
2:36 — Hormonal acne causes in perimenopause and menopause
4:11 — Why midlife skin gets drier and more sensitive
4:37 — Stress, lifestyle and medications that trigger acne
5:52 — Hormonal chin acne and jawline acne
6:30 — How common is adult hormonal acne?
6:49 — Retinoids for hormonal acne: tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene
8:37 — How to tolerate a retinoid
9:16 — Why you need a moisturizer with acne
10:04 — A word from AIRE Health
10:45 — Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid
12:15 — Topical antibiotics and clascoterone
13:02 — Oral antibiotics: a short-term bridge
13:49 — Spironolactone for hormonal acne
14:39 — Accutane for hormonal acne: why it often comes back
15:42 — Cortisone injections for cystic acne
16:45 — The new 1726 nm acne lasers
17:15 — Can hormone replacement therapy help acne?
18:33 — Final thoughts
 
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
 
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
 

In this episode, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina goes through your Sephora sale basket and explains why most of the anti-aging products in it won’t change anyone’s skin. She starts by clearing the cart. Value sets and mini bundles rarely save money. At-home microneedling tools risk infection and scarring for minimal results. Collagen creams can’t reach the dermis where collagen lives. Scrubs and pore strips do more harm than good. She then refills the basket with what actually works: retinol and retinoids, chemical exfoliants, hypochlorous acid spray, daily sunscreen, a barrier repair moisturizer for the colder months, and a gentle cleanser, along with affordable picks for each. The episode closes with her three rules before checkout: restock what’s working, add one new active at a time, and skip anything that isn’t a deal at full price.
🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
In this episode:
0:00 — Anti-aging products in your basket that won’t change your skin
0:14 — Welcome to The Skin Real
1:33 — Not sponsored: how these products were picked
2:07 — Why the Sephora sale leads to expensive skincare mistakes
2:38 — Part 1: Emptying your basket and the hot girl hamster wheel
3:14 — Value sets and mini bundles
4:51 — At-home microneedling tools
8:01 — Topical collagen creams
10:05 — Scrubs, pore strips, and anything gritty
12:09 — Chemical exfoliants to swap in
13:08 — Part 2: Retinol and retinoids for anti-aging
14:59 — Retinol picks: Kiehl’s, Dermalogica, Paula’s Choice
15:44 — Chemical exfoliant picks: pads, toners, and serums
17:30 — Hypochlorous acid spray
19:01 — Sunscreen: the most proven anti-aging product
21:08 — Sunscreen picks: Shiseido, ISDIN, Supergoop
22:39 — Barrier repair moisturizer for colder months
23:55 — Moisturizer picks: Skinfix and Dr. Idriss
24:56 — Gentle cleanser and the tight skin test
25:58 — Cleanser picks
26:57 — Rule 1: Restock what’s working
27:36 — Rule 2: One new active at a time and patch testing
28:45 — Rule 3: If you wouldn’t buy it at full price, it’s not a deal
29:21 — Final thoughts
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
 
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
 
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
 
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
 
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina pulls together everything you need to know about estrogen cream for the face. She traces the trend back to the 1940s, when estrogen was a star ingredient in wrinkle creams before disappearing for decades, and explains why skin seems to change overnight in midlife as estrogen drops and collagen loss accelerates.
Dr. Mina shares her own story of developing melasma as a medical student and what it taught her about the real trigger, then tackles the biggest fears head on: systemic absorption, breast cancer, and combining topical estrogen with hormone therapy. Along the way, colleague Dr. Brenda Deniman weighs in on how long results really take and why so many women fill their vaginal estrogen prescription but never use it.
She also talks about  the surprising place estrogen cream may matter most, how vaginal estrogen can help prevent dangerous UTIs, and the difference between estriol and estradiol for facial skin, plus exactly where Dr. Mina fits estrogen cream into her own nighttime routine.
🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
 
In this episode: 
0:00 — Estrogen cream for face: 7 things to know first
0:14 — Welcome to The Skin Real
1:40 — What this episode covers
2:52 — #7 Estrogen face cream is a 1940s comeback
4:11 — #6 Menopause, estrogen loss and collagen decline
6:21 — #5 Does estrogen cream work on your face?
8:31 — #4 Can estrogen cream trigger melasma?
11:04 — Estrogen cream and rosacea
11:29 — #3 Absorption, breast cancer and hormone therapy
13:59 — #2 Why vaginal estrogen comes first
17:28 — #1 Estriol vs estradiol for facial skin
20:16 — How I use estrogen cream in my routine
21:18 — Recap and key takeaways
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
 
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
 
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
 
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, I’m answering a question I get every fall: are we really in a vitamin D deficiency crisis, and does everyone need to supplement? Right now there are two camps. One says take high dose vitamin D, and the higher the better. The other says skip the pills and go touch grass. As a dermatologist, I don’t fully agree with either.
I explain how your skin makes vitamin D, why shorter days and indoor life cut that off, and what low vitamin D actually means on a blood test, depending on which medical organization you follow. I walk through who’s most at risk for vitamin D deficiency, the signs I look for in my own practice, like certain types of hair loss, and why I’m getting my own levels checked at my next physical. I also share what a 25,000-person trial found about supplementing when your levels are already normal.
If you do need to supplement, I break down D3 vs D2, when adding K2 makes sense, realistic daily doses, and why high dose vitamin D can tip into toxicity, especially with vitamin D now added to so many other supplements. Before you buy that bottle or go out without sunscreen, start with one question: are you actually deficient?
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
 
In This Episode: 
00:00 – Get The Skin Real app
00:28 – Welcome to The Skin Real
01:35 – Is there really a vitamin D deficiency crisis?
03:02 – How your skin makes vitamin D (and why windows block it)
04:13 – What counts as vitamin D deficiency? 20 vs 30 ng/mL
05:40 – Who’s at risk for low vitamin D and should get tested
07:04 – Normal levels? Why supplementing may not help
08:04 – Vitamin D and your immune system
08:56 – Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss
09:49 – Vitamin D3 vs D2, and why people pair it with K2
11:10 – How much vitamin D per day? The danger of high doses
12:55 – The hidden vitamin D in your other supplements
13:23 – Should you skip sunscreen for vitamin D?
14:22 – Before you buy that vitamin D supplement
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
In this episode of The Skin Real, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina answers the viewer questions about injectables and procedures that keep landing in her inbox. She shares her own laser resurfacing recovery from May 2026, from the bleeding and tightness of the first three days to the week-long healing timeline, and explains the warning signs after a laser treatment that mean it is time to call your doctor. Dr. Mina breaks down whether masseter Botox can make jowls look worse, the one under-eye concern Botox actually helps, why microneedling will not fix broken capillaries, and what to do about Radiesse and Sculptra bumps that cannot be dissolved like hyaluronic acid filler. She also tackles a viewer stacking Sculptra, Fraxel Dual, and Softwave, explains what SkinVive really does, shares the order she follows when combining procedures, and reveals why she now focuses on the lateral face instead of the midface to avoid the overfilled look. Her biggest takeaway is to step off the hot girl hamster wheel and find one trusted provider who builds a long-term plan around your whole face.
 
In this episode: 
0:00 — Your most asked injectable and procedure questions
1:21 — Welcome to the viewer questions series
2:06 — How long does laser resurfacing take to heal
4:52 — A real laser recovery day by day
6:29 — Warning signs after a laser treatment
8:17 — Does masseter Botox cause jowls
11:07 — How many Botox units the jaw really needs
12:09 — Can Botox help the under eyes
13:31 — The jelly roll fix that takes just 2 units
14:45 — Microneedling and broken capillaries
16:34 — Bumps after Radiesse filler
19:08 — Why HA filler dissolves and Radiesse doesn’t
19:58 — Sculptra, Fraxel Dual, and Softwave together
21:05 — Getting off the hot girl hamster wheel
21:59 — Why at-home skincare still matters
22:51 — The mirror test before the next treatment
24:07 — What SkinVive really does
25:19 — How to stack procedures safely
26:26 — Why the lateral face matters more now
27:22 — Send in your next questions
27:45 — Final thoughts
 
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
 
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Are seed oils really dangerous? Do collagen supplements actually work? How much protein do you really need? In this episode of The Skin Real, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with registered dietitian Abbey Sharp to separate nutrition fact from wellness fiction. They break down glycation and what the research actually says about blood sugar and facial aging, why one major collagen meta-analysis found the benefits disappeared once industry-funded studies were removed, and why the protein obsession may be pushing out the nutrient 95% of North Americans are missing: fiber. Abbey explains which supplements are worth considering (vitamin D, omega-3s) and which are a hard pass (biotin, extra vitamin C), what the gut-skin axis can and cannot do, and why there is no single perfect diet for aging well. Plus, she shares her Hunger Crushing Combo Method and busts the seed oil myth once and for all.
About Abbey Sharp: Abbey Sharp is a leading digital nutrition authority, registered dietitian, and on-camera host whose work blends science-backed wellness with accessible, modern food education. She is the creator of Abbey’s Kitchen, the bestselling and award-winning author of The Hunger Crushing Combo Method, and host of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp. She is best known for her critique of wellness trends, nutrition myths, and diet culture, with an emphasis on balance, satisfaction, and sustainability over perfection.
🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
In this episode:
 
0:00 — Sugar, collagen and seed oils: truth or lies?
0:13 — Welcome to The Skin Real
1:32 — Meet registered dietitian Abbey Sharp
2:43 — Where skincare and diet culture myths overlap
3:35 — The hidden sugar in everyday foods
4:56 — Does sugar age your skin? Glycation explained
8:00 — The Hunger Crushing Combo Method
8:54 — Do collagen supplements actually work?
12:38 — Is the protein obsession just hype?
15:22 — How much protein you really need
18:04 — Why fiber deserves protein’s PR
19:28 — The best ways to get more fiber
21:00 — Hey gorgeous: The Skin Real app
21:30 — Vitamin D, biotin and vitamin C: are you really deficient?
25:14 — The gut-skin connection explained
27:28 — Why your doctor may skip the antibiotic
29:26 — The best diet for aging well
32:19 — Blue zones and eating for your culture
33:29 — The seed oil myth busted
36:06 — When the truth gets drowned out online
36:43 — Where to find Abbey Sharp
37:24 — Final thoughts
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
 
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
About the guest: Abbey Sharp is a leading digital nutrition authority, registered dietitian, and on-camera host whose work blends science-backed wellness with accessible, modern food education. She is the creator of Abbey’s Kitchen, the bestselling and award-winning author of The Hunger Crushing Combo Method, and host of the podcast Bite Back with Abbey Sharp. Abbey is best known for her critique of wellness trends, nutrition myths, and diet culture, with an emphasis on balance, satisfaction, and sustainability over perfection.
 
Follow Abbey Sharp:Website: https://www.abbeyskitchen.comInstagram: @abbeyskitchenTikTok: @abbeyskitchenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AbbeySharpRDBite Back with Abbey Sharp Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/bite-back-with-abbey-sharp/id1772739634
 
About the host: Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
Topical estrogen cream is one of the most-asked-about treatments in dermatology right now, and in this episode of The Skin Real, double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina explains exactly how to use it on the face. She covers why estrogen matters so much for skin, including the steep collagen loss of up to 30% in the first five years of menopause, and what the research says about topical estrogen improving hydration, elasticity, and skin thickness. Dr. Mina explains low-dose 0.01% estradiol cream, what off-label use on the face means, why the affordable generic version is usually enough, and why vaginal estrogen still matters for women already on systemic hormone therapy. She shares where estrogen cream fits in a nighttime skincare routine, how often to use it, how long results take, and how estriol face creams differ. She also explains why estrogen cream may backfire on sun-damaged skin, who should be cautious, including people with melasma or a history of breast cancer, how much is absorbed into the body, and non-hormonal alternatives like phytoestrogens and MEP.
In this episode: 
0:00 — Can estrogen cream really change your skin?
0:12 — Welcome to The Skin Real
0:55 — Quick disclaimer
1:35 — The estrogen cream question Dr. Mina gets every day
2:29 — Why estrogen matters for your skin
3:14 — Losing up to 30% of your collagen in menopause
3:40 — What the studies say about estrogen cream on the face
4:16 — Low-dose estradiol and off-label use explained
4:59 — Why you don’t need it compounded
5:28 — Already on HRT? Why vaginal estrogen still matters
6:29 — Where estrogen cream fits in a skincare routine
7:14 — Dr. Mina’s nighttime routine with estradiol cream
8:21 — The one caveat: melasma
9:04 — How long until you see results
9:49 — Why estrogen cream may backfire on sun-damaged skin
11:08 — The skincare foundation that comes first
11:56 — How to use estriol face cream
12:30 — Who should be cautious: melasma and breast cancer
13:27 — Is estrogen cream absorbed into the body?
14:07 — Can you be allergic to estrogen cream?
15:10 — Non-hormonal alternatives: phytoestrogens and MEP
16:21 — Don’t forget the basics
16:58 — How Dr. Mina talks to patients about estrogen cream
17:58 — The bottom line on estrogen cream
18:29 — Where are you in your hormonal journey?
 
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
 

🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
Tanmaxxing is the latest Gen Z viral trend, and dermatologists are already seeing the results. Dr. Mary Alice Mina is joined by board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Whitney Hovenic from Reno, Nevada, co-founder of the Gen Z sunscreen brand SPOOGE. They talk about why skin cancer patients in their 20s and early 30s are now an everyday sight in clinic, and why the base tan is a myth (it gives you roughly SPF 2 to 4). They also explain how one blistering sunburn doubles your melanoma risk and why tanning beds are making a comeback near college campuses and in gyms. You'll hear what actually gets through to teens: vanity beats fear, the aim is simply not to burn, and the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear. Along the way they share their own tanning regrets and Mohs surgery stories, and cover how much SPF you really get from a typical application, string bikini tan lines, spray tans, morning sun and vitamin D, snow and altitude exposure, and why lasers can't erase sun damage on the chest, neck and legs.
 
In this episode: 
0:00 — Why Skin Cancer Patients Are Getting Younger
1:35 — What Is Tan Maxing? Meet Dr. Whitney Hovenic
4:09 — Spring Break Sunburns and the Return of Tanning
6:21 — How to Get Through to Gen Z: Just Don't Burn
9:02 — Self-Tanners, Sunscreen Habits and Skin Cancer in Your 20s
11:09 — Dermatology as Prevention: Sunscreen Cuts Melanoma Risk in Half
12:21 — The Base Tan Myth and Why Tanning Beds Are Coffins
13:57 — Even Dermatologists Get Burned
15:46 — Why Tinted Sunscreen Changes Everything
19:20 — How Much SPF Are You Really Getting?
20:43 — Rash Guards, Thong Bikinis and the Butt Melanoma Warning
24:40 — Tan Lines as Accessories and the Spray Tan Glow Up
26:50 — Tanning Beds Are Back and Lasers Can't Undo the Damage
31:02 — Coco Chanel, Beauty Standards and Why Skin Cancer Is Rising
33:10 — When Skin Cancer Isn't Treatable
33:59 — Vitamin D, Morning Sun, Altitude and Snow
37:15 — Final Advice and SPOOGE Sunscreen
 
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
About the Guest:
Dr. Whitney Hovenic is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with a background in public health and a passion for advocacy. She has held leadership roles in multiple dermatology societies and proudly served as the founder and past president of the Nevada Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, where she has worked to advocate for patients and the dermatology community alike. She works frequently with the American Academy of dermatology, the American Society of dermatology, surgery, and the skin cancer foundation on advocacy and health access. As a mom to Gen Z and Gen Alpha girls—and a surgeon who regularly treats patients in their 20s and 30s with skin cancer—Dr. Hovenic has seen firsthand how tough it is to get younger generations to take sun protection seriously. That’s why she co-created Spooge: a skincare brand built to cut through the noise with smart products, a strong mission, and a sense of humor. The goal? Help young people protect their skin today so there’s less skin cancer to treat tomorrow—while also improving access to life-saving skin checks along the way.
 
Connect with Dr. Whitney Hovenic:
Website: https://www.spooge.co
Instagram: @spgskin   
TikTok: @drwhitneyhovenic
 
About the Host:
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
 
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
 

🔗 Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
If your skin was calm and clear all summer and is suddenly flaking, breaking out or flaring now, the cold weather probably isn't the main cause. In this episode of The Skin Real, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina explains the three real reasons skin turns on you when the seasons change, and what she tells her own patients to do before winter makes it worse.
Dr. Mina explains why indoor heat may be the real problem behind a damaged skin barrier, and how to layer a humectant and a ceramide moisturizer on damp skin to hold water in. She covers why moving between humid air outside and dry air inside confuses the skin, and why a bedroom humidifier may be the most underrated fall skincare tool. She also explains when to scale back vitamin C and retinoids instead of pushing through irritation, and how the gut-skin axis, seasonal comfort food and a lack of fiber can show up on your face.
She finishes with the exact changes she recommends for a fall routine, the products she's using this season, and her personal plan for her retinoid in the colder months.
🔗 Shop Elm Biosciences A30 Elemental Series and get 15% off using this link: https://elmbiosciences.com/collections/shop-all?utm_campaign=eyJtZXJjaGlkIjoiNjExNjkxOTZkZmRlZDc5MzlhNTRlNTViODU3NGUyZGUiLCJ1c2VyaWQiOiIzNTkwNCIsImJvYXJkaWQiOiIyNzgzMDgxIiwidHJhY2tpZCI6IjI3OTIzMzEiLCJpc3Nob3B1cmwiOiJ0cnVlIn0%3D&utm_source=replika&utm_medium=replika&replika_key=61169196dfded7939a54e55b8574e2de&replika_param=eyJtZXJjaGlkIjoiNjExNjkxOTZkZmRlZDc5MzlhNTRlNTViODU3NGUyZGUiLCJ1c2VyaWQiOiIzNTkwNCIsImJvYXJkaWQiOiIyNzgzMDgxIiwidHJhY2tpZCI6IjI3OTIzMzEiLCJpc3Nob3B1cmwiOiJ0cnVlIn0%3D
 
In this episode: 
0:00 — Why your skin is flaring this fall
0:17 — Welcome to The Skin Real
2:48 — The 3 reasons skin acts up when seasons change
3:02 — Reason 1: Indoor heat is the real villain
4:12 — How to layer a humectant and moisturizer
5:13 — Reason 2: Humidity swings and the humidifier fix
7:05 — When to scale back vitamin C and retinoids
8:44 — Reason 3: The gut-skin axis
11:29 — Does drinking water hydrate your skin?
12:03 — Fall routine step 1: Switch your cleanser
12:52 — Adjusting your antioxidant and retinoid
13:53 — Why you still need sunscreen in fall
15:00 — Fall products Dr. Mina is loving
16:44 — Dr. Mina's personal retinoid plan for winter
17:25 — Final thoughts
Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!
📱Download The Skin Real app!
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🔔 Follow for weekly evidence-based skin advice from a dermatologist you can actually trust.
📩 Find a board-certified dermatologist near you: https://www.aad.org
🛍️ Shop Dr. Mina's recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
 
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
Follow Dr. Mina here:Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book your Meet and Greet here
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.