The Skin Real ®

🛍️ 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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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/drminaskinhttps://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 Greethere

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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 Greethere

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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 Greethere

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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 Greethere

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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 Greethere

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.comhttps://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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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: @abbeyskitchen
TikTok: @abbeyskitchen
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@AbbeySharpRDBite Back with Abbey Sharp Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/bite-back-with-abbey-sharp/id1772739634https://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 Greethere

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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 Greethere

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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 Greethere

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.

Treatment stacking is all over social media, but dermatologists have been combining aesthetic treatments in a single visit for decades. In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with her friend and fellow Mohs surgeon Dr. Sarah Arron of Premier Aesthetic Dermatology in San Carlos, California, to break down what stacking really means and how it works in practice.

Dr. Arron explains how she plans a stack around three domains: structure, texture, and color. She covers why the order of treatments matters, from IPL before a non-ablative laser to building volume with filler before adding a biostimulator. She also explains why heat and superficial skin boosters don't mix, and why an ablative CO2 laser should stand alone. Dr. Arron also shares her acne stack for scarring, and how she helps first-time patients start slowly without feeling overwhelmed.

🔗 Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/

In this episode:

0:00 — Why Treatment Stacking Is Everywhere Right Now

2:05 — Is Treatment Stacking Actually New?

3:30 — What Stacking Means for Patients in One Visit

5:00 — Structure, Texture, and Color: The Three Skin Domains

7:00 — When You Should Not Stack Treatments

9:15 — The Injectable Stack: Fat Stimulator, Biostimulator, and Skin Booster

12:30 — Swelling, Bruising, and Managing Downtime

14:45 — The Art of Medicine: Why Protocols Online Fall Short

16:30 — Does the Order of Treatments Matter?

20:30 — Lasers, Sculptra, and Skin Boosters: What Goes First

24:20 — How Much Is Too Much? Korea, CO2 Laser, and Your Skin Barrier

26:20 — Why Skin Tone Changes Your Stack

27:35 — Combining Toxin With Swelling and Sculptra

31:35 — The Acne Stack for Every Type of Scar

33:55 — Starting Slow If You Are New to Aesthetics

35:15 — Where to Find Dr. Arron

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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. Sarah Arron brings over fifteen years of experience in dermatologic surgery and aesthetic dermatology to her practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is board certified in dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery, and clinical informatics. She did her dermatology residency and procedural dermatology fellowship at UCSF, and stayed on for twelve years on the faculty. During that time she ran a translational skin cancer research laboratory and served as the Associate Director of the UCSF Dermatologic Surgery and Laser Center, and Chief of Mohs Micrographic Surgery at the San Francisco VA. As a leading expert in skin health and clinical research, Dr. Arron has authored numerous articles in the medical literature and has spoken at national and international conferences. She works closely with the pharmaceutical industry to bring new innovations to clinical practice. Dr. Arron is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American College of Mohs Surgery. She has served on the Board of Directors of the ACMS and as President of the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative. She currently practices at Premier Aesthetic Dermatology in San Carlos, California and offers Mohs micrographic surgery through the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group.

Connect with Dr. Sarah Arron:

Website: https://premier-dermatology.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sirr.leezus/?hl=en@saraharronmdphd

Facebook: @saraharronmdphd

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 Greethere

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 breaks down her full haircare routine, and why it's taken real consistency to get her hair looking this healthy at 46. She gets honest about a scary moment about a year and a half ago when her forehead started looking bigger and her scalp began showing through at the crown, and how frustrating it is when people dismiss thick-haired women who say their hair is thinning.

From there she walks through her actual washing schedule, her two-shampoo method for keeping her scalp healthy, the right way to apply conditioner, her rules around heat and drying, and the claw clip trick she swears by to protect her strands. She also gets into her own experience going from topical Rogaine to oral low-dose minoxidil, hair serums, red light therapy, supplements, nutrition, and how coloring and cutting decisions can make or break hair health. She wraps up with her honest take on embracing gray hair and a reminder that hair is allowed to change at every stage of life.

In this episode:

0:00 — Why Everyone Is Complimenting My Hair Lately

0:31 — Welcome To The Skin Real

1:00 — Deep Dive Into Hair Health And My Hair Strategy

1:34 — Noticing My Hairline Change At 46

2:10 — When Thick Hair Is Thinning But No One Believes You

2:52 — Why You Should Never Suffer In Silence With Hair Loss

3:38 — My Hair Washing Schedule Breakdown

5:40 — When You Actually Need To Wash Your Hair More Often

8:05 — Debunking The Myth That Washing Causes Hair Loss

9:25 — My Double Shampoo Method For Scalp Health

11:45 — How I Apply Conditioner The Right Way

13:35 — Drying, Detangling And Heat Protectant Rules

15:05 — Styling Wet Hair And Air Drying Truths

16:20 — My Dyson Airwrap And Claw Clip Hack

18:10 — What I Do With My Hair At Night

19:30 — Topical Rogaine Versus Oral Low Dose Minoxidil

21:00 — Hair Serums And Red Light Therapy

22:35 — Supplements, Protein And GLP1 Medications

25:00 — Coloring, Cutting And Choosing The Right Style

27:10 — Embracing Gray Hair And Final Thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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

🔗 Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/

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 Greethere

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.

🔗 Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/

Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Erin Sheffield to explore a part of facial aging most people never think about: the mouth. They dig into why tooth loss drives bone loss in the jaw, why flossing (done correctly) is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost things anyone can do for their whole-body health, and why teeth keep shifting throughout life even without braces history. The conversation also covers grinding and mouth guards, the risks behind the veneer and crown boom, why a slightly imperfect natural smile beats an artificially uniform one, safe teeth-whitening practices, and how perimenopause, dry mouth, and osteoporosis medications can quietly affect oral health. Dr. Sheffield also busts viral myths around wisdom teeth, cavitations, and jaw-growth looksmaxing trends, and explains what orthognathic surgery actually involves. She closes with her top two low-effort, high-yield habits for protecting oral health through midlife.

In this episode:
00:00 — Intro
02:05 — Topic introduction: facial aging and bone structure
02:50 — Dr. Sheffield introduces her background and work
05:15 — Doctors navigating social media and content creation
08:15 — How tooth loss drives jawbone and facial structure loss
11:15 — Flossing: why it matters and the correct technique
15:20 — Teeth shifting with age, Invisalign, retainers, and the wisdom teeth myth
19:30 — Teeth grinding, mouth guards, and Botox for masseters
22:30 — Cosmetic dentistry trends: veneers versus crowns
26:30 — Natural smiles versus the uniform whitening trend
30:30 — Is teeth whitening safe
33:00 — Perimenopause, dry mouth, and osteoporosis medication risks (MRONJ)
37:00 — Busting wisdom teeth myths
39:00 — Jaw looksmaxing, mewing, and orthognathic surgery
41:30 — Final tips: flossing and fluoride toothpaste
42:20 — Where to find Dr. Sheffield
42:45 — Closing thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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. Erin Sheffield is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, speaker, educator, entrepreneur, and content creator who has built a career around doing things a little differently. After more than a decade practicing oral surgery, Erin has built a platform that combines clinical education, humor, and a willingness to say the things people in medicine and dentistry are often thinking but don’t say out loud. Her content has reached millions, connecting with both patients and healthcare professionals through myth-busting, education, and candid conversations about life in medicine. Her own career hasn’t followed a perfectly straight path. Losing her first job shortly after returning from maternity leave forced her to rethink achievement, identity, and what a meaningful career could look like. Today, she is the founder of The Doctor Is All In, a retreat and community helping women physicians and dentists stop disappearing inside achievement and come home to themselves. Erin is also a wife, mom of three, and self-described recovering overachiever.

Connect with Dr. Erin Sheffield:

Website: https://www.doctorisallin.com/
The Resting Stitch Face Podcast
Instagram: @drerinsheffield

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 Greethere

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, Dr. Mary Alice Mina answers the internet's most asked questions about testosterone, topical estrogen, and perimenopause. Pulled straight from the comments section, she covers who can actually prescribe testosterone, whether estradiol and estriol can be used together on the face, what swollen eyelids might really mean, what lab work matters before starting testosterone therapy, how topical estrogen interacts with birth control pills, the correct way to apply topical estrogen, whether birth control suppresses testosterone, and whether estrogen levels need to be monitored while using topical treatments. She closes with a detailed answer on facial estradiol, hair thinning, and dry skin, and the collagen and elastin benefits the research does show.

Want more support navigating your hormones? Join my 5-Day Perimenopause Challenge: https://hi.theskinreal.com/5-day-perimenopause-challenge

In this episode:

0:00 Intro and Disclaimer
3:17 Perimenopause and Hormone Confusion Explained
4:21 Can Any Endocrinologist Prescribe Testosterone?
5:59 Using Estradiol and Estriol on Your Face
7:33 Swollen Eyelids: Eczema or Low Testosterone?
8:51 Lab Work You Need Before Starting Testosterone
10:16 5-Day Perimenopause Challenge
11:03 Topical Estrogen and Birth Control Pills
12:37 How to Properly Apply Topical Estrogen
14:59 Do Birth Control Pills Block Testosterone?
16:37 Do You Need to Monitor Estrogen Levels on Topical Treatment?
18:28 Facial Estradiol for Hair Loss and Dry Skin
19:54 Final Thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

🔗 Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/

📱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 Greethere

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.

🔗 Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/

Filler has had its moment, and for years the look was to go bigger: fuller lips, bigger cheeks, an almost caricature version of the face. Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down why the pendulum is swinging back toward natural results and what that means for anyone rethinking their filler. She walks through what hyaluronic acid filler actually is, how it compares to older options like silicone and collagen, and the three main reasons patients ask to have their filler dissolved, including the rare but serious vascular emergencies that make this a medical procedure, not just a cosmetic one. She also tackles the popular claim that filler migrates to other parts of the body and explains what MRI imaging actually shows. From how hyaluronidase works to dissolve HA filler, to what recovery looks like, to why less is more when it comes to injectables, this episode is a clear-eyed guide for anyone with filler regret or anyone simply trying to separate fact from social media fear.

In this episode:

0:00 – Filler Doesn't Migrate
0:18 – Welcome to The Skin Real
1:26 – Today's Topic: The Filler Pendulum Swing
3:25 – Other Types of Filler: Silicone, Collagen, and Fat
4:43 – Three Reasons People Dissolve Their Filler
5:53 – The Vascular Emergency Risk
6:54 – Debunking Filler Migration
9:37 – How Hyaluronidase Dissolves Filler
12:49 – Recovery After Dissolving Filler
14:53 – Less Is More: Setting Realistic Expectations
15:25 – GLPs, Weight Loss, and Facial Volume Loss
17:02 – Final Thoughts and Where to Learn More

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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 Greethere

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.

Head lice might be one of the most stomach-turning phrases a parent can hear, but Dr. Mary Alice Mina wants everyone to take a breath before reaching for the clippers. In this episode of The Skin Real, she breaks down what head lice actually are, why they have nothing to do with hygiene, and how they really spread through close head-to-head contact rather than jumping from scalp to scalp. She walks through exactly how to check for lice and nits at home, the step-by-step protocol for using permethrin and pyrethrin shampoos correctly, including the treatment mistake most people make, what to do when over-the-counter options do not work, and how to properly clean bedding, brushes, and stuffed animals so lice do not come back. By the end, parents have a clear, judgment-free game plan for spotting, treating, and preventing head lice for good.

In this episode:
0:00 – Don't Panic: What To Do If You Find Lice
0:29 – Welcome to The Skin Real
1:12 – Quick Disclaimer
1:39 – Today's Topic: Head Lice
2:32 – A Very Relatable Lice Story
3:15 – What Exactly Are Head Lice?
3:55 – Lice vs. Nits vs. Dandruff: How To Tell The Difference
4:46 – Do Lice Carry Diseases?
5:22 – How Lice Actually Spread (It's Not About Hygiene)
6:10 – Who Gets Head Lice Most Often
6:52 – How To Check For Lice At Home
8:27 – First-Line Treatment: OTC Shampoos
9:03 – Permethrin 1% Shampoo Protocol
10:45 – Pyrethrin + Piperonyl Butoxide Protocol
11:43 – When First-Line Treatment Fails
12:16 – Manual Nit Removal Method
12:50 – Cleaning Your House, Bedding & Toys
14:22 – Do You Need To Treat Everyone In The House?
14:40 – How To Prevent Lice From Spreading
15:02 – When To Call Your Dermatologist
15:26 – You're Not Dirty: The Truth About Lice
16:43 – Final Thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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

🔗 Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/

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:

Website:https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greethere

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 sits down with dermatologist and Skinfluence Podcast host Dr. Dustin Portela to break down the skincare trends flooding social media right now. From DIY sunscreen and beef tallow moisturizer to at-home chemical peels and tanmaxxing, they separate real dermatology from viral misinformation. The conversation covers red flags to watch for in skincare influencers, the science behind sunscreen safety, why skin cycling can work when done right, age-appropriate routines for kids and teens, and what medical grade skincare actually means. It is a practical, no-nonsense guide to protecting your skin from bad advice.

In this episode:

0:00 Intro
1:15 Meet Dr. Dustin Portela
3:00 How to spot fake skincare advice online
6:15 The truth about DIY sunscreen
9:30 Beef tallow moisturizer breakdown
13:00 At-home chemical peels and TCA risks
16:45 Tan maxing and the return of tanning culture
21:00 Melanotan and the anti-sunscreen movement
25:30 Sunscreen myths and the seatbelt analogy
28:45 Skin cycling explained
31:15 Skincare for kids and teens
34:00 Real skin vs filtered skin
35:15 What medical grade skincare actually means
36:45 Top three tips for cutting through the noise
37:45 Where to find Dr. Portela

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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

🔗 Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.lovable.app

About the guest:

Dr. Dustin Portela, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boise, Idaho. An Idaho native, he earned his Honors Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Idaho State University and completed his medical degree at Des Moines University, graduating with recognition for Excellence in Physiology. Following medical school, Dr. Portela undertook his internship through Michigan State University at Oakwood Southshore Hospital and completed his dermatology residency at Beaumont Trenton Hospital, where he received the Excellence in Dermatologic Surgery Award. Dr. Portela's professional interests encompass holistic health, skin cancer prevention, complex medical dermatology, and wound healing.

Connect with Dr. Dustin Portela:

Websites:https://drdustinportela.com/

(Dēne skincare):https://shop.drdustinportela.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooiH1GWOmjtZlhi7SHBcSvlaEWwXIWclmQH5ajSwr_EcWt60Y3e

Instagram: @drdustinportela

FB: @drdustinportela

TikTok: drdustinportela

Podcast: Skinfluence

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:

Website:https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greethere

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.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer on the planet, yet most people have never heard of it until they're sitting in a dermatologist's chair hearing the word cancer for the first time. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina walks through what these lesions actually look like, and it's rarely what people expect. Sometimes it's a pink, shiny bump that bleeds without warning. Other times it hides as a stubborn scar-like patch or a dry spot that gets mistaken for eczema for months.

She covers how a diagnosis actually comes together, from the dermatoscope exam to the different biopsy methods used to confirm what's going on before any treatment begins. From there, the conversation moves into the full range of treatment options, Mohs surgery, topical chemo creams, scraping and burning, laser, radiation, and oral medications, and how a lesion's location, size, and subtype decide which path makes sense. The episode wraps with what happens after treatment: the real odds of getting another basal cell down the road, and the everyday habits, from sunscreen to a supplement called nicotinamide, that can lower that risk.

In this episode:

00:00 – The most common cancer nobody knows about
00:27 – Welcome to The Skin Real
01:11 – Disclaimer
01:41 – What is basal cell carcinoma
02:57 – What this episode covers
04:02 – Not every basal cell needs surgery
04:19 – What basal cell carcinoma looks like
05:07 – The subtype that mimics eczema
05:30 – When to get a spot checked
06:22 – How you get basal cell carcinoma
07:19 – Warning signs and the dermatoscope exam
08:10 – Why a biopsy is always necessary
08:47 – The three types of biopsies explained
12:03 – The dangerous myth: it won't kill me
14:29 – Do you need imaging or scans
15:33 – How location, size, and subtype drive treatment
15:49 – Mohs surgery explained
17:38 – Topical chemo creams
19:16 – Scrape and burn (EDNC)
20:51 – Laser treatment
22:16 – Why radiation is rarely used
23:19 – Oral and systemic medications
26:27 – Your risk of getting another one
27:30 – Daily sun protection
28:01 – Other prevention options and nicotinamide
30:03 – Final thoughts: get it checked

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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

🔗 Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.lovable.app

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 Greethere

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.

Exosomes are one of the most talked about ingredients in skincare right now, but most people buying them have no idea what they are actually paying for. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Alisa Lask, CEO of Rion Aesthetics and lead of Plated Skin Science, to break down what exosomes really are, why the source they come from matters more than the word on the label, and how platelet-derived exosomes differ from plant and stem cell versions. They cover how exosomes penetrate the skin, whether microneedling helps or hurts them, realistic timelines for seeing results, safety around using donor-derived platelets, and where the research on hair loss and cellular aging currently stands. The conversation also digs into red flags to watch for when shopping this category, and why FDA approval status matters when evaluating any exosome product.

In this episode:

00:00 — Intro
00:47 — Why Exosomes Are Everywhere (and Pricey)
01:43 — Meet Alisa Lask, CEO of Plated Skin Science
02:20 — What Exosomes Actually Are
03:23 — Why the Source of Your Exosome Matters
04:00 — Exosomes vs PRP: What's the Difference
06:04 — Why Skin Doesn't Need an Injury to Heal
07:03 — Can Exosomes Actually Penetrate the Skin
08:15 — Plant vs Stem Cell vs Platelet Exosomes
09:40 — How to Spot a Fake Exosome Product
11:03 — Should You Microneedle Exosomes In
13:17 — How Long Until You See Real Results
16:33 — Is It Safe to Use Donor Platelets on Your Face
18:11 — The Future of Exosomes Beyond Skincare
19:18 — Can Exosomes Reverse Skin Aging
21:05 — Exosomes for Hair Loss and Thinning
24:40 — Are Injectable Exosomes FDA Approved Yet
25:32 — Who Should Avoid Exosome Products
27:05 — How to Apply Plated the Right Way
28:46 — What's Next for Plated
30:08 — Why Dr Mina Actually Uses This Product
31:20 — Where to Learn More About Plated

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

About the guest:

Alisa Lask, the dynamic CEO of Rion Aesthetics, is at the forefront of revolutionizing the regenerative aesthetic market through the introduction of platelet-derived exosomes. Under her visionary leadership, Rion Aesthetics is pioneering investigational studies in areas such as hair restoration and facial wrinkles, while also boasting a successful and commercially available medical-grade skincare line, (plated)TM Skin Science, distributed through trusted aesthetic providers.

With a rich professional background, Alisa has served in esteemed senior leadership roles at industry giants like Allergan, Zimmer-Biomet, and Eli Lilly. She brings to the table a wealth of experience and expertise, holding a Master of Business Administration from the prestigious University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business, coupled with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Miami University, Oxford, OH.

Beyond her role at Rion Aesthetics, Alisa is an influential figure in the business world, serving on the Board of Directors at CollPlant (Nasdaq: CLGN), a regenerative aesthetics and medicine company.

An accomplished equestrian in show jumping on a national level, Alisa is not only dedicated to pushing the boundaries of regenerative aesthetics but is also actively involved in various organizations focused on dog rescue. Her passion for both business and philanthropy reflects a multifaceted leader with a commitment to innovation, excellence, and making a positive impact in diverse spheres.

Connect with Alisa Lask:

Website: https://www.rionaesthetics.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sirr.leezus/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/alisa.lask_rion/

( plated )™ Skin Science Skincare: https://platedskinscience.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platedskinscience

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 Greethere

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 Part 2 of this mini series on Collagen Loss, Dr. Mary Alice Mina moves from biology to action: the exact morning and evening skincare routine that makes sense for post-menopausal skin, which ingredients actually have evidence behind them, and which in-office treatments are worth the money. She walks through why a routine built for oily 20-something skin works against you later, then breaks down a simple AM routine (gentle cleanse, antioxidant/vitamin C serum, moisturizer, sunscreen) and PM routine (cleanse, retinol/retinoid as the cornerstone anti-aging ingredient, moisturizer), plus how to exfoliate without damaging the skin barrier. She then ranks in-office options — red light therapy, IPL, microneedling, neurotoxins, resurfacing lasers, chemical peels, and skin-tightening devices — explaining who each is right for and when surgery becomes the better conversation. The message throughout: it doesn't need to be complicated or expensive, just consistent and matched to where your skin actually is.

In this episode:

00:00 — The Treatment That Boosts Collagen 400%
00:35 — Welcome to The Skin Real
01:20 — Disclaimer & Finding a Board-Certified Dermatologist
02:00 — Recap of Part 1 & What's Coming Today
03:15 — Why Your 20s Routine Doesn't Work Anymore
04:45 — Morning Routine: Cleansing for Post-Menopausal Skin
06:15 — Morning Routine: Antioxidant & Vitamin C Serums
09:30 — Morning Routine: Moisturizer & Hyaluronic Acid
12:00 — Why Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable
13:15 — Evening Routine: Cleansing & Double Cleansing
15:30 — Evening Routine: Retinol vs. Retinoid — The Cornerstone Ingredient
19:00 — Alternatives: Bakuchiol, Peptides & Adapalene
21:30 — Sealing In Moisture After Retinol
22:15 — How (and How Often) to Exfoliate
25:00 — In-Office Treatments: Where to Invest
26:00 — Red Light Therapy
27:15 — IPL for Redness & Discoloration
28:45 — Microneedling: The 400% Collagen Boost
31:00 — Neurotoxins: Botox, Dysport & Where to Treat First
33:00 — Resurfacing Lasers, Chemical Peels & Tightening Devices
34:30 — When Surgery Makes More Sense
35:00 — Recap & Final Thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

🔗 Join the 5-Day Perimenopause Challenge: https://hi.theskinreal.com/5-day-perimenopause-challenge

📱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

🔗 Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.lovable.app

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 Greethere

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 the first half of a two-part episode on midlife skin, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down the biology behind one of the most alarming stats in dermatology: women can lose up to 30% of their skin's collagen in the first five years after menopause. She explains why collagen decline actually starts as early as your 20s (about 1% a year), why estrogen loss accelerates that process dramatically at menopause, and why "collagen banking" earlier in life matters so much.

Rather than jumping straight to products and procedures, Dr. Mina makes the case that skincare is whole-body care — walking through the inside-out factors that most directly affect collagen: protein intake (including how much you actually need and why vegetarian/vegan diets make it harder), sugar and glycation (AGEs), anti-inflammatory fats, antioxidants, hydration, and whether collagen supplements are actually worth taking.

Part 2 will cover the topical and in-office side of the equation, so be sure to follow/subscribe!

In this episode:

00:00 — The 30% Collagen Loss Stat
00:47 — Welcome to The Skin Real
01:35 — Disclaimer & Finding a Board-Certified Dermatologist
02:15 — Kicking Off the Two-Part Perimenopause Series
03:15 — Who This Episode Is For
04:15 — The Real Collagen Timeline: Loss Starts in Your 20s
05:45 — Collagen Banking & the Post-Menopause 30% Drop
07:30 — What Collagen Actually Is (and What Breaks It Down)
09:00 — Signs Your Skin Is Losing Collagen
10:30 — Why Skincare Isn't One-Size-Fits-All by Decade
11:15 — The Inside-Out Philosophy
12:30 — Protein: The Raw Material for Collagen
14:00 — Sarcopenia & Why Protein Needs Change in Midlife
15:45 — How Much Protein You Actually Need
17:15 — Sugar, Glycation & AGEs
18:45 — Sugar, Inflammation & Hidden Sugar Everywhere
20:00 — Anti-Inflammatory Fats, Antioxidants & Hydration
21:30 — Collagen Supplements: Do They Actually Work?
22:15 — Recap & What's Coming in Part 2

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode onhttps://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcastYouTube 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

🛍️ Shop My recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin

🔗 Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.lovable.app

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 Greethere

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.