Derm Next Door

Ep 19: PicoToning 101, Vampire Facial Red Flags & The Great Filler Reversal

Reem and Ali are back from their Euro summer adventures (London! Copenhagen!) with a packed episode 19 — the season one finale. What's Hot: PicoToning We break down the PicoWay laser — how picosecond technology differs from heat-based lasers like Clear + Brilliant, why its photoacoustic mechanism means minimal downtime, and why it's safe for all skin types. We cover what it treats: acne scarring, melasma, sunspots (face, hands, and arms), pore size, tattoo removal, and overall rejuvenation. Plus the "pico glow," collagen banking, and what to expect (about 3 sessions, spaced 2–4 weeks apart). Side-Eyeing: Vampire Facials PRP + microneedling is legit — in a doctor's office. We explain why med spa and at-home versions worry us, including the 2024 CDC report of HIV transmission at an unlicensed med spa, and why sterile protocol matters when your blood is involved. What's NOT Hot: Sunburns One blistering sunburn before age 20 doubles your melanoma risk. One tanning bed session raises it 3–8x. UV is a class 1 carcinogen — and yes, we judge sunburns the way we judge cigarettes. In the Wild: The Filler Dissolution Trend Kylie Jenner, Courteney Cox, and the pillow-face backlash. Why we're pro-reversal (and still not anti-filler), where filler works (micro droplets for smoker lines, lips), why we skip tear trough filler, and what we use under the eyes instead (PRP/PRF). Products of the Month * La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir Tinted Mineral Sunscreen * The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% (for KP and body) * Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter * Colorescience Unforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50 * Epionce Intense Recharge Mask * CeraVe Skin Renewing Peptide Eye Cream * Remedy by Dr. Shah KP exfoliator + lotion Next episode kicks off Season 2 — with a giveaway! Follow us on Instagram and send us your questions.

Ep. 18 — Peptide Deep Dive, Met Gala Skin Moments & Skin Tightening in the GLP-1 Era

Episode 18 of Derm Next Door is a packed one. We're breaking down the peptide conversation from every angle — what signal peptides, neuropeptides, and carrier peptides are actually doing to your skin at the cellular level, how topical delivery compares to injectable peptides, and which ones have real clinical backing vs. just good marketing. In What We're Side-Eyeing, we get into PP405 — the hair loss drug everyone is talking about. Phase 2a data just dropped, and we have thoughts on what the results actually show, what's still missing, and why the hype might be getting ahead of the science. Then we hit the Met Gala 2026 red carpet. The Devil Wears Prada theme brought out Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, and more — and we're talking skin, glow, possible tweakments, and the beauty moments that stood out (for better or worse). Segment 3 is for everyone currently on a GLP-1 or treating patients who are: we break down the major skin tightening devices — Morpheus8, Ultherapy, Sofwave, Thermage, and Emface — what they actually do, how they compare, and who each one is best for when laxity is the chief complaint. And we close with our Products of the Month: Reem is loving the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Spray and L'Oréal EverPure Bond Repair. Ali is vouching for the Eadem Lip Balm, Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches, and SkinCeuticals P-TIOX — the peptide serum that's being called Botox in a bottle. Is it? We weigh in. In this episode: * Peptides: topicals vs. injectables, what the science actually says * PP405 hair loss drug — Phase 2a results breakdown * Met Gala 2026 skin & beauty moments * Skin tightening devices for GLP-1 patients * Products of the Month from Reem & Ali

Episode 17: Sunscreen Contouring, Kylie Jenner's K2O & Summer Skincare Mistakes

Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Reem and Dr. Ali break down the viral "sunscreen contouring" TikTok trend, review Kylie Jenner's new K2O drinkable skincare, debate PDGF injections, and share their summer skincare swaps, baby skincare essentials, and Sephora Spring Sale picks. Chapters (approximate) * (00:00) Welcome back to Derm Nextdoor * (01:00) What's Hot: NYC heatwave & the science of why your skin gets oily * (03:30) Summer skincare swaps: retinol, salicylic acid, niacinamide, foaming cleansers * (05:30) Sunscreen layering, tinted SPF & powder reapplication * (08:00) What's NOT Hot: the viral "sunscreen contouring" TikTok trend * (11:00) Side-Eye: platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) injections * (14:00) Derm in the Wild: Coachella, UV index & festival sun protection * (17:00) Kylie Jenner's K2O drinkable skincare — does it actually work? * (22:00) Listener Q: Nutrition & skin aging (AGEs, low-carb diets, dairy & acne) * (26:00) Listener Q: PDRN & exosomes post-microneedling — U.S. vs. Korea * (30:00) Baby skincare 101: sunscreen, fragrance-free, soak & seal * (33:00) Innovative brands: Bemotrizinol & postbiotics in skincare * (36:00) Sephora Spring Savings Event picks * (39:30) Outro & listener questions

Episode 16: Derm Decoded: Skin Longevity, Alix Earle's Brand & the Real Talk on AI Skincare

This week we're covering what's trending (and what's tanking) in skincare right now — from the growing obsession with skin longevity to the at-home device everyone needs to put down immediately. We also weigh in on Alix Earle's new brand launch, reflect on the spectacle that was AAD 2026, and round things out with our current product picks for transitioning your routine into spring. The Rundown What's hot Skin longevity is having a moment — and for good reason. We break down what "aging well" actually means from a dermatology perspective, why simplified routines are outperforming 10-step regimens, and how the science of barrier health is finally going mainstream. What's not At-home plasma pens. We're drawing a hard line here. We talk through why these devices are causing serious and sometimes permanent skin damage, what the risks actually look like, and why "derm-grade" marketing on a consumer device should be a red flag, not a selling point. Side-eyeing AI-personalized skincare is everywhere right now — but should you trust an algorithm with your skin? We get into the promise vs. the reality: what these tools can and can't assess, where the liability gaps are, and why a quiz on a brand's website is not the same as a consultation. Derm in the Wild Alix Earle's Reale Actives launch. Another influencer, another skincare brand — but is this one different? We look at the formulations, the marketing claims, and whether "founded by someone with acne" is a reason to buy or just a compelling story. AAD 2026 & the sensationalization of dermatology. We just got back and we have thoughts. From social-media-ready presentations to the growing pressure on derms to perform for a public audience — we talk about what the conference got right, what made us cringe, and what it says about where the field is heading. Product Favorites & Spring Skincare Transition As the weather shifts, so should your routine — but not in the way most influencers suggest. We share our current product picks, talk through the swaps worth making as humidity rises and sunscreen becomes non-negotiable again, and answer the question we get every spring: do I actually need a separate spring moisturizer?

Episode 15: NYC Wellness Culture, GLP-1 Controversy, Skincare Hot Takes with Fitness Influencer Ceren

In this episode of Derm Next Door, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Ali Dempsey and Dr. Reem welcome their first ever guest: fitness trainer, Equinox instructor, and wellness influencer Ceren Together they dive into the intersection of NYC wellness culture, skincare trends, and influencer beauty routines. From GLP-1 weight loss medications to Sculptra, Botox, and viral skincare hacks, the conversation gets honest about what’s actually worth it-and what dermatologists are side-eyeing. They also break down Ceren's real skincare routine (and give it a brutally honest derm score), discuss the pressure of influencer culture, and explore how wellness trends differ between New York, Los Angeles, and social media. Plus: rapid-fire Derm Hot Takes on trending beauty and wellness topics. Topics we cover: • GLP-1 weight loss drugs and unexpected side effects • The rise of Sculptra and biostimulatory fillers • Viral skincare trends dermatologists don’t love • Botox in your 20s-yes or no? • Wellness culture in NYC vs LA • The influencer brand trip world • Ice rolling, mouth taping, red light masks, collagen supplements • Skincare routine mistakes dermatologists see all the time Whether you're into skincare, aesthetics, wellness culture, or dermatology, this episode breaks down what’s real vs hype. 🎧 Listen now and follow Derm Next Door for weekly dermatology hot takes. You can now also watch the podcast on YouTube and follow us on TikTok @dermnextdoor.