Alopecia, GLP-1s, and the Truth About Red Light Devices with Dr. Michelle Tarbox

Alopecia, GLP-1s, and the Truth About Red Light Devices with Dr. Michelle Tarbox

This week on Skincredible, Dr. Lisa Swanson sits down with Dr. Michelle Tarbox  for a deep dive into hair loss that goes way beyond “is it falling out?” Dr. Tarbox is associate professor of dermatology and dermatopathology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and co-host of the Dermasphere Podcast! Fun fact-- her identical twin sister is an opera singer performing across Europe.  They start with diagnosis: why pattern is the first and most important clue, how a “swarm of bees” attacking follicular melanocytes causes hair shafts to thin and narrow over time in alopecia areata, and the key question that separates telogen effluvium from androgenetic alopecia — are you seeing, feeling, or catching hair coming out, or just noticing it’s thinner over time? From there, a thorough look at GLP-1 related hair loss: why it happens, the emerging retatrutide (which targets both GLP-1 and GIP), the dysmorphia concerns around extreme weight loss, and Dr. Tarbox’s reminder that patients should always tell their doctors what they’re taking because “we don’t judge, we just need to know.” They  discuss getting enough protein and the right vitamins to fill nutritional holes, and why hair loss can act as a canary in the mine for patients hoping to stay on their GLP-1. On the OTC and device front: which supplement has the best data and price point (Viviscal, reviewed in an article on Dermasphere), a rundown of red light therapy devices (the Hairmax laser comb, iRestore vs. Revlon Red, why Theradome isn’t recommended, and capless options that need a power supply), and the science of why red light works — it’s attracted to copper ions, kickstarts senescent cells, decreases DHT, and improves blood flow. They also cover scalp massage, fingers vs. the “Comfier” device from Amazon, and a fair worry about head fires. The conversation moves into JAK inhibitors as a game-changer for alopecia areata, the frustrating reality of insurance companies labeling it “cosmetic” despite the real burden it places on patients, and how hair loss is portrayed in media. They get into scalp micropigmentation (“drug tattooing”) — including the epinephrine science behind it, what a typical treatment series costs and involves (three treatments back-to-back, paired with oral or light-based support), and how Dr. Tarbox chooses between anti-androgens like spironolactone and finasteride depending on the patient. Dr. Tarbox’s PSA for anyone googling hair loss: those miracle-growth ads aren’t real (cue a tangent about the cult movie The Peanut Butter Solution) — get diagnosed and come in early, because it’s far easier to maintain hair than regrow it. Plus, a rapid-fire round: paper vs. digital calendars, guilty-pleasure reality TV, lottery dreams, ideal dinner time, and — naturally, given the Texas Tech connection — predictions on when Taylor and Travis are finally tying the knot. Keywords Dermatology, Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, JAK Inhibitors, Hair Loss, GLP-1, Peptides, Anti Androgens, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Spironolactone, Minoxidil, Rogaine, The Peanut Butter Solution, Scalp Massage, Red Light Therapy, Vitamins, Nutraceuticals, Viviscal, Nutrafol, Opera, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Links, Attachments More about Dr. Tarbox: https://providers.texastechphysicians.com/provider/michelle-tarbox/2676236  Dermasphere Podcast:  https://www.dermaspherepodcast.com/ [https://www.dermaspherepodcast.com/] Chapters 00:00 Intro and Welcome Dr. Michelle Tarbox 02:35 Alopecia Clinical Observations  06:29 How Important is Time in Alopecia? 08:38 GLP-1 Related Hair Loss 14:38 GLP-1 Related Body Dysmorphia 16:32 For Patients Experiencing GLP-1 Hair Loss 18:50 Over the Counter Recommendations  21:18 Red Light Therapy 24:17 Science of Red Light 25:39 Dermal Stretching & Hair Growth 29:23 Alopecia Areata & JAK Inhibitors 32:30 The Lost Years with Alopecia Areata  33:20 Insurance Calling Alopecia  34:45 What Dr. Tarbox Wishes Patients Knew About Alopecia 36:50 False Ads for Vitamins That Do Not Work 39:00 Drug Tattooing 44:40 Anti Androgen Therapies 48:30 Rapid Fire Questions  53:26 Like/Subscribe/Follow, Thanks & Goodbye Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562582/fan_mail/new] The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your  physician regarding your health.

Skincredible Humans: Behind the Scenes with Anna and Olivia

In this special behind-the-scenes episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson welcomes her two medical assistants, Olivia and Anna, for a candid conversation about life in pediatric dermatology. They share how they found their way into dermatology, what they love most about working with children and families, and the rewarding experience of watching young patients gain confidence as their skin conditions improve. The team discusses common misconceptions about pediatric skin conditions, including eczema, molluscum, warts, and birthmarks, while offering reassurance and practical insights for parents navigating these challenges. They also reflect on the emotional side of caring for children, the importance of building trust with families, and the unique joys (and occasional challenges) of pediatric dermatology. To wrap up the episode, Olivia and Anna put their knowledge of Dr. Swanson to the test in a fun game of “How Well Do You Know Dr. Swanson?”, featuring questions about Bluey, coffee orders, favorite animals, reality TV, and more. Filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and plenty of pediatric dermatology wisdom, this episode offers listeners a fun and personal look at the team behind the clinic. Keywords Dermatology, Medical Assistant, Skin, Patients, Patient Care, Pediatric, Medical Care, Medical Team, Dermatology Practice, Warts, Bluey, Dr. Pimple Popper, Dr. Sandra Lee, Cystic Acne, Medical Care, Healthcare, Healthcare Careers Links, Attachments Image Source For Sperm Whales: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/sperm-whales-nap-sleeping-photography-spd [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/sperm-whales-nap-sleeping-photography-spd] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareskincredible [https://www.youtube.com/@weareskincredible] Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/skincrediblepod [https://www.instagram.com/skincrediblepod]  X: https://x.com/Skincrediblepod [https://x.com/Skincrediblepod] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skincrediblepod/ [https://www.pinterest.com/skincrediblepod/?invite_code=73bda9067dd946609a42e57eb169e8a9&sender=1118018813653555703] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skincrediblepod/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/skincrediblepod/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OPa1pfmGldcQGs8IE7nFb  [https://open.spotify.com/show/5OPa1pfmGldcQGs8IE7nFb] Podcast website: https://skincredible.buzzsprout.com [https://skincredible.buzzsprout.com/] Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skincredible/id1866567434 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skincredible/id1866567434] Chapters 00:00 Intro & Welcome: Olivia & Anna 01:55 How Olivia & Anna Ended Up In Dermatology 02:56 A Message to Olivia From Dr. Pimple Popper 05:30 Dr. Swanson’s Trivia Tradition During Talks 07:30 Female Dermatologists & Eldest Daughters 08:50 Favorite Parts of Pediatric Dermatology 12:25 The Team You Work With Matters 14:30 Helping Kids Feel Comfortable in Clinic 16:00 Buzzy Between the Brain and the Pain 17:00 We Believe in Bees, But They Do Sting 19:30 Least Favorite Parts of Pediatric Dermatology 25:00 Differences Make Us Special 27:20 If You Could Tell Parents ONE Thing 34:00 How Well Do You Know Dr. Swanson 35:28 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Bluey Character 36:25 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Starbucks Drink 37:40 Dr. Swanson’s Current OTC Favorite Ingredient  38:45 Dr. Swanson’s Dog’s Names 39:15 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Wart Treatment 40:35 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Ocean Animal 41:55 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Land Animal 43:04: Dr. Swanson’s Daily Lunch 43:44 Dr. Swanson’s Boy Biopsy Requirement 45:00 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Reality TV Show 47:30 Dr. Swanson’s Frustration Indicator 49:10 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Bluey Episode 51:00 Appreciation and Goodbye Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562582/fan_mail/new] The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your  physician regarding your health.

A Hair Loss Journey with a Fairytale Ending: Stephanie’s Story

Description  In this moving episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson sits down with Steve and Katy to share their daughter Stephanie’s journey with alopecia areata. They chat about what it was like to notice the first unexpected bald spot at age two, about navigating treatments, fears, setbacks, and ultimately finding hope. These parents open up about the emotional toll of watching their child lose her hair, the uncertainty that comes with an autoimmune diagnosis, and the difficult decisions involved in starting advanced treatments like JAK inhibitors at such a young age. Along the way, they discuss the realities of parenting through chronic illness, the anxiety fueled by internet misinformation, and the importance of finding trusted medical guidance. Most importantly, this episode highlights Stephanie herself. She is a resilient, joyful little girl whose confidence and strength remind us all that we are so much more than our appearance. This conversation offers encouragement, practical insight, and reassurance for families facing alopecia areata or any chronic childhood condition. There’s emotional vulnerability and hopeful breakthroughs, hopefully helping others who are struggling feel less alone in their own journey. Topics include: * Understanding alopecia areata in children * The emotional impact on parents and families * Treatment options, including topical therapies and JAK inhibitors * Managing fear, uncertainty, and setbacks * Helping children build confidence and resilience * The dangers of internet misinformation * Why support, communication, and hope matter so much Keywords Dermatology, Hair Loss, Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Diffuse Alopecia, Loose Anagen Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Hair, Skin, Skin Expert, Dermatologist, JAK inhibitors, Minoxidil, Oral Minoxidil, Allegra, Pulse Prednisone, Prednisone, Olumiant Links, Attachments NAAF: https://www.naaf.org [https://www.naaf.org/] Chapters 00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:44 Discovering Stephanie’s Alopecia Areata 03:00 Initial Reactions and Treatment Options 04:26 Three Potential Alopecia Areata Courses 06:00 Prednisone, Topicals, Oral Minoxidil, Vit D, Allegra 07:00 Discussing JAK Inhibitors: Olumiant 11:30 Stephanie Starts Olumiant 14:14 The Emotional Process of Alopecia 16:30 Stephanie’s Tips on Swallowing Pills 19:00 Stephanie Gets a Haircut 20:45 Parents’ Experience As Hair Grew Back 26:00 Set Backs During Therapy 31:00 Uncertainty, Off Label Use of Medication 33:30 Combating Online Misinformation 34:45 Advice From Parent to Parent 40:45 Writing Your Concerns Down 42:30 Stephanie’s Advice For Other Kids 43:40 Thank You & Goodbye Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562582/fan_mail/new] The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your  physician regarding your health.

Alopecia Treatments: Hope For The Hopeless

You may be wondering, “what are the best treatments for alopecia areata? Can hair grow back after alopecia areata? Are JAK inhibitors safe?” In this episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson takes a comprehensive look at the latest alopecia areata treatments, from traditional therapies to cutting-edge medications that are truly changing lives in a world where treatments used to be very limited. This episode will help you stay up-to-date on treatments available as of May of 2026 for Alopecia Areata and it will also help you discover why early intervention has shown to lead to better results. Dr. Swanson reviews the most effective treatment options for both children and adults, including observation, topical therapies like Minoxidil and Clobetasol, intralesional steroids, vitamin D, Allegra, Dupixent, pulse Prednisone, low dose oral Minoxidil, contact sensitizers such as Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), Squaric Acid, Diphencyprone (DPCP), and JAK inhibitors. The episode also explores in detail the exciting new era of JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata, including Olumiant (baricitinib), Litfulo (ritlecitinib), Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib), and the upcoming approval of Rinvoq (upadacitinib). Dr. Swanson explains how these medications work, who may be a candidate, who may not be, required blood work and monitoring, common side effects, safety considerations, insurance challenges, and what patients can realistically expect when it comes to hair regrowth in general. You'll also hear Dr. Swanson’s valuable insights on popular hair loss remedies frequently discussed online, including rosemary oil, garlic, essential oils, capsaicin, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), red light therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy, and PUVA treatment. Whether you're living with alopecia areata, caring for a child with hair loss, or a healthcare professional looking to stay current on the latest advances, this episode provides practical guidance, expert insights, and hope for patients navigating autoimmune hair loss. Keywords Dermatology, Hair Loss, Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Diffuse Alopecia, Loose Anagen Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Hair, Skin, Skin Expert, Dermatologist, JAK Inhibitors, Olumiant, Litfulo, Leqselvi, Rinvoq, Minoxidil, Hair Regrowth, Autoimmune Disease, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Dupixent, Vitamin D, Allegra, Contact Sensitizers, Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), Squaric Acid, Diphencyprone (DPCP),  Links, Attachments NAAF: https://www.naaf.org [https://www.naaf.org/] Find a Pediatric Dermatologist near you: https://pedsderm.net/for-patients-families/find-a-pediatric-dermatologist/ [https://pedsderm.net/for-patients-families/find-a-pediatric-dermatologist/] Find an Adult Dermatologist near you: https://find-a-derm.aad.org/ [https://find-a-derm.aad.org/]  Chapters 00:00 Welcome, A Side Note About Breast MRIs  04:25 Alopecia Areata Treatments 04:52 Observation, Especially in Pediatric Patients 05:39 Topical Steroids at Bedtime and Topical Minoxidil in Morning 09:00 Kids Do Better On Treatments 10:07 Follow Up and Expectations From Treatment 11:30 Intralesional Steroids 13:40 AAD or Society for Pediatric Dermatology Lookup 14:50 Vitamin D and Allegra Over The Counter 17:00 Dupixent 20:00 Pulse Prednisone 21:05 Oral Minoxidil 23:15 Safety Label on Minoxidil 24:30 Contact Sensitizers 27:00 JAK Inhibitors & Alopecia Discovery 30:00 Quality of Life Improvement with Treatment 31:20 Olumiant 33:05 Litfulo  36:15 Leqselvi 37:00 Labs Checked With JAK Inhibitors 39:00 Safety Warnings 40:40 The 4 Cs 44:00 Coming Soon: Rinvoq 46:50 The Importance of JAK Inhibitors & Early Intervention 51:30 Natural Remidies and Social Media Trends 53:30 Excimer Laser & PUVA 55:00 Red Light 56:00 Conclusion Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562582/fan_mail/new] The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your  physician regarding your health.

Alopecia Areata 101

In this episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson and Ana dive into the world of alopecia areata — an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss and affects both children and adults. From patchy scalp hair loss to loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, and even body hair, Dr. Swanson breaks down the many ways alopecia can present and why it’s so much more than a “cosmetic” condition. Dr. Swanson explains the science behind alopecia areata, including how the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, the connection to stress and other autoimmune diseases, and the differences between alopecia areata, alopecia totals, alopecia universalis, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, and loose anagen syndrome. They also discuss why hair plays such an important role in identity, confidence, and emotional well-being — especially for kids. You’ll hear practical guidance on what people should know, common misconceptions, when blood work is helpful, and why internet searches can sometimes create unnecessary fear. Most importantly, this episode offers hope: today’s treatment options for alopecia areata are more effective than ever before. Whether you’re personally affected by hair loss, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about the science of hair and skin, this compassionate and informative conversation is packed with insight. Plus — stay tuned for the next episode, where Dr. Swanson dives deep into the newest treatments changing the future of alopecia care. Keywords Dermatology, Hair Loss, Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Diffuse Alopecia, Loose Anagen Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Hair, Skin, Skin Expert, Dermatologist Links, Attachments National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF): https://www.naaf.org [https://www.naaf.org/] Chapters 00:00 Intro & Welcome 01:00 Alopecia Areata 02:48 Autoimmune conditions 05:16 How Alopecia Areata Presents 06:53 Diffuse Alopecia, Telogen Effluvium 12:50 Treatment Options Are More Abundant Now 13:40 Resolution vs. Treatment or Progression 15:50 Eyebrow Loss 16:55 Alopecia Areata Is NOT Cosmetic 18:25 Barbie & American Girl With Alopecia 20:15 Sudden Hair Loss, Ringworm (Tinea Capitis) 22:02 Joy From Treatment 24:25 Traction Alopecia 26:00 Disney Princess For A Day 27:13 Loose Anagen 30:15 Alopecia Recap 31:00 Thank You & Goodbye  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562582/fan_mail/new] The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your  physician regarding your health.