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

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.

Episode 14: 2026 Skincare Trend Predictions

Derm Next Door is back with Episode 14 and we’re breaking down Allure’s 2026 Beauty Trends Report from a dermatologist’s perspective. Board-certified dermatologists Ali & Reem go trend-by-trend to separate marketing from medicine, including: * The rise of retinal (retinaldehyde) over retinol * Vitamin C upgrades and what happens now that the SkinCeuticals patent has expired * Pre- and post-procedure skincare (and what’s actually worth the splurge) * The future of sunscreen, luxury mineral formulas, and the new UV filter bemetrizinol (BEMT) * The estrogen cream debate in perimenopause & menopause skincare * Biohacking, longevity culture, and what that even means for your skin * Injectable-inspired skincare (exosomes, PDRN, salmon sperm- yes, we went there) * The explosion of at-home beauty devices and whether they’re worth it We also share Ali’s real-time Fraxel experience, red light device thoughts, and our honest predictions for what 2026 will really look like in dermatology. 🎥 This episode is also available on YouTube if you want to watch the full conversation. 📲 Follow us on TikTok at @dermnextdoor for clips, skincare breakdowns, and derm hot takes. If you want dermatologist-backed insight without the fluff — this is the episode.