Derm Next Door

Ali and Reem break down what’s actually worth it in beauty and skincare this week- from laser caps for hair loss to the Neutrogena makeup wipe recall to the sudden surge in GLP-1–related skin issues they’re seeing in clinic. The derms also dissect a TikToker’s “glow-up” routine (Face Gym, lymphatic massage, lash lifts), talk about brow lamination, share their current makeup favorites, and end with curated NYC restaurant and bar recommendations.

• 00:00 — Intro
• 01:00 — Laser Caps 101: What They Are & Who They Help
• 04:30 — Do Laser Caps Work? How Derms Actually Use Them
• 08:30 — Pricing, Brands & Why Amazon Caps Are… Questionable
• 10:30 — Neutrogena Makeup Wipes Recall (Pseudomonas!)
• 13:00 — Our Favorite Makeup Removal Alternatives
• 16:30 — GLP-1 Skin Side Effects: Hair Loss, Laxity & “Ozempic Face”
• 20:30 — Injection Reactions, Wound Healing & Treating Laxity
• 23:00 — Estrogen Creams for the Face: New Research Review
• 26:30 — Derm in the Wild: Rating a TikTok Glow-Up Routine
• 30:00 — Brow Lamination: Ali’s Itchy Experience
• 32:00 — Products of the Month (Makeup Edition)
• 35:00 — NYC Recs: Restaurants, Bars, Broadway & More
• 36:30 — Closing & What’s Coming Next

In Episode 11, we break down the truth about radiofrequency devices and why the FDA just issued a warning about their risks and unlicensed operators. We also debunk the newest TikTok craze: estrogen creams for facial rejuvenation- spoiler: zero long-term data, and possible melasma triggers. Then we side-eye knee Botox (do we secretly want to try it? yes). We also review the $650 “Red Sculpt Facial” celebrities swear by and share our current product obsessions and NYC fall favorites.

🎥 Watch the full studio episode on YouTube: @dermnextdoor

We hit double digits! In this milestone episode, Ali and Reem dig into why acids are everywhere right now- how glycolic, salicylic, and TCA actually work in skin and how to fit them into a skincare routine without annihilating your barrier. Then they explain (plainly) why thread lifts keep dermatologists unamused, unpack a Korean head spa visit, and break down the viral Victoria Nelson chemical-burn case as a cautionary tale about credentials and aftercare. They wrap with Asian beauty favorites and a few NYC spots they’re loving.

Chapters below for quick skipping. Rate/review if you learn something!

Chapters / Timestamps

• 00:00 — Intro & 10-Episode Mini-Party (why this is a passion project, what’s ahead).
• 00:45 — HOT: Acids 101 (OTC vs in-office, safe use, skin cycling basics) — AHAs/BHAs overview; glycolic/salicylic/lactic vs TCA depth and downtime; sane cadence (retinoid most nights, acids on off nights).
• 15:20 — BOTHERED: Thread Lifts — what they are, where they’re happening, complication risk, and why board-certified derms generally pass.
• 22:40 — SIDE-EYEING: Korean Head Spas — Reem’s first-hand rundown; what actually happens; what might help (and what’s just vibes).
• 29:45 — DERM IN THE WILD: Victoria Nelson Case — what likely happened, red flags (licensure, unknown chemicals, “come back to me” after injury), and what appropriate medical follow-up should look like.
• 36:05 — Product Empties & Favorites — Asian beauty highlights (Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream; Aestura Atobarrier Cream Mist), plus the Mise en Scène Perfect Hair Serum shout-out.
• 39:40 — NYC Favorites + Sign-off

We’re officially on camera! In our first filmed episode, we dive into the skincare trends that have everyone talking, from celebrity-loved facial acupuncture to FDA warnings on sunscreen mousse. We side-eye gel manicures after the EU ban on TPO, break down what peptides really do (and how to use them), and talk FDA approval + under-eye microneedling with salmon sperm. Plus, our favorite products of the month, a summer travel recap and the NYC spots we’ve been loving.

Whether you’re here for derm pearls, NYC chaos, or skincare tea, this one has it all.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: First filmed episode + new monthly format

01:00 – Hot: Facial acupuncture (celebs, science & Reedle VT needle)

03:58 – Bothered: Sunscreen mousse & FDA crackdown

07:29 – Side-Eyeing: Gel manicures & EU ban on TPO

10:40 – Derm in the Wild: NYFW trends (Botox, lasers, TikTok face taping, $160 lip balm)

14:20 – Favorite Products of the Month

16:54 – Avene Tolerance Cream, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5, The Ordinary Glycolic 7%, ZO Growth Factor

18:47 – Ask the Derm: What peptides do, best picks (P-Tiox), & how to use them in a routine

21:12 – Microneedling with salmon sperm: FDA approval, celebrity use, under-eye focus, risks

26:21 – Summer Recap

30:03 – NYC Favorites

33:35 – Fall Skincare: stronger tretinoin, hydrating sunscreens, lasers, Fraxel plans

34:26 – Outro

Where to Find Us

📺 YouTube: @dermnextdoor

📸 Instagram: @dralidempsey | @dermnextdoor | @reemskinmd

📝 Blog: www.theamaranthinecollective.com

Ali and Reem break down omega-3s for acne (and Accutane side effects), vent about periorificial dermatitis, side-eye Korean spa tourism (hi, shoulder filler and salmon-sperm injectables), and get real about freckles vs. lentigines and tattooed moles. Then it’s listener Qs on loose skin and sunburns, a quick NYC Legionnaires’ PSA, and their current Lower East Side/river-cruise recs.

Timestamps

• 00:05 – Welcome + what’s on deck
• 00:30 – HOT: Omega-3s for acne, Accutane lipid/dryness support
• 02:56 – BOTHERED: Periorificial dermatitis (triggers, what NOT to do, low-dose iso)
• 07:31 – SIDE-EYEING: Korean spa tourism (shoulder filler), PDRN “salmon sperm” warning
• 13:11 – Derm in the Wild: Freckles vs. lentigines, tattooed moles, “no lasers in summer” PSA
• 19:55 – Ask the Derm: Loose skin after weight loss (surgery vs RF microneedling, devices, body retinoid)
• 23:19 – Ask the Derm: What actually happens in a sunburn + what helps
• 26:41 – NYC Moment intro → 26:50 Legionnaires’ disease alert (what to know)
• 28:59 – NYC: BonBon (LES candy) → 29:35 Economy Candy
• 30:39 – NYC: Circle Line sunset cruise
• 31:25 – NYC Eats: Thai Diner (brunch) → 31:43 Cervos (hot take) → 32:26 Indochine (scene > food) → 32:39 Ye’s Apothecary (cocktail “prescriptions”) → 33:29 Le Dive (classic)
• 34:53 – Closing: travel plans + sign-off

In this deep-dive edition, Ali and Reem unpack everything you think you know about hair loss and a lot you probably don’t. From sudden shedding to subtle thinning, they break down what’s normal, what’s not, and what’s worth your time (and money). Whether you’re dealing with postpartum fallout or just suspicious of your widening part, this one’s for you.

Expect myth-busting, treatment truths, and a few personal confessions, including a certain derm’s failed mayonnaise mask moment.

⏱️ Highlights

00:02 – Welcome back & intro to the deep-dive format

03:30 – Hair anatomy & growth cycle basics

07:15 – Scarring vs non-scarring: the 2 P’s

09:45 – Telogen effluvium (aka the panic shed)

16:00 – Androgenetic alopecia: what to look for & when to treat

23:30 – Are laser caps legit?

27:00 – PRP: pros, cons, and price

29:10 – Alopecia areata & autoimmune triggers

30:45 – Traction alopecia & side part shame

33:00 – NYC recs: burgers and The Hamptons

34:30 – Final thoughts & scalp massage PSA

Ali and Reem are back from vacation and diving headfirst into a summer-themed episode of Derm Next Door. From debunking scalp DIY disasters to decoding laser lingo and sharing the not-so-glamorous realities of NYC in July, this episode blends skin science with real-life derm takes.

They break down the evidence behind polypodium leucotomos supplements, explain why your apple cider vinegar hair rinse probably isn’t doing much (except stinking), and walk through the lasers you’ve seen on TikTok but never truly understood. Also: hypochlorous acid spray—is it just diluted bleach or a post-Pilates lifesaver? And finally, in their signature Ask the Derms segment, they reveal what procedures they actually do, what they’re planning next, and how they stay cool in the city while still looking hot.

00:02 – What’s Hot Polypodium leucotomos 101 — the supplement for sun protection, melasma, and a little extra antioxidant armor. Shout-out to Inner Glow Gummies and our dearly missed Heliocare samples.

06:48 – Bothered: Scalp DIY Disasters From apple cider vinegar to mayonnaise, we unpack the wild kitchen treatments patients bring into the clinic — and why derms are collectively saying: please stop.

14:52 – Still Bothered: Rosemary Oil & Other Scalp Trends. Does rosemary oil actually grow hair? And what about scalp massage, amla oil, and Giselle’s no-brush routine?

19:15 – Derm in the Wild: Tina Fey Said Lasers. We break down the laser lexicon (PDL, Fraxel, IPL/BBL, Halo) and throw in some hot takes on medspas.

25:43 – Science or Scam: Hypochlorous Acid Spray. Our verdict? It’s a win. We explain what it is (dilute bleach, kind of), what it’s good for, and when to definitely not DIY it.

29:32 – Ask the Derms: Summer Survival + Maintenance Routines. Cooling hacks (parasol chic, subway hell), our honest maintenance treatments (Botox, PRP, cycling actives), and why we’re Fraxel-forward this winter.

33:15 – NYC Moments. Our favorite recent recs: Russ & Daughters, Hen House, Cafe Colmado, The Fulton at sunset, Serotonin smoothies, La Crueset cookware, soft girl bookshops, and Reem's love of fusion restaurants and container store (#TaurusCore)

36:35 – Coming Soon + Sign Off. We’re back on a more regular schedule (finally) until later in August when Reem’s off to Qatar to teach derm, and Ali’s off to Ibiza to teach… beach.

• 00:02 – Welcome back to Derm Next Door! Your fave NYC derm duo is back with Episode 5. Let’s get into it.
• 00:55 – HOT: Vitamin C — she’s not new, but she’s still That Girl.
• 03:08 – Favorite serums: Dr. Idriss, CE Ferulic, Silymarin… and some that smell like hot dog water.
• 06:35 – Drugstore dupes, Sephora staples, and why Amazon is the Wild West of skincare.
• 09:50 – Vitamin C fails: oxidized goo, milia, and the great orange face rub incident.
• 12:42 – BOTHERED: Kava (with a K) is trending… and giving people lizard skin. Let’s discuss.
• 15:56 – SIDE-EYEING: Nutrafol. The pills are massive. The price? Offensive. The science? Funded by… Nutrafol.
• 21:10 – Hair analysis testing? Sounds sciency. Is actually a scam. Full stop, period.
• 24:45 – Real talk: how we actually evaluate and treat hair loss (spoiler: it’s not with a $300 supplement). More in-depth discussion in future episode
• 27:05 – Derm in the Wild: Lindsay Lohan’s skincare routine. Is it really just pickled beets and olive oil?
• 30:50 – Science or Scam: The “hair analysis” hustle — we said what we said.
• 33:00 – Ask the Derms:
  • Facial massage: helpful or just TikTok-y?
  • Postpartum stretch marks: what helps and what’s a waste
  • Pregnancy-safe skincare: what’s in, what’s out, and what’ll make your OB panic
• 36:38 – NYC Moments:
  • The duo finally defines their friendship dynamic—Reem is the golden retriever, Ali is the black cat, and somehow it works. Balance, baby.
  • Reem’s full moon sound bath, gelato with figs, viral cinnamon rolls in the rain, and Circle Line sunset cruise 🛥️
  • Ali's LES pizza pockets, Greenpoint drinks and cool moms, Koreatown eats and drinks, and New Yorkers proving (once again) that they’re the friendliest people on Earth 🗽❤️

In this jam-packed episode of Derm Next Door, board-certified dermatologists Ali and Reem dive into the latest in cosmetic dermatology, viral TikTok trends, and skincare safety with their signature mix of science, sass, and snark. From buzzy Botox placements like trap tox and the infamous scrotox (yes, really), to a deep dive on beef tallow moisturizers and why sunscreen isn’t the villain RFK Jr. claims it is, the docs are here to set the record straight. Plus: drugstore skincare faves, myths about vitamin D, how to tackle dark spots, and juicy NYC recs—soft serve, Philharmonic sunsets, and why Boston might need a little more vitamin D (and chill). This one’s a ride.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro Meet your hosts, Reem and Ali—NYC derms and myth-busting besties.
• 01:30 – HOT: Botox in unexpected places From the masseter to the neck to the trapezius and even under the nose—where Botox is trending now (plus: a nod to “scrotox”).
• 13:40 – BOTHERED: Beef tallow madness Why you should not moisturize with steak grease—and the terrifying “cavewoman skincare” TikTok trend.
• 20:00 – SIDE-EYEING: Mandelic acid The TikTok-loved acid that might actually deserve a place on your shelf. Plus: a quick rundown of AHAs, BHAs, and lactic acid love.
• 26:30 – DERM IN THE WILD: Botulism in Boston + sunscreen panic Unlicensed Botox gone wrong, debunking sunscreen myths (looking at you, RFK Jr.), and why spray sunscreen just doesn’t cut it.
• 38:40 – SCIENCE OR SCAM: Gua Sha & dry brushing Do lymphatic tools work? Or are you just scraping your serum away?
• 42:00 – ASK THE DERMS → Best drugstore skincare → Do you really need sun for vitamin D? → Top treatments for dark spots (and why Aquaphor is canceled)
• 52:30 – NYC MOMENTS The Knicks heartbreak, summer park picnics, best vegan ice cream, Libre Café obsession, and rooftop sunsets

In Episode 3, Dr. Ali and Dr. Reem break down the exosome hype, defend Sculptra from online slander, and tackle the myth that retinoids thin your skin (they don't). Ali braves the $30 colostrum smoothie trend, and the duo unpacks Anne Hathaway’s Met Gala glow. Plus, they share tips for layering skincare, call BS on the NuFACE device, and drop their latest NYC recs.

00:00 – Intro

• Welcome to Derm Next Door with Dr. Ali and Dr. Reem

00:17 – Hot: Exosomes

• What they are, how they work, why they’re trending
• Concerns with medspas and lack of FDA approval

02:34 – Bothered: The Sculptra Smear Campaign

• What Sculptra is and why people hate it now
• Risks, benefits, and the Instagram fear-mongering
• Safe areas for use and why under-eye use is a no-go

08:48 – Sculptra vs PRP: Instant vs Slow Burn

• Why some people prefer HA fillers
• Off-label uses (hands, post-pregnancy belly, etc.)

12:12 – Side-Eyeing: Colostrum Smoothies in NYC

• Ali tries the $25 colostrum smoothie from Sunlife Organics
• Growth factors in skincare vs smoothies
• Gut response: literal and figurative

15:30 – Derm in the Wild: Anne Hathaway at the Met Gala

• The ponytail facelift effect
• Her legendary sunscreen commitment
• Likely treatments: lasers, PRP, maybe Sculptra?
• Why not drinking alcohol may be her secret weapon

19:32 – Science or Scam: Retinoids Thin Your Skin?!

• Absolute myth
• How retinoids actually thicken the dermis
• How to use retinoids the right way
• Layering advice, starting slow, the 5-dot technique

24:00 – Under Eye Hyperpigmentation + KP: Is There Hope?

• Eye creams that work (like SkinCeuticals)
• PRP as a treatment
• Amlactin and consistency for KP
• Why loofahs and Clarisonics are the enemy

28:25 – Ask the Derms: How to Layer Skincare

• Thin to thick rule
• Timing tips to avoid pilling
• Vitamin C + moisturizer + SPF layering breakdown
• Favorite tinted sunscreens (It Cosmetics CC Cream love fest)

32:18 – Science or Scam Pt. 2: NuFACE Devices

• Verdict: Scam
• What the “microcurrent” devices claim vs reality
• Save your money

33:29 – Ask the Derms: How to Get a Base Tan (aka Don’t)

• DHA-based sunless tanners OK
• Favorite products: Loving Tan Ultra Dark, Tan Luxe drops
• Patch test always, don’t inhale sprays

36:38 – NYC Recs: What We’re Loving

• Ali's LES recs: Tompkins Sq Park, Tigre, Il Laboratorio Gelato, Sami & Susu, Eel Bar, Dialogue Coffee
• Knicks hype + Boston shade

41:21 – Reem’s Picks

• Omakase Room by Shin (amazing sushi)
• Good Things Cafe (life-changing short rib sandwich)
• Gai Chicken (Thai fried chicken favorite)

43:49 – Wrap-Up

• See you for Episode 4!
• Keep sending questions, feedback, and follow along