The Skin Real ®

🔗 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 on YouTube 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:

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 on YouTube 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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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 on YouTube 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: @saraharronmdphd 

Facebook: @saraharronmdphd

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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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 on YouTube 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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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: 

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube 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 

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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube 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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube 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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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: 

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube 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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe:

Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube 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:

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe:

Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

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

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

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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!

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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.