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!

📱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

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.

Exosomes are one of the most talked about ingredients in skincare right now, but most people buying them have no idea what they are actually paying for. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Alisa Lask, CEO of Rion Aesthetics and lead of Plated Skin Science, to break down what exosomes really are, why the source they come from matters more than the word on the label, and how platelet-derived exosomes differ from plant and stem cell versions. They cover how exosomes penetrate the skin, whether microneedling helps or hurts them, realistic timelines for seeing results, safety around using donor-derived platelets, and where the research on hair loss and cellular aging currently stands. The conversation also digs into red flags to watch for when shopping this category, and why FDA approval status matters when evaluating any exosome product.

In this episode: 

00:00 — 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!

About the guest: 

Alisa Lask, the dynamic CEO of Rion Aesthetics, is at the forefront of revolutionizing the regenerative aesthetic market through the introduction of platelet-derived exosomes. Under her visionary leadership, Rion Aesthetics is pioneering investigational studies in areas such as hair restoration and facial wrinkles, while also boasting a successful and commercially available medical-grade skincare line, (plated)TM Skin Science, distributed through trusted aesthetic providers.

With a rich professional background, Alisa has served in esteemed senior leadership roles at industry giants like Allergan, Zimmer-Biomet, and Eli Lilly. She brings to the table a wealth of experience and expertise, holding a Master of Business Administration from the prestigious University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business, coupled with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Miami University, Oxford, OH.

Beyond her role at Rion Aesthetics, Alisa is an influential figure in the business world, serving on the Board of Directors at CollPlant (Nasdaq: CLGN), a regenerative aesthetics and medicine company.

An accomplished equestrian in show jumping on a national level, Alisa is not only dedicated to pushing the boundaries of regenerative aesthetics but is also actively involved in various organizations focused on dog rescue. Her passion for both business and philanthropy reflects a multifaceted leader with a commitment to innovation, excellence, and making a positive impact in diverse spheres.

Connect with Alisa Lask:

Website: https://www.rionaesthetics.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisa.lask_rion/

( plated )™ Skin Science Skincare: https://platedskinscience.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platedskinscience

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/

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 Part 2 of this mini series on Collagen Loss, Dr. Mary Alice Mina moves from biology to action: the exact morning and evening skincare routine that makes sense for post-menopausal skin, which ingredients actually have evidence behind them, and which in-office treatments are worth the money. She walks through why a routine built for oily 20-something skin works against you later, then breaks down a simple AM routine (gentle cleanse, antioxidant/vitamin C serum, moisturizer, sunscreen) and PM routine (cleanse, retinol/retinoid as the cornerstone anti-aging ingredient, moisturizer), plus how to exfoliate without damaging the skin barrier. She then ranks in-office options — red light therapy, IPL, microneedling, neurotoxins, resurfacing lasers, chemical peels, and skin-tightening devices — explaining who each is right for and when surgery becomes the better conversation. The message throughout: it doesn't need to be complicated or expensive, just consistent and matched to where your skin actually is.

In this episode: 

00:00 — The Treatment That Boosts Collagen 400%

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!

🔗 Join the 5-Day Perimenopause Challenge: https://hi.theskinreal.com/5-day-perimenopause-challenge

📱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

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 the first half of a two-part episode on midlife skin, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down the biology behind one of the most alarming stats in dermatology: women can lose up to 30% of their skin's collagen in the first five years after menopause. She explains why collagen decline actually starts as early as your 20s (about 1% a year), why estrogen loss accelerates that process dramatically at menopause, and why "collagen banking" earlier in life matters so much.

Rather than jumping straight to products and procedures, Dr. Mina makes the case that skincare is whole-body care — walking through the inside-out factors that most directly affect collagen: protein intake (including how much you actually need and why vegetarian/vegan diets make it harder), sugar and glycation (AGEs), anti-inflammatory fats, antioxidants, hydration, and whether collagen supplements are actually worth taking.

Part 2 will cover the topical and in-office side of the equation, so be sure to follow/subscribe!

In this episode: 

00:00 — The 30% Collagen Loss Stat

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.

🛍️ Shop My recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin

🔗 Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.lovable.app

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.