The Science of Skin

What really separates roflumilast (Zoryve) from other PDE4 inhibitors — and why does it matter for your patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis? In this episode, Dr. Ted Lane sits down with Dr. Chris Bunick, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and Editor-in-Chief of Dermatology Times, for a deep dive into the biochemistry, formulation science, and clinical implications behind this breakthrough topical treatment.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why roflumilast binds PDE4 with 200x more potency than apremilast — and 1,000x more than crisaborole
How cyclic AMP inhibition controls upstream cytokine pathways (TH1, TH2, TH17) across multiple inflammatory skin diseases
The science behind the Crotofos emulsifier — and why the right emulsifier protects the skin barrier instead of stripping ceramides
Why formulating at pH 5.5 matters for filaggrin, keratin, and barrier integrity
How the roflumilast foam is specifically engineered for scalp conditions and hair-bearing areas
What's next in topical formulation innovation — from targeted dermal delivery to longevity skincare
Whether you're a dermatologist, resident, PA, NP, or skincare enthusiast who wants to understand the why behind cutting-edge topicals, this episode is packed with clinical and scientific insight you won't find anywhere else.
🎙️ This episode is sponsored by Arcutis Biotherapeutics, maker of roflumilast cream and foam.
📧 Send your questions to: questions@scienceofskinnsummit.com
📅 Science of Skin Summit — September 19–21, Austin, TX
📅 Longevity Meeting — February 19 - 21, Scottsdale, AZ
Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and follow Dr. Bunick's podcast: ABCDs in Dermatology.
Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician regarding any health-related diagnosis or treatment.
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Big news for nurse practitioners and physician assistants in dermatology! Dr. Patti Farris is joined by PA and dermatology leader Kristin Rygg to announce a brand-new NP/PA track at the 2026 Science of Skin Summit — a first-of-its-kind opportunity for advanced practice providers to learn alongside their physician colleagues.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why this NP/PA-dedicated track was created and what makes it different
A full breakdown of the September 10th agenda — from immunology and inflammatory skin disease to biologics, GLP-1s, and advanced skincare ingredients
How the curriculum is designed for every career stage, from new grads to seasoned practitioners
What to expect at the full Summit (September 17–20, 2026), including case-based learning, product theaters, and a longevity track
How NPs and PAs will be featured on the main stage for the first time
Whether you're a PA, NP, dermatologist, or practice owner, this episode is your inside look at a summit built for collaboration, clinical excellence, and professional growth.
🔗 Register now at scienceofskinsummit.com
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Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician regarding any health-related diagnosis or treatment.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know your skin has its own internal clock — and that ignoring it could be accelerating aging? In this episode of the Science of Skin podcast, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Patti Farris sits down with renowned cosmetic dermatologist and Harvard graduate Dr. Ava Shamban — founder of AvaMD Dermatology and the skincare line Althea — to break down the fascinating science of circadian rhythms and skin health.
They cover:
What circadian rhythms actually are and why every skin cell has its own biological clock
How clock genes control 50% of your genome — and drive collagen production, DNA repair, and barrier function
Why screen time, blue light, and night-shift schedules are silently destroying your skin
The emerging field of chrono cosmetics — syncing your skincare routine to your skin's natural 24-hour cycle
Dr. Ava's science-backed skincare line Althea and its groundbreaking day/night formulations
Her new multimodal at-home device featuring LED therapy, radio frequency, and microcurrent — pending FDA clearance
Whether you're a skincare enthusiast or a medical professional, this episode will completely change how you think about anti-aging, skin longevity, and your nighttime skincare routine.
🔔 Subscribe to Science of Skin and leave a review — it helps us bring more cutting-edge dermatology science straight to you.
Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician regarding any health-related diagnosis or treatment.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does longevity medicine have to do with your skin? Everything, according to Dr. Hillary Lin — Stanford-trained internist, longevity expert, and founder of CareCorps. In this episode of the Science of Skin podcast, Dr. Patti Farris sits down with Dr. Lin to explore the powerful connection between systemic health and skin aging.
Together they break down the science behind cellular senescence, oxidative stress, and the hallmarks of aging — and what they mean for your skin from the inside out. They cut through the noise on trending anti-aging supplements like rapamycin, NAD precursors, urolithin A, peptides, and creatine, separating evidence-backed strategies from longevity washing. Dr. Lin also shares her expert take on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and estrogen's critical role in collagen production, skin hydration, and elasticity during perimenopause and menopause.
Whether you're a skincare professional or a health-conscious consumer, this episode delivers practical, science-first insights on skin longevity, metabolic health, and how to build a longevity protocol that actually works.
Topics covered: skin aging, longevity medicine, HRT, perimenopause, collagen, cellular senescence, rapamycin, NAD, creatine, peptides, anti-aging supplements, menopause skin care, hormonal health, longevity washing
To watch this and other episodes, be sure to check out our YouTube page
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician regarding any health-related diagnosis or treatment.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could GLP-1 medications be the missing piece in treating inflammatory skin disease? In this episode of Science is Skin, Dr. Ted Lain sits down with Dr. Lindsey Bordone — former Columbia University associate professor of dermatology, now in private practice at Bordone Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona — for a deep dive into metabolic disease and the skin.
Dr. Bordone was among the first dermatologists to prescribe GLP-1 agonists for her patients, and in this conversation she explains exactly why. From the link between hyperinsulinemia and chronic inflammation to the visible skin signs of insulin resistance — skin tags, acanthosis nigricans, forearm hair loss — she makes the case that dermatologists are uniquely positioned to catch metabolic disease before any other specialty.
Dr. Bordone walks through how she uses tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), and the emerging triple-G drug retatrutide, including her lab protocols, dosing philosophy, how to manage GI side effects, and the surprising interaction between GLP-1s and estrogen therapy.
In this episode:
Why high BMI reduces biologic efficacy in psoriasis patients
How to check fasting insulin (HOMA-IR) and why most physicians aren't doing it
Skin signs of insulin resistance: skin tags, forearm hair loss, and neck skin thickening
Tirzepatide vs. semaglutide vs. retatrutide — how to choose and when
Retatrutide's remarkable 93% fatty liver clearance rate in clinical trials
The truth about sarcopenia and muscle loss on GLP-1 medications
Dosing protocols, side effect management, and when NOT to escalate quickly
Protein intake recommendations during active weight loss
Estrogen and GLP-1 synergy — what dermatologists need to know
Lab work to run before and during GLP-1 therapy
How to build an insurance case for continued medication coverage
Resources mentioned:
HOMA-IR fasting insulin/glucose testing
AAD resources on metabolic dermatology
Bordone Dermatology — Scottsdale, Arizona
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To watch this and other episodes, be sure to check out our YouTube page
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician regarding any health-related diagnosis or treatment.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.