The Science of Skin

In this episode of the Science of Skin podcast, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Patti Farris sits down with Golden Follicle Award winner and hair restoration surgery pioneer Dr. Nicole Rogers to break down everything you need to know about hair loss treatment — from trending social media remedies to cutting-edge clinical trials.
Whether you're experiencing male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, postpartum shedding, or hair thinning from GLP-1 weight loss drugs, this episode covers it all. Dr. Rogers shares her expert framework for building a personalized hair loss treatment plan and explains exactly when to move from over-the-counter solutions to prescription therapies.
Topics covered include:
Rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil & nutraceuticals — do they actually work?
Oral minoxidil vs. topical minoxidil — what the latest research shows
Extended-release oral minoxidil (Veridermix) — the next FDA-approved hair loss drug?
Finasteride and dutasteride for men and women — dosing, safety, and the truth about post-finasteride syndrome
Spironolactone for pre-menopausal women with hair loss
Topical finasteride and dutasteride via compounding pharmacy
Low-level laser/red light therapy (LLLT) for hair growth — what the science really says
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections — when they help and when they're overhyped
Exosomes for hair loss — promise vs. FDA concerns
PP405 and stem cell activation — the groundbreaking new molecule in clinical trials
FUE vs. FUT hair transplant surgery — what's right for you
No-shave FUE — the emerging frontier in hair restoration
Hair transplants for women — why strip harvesting remains the gold standard
If you're searching for answers on androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, scalp health, DHT blockers, hair regrowth treatments, or the best dermatologist-recommended solutions for thinning hair, this is the episode you've been waiting for. Dr. Rogers brings decades of clinical expertise, peer-reviewed research, and real patient outcomes to help you navigate the overwhelming world of hair loss — with science, not social media hype.
🎙️ Subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone on their hair loss journey. New episodes available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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.

Are you a dermatologist curious about clinical research — or a seasoned trialist looking to reignite your passion? In this episode of the Science of Skin Podcast, Dr. Ted Lane (Austin, TX) sits down with Dr. Jason Hawkes, Chief Scientific Officer at Oregon Medical Research Center, to pull back the curtain on what it really means to build a career in dermatology clinical trials.
From navigating the growing complexity of modern trial protocols to reframing the pharma-physician relationship, Ted and Jason share candid insights that only experienced clinical trialists can offer. They discuss how running trials makes you a sharper diagnostician, why medical dermatology remains one of the most rewarding specialties, and how industry partnerships open unexpected academic and commercial doors.
You'll also hear their honest takes on mentorship — including the must-read JAMA article Mentorship Malpractice — and why thinking of your career as a lattice, not a ladder may be the most liberating shift you can make.
Whether you're five years into practice or just starting out, this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom on building a meaningful, intellectually stimulating career in dermatology.
📩 Questions or future episode ideas? Email: questions@scienceofskinpodcast.com
Topics Covered:
How clinical trials combat physician burnout
The real motivations behind patient participation in trials
How to interpret clinical data like a trialist
Navigating the evolving complexity of trial conduct
Building industry relationships the right way
The importance of mentorship in dermatology research
Career advice: "lattice, not a ladder"
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 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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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
🔔 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.

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.