The Science of Skin

A Science of Skincare Podcast

The Science of Skin is a podcast for those who want to be in-the-know about what's trending in topical skincare and learn about new therapies that are shaping the future of dermatologic care. Hosts  Dr. Patti Farris and Dr. Ted Lain are board certified dermatologist, recognized experts in topical skincare and co-founders of the Science of Skin Summit. In each episode, The Science of Skin will give you an insider’s view of the skincare industry.  You will hear from research scientists, formulators, and leading physician experts on how products are developed, tested, and used to treat medical and cosmetic patients.   So, if you’re interested in a behind the scenes look at what makes the skincare industry tick, subscribe to The Science of Skin today. Thanks for listening! You can also find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@scienceofskinpodcast 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.

  1. 18h ago ·  Video

    Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) Explained: New Oral BTK Inhibitor Rhapsido for Chronic Hives

    Millions of people live with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) — unpredictable hives and angioedema lasting six weeks or longer with no identifiable trigger. In this episode of the Science of Skin podcast, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Ted Lain and Dr. Michelle Tarbox (Chair, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and host of the Dermosphere podcast) break down what CSU actually is, why it's often misdiagnosed as an allergy, and how it's treated — from first-line antihistamines to omalizumab (Xolair) to the newest option: Rhapsido (remibrutinib), the first oral BTK inhibitor approved for CSU. In this episode, you'll learn: How CSU is diagnosed and why it's classified as a skin disease, not a true allergyThe autoimmune vs. autoallergic subtypes driving chronic hives and angioedemaWhy antihistamine updosing often falls short — and its impact on quality of lifeHow BTK inhibitors like remibrutinib (Rhapsido) work differently than biologics like omalizumabReal patient stories on the toll of chronic hives, misdiagnosis, and finding reliefThis episode is sponsored by Novartis with content independently created by the Science of Skin podcast: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Email us at inquiry@scienceofskinsummit.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a five-star rating, and tell a colleague or friend — word of mouth is how this podcast grows. Topics: chronic spontaneous urticaria, CSU, chronic hives, urticaria treatment, angioedema, BTK inhibitor, remibrutinib, Rhapsido, omalizumab, Xolair, antihistamine-resistant hives, dermatology podcast, autoimmune skin disease

    Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) Explained: New Oral BTK Inhibitor Rhapsido for Chronic Hives
  2. Aug 18 ·  Video

    Epiduo OTC: Full Clinical Data Deep Dive on Adapalene + Benzoyl Peroxide

    Epiduo is now available over the counter — and in this full episode of the Science of Skin Podcast, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Ted Lain and Dr. Patti Farris break down everything you need to know about this fixed-dose combination acne treatment. From the landmark phase 3 clinical trial data to real-world tolerability, scarring reduction, and the risks of compounded alternatives, this is the definitive deep dive on adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%. In this episode: ✅ Why Epiduo's move to OTC is a game-changer for acne patients facing prescription barriers ✅ Full breakdown of the 2009 phase 3 trial: 1,600+ patients, 60 study centers, 4 treatment cohorts ✅ 67% reduction in inflammatory lesions and 60% reduction in total lesion count by week 12 ✅ IGA success rates — 35% achieved clear/almost clear skin vs. 22-24% with monotherapy alone ✅ Phase 3B international trial data across diverse Fitzpatrick skin types ✅ Excellent tolerability data — erythema, dryness, and irritation all rated below "mild" ✅ How Epiduo addresses the full acne lesion life cycle, including scarring and PIH ✅ Why formulation science and FDA-approved testing matter vs. compounded alternatives ✅ The CeraVe/Cetaphil CAMP regimen (cleanse, moisturize, protect) for acne patients ✅ Real-world pricing, dosing, and application tips for OTC Epiduo This episode of the Science of Skin Podcast is sponsored by Galderma. Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Email inquiry@scienceofskinsummit.com. Join us at the Science of Skin Summit, September 17-20 in Austin, TX, or the new Science of Skin Longevity Conference in Scottsdale, February 2027. Learn more at scienceofskinsummit.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating and share with a colleague — word of mouth helps our podcast grow! ⚠️ This content is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects the personal clinical opinions and experiences of the speakers. It is not medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for questions about diagnosis or treatment.

    Epiduo OTC: Full Clinical Data Deep Dive on Adapalene + Benzoyl Peroxide
  3. Aug 11 ·  Video

    Avoiding Polypharmacy & Topical Confusion with Roflumilast

    Dr. Ted Lain welcomes Dr. Mona Shariari — Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, Associate Director of Clinical Trials at Central Connecticut Dermatology, and host of the Medical Sisterhood Podcast — for a deep dive into one of dermatology's most persistent challenges: polypharmacy and topical confusion. Ted and Mona look back at the old-school regimens dermatologists used to write out — one topical for the face, another for the body, different products for weekdays versus weekends — and how that complexity set patients up for poor adherence and side effects like skin thinning and hypopigmentation from steroid overuse. They discuss why once-daily, non-steroidal options like roflumilast cream and foam have changed the equation, allowing head-to-toe use without the body surface area and duration limits that come with topical steroids. Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Email questions@scienceofskinsummit.com Join us at the Science of Skin Summit in Austin, TX this September, and the Science of Skin Longevity Summit in Scottsdale, AZ in February 2027. Details at scienceofskinsummit.com If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating — word of mouth is how this podcast grows! Follow and Listen to the Podcast Here: 🍎 Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skincare-confidential/id1664286292 🎵 Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/033Vffp4W8A72pVRVaoWzs 📦 Amazon Music — https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7de48e5e-f450-466b-a0f4-f2275b67757f/skincare-confidential 💚 iHeart Radio — https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-science-of-skin-269540115/ 📻 Audacy — https://www.audacy.com/podcast/skincare-confidential-4398f #Dermatology #Roflumilast #EczemaTreatment #PsoriasisTreatment #SeborrheicDermatitis #AtopicDermatitis #TopicalSteroids #SteroidStewardship #NonSteroidalTreatment #PediatricDermatology #DermatologyPodcast #ScienceOfSkin #YaleDermatology #SkinHealth

    Avoiding Polypharmacy & Topical Confusion with Roflumilast
  4. Aug 4 ·  Video

    Topical Steroid Side Effects & Safer Alternatives

    Are topical steroids doing more harm than good? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain sits down with Dr. Allie Golant, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, to unpack the real risks of topical corticosteroids — and why steroid stewardship is becoming a bigger conversation in dermatology. Got a question or topic idea? Email us at inquiry@scienceofskinsummit.com Join us at the Science of Skin Summit — Austin, TX, September 2026, and our Longevity Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ, February 2027. Details at scienceofskinsummit.com If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share it with a colleague — word of mouth is how this podcast grows! Follow and Listen to the Podcast Here: 🍎 Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skincare-confidential/id1664286292 🎵 Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/49NtbRxb32CJu2XtSV6tso 📦 Amazon Music — https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7de48e5e-f450-466b-a0f4-f2275b67757f/skincare-confidential 💚 iHeart Radio — https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-science-of-skin-269540115/ 📻 Audacy — https://www.audacy.com/podcast/skincare-confidential-4398f 👉 Subscribe for weekly dermatology deep dives 👉 New episodes cover skincare science, dermatology treatments, and skin health for the whole family 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. #TopicalSteroids #Dermatology #EczemaTreatment #PsoriasisTreatment #SkinOfColor #AtopicDermatitis #SteroidStewardship #NonSteroidalTreatment #DermatologyPodcast #SkinHealth #Hypopigmentation #ScienceOfSkin #DermTok #SkincareScience

    Topical Steroid Side Effects & Safer Alternatives
  5. Jul 25 ·  Video

    Pediatric Dermatology Guide: Eczema, Psoriasis, Alopecia, Acne & Hemangiomas

    Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Ted Lain and pediatric dermatology expert Dr. Lisa Swanson break down the latest pediatric dermatology treatments in this episode of the Science of Skin Podcast. Topics covered: atopic dermatitis (eczema) treatment updates including Zoryve, Vtama, and Opzelura; pediatric psoriasis therapies including Zoryve foam, Tremfya, and the oral IL-23 inhibitor Sotyktu; GLP-1 medications (Ozempic/semaglutide) for psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa; spironolactone dosing for teenage female acne; hemangioma treatment with timolol, propranolol (Hemangiol), and nadolol; molluscum contagiosum treatment with Ycanth and berdazimer gel (Zelsuvmi); and JAK inhibitors (Litfulo, Olumiant, Rinvoq) for pediatric alopecia areata and early intervention strategies. Plus: a lighthearted dive into Bachelor Nation, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Love Island, and Taylor Swift's wedding buzz. Send episode topic ideas to questions@scienceofskinsummit.com. Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to support the show. Join us at the Science of Skin Summit, September 17–20 in Austin, Texas, and the Longevity Conference, February 19–21 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Learn more at scienceofskinsummit.com. 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.

    Pediatric Dermatology Guide: Eczema, Psoriasis, Alopecia, Acne & Hemangiomas
  6. Jul 14

    Sensitive Skin Syndrome: What's Really Happening to Your Skin

    Up to 70% of people say they have sensitive skin — but is it really a diagnosis, or something else entirely? Dr. Patti Farris and Dr. Ted Lain break down the biology dermatologists are still trying to figure out. In this episode of the Science of Skin Podcast, Patti and Ted dig into a 15,000+ person global study on sensitive skin prevalence, and explore the science behind why skin reacts with no visible cause — covering TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptor activity, neuropeptide release (substance P, CGRP), and the connection to rosacea. They also unpack the exposome: how pollution, UV exposure, hormones, menopause, and the skin microbiome all play a role, including a deep dive into aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation and inflammation. The episode closes with a new comparative cleanser study using D-Squame tape stripping and colorimetric index of mildness (SIM) testing, showing how Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser performs against other "gentle" cleansers on the market. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes of the Science of Skin Podcast, bringing you cutting-edge dermatology and skincare science. RESOURCES & LINKS 📧 Questions or episode ideas? Email: inquiry@scienceofskinsummit.com 🎟️ Join us in Austin, TX — Science of Skin Summit, Sept 17–20, 2026 🎟️ Science of Skin Longevity Summit — Scottsdale, AZ, Feb 2027 🌐 Learn more: scienceofskinsummit.com Case Study Link: A Comparative Analysis of 8 Facial Cleansers Using Corneosurfametry Reveals Differentiated Irritation Potential - JDDonline - Journal of Drugs in Dermatology This episode is sponsored by Galderma. 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.

    Sensitive Skin Syndrome: What's Really Happening to Your Skin
  7. Jul 7

    The Evolution of Fractionated Lasers: Fraxel, FTX & Clear + Brilliant with Dr. Rishi Chopra

    🎧 In this episode of the Science of Skin Podcast, host Dr. Patty Farris sits down with Dr. Rishi Chopra — a Harvard-trained, fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist from the Mass General Wellman Center for Photomedicine — for a deep dive into the evolution of fractionated laser resurfacing. Dr. Chopra breaks down how fractional photothermolysis, first described by Drs. Rox Anderson and Dieter Manstein in 2004, transformed dermatology by moving away from painful, high-downtime ablative resurfacing toward safer, more effective treatments. He walks through the progression from the original Fraxel Restore to the Fraxel Dual and the newly launched Fraxel FTX, explaining the science behind each wavelength (1550nm, 1927nm) and how these advances made treatments more tolerable, more precise, and safer for patients with skin of color. The conversation also covers a remarkable patient case: a young man with severe acne scarring who saw nearly 100% improvement after six Fraxel FTX treatments — illustrating just how far this technology has come. Dr. Chopra then discusses the Clear + Brilliant Touch, a lower-downtime "lunchtime facial" option that's especially popular with younger patients and serves as both an entry point and a maintenance tool for building long-term patient trust. Whether you're a dermatology professional refining your device menu or simply curious about the science behind modern laser resurfacing, this episode offers a comprehensive, practical look at how far fractionated laser technology has come — and where it's headed next. In this episode: The history of ablative vs. fractionated laser resurfacing Fraxel Restore → Dual → FTX: what changed and why Treating acne scars and photoaging safely in skin of color A dramatic real-world patient case study Clear + Brilliant Touch as a "lunchtime facial" option Building patient trust through a tiered treatment approach This episode is sponsored by Solta Medical. Dr. Chopra has been compensated by Solta Medical for his participation. Full prescribing and safety information for Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant laser systems is available at www.fraxel.com/HCP and www.clearandbrilliant.com/HCP. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Evolution of Fractionated Lasers: Fraxel, FTX & Clear + Brilliant with Dr. Rishi Chopra
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About

The Science of Skin is a podcast for those who want to be in-the-know about what's trending in topical skincare and learn about new therapies that are shaping the future of dermatologic care. Hosts  Dr. Patti Farris and Dr. Ted Lain are board certified dermatologist, recognized experts in topical skincare and co-founders of the Science of Skin Summit. In each episode, The Science of Skin will give you an insider’s view of the skincare industry.  You will hear from research scientists, formulators, and leading physician experts on how products are developed, tested, and used to treat medical and cosmetic patients.   So, if you’re interested in a behind the scenes look at what makes the skincare industry tick, subscribe to The Science of Skin today. Thanks for listening! You can also find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@scienceofskinpodcast 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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