Derm-it Trotter! Don't Swear About Skincare.

Your hair can feel like a small thing until cancer treatment threatens to take it away. We sit down with board-certified hematologist-oncologist Dr. Tiffany Pompa to talk honestly about chemotherapy hair loss, why it happens, and why the emotional impact is often underestimated by everyone except the people living it. We also dig into how immunotherapy differs, why hair loss is usually uncommon with many immunotherapy regimens in real practice, and where the published numbers can be confusing without context.

From there, we get practical about scalp cooling and cold cap therapy: who benefits most, when to start, and what to expect on infusion days. Dr. Pompa explains why taxane chemotherapy such as paclitaxel and docetaxel is a common setting for scalp cooling, especially in breast cancer, gynecologic cancers like ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. We walk through the three FDA-approved systems DigniCap, Paxman, and AMA, including the real-life routine of wearing the cap before, during, and after treatment, plus the most common side effects like headaches, intense cold, and rare frostbite.

Access matters as much as science, so we talk insurance coverage, cost, and advocacy. Dr. Pompa shares how she argues medical necessity, why NCCN guidelines help, what Medicare and Medicaid approval in 2026 changes, and how state legislation can expand coverage. We also discuss manual frozen gel cap options like Penguin caps for patients who need a more affordable workaround, along with the tradeoffs. If you or someone you love is starting chemo, this conversation gives you language, options, and a clear next step: ask early. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more patients and clinicians learn that hair loss prevention is part of quality cancer care.

Dark spots can be frustrating, especially when they seem to stick around despite your best efforts. Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd joins us to break down what causes hyperpigmentation, the differences between melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and sunspots, and how dermatologists approach treatment.
We discuss the role of sunscreen, visible light, hydroquinone alternatives, chemical peels, and evidence-based skincare ingredients that can help fade discoloration. If you're tired of guessing what works, this episode offers a practical roadmap to treating hyperpigmentation more effectively.

You can feel the tension the moment a patient says, “I want that medication.” From SkinTok trends to viral skincare advice, dermatologist Dr. Jim Del Rosso joins us from the AOCD meeting to break down how dermatologists navigate treatment requests while still building trust. We talk about acne, rosacea, topical steroid fears, antibiotic resistance, and why the right diagnosis matters more than chasing internet trends.
We also unpack the communication skills that actually improve outcomes, from setting realistic skincare timelines to explaining systemic treatments for eczema in a less intimidating way. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting skincare advice or frustrated that products are not working fast enough, this episode brings the focus back to evidence-based care that actually works.

Chronic hives can hijack your sleep, focus, mood, and confidence, and the hardest part is often not knowing why it’s happening. Board-certified dermatologist and Northwestern associate professor Dr. Walter Liszewski joins us to break down the biggest myths around urticaria, explain the difference between acute and chronic hives, and walk through common patterns like dermatographism, pressure hives, heat-triggered flares, and exercise-induced hives.
We also get practical about treatment: when allergy testing actually helps, why Benadryl and steroids are not great long-term solutions, and how newer therapies like omalizumab, dupilumab, and remibrutinib are changing care for people stuck in the chronic hives cycle.

Joint pain with psoriasis is easy to brush off until it starts affecting your daily life. We sit down with Mark Lebwohl to break down the early warning signs of psoriatic arthritis, from nail pitting and heel pain to swollen “sausage” fingers and morning stiffness. We also explain how doctors diagnose it, why it is often mistaken for osteoarthritis, and why catching it early matters.
We also unpack the rapidly changing treatment landscape, including biologics that protect joints and improve skin disease, plus the major role inflammation and obesity play in worsening symptoms. If you have psoriasis and unexplained aches or swelling, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for what to watch for and what questions to ask next.