Stress can show up on your skin before you fully recognize its effects anywhere else. Dr. Elizabeth Rostan explains why poor sleep, emotional strain, travel, work pressure, and other demanding seasons can trigger acne, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. She breaks down the roles of cortisol, inflammation, and skin-barrier disruption, then shares how consistent maintenance, early treatment, and the right medical support can keep a small change from becoming a difficult flare.

More for When Your Skin Is Trying to Tell You Something:

• 38. How Perimenopause Changes Your Skin
• 31. Why Is My Face Always Red?
• 24. Beauty Sleep IS a Real Thing | Why Sleep Shows on Your Skin
• 37. Acne Isn’t Just for Teens | Why It Shows Up on Adults and What Actually Helps

3 Ways to Keep Stress From Taking Over Your Skin:

• Stay consistent when your skin looks clear, because a quiet period does not always mean the underlying condition is gone. Continuing your acne or eczema routine, using a gentle cleanser, and moisturizing regularly can help keep the skin barrier steady before the next trigger arrives.
• Treat early changes before they reach a tipping point. Once skin becomes inflamed and the barrier is compromised, it may flare more easily again. Contact your dermatology team when redness, itching, flaking, or breakouts begin to increase. Early treatment can help shorten the flare and make it easier to control.
• Look at sleep and your overall stress load. Sleep supports barrier repair and helps regulate inflammation. Travel, dry weather, demanding work seasons, grief, and emotional strain can all lower your skin’s threshold for a flare. A visible change in your skin may be a sign that your body needs more support.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

Skin changes in your 30s and 40s can feel sudden, but they usually start beneath the surface years before they become visible. In this episode of Queen City Skin, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan explains how collagen loss, elastin decline, sun damage, stress, sleep changes, and shifting hormones affect the skin through perimenopause and menopause. She walks through why the skin may feel thinner, drier, duller, less resilient, or more breakout-prone, and how Charlotte Skin & Laser helps patients build long-term plans with skincare, medical skin exams, lasers, microneedling, radiofrequency, fillers, and other collagen-stimulating treatments.

Mentioned in this episode:

• EltaMD Moisture Seal
• 20. The Truth About Estrogen Therapy | What the FDA’s New Decision Means for Women’s Health

Keep learning:

• 15. The Anti-Aging Essentials | 3 Essentials Every Skincare Routine Needs
• 36. Lasers Explained | Redness, Spots, Scars & Skin Renewal

3 Skin Changes to Watch Before and During Perimenopause:

• Collagen slows down earlier than most women expect. In the 30s, fibroblasts begin making less collagen, elastin, and supportive matrix, even when the skin still looks fairly healthy on the surface. Over time, that shift shows up as fine lines, thinner skin, dullness, dryness, and less bounce.
• Estrogen affects skin, volume, hair, and healing. As estrogen declines, skin can feel drier, wounds may take longer to heal, and facial volume can change more quickly. Many women also notice jowling, neck changes, thinning hair, unwanted facial hair, or hormonal acne during this transition.
• A smart plan protects skin now and keeps it stronger for later. Daily sunscreen, antioxidants, retinol, gentle cleansing, better moisturizers, peptides, and collagen-stimulating treatments all have a place. Lasers, microneedling, radiofrequency, and biostimulatory fillers can help support structure, texture, tone, and long-term skin health.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

Adult acne can feel especially frustrating because it often looks and behaves differently than the acne many people remember from their teenage years. In this episode of Queen City Skin, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan explains why adult acne often shows up as painful cysts along the chin, jawline, or nose, how hormones, stress, birth control, IUDs, fertility treatments, pregnancy, and postpartum shifts can play a role, and when it may be time to move beyond over-the-counter products. She also walks through how the team at Charlotte Skin & Laser approaches treatment, from cyst injections and topical options to oral medications, follow-up care, and treatments for the red or brown marks acne can leave behind.

Products mentioned:

• EltaMD Moisture Seal

Other Queen City Skin Episodes About Acne:

• 30. All About Accutane | A Patient and Dermatology Perspective with Jane Lewis
• 31. Why Is My Face Always Red?

3 Key Takeaways for Managing Hormonal Breakouts:

• Adult acne is different from teenage acne – it presents as deep cystic lesions on the chin and jawline, often triggered by hormonal fluctuations, stress, and life changes
• Over-the-counter treatments aren't enough. Professional intervention with in-clinic procedures, topical treatments, and oral medications is often necessary
• Prevention of scarring and aggressive follow-up care are critical! Avoid picking, use proper wound care, and schedule frequent follow-ups to adjust treatment as needed

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

Lasers can feel confusing, but the right treatment plan can make them one of the most powerful tools for healthier, more refreshed skin. We’re bringing back this helpful Queen City Skin conversation all about lasers, originally released as Episode 17. In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan sits down with Alexxa Forte, cosmetic consultant at Charlotte Skin & Laser, to demystify lasers and energy-based devices. From redness, brown spots, and scars to overall rejuvenation, they explain how different technologies are chosen, what downtime can look like, and why results come from personalized plans rather than one-off treatments.

Alexxa Forte, cosmetic consultant at Charlotte Skin & Laser, brings years of experience helping patients navigate treatment options and personalize their laser and skincare plans. She bridges the science of dermatology with the everyday concerns of patients, making treatments feel approachable and results attainable.

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

• Every laser has a purpose. The wavelength, pulse duration, and cooling system decide whether a device tackles redness, brown spots, scars, or texture. Matching the right device to your skin is both science and artistry, and that’s where the best results happen.
• Downtime looks different for everyone. Ablative lasers dive deeper and need more recovery, while non-ablative options are gentler with little to no downtime. Both have a place, depending on your goals.
• Beautiful results build over time. Lasers aren’t magic zaps - they’re renewal tools. Most patients see the best improvements after a series of three treatments, followed by simple maintenance to keep skin healthy and glowing.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

More men are walking into Charlotte Skin & Laser with the same goal: to look rested, healthy, and confident without looking like they had “work done.” In this episode of Queen City Skin, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan and cosmetic consultant Alexxa Forte talk through the treatments men are asking about most, from Botox and fillers to lasers, facials, body contouring, hair restoration, and skin cancer prevention. They explain how masculine rejuvenation is approached differently, why subtlety matters, and how the right treatment plan can support both appearance and long-term skin health. Whether men are noticing tired eyes, thinning hair, sun damage, acne scars, or a jawline that feels less defined, this conversation offers a practical, reassuring look at what is possible.

Alexxa Forte is the Cosmetic Coordinator and Growth & Outreach Manager at Charlotte Skin & Laser who helps patients understand their treatment options and build personalized plans that feel approachable, clear, and confidence-building. In this episode, she shares what men are asking for in consultations and how the team helps them achieve natural, masculine results without feeling overwhelmed.

Resources mentioned:

• Injectable Treatments at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Laser Rejuvenation & Skin Tightening at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Body Treatments at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Hair Restoration at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Surgical Treatments at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Aesthetic Services at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
• FACTORFIVE Regenerative Serum

3 Key Takeaways About Treatments for Men at Charlotte Skin & Laser:

• Men want results that look natural, not obvious. The goal is usually to look less tired, more refreshed, and more aligned with how they feel, while still preserving a masculine appearance.
• Skin treatments can support both confidence and skin health. Lasers, skincare, and preventive treatments can improve texture, tone, and radiance while also helping address sun damage, precancers, and long-term skin cancer risk.
• There are options for almost every concern, from hair to jawline to body contouring. Men may start with simple treatments like facials, relaxers, or laser rejuvenation, then explore options for volume restoration, hair growth, acne scars, eyelids, body sculpting, or advanced procedures when appropriate.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

Do you ever wonder why your dermatologist keeps asking about antioxidants? In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan walks through the role of topical vitamin C in an anti-aging routine and why it shows up in so many of our recommendations at Charlotte Skin and Laser. She explains how daily sun exposure, pollution, and even normal metabolism create oxidative stress that breaks down collagen and accelerates visible aging. You’ll hear what makes a vitamin C actually effective, how to use it in your routine, and why consistency over time is what protects your skin and keeps it looking healthy for years to come.

Products mentioned:

• SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
• SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
• SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
• SkinBetter Science antioxidant products
• Charlotte Skin & Laser Triple Defense Antioxidant Cream
• Charlotte Skin & Laser Triple Defense Antioxidant Serum

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Vitamin C is prevention, not a quick fix. Its biggest impact happens over time by protecting collagen, elastin, and DNA from daily damage.
• Not all vitamin C is created equal. Look for L-ascorbic acid at 10–20% in a stable, clinically tested formulation for real results.
• Consistency and correct use matter. Apply in the morning before sunscreen and avoid pairing with benzoyl peroxide at the same time.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

You can feel the difference the moment you walk into a space that was designed with intention. In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan sits down with Debbie Ouvier, Practice Administrator at Charlotte Skin & Laser, to introduce the Huntersville office location and the vision behind it. Debbie brings years of experience in practice management and walks through how this space was built from the ground up to support a better patient experience, from the way you move through your visit to the details that create a sense of calm, privacy, and ease. She also shares what most patients never see, the planning, problem-solving, and countless decisions that shape how a visit actually feels. This is a behind-the-scenes look at a major step forward for the practice, and how this new space was designed not just to look beautiful, but to deliver the same seamless, personal, and elevated standard of care you’ve come to know and expect at Charlotte Skin and Laser.

Debbie Ouvier is the Practice Administrator at Charlotte Skin & Laser, bringing over a decade of experience in practice management and operations. She specializes in building efficient, patient-centered systems that support both exceptional care and a seamless patient experience.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Building a second location without compromising care starts with a strong foundation. A clear culture rooted in excellence, honesty, teamwork, and continuous learning makes it possible to grow while keeping standards high.
• Growth often requires leaders to evolve. Dr. Rostan’s shift from full-time clinician to a more strategic leadership role created space to focus on the bigger picture while empowering her team to deliver exceptional care.
• Consistency in patient experience does not happen by chance. Through intentional training, ongoing education, and close physician oversight, the team ensures every patient receives the same thoughtful, high-quality care regardless of who they see.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113