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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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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What do tattoos, trafficking survivors, and longevity medicine have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode of Science is Skin, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain sits down with Dr. Shadi Kourosh — Harvard Medical School professor, public health physician, and director of dermatology at Nantucket Cottage Hospital — for a conversation that spans medicine, advocacy, and cutting-edge science.

Dr. Kourosh shares how her work with underserved communities at Massachusetts General Hospital led her to the frontlines of the fight against human trafficking. She breaks down the "Three I's" — infections, injuries, and imagery — the clinical signs dermatologists and healthcare providers should recognize when a patient may be a trafficking victim. She also discusses trauma-informed care, how to create a safe environment for disclosure, and the STEER app (Skin Signs of Trafficking Education Advocacy and Resources), a free tool designed to connect providers and survivors with local resources.

In the second half, Dr. Kourosh pivots to longevity medicine — one of dermatology's fastest-growing frontiers — and explains why separating skin science from snake oil has never been more important for patient protection and consumer health.

In this episode:

• How dermatologists can identify skin signs of human trafficking
• The Three I's framework: infections, injuries, and imagery in trafficking tattoos
• Trauma-informed care and the "warm handoff" approach for at-risk patients
• The STEER app and AAD Human Trafficking Toolkit — free resources for providers
• Laser tattoo removal as a pathway to safety and reintegration for survivors
• The new science of skin longevity and preventive dermatology
• Fact vs. fiction in the longevity medicine space

Resources mentioned:

• STEER App (Skin Signs of Trafficking, Education, Advocacy & Resources)
• AAD Human Trafficking Toolkit: aad.org
• American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS)
• Polaris Project National Human Trafficking Hotline

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.

Science of Skin Podcast · Sponsored by Neutrogena · Recorded live at the American Academy of Dermatology, Denver

Dermatologists Dr. Patti Farris and Dr. Ted Lain go live from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in Denver to break down the latest skincare innovations from Neutrogena. In this episode, the hosts dive deep into three cutting-edge products: the Neutrogena Collagen Bank 15% Vitamin C Serum featuring pure L-ascorbic acid, 2% polyhydroxy acid (gluconolactone), and the award-winning microdipeptide (diacetyl dipeptide); the new Hair Restore Scalp Serum, which brings the microdipeptide alongside minoxidil (Rogaine), niacinamide, panthenol, caffeine, feverfew, centella asiatica, and arginine for a comprehensive approach to scalp health and hair loss prevention; and Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer SPF 100 sunscreen with Helioplex technology and antioxidant blends designed to protect against UVB, long-wave UVA, and high-energy visible (HEV) blue light.

The doctors explore why L-ascorbic acid is the gold-standard form of vitamin C, how peptides are having a moment in dermatology, the skinification of the scalp, the risks of lipid peroxidation and post-acne hyperpigmentation, and why high SPF formulations matter even beyond UVB protection. Whether you're a dermatologist building patient regimens or a skincare enthusiast looking for science-backed product recommendations, this episode is packed with clinical insight and practical guidance.

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.