The Derm Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta and Dr. Tomi Lee Wall are wrapping up season one, and they wanted to say thank you to their listeners.

Skin saving foods, also known as functional foods, can be powerful helpers in maintaining skin health. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta talks about some of her favorite skin saving foods, ranging from ones that you might have in your fridge right now to some less common powerhouses, all of which have been shown in research studies to promote healthy skin. 

Is it possible to "erase" that brown spot on your face? In this episode, Dr. Tomi Lee Wall discusses the laser treatment of brown spots, walking us through the laser procedure and the potential side effects. She emphasizes the need for a correct diagnosis before proceeding with laser treatment, since not all brown spots are the same, and some can be dangerous. She also emphasizes the need to think about brown spot prevention, and discusses the importance of sun protection before and after the procedure.

There are so many sunscreens out there. How do you choose the best one for you and your skin? In this episode, Dr. Katta and Dr. Lee Wall discuss their favorite products, along with the difference between mineral and chemical sunblocks and how to choose the right sunblock for different skin types.

In this episode, Dr. Lee Wall answers all of your filler questions. If you've ever wondered how dermatologists treat deeper wrinkles, such as the "parentheses" next to your nose aka the nasolabial folds, this episode goes into detail on the use of fillers, along with potential benefits as well as potential risks.

In this episode, Dr. Lee Wall talks about the treatment of dilated blood vessels, sometimes referred to as "broken blood vessels". The correct laser treatments are extremely effective, although it's important to pay attention to skin type and potential side effects.

As dermatologists, one of our favorite active ingredients in both acne products and anti-aging skin care products is a category called topical retinoids. These ingredients are derivatives of vitamin A, and they are fantastic. But...they can also cause a lot of irritation, redness, and flaking. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta describes some of the top mistakes that you'll definitely want to avoid when using retinoids.

With hundreds of products to choose from, it can be daunting to choose the right skin care products. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta discusses her approach to choosing the right products. It starts with focusing on your skin type and your main skin concern. The right active ingredients in the right delivery systems are key to designing your own personalized skin care routine. 

If you're dealing with "crow's feet", those tiny lines at the corners of your eyes that are also known as smile lines, you have several options for treatment. Topical medications are our first choice, but if they haven't worked well enough, then botox is another potential option.

With all of our frequent handwashing, many of us are experiencing dry hands or even hand eczema. In this episode, Dr. Katta talks about how to effectively remove germs while still protecting your skin barrier.

If you’re looking to refresh your skin, what approach would a laser and cosmetic dermatologist use? In this episode, Dr. Tomi Lee Wall discusses her approach to an aesthetic dermatology consult.

Why do we keep hearing about botox? In this episode, Dr. Lee Wall and Dr. Katta talk about botulinum toxin: what it is, when it might be useful, and what to know before you even consider getting it done.

Although we love heading to the salon and spa, it is important to be careful. The powerful chemicals found in hair dyes and gel nails can trigger allergic reactions, as can the "all-natural" essential oils found in some spas. In this episode, Dr. Katta and Dr. Lee Wall talk about the risks of allergic reactions from common beauty treatments, along with what you can do to protect yourself.

In this episode, Dr. Lee Wall and Dr. Katta discuss laser hair removal: when it works, how long it takes, and the risks to watch out for. Although it doesn't work on gray hair, newer technologies mean that diverse skin types and hair colors can successfully undergo laser hair reduction. However, because of the risks of burning and scarring, it is very important to only seek treatment from an experienced professional.

We know that what you eat can impact your skin. In this episode, Dr. Katta and Dr. Lee Wall discuss the link between your diet and your skin, and highlight how oxidation, inflammation, and glycation can age your skin, as well as the foods that can combat these processes.

In this introductory episode, we're excited to introduce ourselves and discuss our education, training, and path to podcasting.  Dr. Rajani Katta is a former professor of dermatology at the Baylor College of Medicine, and blogs on her website at www.KattaMD.com. Dr. Tomi Lee Wall is a Harvard-trained laser and cosmetic dermatologist, and has a website www.DoctorTomi.com, and Instagram account @Dr.TomiLeeWall.