Ali and Reem are back from vacation and diving headfirst into a summer-themed episode of Derm Next Door. From debunking scalp DIY disasters to decoding laser lingo and sharing the not-so-glamorous realities of NYC in July, this episode blends skin science with real-life derm takes.

They break down the evidence behind polypodium leucotomos supplements, explain why your apple cider vinegar hair rinse probably isn’t doing much (except stinking), and walk through the lasers you’ve seen on TikTok but never truly understood. Also: hypochlorous acid spray—is it just diluted bleach or a post-Pilates lifesaver? And finally, in their signature Ask the Derms segment, they reveal what procedures they actually do, what they’re planning next, and how they stay cool in the city while still looking hot.

00:02 – What’s Hot Polypodium leucotomos 101 — the supplement for sun protection, melasma, and a little extra antioxidant armor. Shout-out to Inner Glow Gummies and our dearly missed Heliocare samples.

06:48 – Bothered: Scalp DIY Disasters From apple cider vinegar to mayonnaise, we unpack the wild kitchen treatments patients bring into the clinic — and why derms are collectively saying: please stop.

14:52 – Still Bothered: Rosemary Oil & Other Scalp Trends. Does rosemary oil actually grow hair? And what about scalp massage, amla oil, and Giselle’s no-brush routine?

19:15 – Derm in the Wild: Tina Fey Said Lasers. We break down the laser lexicon (PDL, Fraxel, IPL/BBL, Halo) and throw in some hot takes on medspas.

25:43 – Science or Scam: Hypochlorous Acid Spray. Our verdict? It’s a win. We explain what it is (dilute bleach, kind of), what it’s good for, and when to definitely not DIY it.

29:32 – Ask the Derms: Summer Survival + Maintenance Routines. Cooling hacks (parasol chic, subway hell), our honest maintenance treatments (Botox, PRP, cycling actives), and why we’re Fraxel-forward this winter.

33:15 – NYC Moments. Our favorite recent recs: Russ & Daughters, Hen House, Cafe Colmado, The Fulton at sunset, Serotonin smoothies, La Crueset cookware, soft girl bookshops, and Reem's love of fusion restaurants and container store (#TaurusCore)

36:35 – Coming Soon + Sign Off. We’re back on a more regular schedule (finally) until later in August when Reem’s off to Qatar to teach derm, and Ali’s off to Ibiza to teach… beach.

• 00:02 – Welcome back to Derm Next Door! Your fave NYC derm duo is back with Episode 5. Let’s get into it.
• 00:55 – HOT: Vitamin C — she’s not new, but she’s still That Girl.
• 03:08 – Favorite serums: Dr. Idriss, CE Ferulic, Silymarin… and some that smell like hot dog water.
• 06:35 – Drugstore dupes, Sephora staples, and why Amazon is the Wild West of skincare.
• 09:50 – Vitamin C fails: oxidized goo, milia, and the great orange face rub incident.
• 12:42 – BOTHERED: Kava (with a K) is trending… and giving people lizard skin. Let’s discuss.
• 15:56 – SIDE-EYEING: Nutrafol. The pills are massive. The price? Offensive. The science? Funded by… Nutrafol.
• 21:10 – Hair analysis testing? Sounds sciency. Is actually a scam. Full stop, period.
• 24:45 – Real talk: how we actually evaluate and treat hair loss (spoiler: it’s not with a $300 supplement). More in-depth discussion in future episode
• 27:05 – Derm in the Wild: Lindsay Lohan’s skincare routine. Is it really just pickled beets and olive oil?
• 30:50 – Science or Scam: The “hair analysis” hustle — we said what we said.
• 33:00 – Ask the Derms:
  • Facial massage: helpful or just TikTok-y?
  • Postpartum stretch marks: what helps and what’s a waste
  • Pregnancy-safe skincare: what’s in, what’s out, and what’ll make your OB panic
• 36:38 – NYC Moments:
  • The duo finally defines their friendship dynamic—Reem is the golden retriever, Ali is the black cat, and somehow it works. Balance, baby.
  • Reem’s full moon sound bath, gelato with figs, viral cinnamon rolls in the rain, and Circle Line sunset cruise 🛥️
  • Ali's LES pizza pockets, Greenpoint drinks and cool moms, Koreatown eats and drinks, and New Yorkers proving (once again) that they’re the friendliest people on Earth 🗽❤️

In this jam-packed episode of Derm Next Door, board-certified dermatologists Ali and Reem dive into the latest in cosmetic dermatology, viral TikTok trends, and skincare safety with their signature mix of science, sass, and snark. From buzzy Botox placements like trap tox and the infamous scrotox (yes, really), to a deep dive on beef tallow moisturizers and why sunscreen isn’t the villain RFK Jr. claims it is, the docs are here to set the record straight. Plus: drugstore skincare faves, myths about vitamin D, how to tackle dark spots, and juicy NYC recs—soft serve, Philharmonic sunsets, and why Boston might need a little more vitamin D (and chill). This one’s a ride.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro Meet your hosts, Reem and Ali—NYC derms and myth-busting besties.
• 01:30 – HOT: Botox in unexpected places From the masseter to the neck to the trapezius and even under the nose—where Botox is trending now (plus: a nod to “scrotox”).
• 13:40 – BOTHERED: Beef tallow madness Why you should not moisturize with steak grease—and the terrifying “cavewoman skincare” TikTok trend.
• 20:00 – SIDE-EYEING: Mandelic acid The TikTok-loved acid that might actually deserve a place on your shelf. Plus: a quick rundown of AHAs, BHAs, and lactic acid love.
• 26:30 – DERM IN THE WILD: Botulism in Boston + sunscreen panic Unlicensed Botox gone wrong, debunking sunscreen myths (looking at you, RFK Jr.), and why spray sunscreen just doesn’t cut it.
• 38:40 – SCIENCE OR SCAM: Gua Sha & dry brushing Do lymphatic tools work? Or are you just scraping your serum away?
• 42:00 – ASK THE DERMS → Best drugstore skincare → Do you really need sun for vitamin D? → Top treatments for dark spots (and why Aquaphor is canceled)
• 52:30 – NYC MOMENTS The Knicks heartbreak, summer park picnics, best vegan ice cream, Libre Café obsession, and rooftop sunsets