In this special behind-the-scenes episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson welcomes her two medical assistants, Olivia and Anna, for a candid conversation about life in pediatric dermatology. They share how they found their way into dermatology, what they love most about working with children and families, and the rewarding experience of watching young patients gain confidence as their skin conditions improve.

The team discusses common misconceptions about pediatric skin conditions, including eczema, molluscum, warts, and birthmarks, while offering reassurance and practical insights for parents navigating these challenges. They also reflect on the emotional side of caring for children, the importance of building trust with families, and the unique joys (and occasional challenges) of pediatric dermatology.

To wrap up the episode, Olivia and Anna put their knowledge of Dr. Swanson to the test in a fun game of “How Well Do You Know Dr. Swanson?”, featuring questions about Bluey, coffee orders, favorite animals, reality TV, and more. Filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and plenty of pediatric dermatology wisdom, this episode offers listeners a fun and personal look at the team behind the clinic.

Keywords

Dermatology, Medical Assistant, Skin, Patients, Patient Care, Pediatric, Medical Care, Medical Team, Dermatology Practice, Warts, Bluey, Dr. Pimple Popper, Dr. Sandra Lee, Cystic Acne, Medical Care, Healthcare, Healthcare Careers

Links, Attachments

Image Source For Sperm Whales: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/sperm-whales-nap-sleeping-photography-spd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareskincredible

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/skincrediblepod

X: https://x.com/Skincrediblepod

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skincrediblepod/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skincrediblepod/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OPa1pfmGldcQGs8IE7nFb

Podcast website: https://skincredible.buzzsprout.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skincredible/id1866567434

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Welcome: Olivia & Anna

01:55 How Olivia & Anna Ended Up In Dermatology

02:56 A Message to Olivia From Dr. Pimple Popper

05:30 Dr. Swanson’s Trivia Tradition During Talks

07:30 Female Dermatologists & Eldest Daughters

08:50 Favorite Parts of Pediatric Dermatology

12:25 The Team You Work With Matters

14:30 Helping Kids Feel Comfortable in Clinic

16:00 Buzzy Between the Brain and the Pain

17:00 We Believe in Bees, But They Do Sting

19:30 Least Favorite Parts of Pediatric Dermatology

25:00 Differences Make Us Special

27:20 If You Could Tell Parents ONE Thing

34:00 How Well Do You Know Dr. Swanson

35:28 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Bluey Character

36:25 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Starbucks Drink

37:40 Dr. Swanson’s Current OTC Favorite Ingredient

38:45 Dr. Swanson’s Dog’s Names

39:15 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Wart Treatment

40:35 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Ocean Animal

41:55 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Land Animal

43:04: Dr. Swanson’s Daily Lunch

43:44 Dr. Swanson’s Boy Biopsy Requirement

45:00 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Reality TV Show

47:30 Dr. Swanson’s Frustration Indicator

49:10 Dr. Swanson’s Favorite Bluey Episode

51:00 Appreciation and Goodbye

Send us Fan Mail

The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your physician regarding your health.

Description

In this moving episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson sits down with Steve and Katy to share their daughter Stephanie’s journey with alopecia areata. They chat about what it was like to notice the first unexpected bald spot at age two, about navigating treatments, fears, setbacks, and ultimately finding hope.

These parents open up about the emotional toll of watching their child lose her hair, the uncertainty that comes with an autoimmune diagnosis, and the difficult decisions involved in starting advanced treatments like JAK inhibitors at such a young age. Along the way, they discuss the realities of parenting through chronic illness, the anxiety fueled by internet misinformation, and the importance of finding trusted medical guidance.

Most importantly, this episode highlights Stephanie herself. She is a resilient, joyful little girl whose confidence and strength remind us all that we are so much more than our appearance.

This conversation offers encouragement, practical insight, and reassurance for families facing alopecia areata or any chronic childhood condition. There’s emotional vulnerability and hopeful breakthroughs, hopefully helping others who are struggling feel less alone in their own journey.

Topics include:

• Understanding alopecia areata in children
• The emotional impact on parents and families
• Treatment options, including topical therapies and JAK inhibitors
• Managing fear, uncertainty, and setbacks
• Helping children build confidence and resilience
• The dangers of internet misinformation
• Why support, communication, and hope matter so much

Keywords

Dermatology, Hair Loss, Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Diffuse Alopecia, Loose Anagen Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Hair, Skin, Skin Expert, Dermatologist, JAK inhibitors, Minoxidil, Oral Minoxidil, Allegra, Pulse Prednisone, Prednisone, Olumiant

Links, Attachments

NAAF: https://www.naaf.org

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Welcome

00:44 Discovering Stephanie’s Alopecia Areata

03:00 Initial Reactions and Treatment Options

04:26 Three Potential Alopecia Areata Courses

06:00 Prednisone, Topicals, Oral Minoxidil, Vit D, Allegra

07:00 Discussing JAK Inhibitors: Olumiant

11:30 Stephanie Starts Olumiant

14:14 The Emotional Process of Alopecia

16:30 Stephanie’s Tips on Swallowing Pills

19:00 Stephanie Gets a Haircut

20:45 Parents’ Experience As Hair Grew Back

26:00 Set Backs During Therapy

31:00 Uncertainty, Off Label Use of Medication

33:30 Combating Online Misinformation

34:45 Advice From Parent to Parent

40:45 Writing Your Concerns Down

42:30 Stephanie’s Advice For Other Kids

43:40 Thank You & Goodbye

Send us Fan Mail

The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your physician regarding your health.

You may be wondering, “what are the best treatments for alopecia areata? Can hair grow back after alopecia areata? Are JAK inhibitors safe?” In this episode of the Skincredible Podcast, Dr. Lisa Swanson takes a comprehensive look at the latest alopecia areata treatments, from traditional therapies to cutting-edge medications that are truly changing lives in a world where treatments used to be very limited.

This episode will help you stay up-to-date on treatments available as of May of 2026 for Alopecia Areata and it will also help you discover why early intervention has shown to lead to better results. Dr. Swanson reviews the most effective treatment options for both children and adults, including observation, topical therapies like Minoxidil and Clobetasol, intralesional steroids, vitamin D, Allegra, Dupixent, pulse Prednisone, low dose oral Minoxidil, contact sensitizers such as Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), Squaric Acid, Diphencyprone (DPCP), and JAK inhibitors.

The episode also explores in detail the exciting new era of JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata, including Olumiant (baricitinib), Litfulo (ritlecitinib), Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib), and the upcoming approval of Rinvoq (upadacitinib). Dr. Swanson explains how these medications work, who may be a candidate, who may not be, required blood work and monitoring, common side effects, safety considerations, insurance challenges, and what patients can realistically expect when it comes to hair regrowth in general.

You'll also hear Dr. Swanson’s valuable insights on popular hair loss remedies frequently discussed online, including rosemary oil, garlic, essential oils, capsaicin, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), red light therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy, and PUVA treatment.

Whether you're living with alopecia areata, caring for a child with hair loss, or a healthcare professional looking to stay current on the latest advances, this episode provides practical guidance, expert insights, and hope for patients navigating autoimmune hair loss.

Keywords

Dermatology, Hair Loss, Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Diffuse Alopecia, Loose Anagen Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Hair, Skin, Skin Expert, Dermatologist, JAK Inhibitors, Olumiant, Litfulo, Leqselvi, Rinvoq, Minoxidil, Hair Regrowth, Autoimmune Disease, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Dupixent, Vitamin D, Allegra, Contact Sensitizers, Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), Squaric Acid, Diphencyprone (DPCP),

Links, Attachments

NAAF: https://www.naaf.org

Find a Pediatric Dermatologist near you: https://pedsderm.net/for-patients-families/find-a-pediatric-dermatologist/

Find an Adult Dermatologist near you: https://find-a-derm.aad.org/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome, A Side Note About Breast MRIs

04:25 Alopecia Areata Treatments

04:52 Observation, Especially in Pediatric Patients

05:39 Topical Steroids at Bedtime and Topical Minoxidil in Morning

09:00 Kids Do Better On Treatments

10:07 Follow Up and Expectations From Treatment

11:30 Intralesional Steroids

13:40 AAD or Society for Pediatric Dermatology Lookup

14:50 Vitamin D and Allegra Over The Counter

17:00 Dupixent

20:00 Pulse Prednisone

21:05 Oral Minoxidil

23:15 Safety Label on Minoxidil

24:30 Contact Sensitizers

27:00 JAK Inhibitors & Alopecia Discovery

30:00 Quality of Life Improvement with Treatment

31:20 Olumiant

33:05 Litfulo

36:15 Leqselvi

37:00 Labs Checked With JAK Inhibitors

39:00 Safety Warnings

40:40 The 4 Cs

44:00 Coming Soon: Rinvoq

46:50 The Importance of JAK Inhibitors & Early Intervention

51:30 Natural Remidies and Social Media Trends

53:30 Excimer Laser & PUVA

55:00 Red Light

56:00 Conclusion

Send us Fan Mail

The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your physician regarding your health.