In this episode of SkinScope Dermatology Podcast, Dr. Sandra and Dr. George are joined by gynecologist Dr. Arzu Arinkan (MD, PhD) to discuss perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Many women experience symptoms of perimenopause years before menopause, including hot flashes, sleep problems, brain fog, mood changes, skin aging, weight gain, and hormonal imbalance. Yet this phase is often misunderstood or ignored.

Dr. Arzu explains how hormonal changes affect the brain, skin, bones, heart, and metabolism, when menopause hormone therapy may be recommended, and why early treatment during perimenopause can improve quality of life and long-term health.

We also discuss the latest evidence and updated guidance on hormone replacement therapy, including who can benefit from estrogen therapy, progesterone therapy, and personalized HRT treatments.

If you want to understand the early symptoms of perimenopause, the role of estrogen and progesterone, and how hormones influence skin health, aging, and overall wellbeing, this episode is for you.

#Perimenopause #Menopause #HormoneReplacementTherapy #HRT #PerimenopauseSymptoms #MenopauseSymptoms #HormonalHealth #WomenHealth #Estrogen #Progesterone #BrainFog #HotFlashes #HealthyAging #DermatologyPodcast #SkinHealth

🎧 About SkinScope

SkinScope is a dermatology podcast hosted by Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin and Dr George Kravvas, exploring skin health, dermatology, hormones, and evidence-based medicine through real clinical experience and scientific insight.

👩‍⚕️ Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin (Sweden)
Dermatologist focused on skin health, hormonal dermatology, and aging science.
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skindoc_sandra_jg

👨‍⚕️ Dr George Kravvas (UK)
Consultant Dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology and skin treatments.
🌐 Website: https://drkravvasdermatology.co.uk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgeorgekravvas

🎧 Follow SkinScope for expert discussions on dermatology, skin science, hormones, and healthy aging.

Melanoma doesn’t always look dangerous—and that’s what makes it so deadly.

In this episode of SkinScope, Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin and Dr George Kravvas sit down with Lisa Costello, a melanoma survivor and one of the most influential patient advocates in skin cancer awareness today.

Known to many as @mrscmelanoma, Lisa has reached millions through her honest, unfiltered content—publicly documenting dermatologist visits, skin checks, diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional reality of living with melanoma. What started as a personal journey has become a mission to educate, normalize skin checks, and save lives through awareness and early detection.

This conversation bridges evidence-based dermatology with real lived experience, exploring:

• What melanoma diagnosis really feels like

• Why early detection is critical

• How melanoma changes your relationship with the sun

• What true awareness looks like beyond hashtags

This is more than a melanoma story.
It’s a reminder that one conversation can prompt someone to book a skin check—and that can change everything.

🎧 About SkinScope
SkinScope is hosted by dermatologists Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin (Sweden) and Dr George Kravvas (UK) , exploring skin health through science, evidence-based dermatology, and real-world clinical experience.

👩‍⚕️ Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skindoc_sandra_jg

👨‍⚕️ Dr George Kravvas🌐 Website: https://drkravvasdermatology.co.uk📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgeorgekravvas

🎙️ Our Guest – Lisa Costello

• 📸 Instagram: @mrscmelanoma https://www.instagram.com/mrscmelanoma/

• 🎵 TikTok: Lisa Costello Melanoma https://www.tiktok.com/discover/lisa-costello-melanoma

Melasma is one of the most common yet misunderstood skin conditions — and today, we’re unpacking it from A to Zwith one of the world’s leading experts.

In this episode of SkinScope, we are joined by Professor Firas Al-Niaimi, London-based dermatologist, laser expert, and the UK’s first Professor of Laser Dermatology.

Together, we dive deep into:
✨ What melasma really is (and why it’s more than just pigmentation)
✨ The latest science behind melasma pathogenesis
✨ Hormones, visible light, heat, and genetics
✨ Why melasma is a chronic, relapsing condition
✨ Evidence-based treatment strategies: topicals, peels, lasers, microneedling, injectables & systemic therapies
✨ Why there is no single magic treatment — and why combination therapy matters

This episode is essential listening for dermatologists, aesthetic doctors, and patients who want honest, science-led answers without hype.

🎓 About our guest
Professor Firas Al-Niaimi is one of the UK’s most prolific and internationally recognised laser dermatologists. He has authored 230+ peer-reviewed publications, contributed to multiple book chapters (including his own book), delivered 500+ scientific lectures worldwide, and is a multi award-winning leader in dermatology and laser medicine.

🔗 Learn more about Professor Firas Al-Niaimi:
https://www.drfirasalniaimi.co.uk/

📚 Key publications discussed in this episode:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdv.70185
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.17718

🎧 About SkinScope
SkinScope is hosted by Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin and Dr George Kravvas, exploring skin health through science, evidence-based dermatology, and real-world clinical experience.

👩‍⚕️ Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin (Sweden)
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skindoc_sandra_jg

👨‍⚕️ Dr George Kravvas (UK)
🌐 Website: https://drkravvasdermatology.co.uk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgeorgekravvas

🎧 Listen now and discover why treating melasma requires science, patience, and precision — not shortcuts.