Lip lines. Barcode lines. Smoker’s lines.

They frustrate patients more than almost any other wrinkle because they can age the face fast and they are not simple to fix.

In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down why upper lip lines form, why they are harder to treat than frown lines, and why there is no single magic solution. She explains the role of the orbicularis oris muscle, repetitive motion, collagen loss, menopause, bone resorption, and sun damage in accelerating these vertical lines.

Dr. Mina walks through what actually works. A combination strategy that includes prevention, lifestyle changes, smart topical use, and in-office procedures tailored to your anatomy and stage of aging. She covers:

• Why Botox must be used carefully around the mouth • When filler helps and when it makes things worse • Why a surgical lip lift may be more appropriate than more volume • The role of microneedling, RF microneedling, CO2 laser, and even phenol peels • How smoking, straws, and unconscious lip movements accelerate lines • Why sunscreen on the lips is harder than you think

If you are struggling with lip lines or want to prevent them before they etch in, this episode gives you a realistic, evidence-based roadmap.

There is no one and done fix. But there is a smarter plan.

In this episode:

00:00 Why Lip Lines Age You Faster 00:23 No Magic Fix. The Combination Approach 01:06 Why Upper Lip Lines Form 03:05 Why We Can’t Fully Paralyze This Muscle 03:37 The Realistic Goal. Soften, Not Erase 04:19 Why Women Notice This More After Menopause 05:34 Why Filler Is Not Always the Answer 06:14 Not a One and Done Fix 07:13 Prevention Before Lines Etch In 07:51 Lifestyle Habits That Make Lip Lines Worse 10:59 Teeth, Bone Loss, and Structural Support 11:50 Sun Damage and Lip Protection 14:02 Topicals That Help. Retinoids and Moisturizers 16:07 Red Light and At Home Devices 17:12 In Office Treatments. Where to Start 17:44 Botox and the Lip Flip Explained 19:30 Filler. When It Helps and When It Backfires 21:43 Laser, Microneedling, and Advanced Procedures 24:30 Phenol Peels, Aggressive Resurfacing, and Expectations 25:43 Final Takeaways

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

💗 The Radiant Reset at The Skin Real is a zero-downtime experience designed to support your skin with intention. Two days only! February 12 & 14! Book your reset: https://theskinreal.janeapp.com/#staff_member/1

Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!

Follow Dr. Mina here: Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe:

Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Testosterone is known as THE male hormone, yet women carry more of it than estrogen across their lifespan. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down why testosterone matters for women and how imbalances show up in skin, hair, and nails. You learn the visible signs of low and high testosterone, how aging differs from menopause-related hormone shifts, and why blood work alone misses the full picture. The episode also covers risks of pellet therapy, smarter prescribing approaches, and practical dermatology-first steps you can take while waiting for medical evaluation. This is a clear, evidence-based guide to hormone health you see in the mirror.

In This Episode:

0:00 Testosterone is not a male-only hormone

1:20 What hormones really do in the body

2:16 Testosterone vs estrogen after menopause

3:08 How testosterone affects skin oil and texture

3:56 Hair changes from high vs low testosterone

4:46 Nail growth and brittleness explained

5:24 Why testosterone declines with age

6:17 Medications and birth control effects

7:29 Low testosterone in midlife women

8:12 Hormone misinformation and online risks

8:36 Pellet therapy problems in women

9:48 Why symptoms matter more than lab numbers

10:54 Skin signs linked to low testosterone

12:30 When to see a doctor

14:11 What doctors evaluate and test

16:30 Treatment options and safety

16:51 What you can do right now for skin

17:54 Scalp and hair care strategies

18:32 Nail care and manicure mistakes

20:11 Nutrition sleep and stress support

21:02 Testosterone beyond libido

22:21 Final takeaways and viewer questions

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

💗 The Radiant Reset at The Skin Real is a zero-downtime experience designed to support your skin with intention. Two days only! February 12 & 14! Book your reset: https://theskinreal.janeapp.com/#staff_member/1

📲 Download The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations you can trust. https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!

Follow Dr. Mina here: Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe:

Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Injectables can feel intimidating for many people. This episode of The Skin Real removes the fear. Dr. Mary Alice Mina walks you through the exact injectables she uses on her own face and why. You hear how her approach shifted in midlife and perimenopause. You learn how she thinks about balance, harmony, and long term skin health. She explains toxins, fillers, and biostimulants in plain language. She also shares where subtle treatments matter most as you age. This episode focuses on natural results, realistic expectations, and choosing the right injector for a long term plan.

In This Episode:

00:00 Why injectables feel scary and who this episode is for

01:42 My philosophy on natural results and facial harmony

04:05 Types of injectables. Toxins, fillers, biostimulants

07:20 How I assess a face before treating

10:05 Why arm’s length viewing matters more than magnifying mirrors

12:10 Botox basics and when timing matters

15:05 Upper face versus lower face priorities in midlife

18:10 Where I personally place Botox and why

22:00 Filler fears and why less works better

25:10 Lip filler, temples, and high risk areas to respect

28:10 Sculptra and collagen banking for the long game

31:10 How to choose the right injector and avoid regret

33:07 Final thoughts and viewer questions

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. https://youtu.be/EPIs-X5djRM

💗 The Radiant Reset at The Skin Real is a zero-downtime experience designed to support your skin with intention. Two days only! February 12 & 14! Book your reset: https://theskinreal.janeapp.com/#staff_member/1

📲 Download The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations you can trust. https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!

Connect with me here: Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe:

Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.