What are adaptogens, and why did one dermatologist believe they were the answer to COVID-era skin pathology?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD FAAD, co-founder of Precision Skin and Body Institute and creator of Stamina Cosmetics. Dr. Blyumin-Karasik shares her remarkable journey from childhood in the Soviet Union—where summers by the lake and forest therapy shaped her worldview—to establishing a thriving holistic dermatology practice in South Florida. Her approach centers on patient education, comprehensive algorithmic care, and the belief that true skin health requires addressing internal wellness, immune balance, and lifestyle factors alongside clinical treatment. What inspired her unique philosophy? How does connecting with nature inform modern dermatological practice?

The conversation explores the intersection of traditional dermatology and integrative wellness, examining how stress manifests in skin conditions and why adaptogenic ingredients matter for skin resilience. Dr. Blyumin-Karasik discusses building Precision Skin and Body Institute with her co-founder Dr. Leslie Clark—including opening the practice just weeks after giving birth to twins. She reveals the inspiration behind Stamina Cosmetics, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic when patients' stress-induced skin pathology reached crisis levels. The episode concludes with essential advice for emerging dermatologists: stay true to scientific integrity, resist trendy procedures lacking evidence, and build patient trust through education and credibility rather than chasing social media trends.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) From Soviet Estonia to becoming a dermatologist: How nature, immigration, and family values shaped a holistic practice philosophy
• (06:30) The serendipitous discovery: When one mysterious hospital rash revealed dermatology as a window to internal medicine
• (13:00) Building Precision Skin Institute: Opening a comprehensive practice weeks after giving birth to twins
• (19:00) Creating Stamina Cosmetics: Responding to COVID-era stress with adaptogenic ingredients and wellness rituals
• (24:00) The entrepreneurship journey: Self-funding skincare, banking support, and the power of knowing your "why"
• (28:09) Advice for emerging dermatologists: Stay true to scientific integrity over social media trends
• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services.

Resources:

Precision Skin and Body Institute: https://www.precisionskininstitute.com/

Dr. Blyumin-Karasik's LinkedIn: https://www.l...

• (00:00:00) - How COVID is affecting skin?
• (00:00:35) - Meet Anna Chacon
• (00:13:54) - Dermatology Specialist opens her practice in Davie
• (00:19:51) - Stamina Cosmetics
• (00:24:14) - Start-up and Business Development
• (00:28:15) - Dr. Mariana's message for new dermatologists in their first

Why does a beauty industry veteran with access to ANY trend choose to stay in scientific, evidence-based skincare?

Join Dr. Anna Chacon as she welcomes Ewelina Aiossa, a renowned beauty authority and brand architect with over 15 years spanning scientific skincare, medical marketing, and product innovation. Her leadership at L'Oréal SkinCeuticals, Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetics (Glytone, Eau Thermale Avène), and Topix Pharmaceuticals has positioned her at the vanguard of professional and luxury beauty. She's shaped product pipelines for brands including Obagi, DermaE, and Glowbiotics, and founded TOPICAL SKIN, a clean dermaceutical brand leveraging oleosome technology. What drives someone to stay focused on evidence-based skincare in an era of fleeting trends? Ewelina believes "innovation comes from the Asia Pacific market."

This episode explores the evolution of clean beauty from trend to mainstream staple, the blurring lines between medicine and aesthetics, and why sensitive skin formulations are more critical than ever. How do you distinguish yourself in an oversaturated market? Ewelina shares insights on custom formulation development, delivery systems, and encapsulation technologies. She discusses the importance of social proof for brand success, strategic content marketing through YouTube and podcasts, and offers candid advice for aspiring beauty entrepreneurs. The conversation reveals why entrepreneurship is "a lonely journey and a roller coaster" but ultimately rewarding.

In This Episode:

• (0:15) Ewelina Aiossa - 15 years of experience in scientific skincare and staying power in a niche market
• (4:11) Clean beauty goes mainstream and emerging trends from the Asia Pacific markets
• (6:24) Understanding the blurred lines between medicine, regenerative treatments, and beauty
• (17:10) Becoming a beauty industry expert and debunking myths in the age of social media
• (20:21) Breaking into beauty: the importance of hero products, expert teams, and strategic branding
• (23:00) Social proof and consumer trust as key metrics for brand success and investment
• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services.

Resources:

Topical Skin - https://www.topicalskin.com

• SkinCeuticals - https://www.skinceuticals.com
• Avene - https://www.aveneusa.com
• Glytone - https://www.glytone.com
• Dr. Dennis Gross -

• (00:00:00) - How to start a skincare brand with a scientific foundation
• (00:06:40) - Private Label Skincare
• (00:09:05) - Scratching the Skin: Dermatologists Moving to the United
• (00:13:56) - How To Build a Skincare Team
• (00:16:00) - Expert in Beauty and Skin Care
• (00:17:26) - How to get your brand out there on YouTube
• (00:18:46) - Have You Announced Any Upcoming Projects?
• (00:20:28) - What advice would you have for newcomers to the beauty industry?
• (00:24:22) - Happy New Year!

Why do trans women still feel forced to choose between authenticity and safety in 2025?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Rajee Narinesingh, a multiracial transgender woman of color who transformed life-threatening trauma into global advocacy. After suffering severe disfigurement from black market cosmetic injections—what she describes as a "rite of passage" many trans women feel pressured into—Rajee emerged as a fierce voice for awareness and healing. Her journey illuminates the devastating intersection of limited healthcare access, societal invisibility, and the pursuit of authenticity. How do we create a world where matching your outer appearance with your inner truth doesn't require risking your life?

This deeply moving conversation explores far more than cosmetic complications. Dr. Chacon and Rajee discuss the systemic barriers that push vulnerable populations toward dangerous decisions, the emotional toll of living visibly trans in an unaccepting world, and the remarkable power of vulnerability. From the psychology of trust in patient-physician relationships to Rajee's decision to forgive rather than press charges, the episode reveals how healing means not just survival, but service. Rajee reminds us that real beauty radiates from within—and that sometimes, the most broken parts of our story give us the power to make the biggest impact.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Rajee's multiracial background and journey to South Florida
• (04:56) The reality of limited healthcare resources for transgender patients
• (07:28) When cosmetic procedures become a matter of authenticity and safety
• (15:30) The initial reaction and realizing something went terribly wrong
• (24:45) Building trust between physicians and cosmetic procedure patients
• (32:15) The long surgical journey to correct the damage
• (42:33) Why Rajee chose not to press charges and the power of forgiveness
• (47:16) Transforming trauma into advocacy and powerful community work
• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services.

Reso...

• (00:00:00) - Dr. Ana Chacon on Trans Dr. Ana
• (00:08:12) - Transgender Woman Gets Facial Fillers Undergone in China
• (00:13:26) - Dr. John Martin on sexual orientation issues
• (00:17:14) - What is the YES Foundation?
• (00:20:49) - Did Dr. Martin and the Doctors on Botched Help You?
• (00:28:25) - The Real Dr. Nass on 'Botox'
• (00:35:24) - After the Botch, Do You Still Have Any Reaction?
• (00:39:30) - Dr. Martin Reveals What Was Even In My Face
• (00:45:17) - The Real Deal About Trans Dr. Raji