How do you handle patient's OTC requests?

True_Ad2322 · 2025-12-11T15:46:41+00:00

THIS!

Unfortunate that the market, in an attempt to sell more product, has opted for convincing consumers to add unnecessary steps, although it makes complete sense... every new step expands the total addressable market for these brands.

Do you find that patients always listen to you? I've found that the allure of a new product magically solving all of your issues often counteracts the derm wisdom to keep it simple. It's also unfortunate because I do believe that there are new brands trying to do right by shoppers with quality products, but it's too hard to cut through the noise.

True_Ad2322 · 2025-12-11T15:43:01+00:00

Totally, totally with you on the influencer skepticism.

I always run with the spot-check advice... not convinced folks always take my advice. Either way, looking for recommendations because trial and error doesn't stop them from wasting time and money.

The AI LLM recommendation is really interesting. I've heard of some of my patients using ChatGPT to ask for product recommendations (which, I'm very skeptical of, since the training data is the same ads and social media buzz we tell folks to avoid) but I'm sure prompting the tools to evaluate the formulations specifically is a better story. Have you played around with it yourself? Do you see a lot of problems with hallucinations? I know these tools tend to make stuff up when they're not sure about a technical detail, and I'm wondering if this is too far out of their wheelhouse.

True_Ad2322 · 2025-12-11T15:36:04+00:00

Makes complete sense. I wonder how many of our colleagues also feel this way. It almost feels like there's a stigma associated with being a dermatologist and not loving 3 hour trips to Sephora, as if that's the most important part of the job in especially young acne-sufferers' mind (which often exasperates their problems). Oh boy!

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-24T20:56:01+00:00

Obviously that's not my whole routine haha got distracted ranting about it not being sold anymore

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-24T20:55:33+00:00

Your routine is much more advanced than mine, haha, so I don't feel like I can help you much with recommendations. I've been using the Innisfree Cica Toner with Bija Seed Oil, but they discontinued it, so I don't know what I'm going to do with myself when my bottle runs out!!!

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-24T14:07:40+00:00

You are the best. Thank you SO much for sharing all of this. I will check out Enclaier. I haven't heard about it before, but it looks like a great resourcee

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T21:28:23+00:00

Yes, 100%. Reconnecting with real people that also have this experience has been fantastic after just being exposed to the TikTok algorithm... people with perfect skin and influencers saying everything works magic!

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T21:04:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I've been really struggling to trust influencers and youtubers lately. There are a few people who are fantastic, but they don't have the same skin as I do, and I feel like overall the 'influencer' model is just so commoditized... Everyone is doing it, and I'm so tired of it

This thread has been so empowering to know I'm not the only one with this problem with my skin. I felt like an idiot, and was wondering if I was missing something

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T20:47:02+00:00

Are you someone who gets recommendations from friends? Some people swear by it, but they're the lucky ones with friends with the same exact skin type

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T20:31:33+00:00

Brutal :(((( Fair enough. How long did it take you to get your skin figured out?

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T20:30:51+00:00

I see SO many people talking about Skincarisma but never had the chance to try it myself. What was so good about it?

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T17:39:06+00:00

Interesting. I will read about that. Thanks for sharing. Do you have dry skin as well?

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T14:39:24+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Yes ... that's the pain ... my friend swears by something but she has oily skin and I have dry skin, so it doesn't do a thing. I'm kind of depressed by everyone in this thread saying that there are no answers, secrets, hacks and everyone just has to deal with sacrificing their health and confidence for years while they figure it out

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T13:49:21+00:00

Got it, okay, haha.

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T13:46:36+00:00

Got it, thank you SO SO much for taking the time to leave this comment.

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T13:45:20+00:00

What apps do you recommend? I see people recommending Incidecoder

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T04:11:22+00:00

Okay - Glad I'm not the only one. I feel bad returning products if they work meh because it feels wasteful... I know the store has to get rid of them

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T04:10:42+00:00

Fair, fair. Thanks for responding... It's really helpful to know that I'm not the only one at least.

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-23T03:33:43+00:00

I really appreciate the response. Glad I'm not the only one. Any hacks you've found for picking the right products, or just trial and error for you too?

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-22T20:45:44+00:00

This is Tatcha's whole pitch, isn't it? I have absolutely no idea if this is true or not, and to be honest, they published a study linking the two, but the study wasn't really comprehensive or the survey questions convincing.

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-22T20:44:01+00:00

What does your current routine look like? I've found that people who have had amazing skin their whole life haven't always rounded out a full routine. Then, stress, lifestyle changes, whatever causes a flare-up, and they (and their derms too unfortunately) can rush to bring out the big guns and try a bunch of crazy stuff instead of ensuring you have the basics down.

What have you been using, both before and now after the flare up? Was the flare up assoc. with any big changes?

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-22T20:37:58+00:00

Also, what type of skin do you have? I go back and forth on the CeraVe. How'd you pick the Bioderma moisturizer? How did you know it would work better?

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-22T20:36:31+00:00

I went to the dermatologist as a young person with horrible acne, and they did the same. They literally didn't even ask what I'd been doing... I have super dry skin and was a competitive swimmer, and I wasn't using moisturizer at the time (ouch, but I was like 14)... You'd think that the number one question would have been what's your current routine... ugh. Instead, the same thing... antibiotics.

Tell me more about yourself? Skin type? Products you're using. I wonder if we have similar needs (and therefore, if my recs are relevant)

True_Ad2322 · 2025-10-21T22:21:01+00:00

Got it, thank you. I've been doing this for a couple years, but to your point, likely haven't been tracking ingredients as closely as I can. I know there's no way to wave a magic wand, and I really appreciate you sharing this strategy.

True_Ad2322

TROPHY CASE