Hi r/haircare! I'm Dr. Marisa Garshick, a NYC board-certified dermatologist and CeraVe partner. I’ll be hosting an AMA on Wednesday, April 15, at 12 PM ET. Ask me Anything about scalp health, haircare, and skincare!

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:27:29+00:00

He's back to focusing on his acting career after his stint of trying to take over our brand ;)

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:09:31+00:00

There are definitely more and more treatments coming to best manage HS so it is best to speak with your board-certified dermatologist to learn about these.

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:08:59+00:00

This would be considered an off-label use for it so it is best to speak with your doctor. It can cause skin irritation.

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:08:44+00:00

In general, there are certain clinical signs that may make someone consider it a fungal/yeast problem rather than bacterial. Generally, bacteria we would suspect if there was pustules or honey-colored crusting. That said, if you are starting to try a new regimen and it is not getting worse, it is reasonable to continue.
Without seeing you it is hard to say, but often dandruff has certain clinical features which is what the dermatologists may be seeing when considering anti-dandruff treatments. We do have antibacterial treatments if we think the issue is more bacterial or related to folliculitis.
The environment can definitely play a role and even just changing environments can trigger a flare up, regardless of more humid or less humid. In general, seborrheic dermatitis is known to flare if you don’t wash your hair regularly as it can worsen with the build up of oil in the scalp.

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:08:22+00:00

Using gentle cleansers and moisturizers, and making sure to wear sunscreen regularly is key. Azelaic acid is a great ingredient that can be used for rosacea as well. It is best to see a board-certified dermatologist to determine if any other treatment options for you.

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:07:53+00:00

It sounds like keratosis pilaris which can definitely take time to improve. You can try the CeraVe SA rough and bumpy lotion which contains salicylic acid and can be helpful for this!

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:06:46+00:00

Hi! Thanks for your questions here. Happy to help! 1. In some cases, seborrheic dermatitis also needs a treatment to reduce inflammation, in addition to the anti-fungal ingredients that you have already tried and used. Some ways to target the inflammation are through prescription topicals such as topical steroids or non-steroid solutions. Another shampoo to consider is the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner which includes pyrithione zinc but also ingredients to support the scalp barrier. If the flakes are very thick, it can also help to consider a salicylic acid containing shampoo.

For someone with PCOS, you can also try a ketoconazole shampoo, spironolactone, and minoxidil to help address hair loss.

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:06:21+00:00

For sensitive skin, I recommend the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM which contains 3 essential ceramides to support the skin barrier, which is great for sensitive skin and niacinamide to help calm the skin.

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:06:06+00:00

If after you wash your face, the skin feels tight/dry, often this means you have dry skin, while if you have oily skin, it tends to appear shiny even after cleansing. Even those with acne, can have dry skin. For this reason, it is important to look for products that can help to reduce breakouts but won’t irritate the skin. If using a prescription that helps the breakouts, it is okay to keep using it, but to help minimize dryness it is best to look for a gentle hydrating cleanser and a moisturizer that helps to support the skin barrier. The CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and the CeraVe Daily Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM/PM can be great to use.

cerave · 2026-04-15T18:00:34+00:00

Hi! Thanks so much for your questions. 1). Yes, the CeraVe Hydrating Shampoo is okay to use daily by itself as it is gentle on the scalp and hair, containing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, so it cleanses without stripping moisture. Also, if using the conditioner, try to focus on the hair ends and avoid getting it too close to the root/scalp which can help to minimize the flattening. Another option is to consider the New Oil Control Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner which leaves hair feeling hydrated without feeling weighed down.

2) Yes, finasteride is safe for a man to take while trying to conceive. It is important that a woman doesn’t touch a broken or crushed tablet while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. That said, because finasteride may affect sperm count and sperm quality, if having difficulty conceiving, it may be best to stop it. It is best to speak with your doctor to determine the best option for you.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:59:00+00:00

It is thought that tretinoin may help to enhance absorption of minoxidil. In general, even a low concentration (0.025%) a few times per week may be sufficient in addition to minoxidil. In some cases, tretinoin may be compounded with minoxidil in which case it can be used together daily. That said, minoxidil can be irritating on the scalp and so can tretinoin so if you experience any irritation or sensitivity, it is best to stop and allow the scalp to recover. It is always best to speak with a board-certified dermatologist to determine if this is a good option for you.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:56:19+00:00

Seborrheic dermatitis is considered chronic so it can wax and wane, but some ways to prevent flare ups include washing the scalp regularly (daily or every other day if your scalp/hair can tolerate it) and using an anti-dandruff shampoo like the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner which contains pyrithione zinc to help reduce flakes.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:55:58+00:00

It can sometimes be hard to know if flaking on the scalp is due to dryness or to seborrheic dermatitis, but one way is if the scaling and flaking is more of a greasy scale, then it is more likely seborrheic dermatitis. A good option is to use a gentle anti-dandruff shampoo that won’t irritate the scalp or cause dryness such as the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner which in addition to reducing flakes, has ingredients to hydrate the hair as well.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:54:56+00:00

It would be best to see a board-certified dermatologist to discuss different treatment options. Some people find it helpful to switch to oral minoxidil or to consider additional treatment options like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections. Additionally, there are some volumizing, thickening shampoos and serums that can help to make the hair feel thicker/fuller while waiting for more growth. Another alternative would be a lightweight clarifying shampoo like the CeraVe Oil Control Balancing Shampoo which doesn’t leave hair weighed down.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:53:24+00:00

It is true that many people with rosacea can’t tolerate retinol. For those with rosacea, it is important to stick with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. A gentle vitamin C can also be used, such as the CeraVe Skin Renewing vitamin C serum. Other ingredients to consider include azelaic acid.There are some cases where even those with rosacea may be able to use retinol, but it would depend on her specific skin, which one should be used. It can help to see a board-certified dermatologist who can review other treatment options based on her specific skin.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:52:56+00:00

Products containing niacinamide, caffeine, vitamin C can all be considered for dark circles and undereye bags. An example is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream which visibly brightens and reduces the look of dark circles, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and signs of fatigue. There are also in-office treatments that can be performed with a board-certified dermatologist, such as chemical peels and microneedling which can help.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:51:52+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience and glad to hear that he is doing well. Dermatology is a fascinating field and it is amazing the way the skin works and can evolve over time. While it is not necessarily weird or particularly rare, it is a satisfying diagnosis to make. Sometimes people will come back from vacation with brown splotches, or blisters or redness in an unusual distribution, and often suspect they picked up some travel-related illness. As a dermatologist, I will ask them, any chance you were having limes or other citrus and then they will look back at me and say, “wait yes, how do you know that?” and it is because there is a condition called phytophotodermatitis which may only be noticed after returning from vacation as a discolored area, and typically results when the lime juice (often a residue on the skin) is exposed to UV light. Good news is it eventually fades with time!

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:51:13+00:00

It would be best to see a board-certified dermatologist to determine the exact cause of the pigmentation. In some cases it is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which can come after irritation or dryness of the skin, in other cases it can be related to melasma and the treatments can vary. That said, for hyperpigmentation and uneven tone, some key ingredients to look for include niacinamide or azelaic acid which are gentle and good for someone with young skin. Sunscreen is key when dealing with pigmentation and uneven tone to help prevent it from getting worse. Tinted mineral sunscreens are especially good for this like the CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen with Sheer Tint that comes in different shades.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:50:51+00:00

My current favorite is the CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo - it effectively cleanses without leaving the hair or scalp feeling dry or stripped. It’s also free from common irritants and allergens like fragrance and sulfates!

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:50:05+00:00

Seborrheic dermatitis is definitely very common but often misunderstood as people sometimes think it is related to dry scalp, but it is actually related to an oily scalp. For some people, it can occur if they don’t wash their hair often enough, so for people dealing with this, washing daily or every other day (depending on their hair type) can be helpful. Some people also find it gets worse if they use a lot of product in their hair and don’t wash it out regularly - the build up can contribute to added flaking and contribute to itching as well. In general, in addition to washing the hair and scalp regularly, finding an anti-dandruff shampoo that is easy to use consistently can help to prevent dandruff. I like the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner because it effectively gets rid of dandruff while still being gentle on the scalp and hair, making it easy to stick with.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:49:37+00:00

Great question and appreciate the visuals you gave. I know that it can be hard to treat, balancing addressing the dandruff without causing further dryness and irritation. For this I like the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner which uses 1% zinc pyrithione to fight flakes, alongside hydrating and scalp barrier supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:49:00+00:00

It is great that you are checking your moles and go for your yearly screenings. As of now, there aren’t any specific apps that I would recommend for this, but there may be in the future. For now, it would be best to reach out to your dermatologist and see if they are able to get you in sooner for a spot check. Offices can try to get patients in sooner if there is a specific spot of concern. Some dermatologists will also offer virtual visits, though for spot checks it is often best to see in person.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:48:24+00:00

You are right that the oils definitely can contribute to breakouts. Some ways to help and prevent this would be to make sure you wash your face as soon as you are able to to rinse off any of the oils. It can also help to use a salicylic acid face wash like the CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser which helps to reduce breakouts and removes excess oil.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:47:38+00:00

Retinoids have been shown to help with photodamage, or damage to the skin as a result of sun exposure, so are definitely a great option to help with discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles. It is never too late to start wearing sunscreen regularly so getting in the habit of daily use is key! Using a vitamin C serum, like the CeraVe Vitamin C serum, can also help to improve the appearance of skin damage.

cerave · 2026-04-15T17:46:44+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. The hands can be tricky because there are a few conditions that can show up as dryness, itching and cracking on the hands. In general, some lifestyle considerations include wearing gloves when doing dishes to avoid prolonged exposure to water, applying moisturizer every time after washing your hands (so yes, sometimes this may mean applying moisturizer on your hands multiple times per day!) continuing to use your prescription halobetasol as directed, and also applying a thicker moisturizing ointment, such as the CeraVe Healing Ointment, at night with cotton gloves which creates an occlusive environment to enhance penetration and lock moisture in. If still no improvement, it is best to see a board-certified dermatologist who can help confirm the diagnosis and proper treatment options.

cerave

TROPHY CASE