The American Skin Association (ASA) has launched a new podcast series designed to make expert dermatology education accessible to the millions of Americans living with skin disease. SKINsight Podcast: A Patient's Guide features leading dermatologists alongside patients sharing their real experiences with conditions like alopecia areata, psoriasis, skin cancer, and atopic dermatitis. The series addresses a critical gap: many people with skin conditions struggle to find clear, trustworthy information they can understand without medical training .

Over 100 million Americans, roughly one-third of the U.S. population, live with some form of skin disorder . Yet access to quality patient education remains limited. The podcast format tackles this challenge by meeting people where they already spend time. Each approximately 30-minute episode brings together three voices: a dermatologist host, a guest dermatologist expert, and a patient who has lived through diagnosis and treatment. This combination offers listeners both the science and the human reality of managing skin disease.

What Skin Conditions Does the Podcast Cover?

The inaugural series launched with four episodes addressing conditions that affect millions of Americans. Each episode dives deep into a specific skin disorder, combining clinical expertise with personal narratives that help listeners understand what living with these conditions actually looks like .

• Alopecia Areata: Hosted by Dr. Nicholas Brownstone with guest expert Dr. Benjamin Ungar and patient Anne Becker Schwartzberg, this episode explores a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing sudden hair loss.
• Psoriasis: Featuring Dr. Nicholas Brownstone, guest expert Dr. Mark Lebwohl, and patient Glenn Speer, this episode covers an inflammatory skin condition that affects millions and often requires long-term management.
• Skin Cancer: Hosted by Dr. Jesse Lewin with guest expert Dr. Courtney Ensslin and patient Jaqueline Mills, this episode addresses melanoma and other skin cancers, including detection and treatment options.
• Atopic Dermatitis: Presented by Dr. Nicholas Brownstone with guest expert Dr. Emma Guttman-Yassky and patient Harry Lewis, this episode focuses on a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes intense itching and discomfort.

How Does the Podcast Help Patients Navigate Their Care?

The podcast's three-part format creates a unique educational experience. Dermatologists explain the latest scientific understanding of each condition, while guest experts bring specialized knowledge from their particular areas of focus. Patients then share their personal journeys, including how they recognized symptoms, navigated diagnosis, and found effective treatments. This combination helps listeners understand not just the "what" and "why" of skin disease, but also the "how" of living with it day to day.

"Our goal with this podcast is to provide clear, trustworthy information to help patients navigate their care journey with confidence. Each episode simplifies complex topics and shares real patient experiences, offering accessible, relatable insights on diagnosis, treatment, and physician communication," said Dr. Nicholas Brownstone, Assistant Professor at the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Nicholas Brownstone, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The experts featured in the series bring deep clinical experience and research credentials. Dr. Benjamin Ungar directs the Alopecia Center of Excellence and specializes in inflammatory skin conditions. Dr. Mark Lebwohl serves as Dean for Clinical Therapeutics and is a recognized authority in psoriasis research. Dr. Courtney Ensslin is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon specializing in skin cancer and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Emma Guttman-Yassky holds the Waldman Professorship of Dermatology and Immunology and directs the Laboratory for Inflammatory Skin Diseases .

Why Is Patient-Centered Education Important for Skin Health?

Skin diseases are among the most common health conditions in America, yet many patients report feeling confused or unsupported when navigating their diagnosis and treatment options. Traditional medical education often focuses on clinical training rather than patient communication. By creating a platform where dermatologists explain conditions in plain language and patients share their experiences, the ASA is addressing a real gap in how skin health information reaches people who need it most.

"Through SKINsight Podcast, ASA is expanding its educational mission into a dynamic and widely accessible format. By meeting patients on platforms they use every day, we ensure that accurate, science-based information about skin health is available to those who need it most," said Howard P. Milstein, Chairman of the American Skin Association.

Howard P. Milstein, Chairman of the American Skin Association

The podcast is funded through an educational grant from Sun Pharma and is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, making it free and accessible to anyone with a smartphone or computer. The first episode, "A Patient's Guide to Alopecia Areata," was released on March 10, 2026, with additional episodes following .

For people living with skin conditions, having access to expert-driven, patient-centered education can make a real difference in understanding their diagnosis, exploring treatment options, and feeling less alone in their health journey. The SKINsight Podcast represents a shift toward making dermatology education more inclusive and accessible to the millions of Americans who need it.

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