Art of Skin MD by Dr. Melanie Palm

08/20/2025

Best shampoos for hair loss that actually work:

Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo for Thinning Hair

Kérastase makes some of our editors’ favourite hair-growth masks and shampoos, including this one. Its formula is rich in hyaluronic acid, which deeply moisturises and helps your scalp rebuild its natural ecosystem, says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Meanwhile, gluco-peptides repair hair and improve overall density. After a little under a year of use, our tester says she likes how voluminous and thick her fine, thinning hair looks after use — and truly clean-feeling, without buildup.

My fine hair looks thicker and fuller than it has in years.

08/19/2025

SAVE THE DATE! Summer Skin Rescue 2025 is Just Around the Corner!

Art of Skin MD's annnual Summer Skin Rescue 2025 is coming! The two-week-long event features amazing, limited-time special offers, savings and packages on procedures like Sculptra, Emface., Emsculpt NEO, Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm and more!

There will be IG Live events featuring the Art of Skin MD team discussing the latest and greatest non-invasive and injectable techniques that are offered in our Summer Skin Rescue packages. featuring:

Dr. Melanie Palm
Stephanie Williams, PA-C
Kristi Cashman, Non-Invasive Body Contouring Specialist
Rickie Hoppe, Licensed Aesthetician

You can also expect free gifts with purchases, social media giveaways and 15% off all non-prescription skincare! The best part is, if you can't make it to the clinic, you can prebook your purchases by phone! Visit the blog for more info!

08/19/2025

Summer Microneedling + PRF Special Offer with Stephanie Williams!

Purchase a Microneedling + PRF face treatment in August and receive a complimentary microneedling neck treatment and Revision CMT Post-Procedure Cream gift!

08/19/2025

08/19/2025

If you’re wondering why you should use a separate sunscreen for your face and body, there are legitimate differences between the two formulas. “Many facial sunscreens are formulated with ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, which have added benefits for facial skin,” says Melanie Palm, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Art of Skin MD in San Diego, California. “For these reasons, you’ll find facial sunscreens are typically more expensive per ounce.” This CeraVe sunscreen provides those beneficial ingredients while managing to stay more affordable than others.

It’s also a 100 percent mineral sunscreen, but don’t fret if you’re concerned about potential white cast: It’s tinted, which I found evened out skin tone without leaving any white residue or streaks. It also made my skin feel softer and more hydrated, yet didn’t cause any irritation, breakouts, or other adverse reactions. It was gentle, lightweight, and quick to dry when I tested it.

Once blended in, it gave my skin a subtle but flattering glow — one I’d described as a “your skin but better” type of look. However, it took a bit longer to fully rub in compared with others I tested, and it’s only available in three shades.

We rounded up the best sunscreens for the face based on expert input from dermatologists and data from our own testing. Here’s what our findings revealed.

08/19/2025

Best Night Cream for Mature Skin
INVO Aesthetics Rejuvenating Complex

I've learned that if there's anyone's skincare routine worth emulating, it's a dermatologist's—obviously. This gem of a cream lives in the bathroom cabinet of board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Melanie Palm, MD. It delivers a powerhouse combo of actives: "proteins, peptides, growth factors, and exosomes to help with cellular repair, renewal, and provide a more youthful appearance to the skin," says Dr. Palm. In short, it's basically the secret to a flawless, plump, glowing complexion.

Now I do too and my skin has never looked better.

08/07/2025

As far as effectiveness, as long as you’re getting the proper amount of coverage — an ounce or about enough to fill a shot glass — SPF oils are just as effective as any other sunscreen format. It could even be beneficial if you have dry skin, says dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm, but the biggest concern is making sure you use enough. “On average, we tend to apply less than 50 percent of the amount of sunscreen needed for the SPF advertised on the product,” says Palm. This can be even more challenging with oils because of the runny consistency. An ounce of oil may feel like a lot more product than an ounce of lotion, so you’ll want to be mindful that you’re applying an adequate amount and also reapplying every two hours.

Short answer: yes.

08/07/2025

Benefits of Light Therapy For Your Skin

According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm, the treatment works through different wavelengths of LED light to pe*****te the skin at different depths to effectively combat acne, inflammation, swelling, signs of aging, collagen production, rosacea, and even minor wounds. Keep in mind that these work best to supplement a well-rounded routine of in-office treatments, a thorough skin-care routine, and consistent use.

What color light therapy do you need?

Choose the light therapy color based on your desired results. “For example, someone with acne-prone skin might consider adding bacteria-killing blue-light therapy into their blemish-fighting skin-care routine, which would already include steps like cleansing, toning, and using topical acne-fighting serums formulated with retinol or AHAs/BHAs,” advises Dr. Palm. Below, more on the benefits of the most popular light therapy wavelengths.

Red: Red light is the most popular wavelength—“often used for anti-aging benefits as it has been shown to stimulate collagen production as well as decreasing inflammation, promoting healing and improving circulation,” per Murphy-Rose.

Infrared: “Near-infrared light has similar benefits as red light therapy but pe*****tes deeper into the skin,” Murphy-Rose continues. It is often considered a more powerful treatment for wrinkles and skin elasticity.

Blue: Blue light is a solid acne treatment as this light wavelength has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which kills acne-causing bacteria.

Yellow: “Yellow light is thought to help reduce redness, inflammation, and irritation,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin.

Bid adieu to acne, fine lines, and discoloration.

08/07/2025

How often should anti-aging serum be used?

Palm notes that the frequency with which anti-aging serum should be used will vary from person to person (and may have to be built up to depending on tolerance level). However, “the key here is consistency, so using it daily if tolerated is ideal,” says Connie Yang, board-certified dermatologist. Following the instructions on your serum is critical to prevent overuse and skin irritation.

Patience is key when using anti-aging serums. It is unlikely that you are going to notice any major results overnight. Noticeable changes to the skin typically occur after applying anti-aging serum to the skin regularly (as directed) within a couple of weeks or months depending on your skin type and product used.

What happens if you do not use an anti-aging serum?

If you do not use an anti-aging serum, you will not necessarily notice anything physically bad happen to your skin, as aging is a normal process. “Not everyone needs an anti-aging serum and plenty of people do just fine without it,” says Palm .”That said, if there is a specific skin issue you’re looking to address, the right anti-aging serum can help — with time and consistency, of course.”

Who should not use an anti-aging serum?

Although many people can benefit from anti-aging serum, Yang notes that individuals with particularly sensitive skin may want to avoid anti-aging serum, in addition to teenagers (it is an unnecessary part of their skincare routine and as use can potentially lead to rashes and skin irritation).

Picks start at less than $10.