Melanoma doesn’t always look dangerous—and that’s what makes it so deadly.

In this episode of SkinScope, Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin and Dr George Kravvas sit down with Lisa Costello, a melanoma survivor and one of the most influential patient advocates in skin cancer awareness today.

Known to many as @mrscmelanoma, Lisa has reached millions through her honest, unfiltered content—publicly documenting dermatologist visits, skin checks, diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional reality of living with melanoma. What started as a personal journey has become a mission to educate, normalize skin checks, and save lives through awareness and early detection.

This conversation bridges evidence-based dermatology with real lived experience, exploring:

• What melanoma diagnosis really feels like

• Why early detection is critical

• How melanoma changes your relationship with the sun

• What true awareness looks like beyond hashtags

This is more than a melanoma story.
It’s a reminder that one conversation can prompt someone to book a skin check—and that can change everything.

🎧 About SkinScope
SkinScope is hosted by dermatologists Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin (Sweden) and Dr George Kravvas (UK) , exploring skin health through science, evidence-based dermatology, and real-world clinical experience.

👩‍⚕️ Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skindoc_sandra_jg

👨‍⚕️ Dr George Kravvas🌐 Website: https://drkravvasdermatology.co.uk📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgeorgekravvas

🎙️ Our Guest – Lisa Costello

• 📸 Instagram: @mrscmelanoma https://www.instagram.com/mrscmelanoma/

• 🎵 TikTok: Lisa Costello Melanoma https://www.tiktok.com/discover/lisa-costello-melanoma

Melasma is one of the most common yet misunderstood skin conditions — and today, we’re unpacking it from A to Zwith one of the world’s leading experts.

In this episode of SkinScope, we are joined by Professor Firas Al-Niaimi, London-based dermatologist, laser expert, and the UK’s first Professor of Laser Dermatology.

Together, we dive deep into:
✨ What melasma really is (and why it’s more than just pigmentation)
✨ The latest science behind melasma pathogenesis
✨ Hormones, visible light, heat, and genetics
✨ Why melasma is a chronic, relapsing condition
✨ Evidence-based treatment strategies: topicals, peels, lasers, microneedling, injectables & systemic therapies
✨ Why there is no single magic treatment — and why combination therapy matters

This episode is essential listening for dermatologists, aesthetic doctors, and patients who want honest, science-led answers without hype.

🎓 About our guest
Professor Firas Al-Niaimi is one of the UK’s most prolific and internationally recognised laser dermatologists. He has authored 230+ peer-reviewed publications, contributed to multiple book chapters (including his own book), delivered 500+ scientific lectures worldwide, and is a multi award-winning leader in dermatology and laser medicine.

🔗 Learn more about Professor Firas Al-Niaimi:
https://www.drfirasalniaimi.co.uk/

📚 Key publications discussed in this episode:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdv.70185
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.17718

🎧 About SkinScope
SkinScope is hosted by Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin and Dr George Kravvas, exploring skin health through science, evidence-based dermatology, and real-world clinical experience.

👩‍⚕️ Dr Sandra Jerkovic Gulin (Sweden)
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skindoc_sandra_jg

👨‍⚕️ Dr George Kravvas (UK)
🌐 Website: https://drkravvasdermatology.co.uk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgeorgekravvas

🎧 Listen now and discover why treating melasma requires science, patience, and precision — not shortcuts.

In this episode of Skinscope, Dr. Bassel Mahmoud https://www.instagram.com/drbasselmahmoud/ explores vitiligo as a complex autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the destruction of melanocytes. He discusses the genetic basis of the disease, its clinical subtypes, diagnostic tools, and the significant psychological and cultural stigma experienced by many patients.

The episode provides a comprehensive overview of current vitiligo treatment strategies, ranging from topical and systemic therapies to advanced surgical interventions, with a special focus on melanocyte–keratinocyte transplantation (MKTP). Dr. Mahmoud emphasizes the importance of disease stability, careful patient selection, and realistic expectations in achieving successful surgical outcomes.

Emerging therapies—including JAK inhibitors—are reviewed alongside supportive options such as cosmetic camouflage and tattooing for patients with limited therapeutic choices.

The episode concludes with insights into ongoing research and future directions in vitiligo management, as well as Dr. Mahmoud’s academic contributions to the field, including his contributions to the Springer reference Updates in Vitiligo https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-05928-4, a key resource for clinicians and researchers.

Dr. Sandra Jerkovic Gulin (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skindoc_sandra_jg/⁠⁠⁠) & Dr. George Kravvas (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drgeorgekravvas/⁠⁠⁠)

⁠⁠⁠https://drkravvasdermatology.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠

Key Takeaways

• Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease targeting melanocytes

• Genetic predisposition plays a major role in disease development

• Non-segmental vitiligo is the most common subtype

• Vitiligo can have a profound psychological and social impact

• Diagnosis may involve dermoscopy and Wood’s lamp examination

• Treatment focuses on limiting immune destruction and restoring pigmentation

• Topical corticosteroids remain first-line therapy

• JAK inhibitors are a promising emerging treatment

• Surgical interventions are effective for stable, treatment-resistant vitiligo

• MKTP shows success rates of approximately 75–80% in well-selected patients

• Proper patient selection is critical for surgical success

• Teledermatology is now essential for follow-up care

• Cosmetic camouflage can significantly improve quality of life

• Tattooing may be considered a last-line option, with long-term color changes requiring caution

• Ongoing research into vitiligo pathogenesis is key to future therapies

  
  

  Episode Chapters

• Introduction to vitiligo and clinical overview

• Causes, genetics, and disease subtypes

• Diagnosis, stigma, and psychosocial considerations

• Medical management of vitiligo

• Emerging therapies and access challenges

• Surgical management and MKTP

• Repigmentation, follow-up, and teledermatology

• Camouflage, tattooing, and quality of life

• Future directions and academic insights

SEO

vitiligo, vitiligo update, dermatology podcast, autoimmune skin disease, melanocytes, pigmentation disorders, non-segmental vitiligo, genetics, psychological impact, stigma, vitiligo diagnosis, Wood’s lamp, dermoscopy, topical steroids, JAK inhibitors, vitiligo surgery, melanocyte keratinocyte transplantation, MKTP, repigmentation, teledermatology, cosmetic camouflage, vitiligo tattoo, emerging dermatology treatments, Updates in Vitiligo, Springer