Podcast Summary: Gloss Angeles – Dr. Muneeb Shah Returns to Talk Sunscreen Drama, Derm Misconceptions, & Retinol Myths
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Guest: Dr. Muneeb Shah ("DermDoctor")
Date: November 7, 2025
Episode Overview
This lively and information-packed episode welcomes back Dr. Muneeb Shah, the wildly popular dermatologist and founder of Remedy, for his first-ever in-person conversation with co-hosts Kirbie and Sara. The trio dives deeply into:
- The current "sunscreen drama" and regulation challenges
- Misconceptions and controversies about the derm-influencer world
- Skincare trends and myth-busting on retinol and hair loss
- A look behind the scenes of launching skincare products
- Personal prescription recs for the hosts’ top skin concerns
With Dr. Shah’s signature blend of empathy, humor, and data-driven expertise, the discussion is both relatable for everyday listeners and insightful for beauty enthusiasts and professionals.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dr. Shah’s Year: Growth as a Person and Creator
- 01:04 - 03:38
- Celebrates his daughter’s first birthday and shares how fatherhood—and Remedy, his new skincare line—have upended his life and social content.
- Attended the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and co-hosted Neutrogena’s star-studded party, marking how dermatology has entered the pop culture spotlight.
Memorable Quote:
"Now we're throwing this big party at AAD. It kind of felt full circle, but it's been a wild few years for me."
— Dr. Shah (03:25)
2. AIR: Leveling the Playing Field for Derm Practices
- 04:02 - 05:42
- Dr. Shah details his new venture, AIR—a tech platform helping independent dermatologists get competitive wholesale pricing and retail digitally, supporting small practices’ survival in a changing industry.
3. The Realities of Derm Influencer Life
- 05:49 - 07:24
- Dr. Shah talks about accelerated opportunity through social, yet stresses his commitment to seeing patients—he’d “never stop” as it keeps him connected to real-world concerns.
- Notes the practical challenge: a long waitlist, but no barriers to entry for new patients.
Quote:
"The patient room is really ground floor of like, what's going on in the world… you can kind of feel it in that patient environment."
— Dr. Shah (07:47)
4. Trends & Concerns: Hair Loss and the Skinification of Hair
- 09:54 - 13:17
- More patients seek help with hair loss; increased public (and Sephora) interest in hair health and its overlap with skin.
- Discusses the link between rapid weight loss from medications like semaglutide and temporary hair shedding (telogen effluvium).
5. Demystifying Dermatology & Influencer Burnout
- 15:02 - 18:09
- Debunks that derms just “take all the brand deals,” arguing for discernment and credibility.
- Emphasizes the “net benefit” of physician voices on social, especially confronting anti-science trends and misinformation, even as social platforms can fuel infighting and confusion.
Quote:
"If we just become influencers in white coats, it’s gonna be bad for all of us..."
— Dr. Shah (15:17)
6. Remedy’s Edge: Community-Centric, Data-Informed Products
- 21:32 - 24:48
- Remedy uses massive polls and direct feedback, iterating products by identifying where existing offerings fall short.
- Product names are literal—“Remedy for Dark Spots”—for customer clarity, though this poses search challenges and high user expectations.
Quote:
"We’re not creating these products in a vacuum... we get a poll of, like, 100,000 responses…"
— Dr. Shah (21:52)
7. The Ups & Downs of Product Launching
- 30:08 - 34:38
- Shares a wild tale: launch delays due to a mechanical issue with a new balm’s high-tech dispenser, then loss of stock in a trucking accident.
- Reveals how customer empathy drives every decision, even at personal stress cost.
8. AI in Dermatology & The Future of the Field
- 35:12 - 36:44
- Describes rapid adoption of AI scribes and tech in dermatology, fueling uncertainty but also efficiency.
- Notes changing attitudes: social media is now “table stakes” for many derms.
9. Sunscreen "Drama": Testing, Scandals, and Social Debate
- 36:44 - 41:49
- Dr. Shah addresses consumer trust challenges: recalls, underperforming formulations, and social media infighting.
- His stance: "Just wear sunscreen"—the public health benefit outweighs the rare, nuanced controversies.
- Advocates humility: recommends what’s best per current science, willing to revise if future studies contradict.
- Names personal favorites: EltaMD, La Roche Posay, but avoids over-promotion of brands.
Memorable Quote:
"Wear sunscreen at least SPF 30 and wear it every day... I know the net benefit is positive because I see it in my patients every day."
— Dr. Shah (37:36)
10. Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens in Pregnancy
- 42:28 - 44:46
- No strong safety data against chemical filters in pregnancy; however, out of personal caution for his wife, Dr. Shah recommended mineral filters (less system absorption).
11. Retinol Myths: Is Peeling Required for Efficacy?
- 45:27 - 46:45
- Listener asks: if using prescription retinol without side effects, should the dose go up?
- Dr. Shah says results (not irritation) should guide dosing: "You don’t have to experience side effects to see results."
12. Personalized Recommendations & Managing Melasma
- 47:00 - 53:27
- Dr. Shah prescribes tailored routines for the hosts, highlighting Remedy’s all-in-one, straightforward products.
- On melasma: details safe breaks ("holidays") from hydroquinone, the role of iron oxide-tinted sunscreens, and why even makeup can help with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Quote:
"Tinted sunscreens have iron oxides in them... Iron oxides block visible light, and visible light is a contributor to melasma."
— Dr. Shah (52:51)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
"[In creating content] There are millions of people with skin issues and they just are looking for answers... putting out good information... is a net benefit to where we were five years ago, where there was... no experts on social."
— Dr. Shah (17:13) -
"We started as TikTok creators... now we have our own brands and now we're hosting events. It's very cool."
— Dr. Shah (06:11) -
"You could be all three, actually: a YouTuber, a TikToker, and a doctor."
— Dr. Shah (20:43)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | Dr. Shah’s update, AAD events | 00:47 - 03:38 | | AIR: Tech for Derm Practices | 04:02 - 05:42 | | Life as a derm/influencer hybrid | 05:49 - 09:32 | | Hair loss, semaglutide, beauty industry | 09:54 - 13:17 | | Debunking derm misconceptions | 15:02 - 18:09 | | Remedy’s unique product process | 21:32 - 24:48 | | Product launch chaos: balm dispenser story | 30:08 - 34:38 | | AI & Derm community shifts | 35:12 - 36:44 | | Sunscreen testing, recalls & messaging | 36:44 - 41:49 | | Sunscreens during pregnancy | 42:28 - 44:46 | | Retinol myth-busting | 45:27 - 46:45 | | Skin concern prescriptions & melasma focus | 47:00 - 53:27 |
Tone & Language
This episode retains the hosts’ and Dr. Shah’s friendly, smart, sometimes nerdy conversational style, full of pop culture nods, jokes, but always grounded in evidence-based advice and genuine care for consumers and patients.
Where to Find Dr. Muneeb Shah & Remedy
- Instagram/YouTube/TikTok: @Doctorly
- Brand & Shop: remedyskin.com, Amazon, and soon in retail