Ask a Dermatologist
Your skin questions, answered by board-certified dermatologists. Plain-English routines, mole-check guides, ingredient deep-dives and seasonal advice — all reviewed by clinicians, not influencers.
Meet our dermatologists
Dr. Anand S. Urhekar
MD Dermatology · 25+ yrs · Section Head, M.P. Shah Hospital Nairobi · Former UN Dermatologist
Dr. Urhekar is a board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of practice across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. As Section Head of Dermatology at M.P. Shah Hospital Nairobi and a former UN dermatologist, he specialises in tropical skin disease, Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin care and global health.
Read full clinical bioDr. Celina Kazumi Iwasa
GMC-Registered · UK Hospital + Private Practice · Skin Cancer Screening Specialist
Dr. Iwasa is a GMC-registered dermatologist working across UK hospital and private practice settings. She specialises in skin cancer screening, mole assessment and dermoscopy, with a focus on UK and European patients across Fitzpatrick I–IV skin types.
Read full clinical bioDaily Skincare Routines
Step-by-step morning and evening routines from our dermatologists.
The Dermatologist's Morning Skincare Routine (Step by Step)
The exact 6-step AM routine a dermatologist actually follows.
Nighttime Skincare: What a Dermatologist Actually Recommends
Repair, retinoid layering and the PM mistakes to stop.
How to Build a Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin
A 4-product routine for reactive, easily-irritated skin.
Skincare for Dark Skin Tones: A Dermatologist's Guide
Routines and ingredients tuned for Fitzpatrick IV–VI.
The Minimalist Skincare Routine (3 Products Only)
Cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen — and why that's enough.
Anti-Ageing Skincare: When to Start and What Actually Works
Retinol, peptides and antioxidants — when to start each.
Common Skin Concerns
Practical, dermatologist-led answers to the questions we hear most.
Acne at Every Age: A Dermatologist Explains Why It Happens
Teen, adult and post-menopausal acne — different causes, different fixes.
Eczema vs Dry Skin: How to Tell the Difference
Six visual differences — and how to test it at home.
Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation: Causes and Treatments
Why dark spots form and the four ingredient classes that work.
Why Is My Skin So Itchy? A Dermatologist's Checklist
Twelve causes of itchy skin — from dry skin to liver disease.
Rosacea: Signs, Triggers, and What a Dermatologist Recommends
What rosacea looks like, the 8 most common triggers, treatment.
Fungal Skin Infections: What They Look Like and How to Treat Them
Ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch and tinea — full visual guide.
Skin Cancer & Mole Checks
Dermatologist-grade guidance for self-checks and warning signs.
The ABCDE Rule: How Dermatologists Check Moles
Asymmetry, border, colour, diameter, evolving — explained with examples.
When Should You Worry About a Mole? A Dermatologist Answers
The 7 specific changes that warrant a dermatologist visit.
Skin Cancer in Dark Skin: What Most People Don't Know
Acral melanoma, late diagnosis, and the screening blind spot.
Sun Damage vs Skin Cancer: How to Tell the Difference
Solar lentigos, actinic keratosis, BCC, melanoma — visual guide.
How Often Should You Get a Skin Check?
By risk profile: every 3, 6, 12 or 24 months — and when to escalate.
Ingredients & Treatments
Cut through marketing — what actually works and how to use it safely.
Retinol: A Dermatologist's Complete Guide
Strengths, frequency, side effects and the right starter routine.
Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid — Which Do You Actually Need?
Side-by-side: what each does, what it doesn't, and how to layer.
Chemical Peels at Home: What's Safe and What's Not
AHA, BHA, PHA — strengths, frequency and the red lines.
Steroid Creams: When to Use Them and When to Stop
Hydrocortisone vs prescription steroids — and the rebound risk.
Natural Remedies for Skin: What Dermatologists Actually Think
Tea tree, aloe, honey, oatmeal — what the evidence says.
Seasonal & Lifestyle
How summer, stress, travel and pregnancy reshape your skincare.
Summer Skincare: A Dermatologist's Non-Negotiables
Five things you cannot skip in summer — and why.
How Stress Affects Your Skin (and What to Do About It)
Cortisol, breakouts, flares — and the 4 evidence-backed fixes.
Skincare While Travelling: A Dermatologist's Carry-On Essentials
Flights, climate change, hotel water — the travel-proof routine.
Pregnancy Skincare: What's Safe According to a Dermatologist
What to stop, what to swap, and what's still safe in pregnancy.
Get an instant AI skin check
Free. One photo. 60-second AI screening across 80+ conditions and all skin tones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every post is written or reviewed by one of our two board-certified dermatologists — Dr. Anand S. Urhekar (MD Dermatology, 25+ years of international practice) or Dr. Celina Kazumi Iwasa (GMC-registered UK dermatologist specialising in skin cancer screening). You can read both bios on our dermatologist-review page.
No. These articles give general dermatologist-grade education and self-care guidance. They are not personalised medical advice. For a specific concern — especially a changing mole, persistent rash, or non-healing sore — book an in-person dermatologist appointment, or upload a photo for an AI-assisted screening.
ScanSkinAI's AI skin analysis covers 80+ conditions across all Fitzpatrick skin types. It is intended as a triage and education tool, not a diagnosis. Our clinical validation report shows high agreement with dermatologist top-3 differentials, but any concerning result should be confirmed by a qualified clinician.
Yes. Our content is intentionally written by two dermatologists with complementary patient populations — Dr. Urhekar covers Fitzpatrick IV–VI extensively (Africa, Asia, Middle East), and Dr. Iwasa focuses on Fitzpatrick I–IV (UK and Europe). Where presentation differs by skin tone, we say so explicitly.
We review every Ask a Dermatologist post at least annually, and immediately if guidance changes (e.g. updated AAD or NHS recommendations, new ingredient safety data). The 'Last reviewed' date at the top of each post reflects the latest clinical review.
Yes — for personal questions about your own skin, the fastest path is to upload a photo via our free AI skin check, then escalate to a paid dermatologist review if you want a clinician's opinion. For general topic suggestions, contact us via the footer.