Eczema affects more than 31 million Americans, and it's still one of the most misunderstood conditions dermatologists treat. For Eczema Awareness Month, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan sits down with Dr. Alexandra Montgomery to talk through what eczema really is, why it keeps flaring, and how it affects sleep, work, and the whole family. They walk through the barrier, itch, and inflammation cycle, the at-home care that still works, and the newer targeted treatments that have changed what's possible for babies, kids, and adults. If you or someone you love has been told to tough it out, this conversation is for you.

Dr. Alexandra Montgomery, MD, is a dermatologist at Charlotte Skin & Laser who completed her dermatology residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with extensive training in medical, pediatric, and procedural dermatology. She cares for both adults and children.

Resources mentioned:

• Meet Dr. Alexandra Montgomery
• Pediatric Dermatology at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Dry Skin Treatment at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• EltaMD Moisture Seal

More for when your skin won't settle down:

• 39. How Stress Can Trigger Skin Flare-Ups
• 37. Acne Isn’t Just for Teens | Why It Shows Up on Adults and What Actually Helps
• 24. Beauty Sleep IS a Real Thing | Why Sleep Shows on Your Skin

3 Things Every Eczema Family Should Know:

• Eczema runs on a cycle, and barrier care helps manage the cycle. A weakened skin barrier lets in irritants, itching damages the barrier further, and inflammation makes the itch worse. Bathing, moisturizing, and "soak and smear" routines still matter, even for patients on newer medications. Flares that pop up in new spots after one area clears are part of how eczema behaves. They don't mean your routine failed.
• Treatment has come a long way in the last decade. Biologics like Dupixent target the specific immune pathways behind eczema, and Dupixent is approved for babies as young as six months. Newer options include Ebglyss and Adbry, plus pills like Rinvoq and Cibinqo for patients who would rather avoid injections. If the first option doesn't get you where you want to be, your dermatologist has more tools to try.
• Eczema shows up on every skin tone, and it deserves treatment at every age. It isn't contagious. On deeper skin tones it can look ashy or bumpy rather than red, so it often gets written off as dry skin. Kids may outgrow it, but they still deserve relief now. Strictly limiting a child's diet can raise the risk of food allergies later, so loop in your pediatrician or allergist before cutting foods.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

Charlotte Skin & Laser opened its doors in September 2001, with Dr. Elizabeth Rostan unpacking boxes on a Sunday and her mother answering the phones on day one. 25 years later, the practice has grown into a full medical and cosmetic dermatology team serving patients across Charlotte and Huntersville. In this anniversary episode, Dr. Rostan looks back on what Charlotte dermatology looked like in 2001, the lasers she still reaches for today, the patients who shaped her career, and the values she hopes will guide the practice for the next 25 years.

Dr. Rostan is joined by Alexxa Forte, Director of Patient Experience & Growth at Charlotte Skin & Laser.

Resources mentioned:

• Cosmetic treatments at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Medical treatments at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• The 1927 laser at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Tixel at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• IPL treatments at Charlotte Skin & Laser
• Meet Dr. Montgomery
• 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

3 Lessons From 25 Years of Dermatology That Can Change How You Care for Your Skin:

• Laser results come from consistency. If you've been disappointed by a laser treatment, the fix is often more sessions. Dr. Rostan recommends about 10 treatments with the 1927 laser for wrinkles. She also still relies on IPL for redness and brown spots, because decades of research show it works.
• Every treatment plan should include a backup plan. Before you leave an appointment, ask your provider what to do if the first treatment doesn't work. Dr. Rostan builds a backup option into every plan. For example, she'll give a patient something extra for an itchy rash heading into the weekend, so they keep improving without waiting for another visit.
• A dermatologist's second look can prevent unnecessary procedures. Skin conditions are easy to misread. Dr. Rostan has seen patients avoid surgery entirely after a dermatology consult. One hospitalized patient was about to have a long-term IV line placed, and his leg condition turned out to be venous stasis dermatitis, which cleared up with steroid ointment and support hose. If a skin concern isn't improving, or a procedure is being discussed, see a dermatologist early.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113

As Charlotte Skin & Laser celebrates 25 years, this conversation offers real insight into how Dr. Elizabeth Rostan and Practice Manager Debbie Ouvier think about growth. They walk through the decision to open Huntersville, and in doing so, they reveal the philosophy that's guided the practice from the start. You'll hear how our philosophy actually shapes decisions, from staff training to how we communicate with patients. It's the thinking behind the decisions that explains why Charlotte Skin & Laser's "big office expertise with small office feel" isn't a tagline, it's a guiding principle of our practice.

Debbie Ouvier is the Practice Administrator at Charlotte Skin & Laser, bringing over a decade of experience in practice management and operations. She specializes in building efficient, patient-centered systems that support both exceptional care and a seamless patient experience.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Building a second location without compromising care starts with a strong foundation. A clear culture rooted in excellence, honesty, teamwork, and continuous learning makes it possible to grow while keeping standards high.
• Growth often requires leaders to evolve. Dr. Rostan’s shift from full-time clinician to a more strategic leadership role created space to focus on the bigger picture while empowering her team to deliver exceptional care.
• Consistency in patient experience does not happen by chance. Through intentional training, ongoing education, and close physician oversight, the team ensures every patient receives the same thoughtful, high-quality care regardless of who they see.

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

Connect with Us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Phone: 704-333-9113