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Dr Alia Ahmed BSc DRCOG FRCP

@the_psychodermatologist

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👩🏽‍⚕️ Consultant Dermatologist
🧠 Psychodermatology - the connection between mind & skin 🤝🏻
🔊 International Psychodermatology Expert

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How many times have you checked your skin today?
In the bathroom mirror. In the car. In different lighting. On your front camera. Zooming into a photo to see whether something has changed.

When we’re worried about our skin, it’s very easy to fall into a cycle of constantly checking it. But the more we look, the more we notice and the more significant every pore, mark, spot or patch can begin to feel.

Skin changes from day to day. Lighting changes how it looks. Texture is normal. Pores are normal.

If checking your skin is becoming a source of reassurance that only lasts for a few minutes before you feel the need to check again, it may be worth considering the impact it’s having on you.

Looking after your skin also means looking after the way you feel about it.

#Psychodermatology #SkinHealth #SkinAnxiety #Dermatology #HealthySkin by @the_psychodermatologist

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16 hours ago

Social media can be an incredible tool for education, but it can also make us hyper-aware of problems that may not actually be there.
I’m increasingly seeing patients who are convinced they have a particular skin or hair condition before they’ve ever had a professional assessment often because they’ve recognised themselves in someone else’s content online.

But similar skin, hair, age or symptoms do not automatically mean the same diagnosis.

Before you add another product, treatment or step to your routine based on somebody else’s experience, consider whether what you really need is a proper assessment.

Social media can educate. It cannot diagnose.

#SkinHealth #HairHealth #Dermatology #Psychodermatology #SkinEducation by @the_psychodermatologist

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2 days ago

One of the most moving moments from Love Is Blind UK was a contestant opening up about the emotional impact of living with vitiligo. Her story highlighted something many people still don't fully appreciate: vitiligo is not simply a cosmetic condition. For many, it can affect confidence, self-esteem, relationships, and mental wellbeing.

@yasmeenstagram_, Thank you for speaking so openly and honestly about your experience. I know many people living with vitiligo in the UK and around the world will have felt seen and understood because of it.

And thank you to the contestant, Jordan, who responded with kindness, empathy and reassurance. When someone shares a personal struggle, our response has the power to either reinforce insecurity or foster confidence and acceptance.

Let's keep encouraging open conversations about skin conditions and remember that every person deserves to feel valued for who they are, not judged for how their skin looks.

#Vitiligo #LoveIsBlindUK #SkinConfidence #VisibleDifference #VitiligoAwareness by @the_psychodermatologist

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3 days ago

Off to Vienna! ✈️

I left straight after clinic to travel to Vienna for this year’s EADV Congress -something I always really look forward to attending.

One of the things I love most about EADV is having so many people from across the world of dermatology in one place. It’s a chance to hear about the latest research, treatments and developments in our field, learn from colleagues, catch up with familiar faces and have conversations that you simply don’t get the opportunity to have in everyday clinic life.

Dermatology is constantly evolving, and events like this are such a good reminder that there is always more to learn which is one of the reasons I love what I do so much.

I’ll be taking you along with me and putting together a little Reel of what I get up to while I’m here… conference days, Vienna and everything in between.

EADV 2026, let’s go! 🇦🇹✨ by @the_psychodermatologist

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4 days ago

Cleansing might seem like the simplest step in your skincare routine, but what is it actually doing for your skin? 🫧

A good cleanser helps remove make-up, SPF, excess oil and the build-up of the day, creating a clean base for the rest of your routine.

But choosing the right cleanser matters too.
In this Reel, I explain the role of a cleanser and what you should be looking for when choosing one for your skin. 👆

#SkincareEducation #SkinHealth #Cleansing #Dermatology #HealthySkin by @the_psychodermatologist

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5 days ago

Today marks Global CMN Awareness Day.

CMN stands for Congenital Melanocytic Naevus - a type of birthmark that is present at birth or appears shortly afterwards. Around 1% of newborn babies are born with a small CMN, while large or multiple CMN are much rarer.

CMN can vary enormously in size, colour, texture and where it appears on the body. And while we understandably talk about the physical and medical side of living with a visible skin condition, there can be a psychological side too -particularly when a birthmark is highly visible.

Questions, staring, unwanted comments or simply feeling different can all have an impact on confidence and body image.

As a psychodermatologist, this is something I feel is incredibly important to acknowledge. Supporting someone with a skin condition isn't only about looking after their skin; it's about understanding how living in that skin can affect how they feel, too.

In this video, I’m talking a little more about CMN and why awareness matters.
Different skin is still normal skin.

#GlobalCMNAwarenessDay #CMNAwareness #CongenitalMelanocyticNaevus #Psychodermatology #SkinHealth by @the_psychodermatologist

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6 days ago

More skincare empties… and yes, I have thoughts 👀

✨ Skintific 10% Niacinamide Brightening Serum — a really easy one to slot into a routine. Niacinamide can help with uneven tone, excess oil and supporting the skin barrier, so I particularly liked this when my skin was looking a little dull or uneven. A good everyday ingredient that can tick quite a few boxes. Good for skin that tolerates actives well.
✨ No7 Prime Forever Skin Preservation Serum — this one is all about supporting the skin as it ages. I liked how lightweight and easy it was to layer with the rest of my routine, while giving my skin that smoother, well-hydrated feel. Definitely one for those who want to take a preventative approach rather than waiting for visible changes before thinking about skin ageing.
✨ Dr.WU Glutalight Intensive Brightening Serum — I used this with pigmentation and overall brightness in mind. It combines ingredients including glutathione, vitamin C, arbutin and vitamin B3, so it’s very much focused on helping improve the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. One I enjoyed when my skin was looking a little lacklustre. Paired well with the Reedle shot too, felt a lot smoother after application.
✨ VT Reedle Shot 100 — probably the most interesting one of the bunch! This uses tiny spicule-like particles to create a prickly sensation on application and is designed to help improve skin texture and support the delivery of skincare ingredients. The research on spicule delivery is evolving and is an interesting concept. It definitely feels different to your average serum, so I’d introduce this slowly rather than throwing it into an already active-heavy routine.

Would I use them all again? There are definitely a couple here I’d happily take into another round… 👀

*Not an ad by @the_psychodermatologist

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8 days ago

Do you really have to love your skin?

There’s so much messaging telling us to love the skin we’re in and while that’s a lovely sentiment, it isn’t always realistic.

If you’re living with acne, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, scarring or another visible skin condition, there may be days when you simply don’t feel positive about your skin. And putting pressure on yourself to love it can sometimes feel like yet another thing you’re getting wrong.

This is where skin neutrality can be helpful.

Instead of needing to love how your skin looks every day, the goal might simply be to reach a place where it doesn’t take up quite so much space in your thoughts.

Where you can go out without checking every mirror. Have your photograph taken without immediately looking at your skin. Meet someone new without wondering whether they’re staring. Enjoy your day without your skin being the first thing you think about.

You don’t have to love your skin every single day.
Sometimes feeling neutral about it and getting on with your life can be a really meaningful place to reach. by @the_psychodermatologist

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7 days ago

The skin–brain cycle 🧠

Have you ever noticed your skin seems to flare when life feels particularly stressful… and then your skin becomes another thing to feel stressed about?

This is something I see regularly in psychodermatology.
Stress can influence certain skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne and chronic itch. Then, when our skin changes, we may become more conscious of it - checking the mirror more, worrying about what other people notice, avoiding photographs or social situations, or simply feeling less confident.

And suddenly, you’re in a loop: stress affects the skin > the skin causes more stress > and the cycle continues.
This doesn’t mean your skin condition is “all in your head”. Far from it. The brain and skin communicate in complex ways, which is exactly why looking after the psychological impact of a skin condition can be just as important as treating the physical symptoms.

Sometimes treating the skin is only one part of the picture.

#psychodermatology #psychodermatologist by @the_psychodermatologist

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9 days ago

Today I want to talk about some of the things people experiencing hair loss often hear - usually from people who genuinely mean well.

“It’s only hair.”
“At least it’s nothing serious.”
“You can hardly notice it.”
“Have you tried taking vitamins?”
“I’m sure it’ll grow back.”

The problem is, when you’re the person experiencing hair loss, it often doesn’t feel like just hair.

Hair can be incredibly connected to our identity, confidence and the way we recognise ourselves. Hair loss can change how someone feels when they look in the mirror, how comfortable they feel socially, the way they style themselves and even how they feel about photographs or leaving the house.
And then there’s the uncertainty. Will it progress? Will it grow back? Will treatment work? What will it look like in six months?

As a psychodermatologist, this is why I believe we need to look beyond the physical symptoms of conditions like alopecia. What’s happening psychologically matters too.

Sometimes, rather than trying to reassure someone or find a solution for them, one of the most helpful things we can ask is simply:
“How are you coping with it?”

#alopecia #alopeciaawarenessmonth by @the_psychodermatologist

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10 days ago

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11 days ago

“What causes vitiligo and can it ever go away?”

This was a question I was recently asked, and it’s an important one because vitiligo isn’t always as straightforward as identifying one single cause or trigger.

In this video, I explain a little more about what we currently understand about vitiligo, its potential triggers and whether it can ‘go away’.

#vitiligo by @the_psychodermatologist

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12 days ago