Q+A with Dermatologist Dr. Jaimie Glick

Dr. Jaimie Glick on the path that led her to dermatology, her role on faculty at multiple hospitals across New York, and more.

Dr. Jaimie Glick is a New-York based, board-certified dermatologist who specializes in acne, rosacea, and cosmetic dermatology. In addition to her work in-office, not only can her work be found published in several peer-reviewed journals, but also in many New York hospitals; Dr. Glick is on faculty at several across New York! Read on to learn more about Dr. Glick's relationship with her many residents, her recommendations for those struggling with their own routine or coming across misinformation about skincare, and much more.

Q: First and foremost, we would love to hear about your journey in dermatology. How did you get started, and how did you get to where you are today?

I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but I never really thought about what kind — I don't have any doctors in my family. By chance, I was paired with the chairman of dermatology as my mentor during my first year of medical school. I remember telling him that I wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. That was my plan, and that was always my plan. But then, I went through my rotations and it turned out it really wasn’t for me.

I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do, it was almost like a process of elimination. Dermatology is great for people who can't make a decision because I couldn't decide between adults and pediatrics, and dermatology is one of the only fields where you can do both. I also couldn't decide between medicine and surgery, but you can do both with dermatology too. I also liked that there was a cosmetic aspect. Plus, you can even work inpatient if you want to. It’s just a great mix of so many different aspects of medicine, and I think that's why I ultimately chose it.

But it was really down to the wire; it was right before what we call the “match list.” I was deciding that I'd apply actually for two specialties, and then in the end, decided on just dermatology and would see how it went. Luckily, I got it!

I knew I wanted to do private practice. I love seeing entire families - when a mom brings in her daughter, we talk about her acne and maybe a rash she might have, then maybe perform a skin check on mom and finish with her botox or filler. Then they'll send the dad in to do a skin check, and then maybe the wife will ask me to talk to him a little bit about botox or even ask that I just tell him to wash his face. I like the atmosphere of a private practice and working with families.

Q: What do you love the most about what you do?

I love my patients. I sometimes run late because I'm chatting it up with my patients! In dermatology, we do deal with serious things; it’s unfortunate when we have to diagnose people with melanoma or other cancers, but a lot of the time you're dealing with more benign skin conditions that require patients to be seen often, because many of the diseases we deal with are chronic. For example, I see my acne patients about every six weeks, my rosacea patients every three to six months. Being able to see people, get to know them, and spend a lot of time with them is great. I'm very lucky because I've been through several practices in the time that I've been working, and my patients have stayed with me from practice to practice, so I've been with a lot of the same patients for almost six years.

Q: On top of practicing in-office, you’re also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Cornell. What has being a part of shaping the future of dermatology taught you about the field? What do you love most about this role?

I actually am on faculty at multiple hospitals! I'm on faculty at Cornell, Northwell, Mount Sinai, and I may hopefully soon be on faculty at another hospital. I really enjoy teaching the residents! They're just so smart. Dermatology has so many smart people in it, and they keep me on my toes. The residents keep me updated with the most recent advances in medicine and dermatology.

Q: What is a myth about skincare that you want to debunk?

The myth that you don't need to wash your face! I have so many people who say that to me. The reality is, just like you wash your body and you wash your hair, you should be washing your face. You're walking around, especially in New York City, and we have junk and pollution all around us. We actually have science proving that not washing your face leads to acne, rosacea, and even collagen breakdown and aging. So you definitely have got to wash up!

Q: You’ve conducted impressive laser research in acne scarring. Do you have any learnings from this research that can help educate those who may be trying to treat acne scarring at home?

There are certainly not as many at-home options for acne scarring as available in a dermatology office. There are a few topicals like vitamin C and retinoids that can build collagen and help improve scarring. A lot of the laser devices that are available for at-home use aren’t strong enough. We have to use serious eye protection for the ones we use in the office; they’re very strong so they can be dangerous, so we can't just bring that home.

Q: What is one product that everyone should be using no matter what their skin type is?

Sunscreen! I think that's probably what every dermatologist would say, because so many people think they don’t have to — whether it’s because they have naturally dark skin or they tan very well. But in reality, anybody and everybody can get skin cancer, and we do know that sun protection is the number one way to prevent it.

I like the Elta MD UV Clear Tinted sunscreen because it gives a nice coverage. I also really like Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen because it goes on really nicely. I also recently started using the MDsolarsciences mineral tinted creme.

ELTAMD | UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 46 - Tinted
ELTAMD | UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 46 - Tinted
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MDSOLARSCIENCES | Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30
MDSOLARSCIENCES | Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30
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Q: What is your best advice for someone who's struggling to find a skin routine that works for them?

Go see a board-certified dermatologist! I actually have a lot of patients who come into my office who have been trying to do things at home or from information they learned about on social media. The truth is, there are so many experts – and non-experts — out there. Anyone can just create an instagram account and say they’re a skincare expert, nutrition expert, or really call themselves an expert in anything. Board-certified dermatologists are actually trained in skin. We go through a million years of school. Sometimes I have to undo a lot of the learnings and fixed beliefs people have because somebody told them, or they saw it on Instagram or TikTok, or their mother's best friend's boyfriend's sister told them...So if you are struggling, don't wait — it's much easier to prevent acne scarring than it is to reverse it.

The other thing is that it can be very pricey to try a bunch of new things! I think it's cheaper to just see your dermatologist and actually have them evaluate your skin than it is to buy 1700 products. The amount of money that people spend is crazy, and half the time I'm like, don't use this, don’t use this, don’t use that.

Q: What do you wish people were talking more about in skincare?

That's a hard one. I would say the qualifications of who they're getting their information from. In the day of social media, it's really hard to sort through things. I see so many things showing up on my newsfeed, and I just think in my head, “wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.” It’s shocking.

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Q: Worth the splurge:

For me, it's the La Mer foundation. I got that foundation about four years ago and I've just not gone back from it! I love the way it feels, the way it smells, and the way it looks on my skin.

LA MER | The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
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Q: Favorite drugstore or budget find:

Vanicream products — I recommend them all the time. I see a lot of eczema and rosacea patients, and I myself have rosacea, and it’s a great product for sensitive skin. They have lotions, soaps, and even deodorant.

VANICREAM | Gentle Facial Cleanser
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VANICREAM | Moisturizing Cream
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VANICREAM | Moisturizing Skin Cream
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Q: Latest beauty empty:

My Elta MD sunscreen! Now, I'm just using a sample of something else that I got, haha. It's completely zinc-based which is great for sun protection, not so great for the appearance. I'm walking around very pasty, so I’ve got to order another Elta MD.

Q: Recent beauty discovery:

R+Co Bleu. They have shampoos, conditioners, and masks, and it's good for keratin-treated hair. I'm really loving the way my hair is feeling!

R+CO | Bleu De Luxe Reparative Conditioner
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R+CO | Bleu De Luxe Reparative Shampoo
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Q: Product you can’t leave home without:

CeraVe healing ointment, especially for my lips this time of year. That or Aquaphor. I always have at least five samples of each in my bag.

CERAVE | Healing Ointment
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AQUAPHOR | Touch-Free Healing Ointment
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Q: Brand you wish more people knew about:

R+Co Bleu! Try it.

For more of Dr. Jaimie Glick's favorite products, check out her shop below:

Dr. Jaimie Glick
Dr. Jaimie Glick
Jaimie Glick, M.D. is a board certified dermatologist who treats patients of all ages–including pediatric and adolescents–with a specialty in acne, rosacea, and cosmetic dermatology. She is a highly regarded, compassionate physician who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Glick earned her medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine where she was honored with the Benjamin Bender MD Award for Excellence in Clinical Dermatology. She completed her medical internship at Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and returned to SUNY Downstate for her residency in dermatology. In addition to conducting laser research in acne scarring, Dr. Glick has been published in many peer-reviewed journals, authored several book chapters and has given numerous lectures in dermatology.
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