Treatment Room Secrets Podcast: What Your Skin Says About Your Immune System | Featuring Dr. Ebru KarpuzogluIn this episode of the Treatment Room Secrets Podcast, host Dani Marks is joined by immunologist and molecular medicine expert Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu—known affectionately in the episode as Dr. Ebru—for an eye-opening conversation about the surprising links between inflammation, stress, the immune system, and skin health.Dr. Ebru shares her personal journey from the lab bench to launching her own skincare brand, Aveseena, after struggling with stress-induced cystic acne during her PhD years. With a background in immunology and a passion for translating scientific research into real-world solutions, she explains how our immune system works like a private army, how inflammation plays a vital role in both healing and harm, and why chronic stress can wreak havoc on both our internal systems and our skin.Throughout the episode, the conversation explores why inflammation isn’t always a bad thing, how the skin acts as a dynamic immune organ, and how many of today’s mainstream skincare products fail to address the root causes of irritation. Dr. Ebru also discusses how most people unknowingly overload their skin with too many products, and why simplified, multifunctional formulations—built on science—can often achieve better, longer-lasting results.With clarity, humor, and deep knowledge, Dr. Ebru breaks down complex concepts like inflammaging, cytokine signaling, and the skin microbiome in a way that’s easy to understand and immediately useful. She also touches on the widespread fear-mongering and misinformation in the beauty industry and why choosing skincare products should be based on facts, not marketing.Whether you're a therapist, a skincare professional, or simply curious about the science behind your skin’s behavior, this episode offers valuable insights and plenty of “aha” moments.To learn more about Dr. Ebru’s work and her science-based skincare products, visit www.aveseena.com.Chapters:(Timestamps are approximate and should be adjusted once the episode is uploaded)01:42 – Understanding the immune system as your body’s defense force05:30 – Estrogen, inflammation, and the female immune response09:00 – The Braveheart analogy: Visualizing immune cells in action12:15 – Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic on immunity15:00 – Dr. Abru’s battle with cystic acne and skincare frustration18:20 – Why skin is more than just a barrier—it’s an immune organ22:40 – How chronic stress drives “inflammaging”27:10 – Acute vs. chronic inflammation explained31:05 – Why most skincare is designed to look good, not do good34:40 – How Dr. Abru began formulating her own products39:55 – Are we healing or suppressing symptoms?44:20 – The truth about preservatives and skincare myths49:00 – How stress undermines immunity (and how to stop it)52:30 – Skin as a mirror for internal imbalance57:10 – Rethinking skincare in the indie beauty space1:01:00 – What Dr. Abru changed her mind about over the years1:03:20 – Where to find Aveseena and connect with Dr. Abru