The Mom Health Q&A with top Dermatologists!
Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD Dr. Rhonda Klein, MD, MPH, FAAD
Meet the Co-founders, Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT, Co-founders, PURE BioDerm Skincare – available on Amazon Prime, at our Modern Dermatology office and on Purebioderm.com
Please tell us a bit about yourself?
When we’re not at the Modern Dermatology office, attending an industry event or training, then you’ll find us at home wrangling our families, which have a lot of similarities;
DR: I grew up in Hurleyville, New York and went on to receive my BAS and MD from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and then completed my dermatology residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where I served as Chief Resident and Director for the Yale Resident Cosmetic Clinic. Today, I live in Ridgefield, CT with my husband Dave and our four kids Dermott (13), Teagan (10), Callan (5) and Garrett (4) and our beloved Irish bulldog, Molly and our less beloved Bernapoodle, Mario.
RK: I grew up locally, in Greenwich and received my BAS in bioengineering and MD from the University of Pennsylvania and my MPH from Columbia University. I then completed my medical internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and my dermatology residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where I served as Chief Resident. After residency, I stayed at Yale for several years as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology. Today, I live in Westport, CT with my husband Gentry and our four kids Lucas (9), Tyler (8), Cameron (6) and Isla (3) and our dogs, Ella and Shami.
I view you as a guru in your field, which means you've paved a way no one previously had, or you're paving a way much different than the rest. What is your path or your journey, and what does it represent?
We first met during our Dermatology residency at Yale, where we bonded over a passion for medicine and aesthetics. From there, we both hit the ground running to develop our careers and gain experience across a variety of specialties. What I think makes our story unique, and hopefully inspiring to other women, is that we did this while simultaneously starting and growing our families and without losing sight of our goal to someday own our own practice. We’ve never held back in this male-dominated industry, both medicine and now also business.
What does health & wellness mean to you?
DR: To me it means getting my body and mind in the same place as often as possible so that you can hear your intuition and listen to it. I love my regular yoga practice for this. I find it helps me be the best mom, wife, friend and also doctor I can be.
RK: In the past few years I have really tuned into using food as medicine and paying more attention to my diet by being more plant-based as a preventative measure for disease.
We both agree the cornerstone here is SLEEP! Between late nights in medical school and four newborns along the way, we have seen our share of sleepless nights, and really there is no substitute to good rest.
Everyone needs a little“me” time, how do you practice self care?
What’s Me-Time? OK, no seriously, we don’t get much of it…but we both try to find moments of it where we can!
DR: In addition to my yoga class, I love to tune into my favorite podcasts while I’m on the plane – it’s like a meditation of sorts, and I love the inspiration and knowledge I get from them. I find myself on a plane quite often whether its traveling to industry conferences or advisory board meetings around the globe, so this is a great way to multitask relaxation and education. I also love teaching my older kids good skincare habits, so we’ll treat ourselves to face masks at home, which is fun and great QT with Teens and Pre-Teens.
RK: I love to sneak in a HydraFacial here at our office when I need a little downtime – it feels like a “productive nap” – it works wonders on your skin! I refill my cup on our family vacations, which can be exhausting with 4 kids, but are also our time to reconnect and have fun together. This year we visited Colombia, Italy, and Utah and have our eyes set on Antigua this December.
What advice would you give your younger self?
WEAR SUNSCREEN. Period. End. Of. Story.
Oh and don’t pick that zit!
What is one beauty product you can’t live without?
We agree on PURE BioDerm Antioxidant Super Serum (AM) + the PURE BioDerm Hydrating B5 Serum (AM + PM) and SPF 30+, some favorites are: Elta MD UV Clear, ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica, and Alastin Hydratint. Plus, regular HydraFacials to deep clean, nourish and reset the skin!
RK: My retinoid! Retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives that convert to retinoic acid to increase skin cell turnover rate. They’re both reparative (acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, dull skin tone/texture) and preventative (skin cancers, fine lines and wrinkles).
DR: ISDIN Melatonik – because unlike Dr. Klein I don’t tolerate retinoids well. This product is amazing for patients with sensitive skin like mine as it leverages bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to a retinoid, which acts similarly with far less irritation. It also uses melatonin to stimulate our skins natural defense to free radicals and Vitamin C, which is a powerful, multi-tasking antioxidant.
Your favorite cocktail?
DR: Champs
RK: Tequila, soda + lime juice
One guilty pleasure?
DR: Champs, as above J or deep pressure massage, helps to keep me destressed and in alignment for work.
RK: Hmmm, retail therapy? I love some of our local shops here in CT and try to be eco-friendly by shopping vintage at Roundabout, though I love to splurge at Lucy’s and Eleven 11, particularly since they deliver to my door! When I need something for a special occasion, I love Rent the Runway.
Last book or series you enjoyed?
DR: Good Night Moon (haha)
RK: My favorite book of all time is The Nightingale and I’ve been slowly reading all of Kristin Hannah’s books. For beach reading, I love all of Lauren Weisberger’s novels!
Saying or Mantra you live by?
Both: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”