Dr He reflects on what drew her to dermatology, the path that shaped her research into skin aging and inflammation, and the innovation she believes could transform personalized care.
We are delighted to officially welcome Dr Helen He to the Editorial Board of touchREVIEWS in Dermatology.
Based in New York, NY, USA, Dr He is Director of Lasers and Cosmetic Surgery, Co-director of the Mount Sinai-Clinique Healthy Skin Dermatology Center, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. She specializes in cosmetic and medical dermatology, with expertise in aesthetic procedures using injectables and energy-based devices for skin and hair rejuvenation.
Dr He is also a physician-scientist at the forefront of research into skin aging and inflammatory skin diseases. She studies the mechanisms of aging in healthy and inflamed skin across diverse skin types, alongside the mechanistic effects of lasers and other anti-aging treatments, and has authored numerous publications in high-impact journals, presented her research at national and international conferences, and received competitive research grants.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before completing both her Doctorate in Medicine and her dermatology training at Mount Sinai, where her final year was funded by a T32 NIH research training grant.
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To officially welcome Dr He to the Editorial Board and get to know her a little better, we invited her to reflect on what drew her to dermatology, the achievement in her career that has surprised her most, and the innovation she would most like to see brought into everyday practice. She also shares what she is most looking forward to in her new role with touchREVIEWS in Dermatology and the small moments that brighten a busy working day.
What drew you to your chosen specialty?
Dermatology is incredibly fulfilling because of the impact we can make on patients, the breadth and diversity within the field, and how quickly it evolves. I love the variety in my day, where at one moment I may be counseling a patient on their eczema or psoriasis, then next performing a surgical procedure, and later doing a laser treatment that helps someone feel more confident in their skin.
Dermatology is also a field where there is constant innovation that translates rapidly to clinical care, and I love working at that pace alongside inspiring and talented people across industry, academia, and clinical practice. I cannot think of any other specialty that allows me to make such a meaningful impact on patients in a dynamic environment while actively shaping the future of the field.
What achievements or experiences in your career to date have surprised you most?
One thing that has surprised me is how often the most meaningful opportunities happen serendipitously.
My first introduction to dermatology was in inflammatory skin diseases, coming from a background in immunology and engineering. Over time, as I developed an interest in lasers and aesthetics, I always felt that there was more to cosmetic dermatology than just skin appearance. I thought early on that there had to be some connection between inflammation and skin aging, and the term “inflammaging” was just starting to gain momentum. That concept helped to inspire the Mount Sinai-Clinique Healthy Skin Dermatology Center, where our goal was to bring more rigorous science to aesthetics and skin aging. Now, inflammaging, longevity, and regenerative medicine are among the most rapidly growing areas in dermatology. Looking back, I feel fortunate to have built a translational research program early on with mentors, teammates, and collaborators who shared my excitement for this vision to bridge clinical practice with the underlying molecular science.
If you could bring one innovation instantly into everyday practice, what would it be and why?
I would like to bring a scalable, easy-to-implement diagnostic platform that enables individualized therapy across both medical and cosmetic dermatology. As we move rapidly toward the goal of personalized medicine, I envision a single test that can capture an individual’s unique biology, from dominant hallmarks of aging to specific activated inflammatory pathways in inflammatory skin diseases, and use that to guide therapeutic selection for biologics or anti-aging interventions. A practical tool that enables us to select the right treatment for the right patient would be game-changing.
What are you most looking forward to about taking on this new role?
I am looking forward to staying more closely connected to the latest innovations and emerging research in dermatology. I am excited to bring new ideas to the forefront, contribute to conversations that shape the future of dermatology, and celebrate the scientific and clinical achievements of others in our community.
What is one small thing that always brightens a busy working day for you?
On the busiest clinic days, a simple moment of gratitude from a patient can completely reset my perspective. It may be someone telling me their hair is finally growing back, seeing their skin glowing in their wedding photos, or even just hearing that they were nervous for their appointment and that I put them at ease. Those moments help ground me in the middle of a long day and make me feel grateful and lucky that I am able to do what I do.
Cite: Bridging science and aesthetics: Dr Helen He joins the touchDERMATOLOGY Editorial Board. touchDERMATOLOGY. August 6, 2026
Disclosures: This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchDERMATOLOGY in collaboration with Dr He. Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
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