Beauty is a Bitch

Did this past summer leave your skin struggling more than usual? Even with diligent sunscreen use, did you notice more “sun” spots than you typically do? You’re not alone. Hyperpigmentation hit an all-time high this year. But what you might think is sun damage could actually be melasma—or maybe even a mix of both. So how can you tell the difference? That’s what we’re diving into this week.

I thought the extra brown spots I was seeing were just sun damage, but as my guest explained, they were actually melasma—a condition triggered by heat, not just UV rays.

I’m joined by the incredibly knowledgeable Sharon Grasso, LME, CLT, and founder of Permanent Touch Cosmetics. With over 25 years of experience in aesthetics, medical micropigmentation, and laser treatments, Sharon is a true expert. She’s been working with Sciton aesthetic laser devices since 2004 and holds certifications in multiple light therapy and laser modalities.

In this episode, we break down how to distinguish between melasma and sun damage, the most effective treatments for each, whether melasma can be cured, if topical treatments actually work, and how to find the right provider for your needs. Tune in for all the insights on how to tackle hyperpigmentation once and for all!

Can our workouts actually be contributing to our anxiety? And if we already struggle with anxiety, could certain exercises make it worse? Believe it or not, some workouts may cause more stress than they relieve.

Molly McNamee, an online fitness coach and founder of MFit Workouts, believes the key to looking and feeling your best lies in managing your stress. Having dealt with high-functioning anxiety herself, Molly discovered that traditional exercise routines often worsened her symptoms. Her mission is to raise awareness and empower women to manage anxiety through mindful, therapeutic workouts.

Join Lauren and Molly as they dive into which types of workouts can increase stress, how misinformation in the wellness community adds to our anxiety, the impact of social media, and the not-so-obvious signs your fitness routine might be too stressful for you. They also explore: how stress and hormones affect weight loss; why ‘less is more’ when it comes to exercise; and the crucial ingredient to a workout routine that improves both mental health and physical results; plus so much more.

Show Notes:

Website: mollymcnamee.com

Instagram: @mfit.workouts

Burnout. The struggle is real. If you feel simultaneously tired and wired, yet struggle with sleep at night, or if the activities that once brought you joy now feel like chores…you could be experiencing burnout. In our fast-paced world, feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and detached has become all too common.

Burnout in midlife is a bit different. This stage of life can be particularly challenging due to various factors such as career pressures, caregiving responsibilities for both children and aging parents, and the physical and psychological changes associated with aging. But there are things you can do to take on burnout head-on.

In this special solo episode, I’ll share the 7 warning signs of midlife burnout, 7 things you can do to address it and what I am personally doing about it. Because yes, I am burned out, and am finally acknowledging it.

Stay tuned for a special announcement at the end of this short episode.

Here are some previous podcasts that should not be missed. Enjoy your “summer listening” list.

S6 E2 What To Do About Midlife Burnout with Dr. Haley Perlus

S5 E15  Cutting Through The Confusion About Menopause With Dr. Kelly Casperson

S7 E3 How To Get Deep Sleep Without Medication in Midlife with Morgan Adams

S4 E7 How To Rewrite Your Food Story and Unfu*k Your Relationship With Food With Elise Museles

S6 E13 How Environmental Pollutants Are Affecting Our Health with Clayton Thomas

S5 E12 What We Can Do To De-Age Internally and Externally With Jan Marini

S3 E15 Top Tips For Aging Well With Dr. Vonda Wright

S5 E1 Leaving Your Mark and Changing Careers In Midlife with Aliza Licht

S5 E6 How To Feed Your Skin For Radiant Aging With Dr. Mark Tager

S4 E13 Midlife Bites! You’re Not Alone If You Feel You’re Falling Apart With Jen Mann

Welcome to the 100th episode of Beauty is a Bitch!  It would seem dementia is on the rise, and that is a scary realization. The truth is, women have a greater risk of developing dementia during their lifetime. In fact, around twice as many women have Alzheimer’s disease – the most common type of dementia – compared to men. The main reason for this greater risk is because women live longer than men, and old age is the biggest risk factor for this disease. However, other factors also play a role.

Some of these risks can be mitigated, which begs the question, “What can we do for better brain health?”

Health coach Susan Saunders, specializes in helping women over 50 reduce dementia risk and optimize brain health through science-backed habits. She is the author of three books on healthy aging and longevity, with her most recent being The Power Decade: How to Thrive After Menopause.

Susan holds a high-level qualification as a dementia prevention coach under the guidance of neuroscientist Dr. Dale Bredesen, author of The End of Alzheimer’s. She was among the first in the UK to qualify as a coach in his program. Susan has successfully coached hundreds of people globally, helping them build habits scientifically proven to reduce dementia risk.

Book: The Power Decade: how to thrive after menopause

Website: Susan Saunders Health

Instagram: @susansuandershealth

Susan’s 12 tips for better brain health every day

Midlife women are finally beginning to talk about everything, so why not poop? After all, eveybody poops. But as we get older it gets harder to to eliminate, especially when we travel. Why? Well we are going to discuss the digestive issues that could be causing the problem and what to do about it.

Dr. Roshini Raj is a distinguished alumna of Harvard College and NYU School of Medicine. She holds dual roles as a board-certified gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Beyond her thriving medical practice, she has carved a successful path as a television personality and medical journalist.

In 2015, Dr. Raj ventured into skincare entrepreneurship, founding TULA Skincare, a line rooted in probiotics and available at prominent retailers like Ulta Beauty, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tula.com, Amazon and QVC.

She serves as a trusted contributor on renowned programs such as TODAY, Inside Edition, Dr. Oz, Rachael Ray, CNN and Fox News. She has also made notable appearances on The Talk, The View, Live with Kelly and Michael, AC360, CNN Tonight, The Doctors, NBC News and more. Additionally, she contributes as the medical editor for Health Magazine and is a sought-after source for national publications like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Raj is also an accomplished author, known for her books “What the Yuck? The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body” (Oxmoor House, 2010) and “Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health from the Inside Out.”

Join Lauren and Dr. Raj as the discuss: the common stomach aliments that happen when traveling; what’s causing them; 5 tips to alleviate travel digestive issues; how jet lag affects your gut; what is YayDay and how it helps; and so much more.

YayDay: myyayday.com

Instagram: @drroshiniraj

Book: What the Yuck?: The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body

Book: Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health from the Inside Out

Is plastic surgery the latest sector to be engulfed by the AI revolution, from the latest TikTok filters to other AI-generated images? TikTok boasts thousands of filters capable of altering eye color, rejuvenating appearance, or smoothing facial features, among others. These AI enhancements offer a glimpse into potential real-life changes through plastic surgery. But what ramifications will AI’s ultimate impact have on the field of plastic surgery?

Dr. Hani Sinno, an esteemed plastic and cosmetic surgeon located in Montreal, provides a transformative experience at his upscale clinic, Victoria Park Medispa. Influenced by his experiences witnessing the repercussions of war-related injuries, Dr. Sinno specializes in reconstructive surgery, with a focus on aiding breast cancer survivors. Renowned for his dedication to achieving natural-looking results and prioritizing patient-centered care, he has become a highly sought-after authority in procedures such as rhinoplasty and facelifts. With extensive training from McGill University and Harvard, Dr. Sinno’s blend of expertise and compassionate approach has consistently placed him among Canada’s leading plastic surgeons for over five years.

Please join Lauren and Dr. Sinno for a lively discussion about: how AI is transforming/influencing plastic surgery; is AI leading to body dysmorphia where people can no longer see the difference between real and fake?; how Dr. Sinno balances patient requests with what would work best for them aesthetically; if patients now have extreme requests from AI filters; the most current trends Dr. Sinno now sees in his practice; other ways in which social media and social media filters affect plastic surgery, and more.

Website: drhanisinno.com

Instagram: @drhanisinno

YouTube: youtube.com/HaniSinno

Facebook: facebook.com/drhanisinno

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It serves as a protective barrier between our internal organs and the outside world. Despite its vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being, we tend to abuse it the most. And it’s not just sun, environmental aggressors and skincare that damage the skin either. It’s also what we are putting into our bodies that’s reflecting on the outside.

Leigh Brandon boasts over twenty years of expertise as a functional medicine practitioner and a renowned authority on skin health. His profound journey from grappling with severe cystic acne to emerging as a prominent advocate for holistic wellness is evident in his book titled “Eliminate Adult Acne for Good.” This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights into enhancing skin health from the inside out, reflecting Brandon’s dedication to empowering individuals on their path to clear and radiant skin.

As an author, podcaster, and esteemed member of The CHEK Institute Faculty, Leigh Brandon disseminates his expertise worldwide, encouraging individuals to adopt an integrated approach to health and wellness. Through his various platforms, Leigh inspires audiences globally to prioritize holistic well-being and embark on a journey towards optimal health.

Join Lauren and Leigh as they engage in a discussion about: why a skin-friendly diet is not one-size-fits-all; what we should NOT be eating for optimal skin health; what we SHOULD be eating, why mindset is so important; Leigh’s own journey with skin health and how it effected him personally; the four main causes of adult acne and how to take steps today to improve your skin.

Book: Eliminating Adult Acne For Good

Website: eliminateadultacne.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@adultacnepodcast

Facebook: facebook.com/eliminateadultacne

Instagram: @adultacnepod

X: @AdultAcnePod

We have touched on sleep before but it still eludes many of us in midlife. So we can always learn more! Even if we have tried to improve our sleep hygiene, bedtime routines and have done “all the things” we can still become desperate. Therefore, some of us have turned to sleeping pills and aids which can become highly addictive. So what are the alternatives?

Morgan Adams is a transformative holistic sleep coach who empowers women to conquer their battle with sleepless nights, without reliance on sleep medications. She guides them in rekindling their relationship with sleep, paving the way for less stressful and more fulfilling days. Having struggled herself with insomnia and dependency on prescription sleeping pills for almost a decade, she knows intimately the profound impact sleep has on one’s quality of life.

Join Lauren and Morgan as they talk about: the disadvantages of sleeping pills; evidence-based alternatives; the pros and cons of sleep trackers; the importance of morning and evening routines and what they look like; 3 impactful and free ways to improve your sleep; the constructive worry technique; and why sleep divorces, while popular, are not always the best solution.

Website: morganadamswellness.com

Free “Sleep Reset” Mini Course: morganadamswellness.com/sleepresetsolution

Instagram: @morganadams.wellness

Did you know 50+ million women in the US and nearly 1 billion globally are expected to experience menopause by 2025? If you are a woman in midlife, you already know how much menopause can wreak havoc on many aspects of your life both physically and emotionally. But what does it do specifically to our skin? It goes beyond sagging and crepiness. It can affect your confidence. Luckily because this is now recognized as a booming sector, there are many new skincare products on and entering the market daily. But do they work?

Helen Marray-Finlay is a highly accomplished Hollywood makeup artist, skincare expert and menopause advocate with over 20 years of experience. Her portfolio includes blockbuster movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, and TV shows including Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Modern Family, Barry and The Goldbergs.

In 2020 Helen founded Finlay+Green, driven by her personal experience and frustration with the lack of effective options for menopausal women specifically tailored for their needs. In August of 2023 Finlay+Green launched their skin revitalizing moisturizer to address the unique needs of skin during the menopausal transition.

Please join Lauren and Helen as they discuss: what menopause does to our skin; why today’s youth are so afraid of aging; the ways menopause can affect our mental health and confidence; ways in which we feel good in our skin and remain body positive; what we can do for anti-aging prevention; makeup tips for midlife; and recommended resources for discussing menopause with loved ones.

Enjoy a discount! Use the code “FNT20” for 20% off at Finlay+Green

Website: finlayandgreen.com

Instagram: @finlayandgreen

Instagram: @helenmarrayfinlay

Let’s Talk Menopause: letstalkmenopause.org

According to the latest research, life expectancy has risen dramatically, increasing 26 years since the mid-20th century. However our healthspan (healthy years free of disease) has not followed suit. There is a significant gap between our lifespan and healthspan driven by the pandemic of chronic diseases afflicting a growing aging population.

The current overburdened and reactive health care system is compounding this lag in quality of life, where health risks linger for years and are detected late. The age-old quest for healthy longevity begins with predictive healthcare. And while AI may seem a bit scary to us GenXers, its potential could prove very helpful when it comes to analyzing biomarkers on healthspan and longevity.

Jim Kean CEO of Molecular You, is a pioneering senior tech executive with a focus on innovative, disruptive, consumer-oriented health and wellness digital experiences. The consistent theme: creating user delight, loyalty, and retention while fundamentally re-engineering the cost of delivery. He founded WellnessFx and played a significant role in online health communities as President of Sapient Health Network, which later merged with WebMD.

Join Lauren and Jim as they examine: how we can feel more at ease with AI; how AI can help with our healthcare; how IA is it being used right now; how AI can help bridge the gap between healthspan and longevity; how AI’s role is shifting from reactive healthcare to proactive healthcare; how Molecular You assess an individual’s distinct blood profile to anticipate potential health risks and catch chronic diseases early; how blood test results should be used; success stories using AI in healthcare and so much more.

If we are living to be centenarians, wouldn’t those extra years be better if we were to age well and not just age?

Website: molecularyou.com

News: globenewswire.com

Instagram: instagram.com/molecularyou

LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/molecular-you

Facebook: facebook.com/molecularyoucorp