Why does beauty look different in Miami than in the Midwest? Why is Korea the global leader in skincare, injectables, and advanced esthetic innovation? And are some beauty preferences universal—wired into the brain—regardless of where you’re born?

In this week’s episode of Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley, NP Jerry Drinkard, and NP Allie Ballew unpack how culture, environment, and neuroscience influence global beauty ideals.

Inside this episode, the hosts explore:

• The rise of Korean esthetics, glass-skin standards, and advanced injectables
• How the U.S. regions (Miami, Midwest, California) each shape their own beauty aesthetic
• Differences in body & intimate wellness preferences globally
• Why facial symmetry and proportion are universally attractive
• The surprising neuroscience behind how children learn what is “beautiful”
• What the team hopes to discover during their upcoming Asia esthetics tour (Hong Kong → Singapore)
• How international conferences are changing the future of U.S. injectables and skin treatments

This conversation blends education, humor, and clinical insight—perfect for injectors, estheticians, skincare experts, med spa owners, and beauty lovers curious about worldwide trends.

If you enjoy learning about culture-driven aesthetics and the science behind beauty, make sure to:

✔️ Follow the show

✔️ Leave a review

✔️ Share this episode with a fellow esthetic provider or beauty enthusiast

In this episode of Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard break down the most in-demand medications in modern weight loss and metabolic health: GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide, tirzepatide, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound.

Together, they explore how these drugs actually work, who they help most, and the unexpected ways they impact the body far beyond weight loss.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• How GLP-1 medications regulate appetite, cravings, inflammation & blood sugar
• The shift from compounded semaglutide to manufacturer-direct options
• Why some patients experience fertility changes, libido shifts, hair thinning & mood effects
• The rise of microdosing GLP-1s to reduce nausea, fatigue & muscle loss
• Anti-aging and neuroprotective research emerging around GLP-1 therapy
• Why rapid weight loss accelerates facial aging—and how Sculptra can help preserve structure
• How exercise, protein intake & body composition affect long-term results

Whether you're a patient using GLP-1 therapy or a provider prescribing it, this episode offers evidence-based insight, real patient experiences, and practical solutions for navigating side effects and treatment longevity.

Follow Beauty & The Brain for weekly conversations on aesthetic medicine, regenerative wellness, weight-loss science, and the future of medical aesthetics.

GLP-1, semaglutide, tirzepatide, Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, medical weight loss, aesthetic medicine, Sculptra, microdosing GLP-1

Do “pretty people” really have an advantage in life, work, and relationships? In this episode of Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard unpack the psychology, neuroscience, and cultural patterns behind beauty bias — the unconscious (and sometimes unfair) preference society gives to more attractive individuals.

You’ll hear real-world examples from the exam room to the workplace, plus surprising research on how facial symmetry, grooming, hair color, and even skin tone influence trustworthiness, leadership perceptions, hiring decisions, and sentencing severity. They also explore how beauty standards vary across cultures, how social media reinforces appearance-driven expectations, and whether medical aesthetics fuels confidence or pressure.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain faces are universally seen as “beautiful,” how injectables play into modern beauty ideals, or why blondes are perceived differently than brunettes, this episode delivers science-backed answers with humor and nuance.

Topics Include:

• How beauty bias forms — even in childhood

• Why symmetry & even skin tone influence perceived health

• How grooming affects job interviews & first impressions

• Do attractive people get better career opportunities?

• Why beauty helps men professionally but works against some women

• Regional & cultural differences in beauty standards

• Are blondes seen as less intelligent?

• How aesthetic treatments enhance presentation & confidence

Whether you’re an injector, beauty professional, or simply fascinated by social psychology, this conversation offers data-driven insight into how aesthetics shape our lives.

This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley, NP Jerry Drinkard, and NP Allie Ballew tackle common aesthetic misconceptions—perfect for Halloween season.

From the fear that Botox is toxic or “kills empathy,” to worries that dermal filler always looks fake, the hosts break down the science behind the most persistent myths in cosmetic medicine. They also explore Vampire Facial & Vampire Facelift (PRP) treatments, collagen-stimulating procedures, platelet-derived growth factors, and how expectations differ across age groups and skin quality.

Whether you’re an injector, beauty professional, or just curious about regenerative aesthetics, this episode offers clear, practical insight into the truth behind non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

✅ Topics Covered

• Botox “poison” + safety myths
• Neurotoxins + empathy claims
• Will filler make you look overdone?
• Understanding Vampire Facials + PRP
• Collagen stimulation + timelines
• Platelet-derived growth factor (ariessence)
• Does Botox affect sexual function?
• Do you have to keep getting Botox forever?

✅ Featured Procedures

• Botox / Dysport / Xeomin
• Hyaluronic acid filler
• PRP / PDGF
• Vampire Facial & Vampire Facelift
• Microneedling

New episodes every week — subscribe + leave a review!

#Aesthetics #BeautyAndTheBrainPodcast #BotoxFacts #DermalFillers #PRP #RegenerativeAesthetics #VampireFacial #SkinHealth #CosmeticSafety

In this episode, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard tackle one of the biggest controversies in aesthetics right now — PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor). Is it a breakthrough or a legal gray zone? From under-eye rejuvenation to hair growth and even sexual wellness, this episode breaks down what PDGF is, how it compares to PRP and PRF, and why it has injectors across the country debating safety, science, and ethics.

💉 You’ll learn:

• What PDGF actually does in the skin
• The difference between topical and injectable use
• Reported results (and side effects) from real providers
• Why safety and science must always come first

Whether you’re an injector, provider, or curious listener, this candid conversation gives you the facts, the risks, and the real-world experience behind the hype.

Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, hosts of Beauty & The Brain, sit down to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we work, think, and even connect emotionally. In this first part of a two-part series, they unpack the rise of AI therapy, AI relationships, and how platforms like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Podium’s Avery are already influencing both business and personal life.

Guest Ashley, a Navy mom, shares her experience using AI as a therapy tool—from parenting challenges to emotional support—revealing both the comfort and limitations of relying on a machine for understanding and guidance.

Listeners will gain insights into the psychology of AI companionship, the ethics of digital intimacy, and how AI technology is already woven into daily life—whether we realize it or not.

🧠 In This Episode:

• How AI therapy and chatbots provide emotional support
• Real patient stories using AI for mental health and stress relief
• AI in medspa business operations and marketing
• The blurred line between connection and code
• Preview of Part Two: AI intimacy and digital relationships

Is “crunchy” the new cool — or just confusing? 🥦💉

In this lively episode of Beauty & The Brain, hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard are joined by Allie Ballew, NP, for a candid conversation about crunchy culture, clean living, and where we all draw the line between “natural” and “necessary.”

They unpack the modern contradictions we all live with — from drinking Diet Coke and loving street hot dogs to choosing clean skincare and toxin-free beauty. The trio dives deep into what “natural” really means in the aesthetic industry and how patients often confuse natural results with natural ingredients.

💡 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• 🌿 What “crunchy living” means (and who really qualifies)
• 🧴 The truth behind “clean beauty” and “natural injectables”
• 💉 How patients decide what’s “safe” or “toxic” in aesthetics
• 🍔 Why some unhealthy habits are just worth it
• 🧠 How social media, celebrity marketing, and “Dr. ChatGPT” shape modern health beliefs

Whether you’re a provider trying to navigate patient preferences or a consumer striving for balance, this episode will help you see that wellness is personal — and it’s okay to pick your battles.

🎙️ Subscribe for more real, relatable conversations on aesthetics, wellness, beauty culture, and modern medicine.

What happens when life forces you to reinvent yourself? In this empowering episode of Beauty & The Brain, hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard sit down with Lori McDowell, a PhD chemical engineer turned mindset coach, author, and retreat planner.

After three decades in the corporate world, Lori shares how being fired became her greatest gift — launching her into a purpose-driven chapter helping others overcome fear, reframe limiting beliefs, and rediscover joy through her book The Reinvention Mindset.

You’ll learn:

• 🔄 How to reframe fear and turn uncertainty into opportunity
• 💡 Why reinvention at any age can unlock your happiest chapter
• 🧠 The power of mindset coaching, belief, and higher purpose
• 🌴 How transformational retreats can change your life and business
• ✨ Lori’s journey from STEM to spirituality, blending science with soul

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, provider, or simply craving a reset, this episode is packed with inspiration to help you reinvent your mindset, reimagine your future, and rewrite your story.

🎙️ Subscribe for more expert conversations on aesthetics, wellness, business growth, and personal transformation.

Go Follow Lori on her socials and check out her website!

IG: @lori.mcdowell.5

Website: https://reimagineu.net/about-us/

Struggling with sagging jowls or a jawline that’s lost its definition? In this episode of Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard break down everything you need to know about non-surgical jowl treatments and jawline contouring options.

From Sculptra® for collagen stimulation, to Ultherapy® skin tightening, plasma resurfacing with PLEXR® and NeoGen®, PDO thread lifts, dermal fillers, and even Kybella® for fat reduction, they cover the latest anti-aging procedures that can lift, tighten, and rejuvenate the lower face—without going under the knife.

You’ll also learn:

• Why rapid weight loss (GLP-1 medications) can make jowls worse
• How combination therapy delivers the most natural jawline results
• The real cost and downtime comparison: facelift vs. non-surgical treatments
• Common mistakes (like overfilling the jawline) that can actually make you look older

Whether you’re curious about jawline sculpting in your 30s or weighing your options before a facelift, this episode is packed with insight on how to restore definition, confidence, and youthful balance to your face.

In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Beauty & The Brain, co-hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard sit down with fellow provider and fan-favorite guest Allie Ballew to unpack the rising influence of podcasting in aesthetic medicine, wellness marketing, and patient education.

Whether you're a skincare enthusiast, medical injector, or podcast lover, this episode dives into:

• Why more patients are turning to podcasts for aesthetic treatment education
• The difference between short-form and long-form podcast content—and what listeners really prefer
• How Beauty & The Brain balances expert education and relatable conversation
• Our favorite podcasts (from The Toast to Call Her Daddy to Unreasonable Hospitality) and what makes them stick
• The power of video podcasting, facial expressions, and YouTube for building trust and connection
• How we choose guests, prep content, and handle edits with authenticity in mind

You'll also hear candid takes on listener feedback, TikTok-length attention spans, and the evolution of Beauty & The Brain into a trusted resource for both consumers and providers in the aesthetic space.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to get to know the voices—and real personalities—behind Skin & Tonic Med Spa in Pace, Florida.

📲 Want to be featured on the show? DM us @skinand_tonic or email [email protected] We're always looking for inspiring guests in the world of medical aesthetics, wellness, entrepreneurship, and beauty innovation.