What worked for your skin in winter might actually be working against you in summer.

In this episode of Over 50 & Frank, Shannon sits down with skincare expert Hari Prakash, founder of Prakash Organics, to break down how your skincare routine should shift as the seasons change, especially for women over 45.

From retinoids and chemical peels to exfoliation and sun protection, they cover what to pause, what to replace, and how to protect your skin while still getting results.

If your skin suddenly feels more sensitive, reactive, or harder to manage as the weather warms up, this episode explains why and what to do about it.

What We Cover in This Episode

Why retinoids should be paused or cycled during summer
How exfoliation needs to change as temperatures rise
The role of dead skin cells in natural sun protection
Bakuchiol as a gentler alternative to retinol
Why chemical peels and summer don’t mix
Micro-needling vs. at-home micro-channeling
The most important steps in a summer skincare routine
How to support collagen while protecting your skin barrier

Key Takeaways

Retinoids increase sun sensitivity and are best used seasonally
Over-exfoliating in summer can damage your skin barrier
Bakuchiol offers similar benefits to retinol without sun sensitivity
Chemical peels should be avoided during high sun exposure monthsSunscreen is the most important anti-aging product you can use
Simpler routines are often more effective, especially in warmer months

Recommended Products & Links

Demme Rae Skincare: Luxe Drop  

Cosmedix 

DRMTLGY Growth Factor Serum 

DRMTLGY Tinted Moisturizer  

RoC Vitamin C Eye Balm  

Dr. Melaxin Eye Treatment 

Prakash Organics Code: Shannon for 15% off

OKOA Matrixyl 3000 Micro-Infusion Roller

Guest
Hari Prakash, Founder of Prakash Organics and skincare expert focused on ingredient integrity, skin barrier health, and effective, simplified routines. https://prakashog.com/ and @https://www.instagram.com/prakash.og/

In this episode of Over 50 Frank, Shannon sits down with beauty and fashion creator Sarah to talk about a topic many women experience but rarely discuss openly: hair loss.

Sarah shares her journey from noticing thinning hair to being diagnosed with LPP (Lichen Planopilaris), a genetic condition that causes inflammation on the scalp. After trying multiple treatments with little success, she found real results with a targeted scalp serum.

They also cover what didn’t work, a funny (and cautionary) minoxidil side effect, and practical tips like double cleansing your hair to improve volume. One theme comes through loud and clear: consistency matters.

Sarah reminds listeners that hair loss can be temporary and encourages paying attention to early signs like shedding in your brush.

Links & Resources Mentioned

Hair Care Products & Serums:

• Divi Scalp Serum
• Viviscal Hair Supplements

Health & Wellness Supplements:

• Mochi Health (Telehealth for GLP-1 and hair treatments)
• Gruns Daily (Gummy vitamins)
• Moon Brew (Sleep and fiber gummies)

Methods & Influencers:

• Abby Young Hair Method
• Sara's Instagram

In this episode, Shannon is joined by skincare expert Hari-Prakash, the founder of Prakash Organics, to discuss the reality of popular skincare trends versus effective marketing strategies. The conversation focuses on helping listeners shop smarter and understand what they are applying to their skin.

The discussion highlights several trending skincare ingredients and practices, evaluating their effectiveness:

• PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide): While effective when injected through mesotherapy, topical PDRN is largely a marketing trend because the molecules are too large to penetrate the skin.

• NAD Skincare: Described as a scam due to a lack of human trials proving its efficacy when applied topically. It is a large molecule that cannot easily enter cells; using precursors like niacinamide is recommended instead.

• Beef Tallow: While it acts as an occlusive to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL), it is often refined beyond recognition, losing its nutrients. It is similar in function to petroleum jelly but is frequently misrepresented in social media marketing for its healing properties.

• Collagen Supplements: These are effective for joint, hair, and skin health, but only if taken consistently—at least five times a week.

• Matrixyl 3000: A legitimate, patented peptide backed by studies, though consumers should ensure the product uses a therapeutic level and ideally the most updated version.

• Volufiline: A legitimate ryome-based ingredient that can help improve tissue plumpness by approximately 10–28%, provided it is used religiously.

• Reedles vs. Spicules: Spicules are natural skeletons of sea sponges used in peels to help ingredients penetrate. Reedles are a synthetic, man-made version designed to mimic this effect.

• Vegan Growth Factors: Often a marketing term for lab-derived growth factors. Lab-derived growth factors are effective, and many high-quality options exist at various price points.

• Serum Sprays: Often consist of mostly water and glycols. While they may provide antioxidant benefits, they are generally not unique or clinically powerful enough to treat major skin concerns like dark spots.Connect with the Guest
  • Hari Prakash: Founder of Prakash Organics
  • Website: https://prakashog.com/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prakash.og/
  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prakash.og
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prakashorganics
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@prakashog

Plastic surgery is one of those topics people have strong opinions about.

But in midlife, the conversation often becomes more complicated than simply being “for” or “against” it.

In this episode of Over 50 & Frank, Shannon Hinderberger (Frank) sits down with returning guest Linda Wolfe to have a candid conversation about cosmetic procedures, aging, body image, and personal choice.

Linda openly shares her experience with several procedures including a facelift, brow lift, tummy tuck, and breast reduction and lift. She explains how those decisions impacted her confidence, her body, and how she feels getting dressed every day.

Shannon, who has lost significant weight, talks about the internal debate she’s having around loose skin and whether visiting a plastic surgeon is the right next step.

Together they explore the pressure women feel to “fix” themselves, the difference between empowerment and expectation, and how their perspectives on cosmetic procedures have changed as they’ve gotten older.

This episode is not about telling women what they should do. It’s about having an honest conversation about the decisions many women quietly consider after 50.

• Loose skin after weight loss and the emotional side of considering surgery
• Linda’s early plastic surgery experience and how it stopped bullying
• The life-changing impact of a tummy tuck and breast reduction
• How to think about the timing of surgery and reaching your ideal weight first
• Why breast reduction is one of the most satisfying procedures for many women
• The financial reality of cosmetic procedures and how people budget for them
• The recovery process that surgeons don’t always fully explain
• The importance of understanding your motivation before making a decision

• Cosmetic procedures can be deeply personal decisions
• Being clear about why you want surgery matters
• Loose skin after weight loss is a common struggle
• Recovery can be more difficult than many people expect
• Confidence after midlife can look different for every woman

Linda Wolfe
Content creator and returning guest on Over 50 & Frank. Linda shares openly about midlife weight loss, body image,

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If this episode sparked a conversation for you, share it with a friend navigating similar midlife decisions.

In this episode of Over 50 and Frank, host Shannon (also known as Frank) welcomes back Dr. Myra, the CEO of Mochi Health. They dive into the critical intersection of GLP-1 medications and perimenopause, discussing how this life stage impacts metabolism and the body's response to meds like Ozempic and Zepbound. This conversation is about getting informed choices without "blame, shame, or outdated advice".123

Key Discussion Points:

• GLP-1s and Hormones: Losing weight using GLP-1 medications helps to release estrogen and testosterone that are trapped in fat cells, which can help bring hormone levels back to normal. Patients often notice differences in sleep or see their menstrual cycles resume.45
• Menopause and Inflammation: Menopause involves changing levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can impact bone turnover and general bone inflammation. The speakers note an uptick in autoimmune diseases around the start of menopause age.67
• GLP-1s and Autoimmune Conditions: The speakers share anecdotal evidence of GLP-1s improving inflammation, including one family member who had to stop taking their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medication because their inflammation and joint pain improved so much.8
• HRT and GLP-1s: Women can safely use GLP-1s and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) together. Patients who use both report improvements in weight loss, sleep quality, skin, and mood.910
• The GLP-1 "Starter Pack": Dr. Myra suggests three essential tools for women in perimenopause starting a GLP-1:11
  • A good water bottle for hydration.12
  • Magnesium to help with potential GI side effects. The form of magnesium that is easiest for the patient to consume is recommended.1314
  • Ginger juice for nausea symptoms, especially when starting the medication.15
• The Host's Starter Pack Additions: Shannon, the host, suggests three more items that were not initially told to her when she started GLP-1s:16
  • Lifting weights.17
  • Taking a multivitamin.17
  • Prioritizing protein.17
• Mochi Health's Micro-Dosing Program: This new program is for anyone who needs GLP-1s outside of strictly treating obesity, such as managing an autoimmune condition or aiming for a much smaller dose for weight loss.18
• The Future of GLP-1s: There is hope that GLP-1s will be useful for other conditions, including opiate use disorder and other addictions. Eli Lilly is working on a new drug specifically for alcohol and drug abuse.1920

Guest: Dr. Myra Ahmed from Mochi Health. To save $40 off your first month with Mochi Health go here: https://app.joinmochi.com/eligibility?ptcode=3dud17

Losing the weight is one thing. Living in a new body is another. In this episode of Over 50 & Frank, Shannon and returning guest Linda Wolfe talk about the social shifts, hair loss, loose skin, and unexpected emotional challenges that come after major weight loss.

• How friendships can shift after major weight loss
• Being perceived differently by family and longtime friends
• The social impact of no longer being the “food buddy”
• Public reactions to GLP-1 use
• Hair loss after weight loss and menopause
• Nizoral shampoo and 5% minoxidil for regrowth
• Hair toppers and how to choose one
• Loose skin and dressing a new body
• Relearning confidence after 50

• Weight loss changes more than your body
• Social dynamics may shift in unexpected ways
• Hair loss is common and treatable
• Confidence often requires a mental reset, not just a physical one
• Midlife is an opportunity to redefine who you are

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If this episode resonated, share it with a friend navigating midlife weight loss or body changes.

Hormone Replacement Therapy. Three words that still carry a lot of fear.

In this episode of Over 50 & Frank, Shannon dives into one of the most controversial and misunderstood topics in midlife women’s health: HRT. Is it safe? Who is it for? What changed after the early 2000s studies? And why are so many women still being told “hormones are dangerous” without updated context?

Dr. Myra Ahmed from Mochi Health walks through the legacy of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study and how it created decades of hesitation among providers. She explains how much of that messaging has since been clarified or walked back, yet the fear remains deeply embedded in the medical system.

This episode explores:

• Why so many women are suffering through symptoms unnecessarily
• The difference between perimenopause and menopause treatment
• The role of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
• Why “it’s just stress” is often an incomplete answer
• How to find a provider who understands hormone therapy
• Who may not be a candidate for HRT
• Why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution
  

Shannon also shares her perspective as a Gen X woman watching her generation become “the bridge” — the ones asking questions our mothers didn’t know to ask and demanding better answers for ourselves and our daughters.

This conversation isn’t about convincing you to take hormones. It’s about making sure you have accurate information so you can decide what’s right for you.

Because midlife isn’t meant to be endured in silence.

• The real history behind the HRT black box warning
• Why providers are still hesitant
• Symptoms that often respond well to hormone therapy
• Panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety, and libido changes
• Bone health, muscle mass, and cognitive protection
• When lifestyle changes aren’t enough
• The importance of personalized treatment

• Hormone therapy is not the same as it was framed 20 years ago
• Many women are good candidates for HRT
• Fear-based medicine still lingers
• You deserve a provider who listens
• You don’t have to live in survival mode

Guest: Dr Myra Ahmed, founder, Mochi Health,

To get started with Mochi Health for HRT, GLP-1 or skin care, go here.

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If this episode answered questions you’ve been quietly carrying, share it with a friend who needs better information too.

In this episode of Over 50 & Frank, Shannon, also known as “Frank” when she drops the filter, is joined by writer Kerry Chaput for a conversation about perimenopause, panic attacks, and the brave, defiant women from history who can help us reframe midlife as a beginning, not an ending.

Kerry shares what it’s been like to be in the thick of perimenopause, including experiencing severe panic attacks before realizing hormones were the cause. Together, Shannon and Kerry reflect on how symptoms like panic attacks, joint pain, and sleep disruption were rarely discussed for previous generations, and how many women suffered without knowing these changes were normal.

The conversation expands into Kerry’s lifelong passion for uncovering women whose stories were erased from history. She shares why she committed to writing about “badass women” at midlife and how these stories offer powerful perspective for women navigating change today.

They discuss historical figures who inspire Kerry, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Virginia Hall, and Martha Gellhorn, and what their courage teaches us about resilience, empathy, and refusing to comply with the limits placed on women.

Kerry also talks about her new novel, The Secret Courtesan, releasing February 10, and why reclaiming women’s stories still matters.

This episode is about curiosity, courage, and becoming more fully yourself in midlife.

• Perimenopause symptoms no one warned us about
• Panic attacks and hormones
• Why women’s stories were erased from history
• What makes a truly “badass” woman
• Midlife as a turning point, not a decline
• Changing the conversation for the next generation

Kerry Chaput
Author of Chasing Eleanor and The Secret Courtesan (out Feb 10) You can purchase the book here.

Instagram | Website | Substack

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Is it stress, burnout, or perimenopause? In this episode of Over 50 & Frank, Shannon and menopause expert Alyssa Abbey unpack the questions women are Googling at 2:00 a.m. and explain why so many midlife symptoms are misunderstood, dismissed, or misdiagnosed.

• Why menopause is being talked about again now
• The long shadow of the 2002 WHI study
• Perimenopause vs stress and why it’s often both
• Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and panic attacks as hormone symptoms
• What perimenopause actually is and when it starts
• The role of testosterone loss in midlife symptoms
• Treatment options including HRT and lifestyle support
• FDA changes to HRT warnings and why confusion remains

Alyssa Abbey, PA-C
Precision Skin and Hormone
https://www.precisionskinandhormone.com/
https://www.instagram.com/precisionskinandhormone/
Location: Bend OR
Phone: 541-241-3955

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What We Cover in This Episode

Simple skincare routines for women over 40 and 50

Morning and nighttime “non-negotiables”

How and when to use retinol

Estriol cream, the science behind it, and how it’s used

Medical-grade skincare vs hype

Collagen loss during menopause

When products aren’t enough and procedures help

Microneedling, IPL, Morpheus, and Sculptra explained

Pain, downtime, cost, and realistic expectations

Skincare Takeaways

Antioxidants, sunscreen, and eye cream matter most

Retinol can be used every other night

Estriol can be a powerful topical tool in menopause

Collagen loss accelerates rapidly during menopause

Procedures stimulate collagen at a deeper level

Sunscreen is the single most important daily habit

Vitamin C + E Serum (CE Ferulic–style)

* SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic  https://rstyle.me/+F9XbJaKiFWsASQlAM8656w

* Maelove Glow Maker https://rstyle.me/+K7MEgNsI9g1UOtVvIaRK4Q

Sunscreen

* EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen (https://rstyle.me/+c12xeHiaUOBLdOUb4YAMJA

Musely Aging Repair (Estriol) Cream 

https://rstyle.me/+N4Zzou00V3d5MArtDdadsQ

Alyssa Abbey, PA-C
Precision Skin and Hormone
https://www.precisionskinandhormone.com/
https://www.instagram.com/precisionskinandhormone/
Location: Bend OR
Phone: 541-241-3955

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If this episode helped you rethink your skincare, share it with a friend who’s navigating midlife skin changes too.

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