Science Saturday : Depression & Risks in PoC Communities

You know when you lose your passion for something and rather than try to putter through… you just kinda... give up on it for awhile? That’s how I’ve been feeling about writing about skincare the past few months. I just can’t force myself to be quippy and clever (and then I got hit like a mack truck with some pretty serious depression so that was fun). Writing is suppose to be fun and it just wasn’t for awhile.

Anyway, I’m feeling a bit better (and I feel like I can manage blogging?). So I figured I would do a “best of” wrap up about all the skin/skincare science coming out in January & February. Seriously, there’s some boss ass ‘ish comin’ out of labs this month.

Real time photo of me in Bio lab. Not featured: a dope-ass microscope

Science Saturday: Skin cancer & Wound Healing

This week's Science Saturday is filled to the brim with news on skin cancer, wound healing, and weird discoveries I still don't understand.

I feel like I'm in an episode of the Scary Door.

Let's jump into the wacky.

Science Saturday: Black Salve & Sunscreen

Hey guys! It's been a hot minute since I've been on this blog. Long story short- life got away from me and I found myself utterly swamped with school work. But! I'm back, baby.

Once school finally wrapped up (psych degree, what whaaat), I started posting little weekly science tidbits in a beauty community I frequent. It was a bit of a test to see if people were interested in reading this stuff.

Turns out they are!

People love hearing what's new in a scientific field, imagine that!

So I’m going to start posting the tidbits here, too. Every Saturday there will be a new post about all the crazy ish that went down in skin/skincare science and research that week. Some posts will be big, some will be small- it's all up to what's published.

If you're still interested and ready to learn- read on! :D

Movember Beard Facts

It’s November! You know what that means- it’s almost my birthday! :D Well, that and everyone is growing moustaches/beards for Movember (also known as ‘No Shave November’). You might not know why everyone in your life is starting to grow out their mo’- especially since the cultural phenomenon has taken on a life of its own independent of its origins. These days it’s just cool to see how much beard you can grow during November. However, it all started with simply growing a moustache (not a beard) in Australia in 2003 originating with the Movember Foundation. Did you know you’re meant to donate through the Movember Foundation? Or that it all started as a way to bring a public discourse to men’s health issues?

I certainly didn’t know there was a Movember Foundation. So in solidarity with my male readers (and the men in my life), I’m throwing down some righteous beard and mo’ knowledge. Now you can dazzle and amaze with all the cool beard junk you know. And if you feel so inclined, donate to a men’s charity of your choice.

Chemical Exfoliants: AHAs & BHAs

So, Sher, what the hickity-heck are chemical exfoliants and why are they sooo much better than physical scrubs?

Oh, hey there. Glad you asked, my dear Hoojoo-ite (Hoojoo-er... Hoojoo-ian... uh... guys). First we'll cover the science, then the why it's awesome and end it all with product suggestions. Let's get into it...

"Broken Capillaries"- what the what and also why?

Ever wonder where those unsightly lacy threads on your skin came from? Or why applying creams and treatments to make them disappear do exactly diddly squat? Often called broken capillaries, telangiectasia is the official name for those pesky little marks.

In this post we'll be discussing pathogenesis/etiology, prognosis, and treatment. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready for some science to fly at ya'.

Ferulic Acid : Ingredient Breakdown

Ferulic Acid- What the hell is it and why should I use it?

chemical structure of ferulic acid

Why You Need Sunscreen: What the Hell is Sunscreen Anyway?

Welcome to the second installment of Why You Need Sunscreen! Oooh, aaah.

When it comes down to it, there are two types of sunscreen: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreen is loaded with various actives (e.g. avobenzone, oxybenzone, helioplex) that chemically bind to skin and absorb (some scatter) UVRs- defusing that energy as heat. Physical sunscreen on the other hand is made up of two  actives (specifically: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) that act like a physical barrier- reflecting and repelling UVRs. However, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide don't just reflect light, they also attenuate UVRs- just like chemical sunscreens. Only about 10% of the UV energy is scattered.

Due to the way chemical sunscreen acts with the skin, it needs to be applied 30 minutes before you're protected. Physical sunscreen, however, acts as a barrier immediately.

Why You Need Sunscreen: The Power of UVRs

In this first installment of 'Why You Need Sunscreen,' we'll be discussing the power of UVRs.

Ultra Violet Radiation (UVRs) is made up of the electromagnetic light waves that reach earth from the sun. UVRs are divided into three wavelengths: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

(psst, let's pretend for a second that that actually lists radio waves after microwaves)