Weekly Skinspiration May 8, 2017
Dermatology Pearl: Dry Shampoo
Last week I shared my thoughts on dry shampoo with Slashedbeauty.com (read the article here) and I wanted to jot down the main points here. I’ve already had some of my med school besties text me in horror because dry shampoo is a STAPLE for busy residents. Before you get too flabbergasted, remember: the key is not overusing dry shampoo. As my other former med school classmate texted, dry shampoo, like ice cream, should be enjoyed in moderation.
What are the risks of too much dry shampoo?
There are a couple things to be careful about with dry shampoo. Dry shampoos can contain caustic chemicals that irritate the scalp, and the agents that soak up oil can actually cause the hair to clump together and harden. When you brush your hair, you can end up inadvertently pulling out more hairs that are stuck together. As someone who sees a lot of hair loss patients, trust me, you want to KEEP your hair as long as you can. Overuse of dry shampoo can also worsen scalp problems like dandruff, and you end up with even more thick scaly skin!
How can one keep their hair and scalp healthy in this dry shampoo crazed generation?
Nothing wrong with using dry shampoo occasionally, but do not use it as a replacement for washing your hair! Your scalp needs to be cleansed regularly to remove build up of dry dead skin. Try using dry shampoo a few times per week but not more than that! .
What are some warning signs that you’re using too much dry shampoo?
If you experience symptoms on your scalp like itching, redness, more flaking than usual, or easier hair breakage, you definitely need to cut back! And don’t forget to see your dermatologist if you’re actually seeing more hair shedding or visible hair loss.
Beauty Review
Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara
I got a sample of the Makeup Forever smoky extravagant mascara as part of my Sephora birthday gift years ago, and I’ve been buying it ever since. I’ve just never found something better! This mascara somehow thickens, lengthens, and curls lashes dramatically, all without clumping or making your lashes look like little furry spider legs. The photo below is from my Latisse review post, so know that this result is from both Latisse (FDA approved eyelash growth serum) and amazing Makeup Forever mascara. I’ve since stopped using Latisse because my eyelids have started developing a mild allergic reaction, so now I need my Makeup Forever mascara more than ever! Sometimes it’s a bit much for clinic if I use all of my regular makeup routine, but if I’m ever running late and don’t have time to do eyeliner, I just do two quick coats of this mascara and I feel like I look more done up and ready to leave the house. Have any of you guys ever tried out this product? I’m curious to hear what you think.
Fashion Find
Metal, Wood, and Leather Bar Cart
Life Update
WE MOVED!!!!! Last Wednesday was extremely hectic and somewhat stressful, moving to our three story walk up with extreeeemely narrow stairs. Our movers wouldn’t stop shaking their heads and looking horrified as they got to our townhome. But they somehow got ALL of our furniture up to our apartment, even our super heavy queen size sofa bed. If you ever need to move in NYC, consider Sun Teen Day movers. They mostly speak Cantonese but I know several people who don’t speak Chinese who hired them, and it worked out just fine.
If you watch my Instagram story, you know that this weekend was nonstop unpacking, rearranging all our furniture many times to try to find an optimal layout, running all over Manhattan to different Home Goods/TJ Maxx/Target/Marshalls etc picking up random home goods, and of course, painting. Our neighbors (who are also my college friends!) gave us their leftover paint, Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray. After a quick trip to Home Depot to buy painting supplies, Matt taught me how to tape the walls and then paint paint paint. I’m so happy with how it turned out!
My mom and aunt are coming to visit and stay with us for 2 weeks, and I have been making lists of all the cool places I want to share with them. I already texted them to bring comfortable walking shoes because walking is the best way to explore this city!
In terms of work:
- Busy busy. I feel like things have been ramping up like crazy and I’m preparing for two department-wide presentations next week. I’m presenting an interesting case at our version of grand rounds and also doing a presentation later in the week on my time at ABC News. I’ll feel somewhat relieved when it’s all over next Friday! Even though I’m not nervous when I’m on stage, I still feel anxious beforehand.
- I diagnosed a melanoma recently and it was surprising because the lesion looked like an age spot, except that the patient felt it had grown recently. When the biopsy report came back at melanoma, I felt pretty humbled. This taught me the lesson of ALWAYS LISTENING to your patients. They know their bodies well; they see it and observe all the changes day in and day out! If they are really concerned about a lesion or insist that it has changed, take their concerns seriously and spend a few extra minutes looking at those spots.
Sorry if there are any typo’s on this post and sorry this post is coming so late on Monday! I got distracted halfway through writing this post and started looking at decorative pillow covers for 40 minutes >_< Hard to focus when there is so much that needs to be done in terms of our apartment!
Have a good week!
Great post! Thank you so much for all the updates. Moving into a new space is always exciting ?
Thanks Marina! I can’t wait to have time to settle in and enjoy my new place 🙂