Sleep is a Non-negotiable | Doctors don’t brag about sleeping. The indoctrination is that rest is for the weary. We are programmed to work the 5-9 before and after the 9-5. That’s what we sign up for when we enter medical school in our early twenties and then become conditioned for decades of poor sleep hygiene. Lately, I have had to reassess a lot of what defines my health and now sleep is a top priority. Sleeping six to nine hours a night has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks, even in those who have a genetic predisposition, as I do. Research has also shown that deep sleep is especially important starting in your forties in order to prevent Alzheimer’s and to maintain long-term brain health. I’ve worked so hard as a parent to get my kids to have ideal sleep hygiene. Why was I neglecting my own is just beyond me. This is your sign. Stop the scroll. Go to sleep early tonight. #sleephygiene #deepsleep #REM

Botox is derived from a bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum. There are over 30,000 bacteria that are named but only one produces a toxin that when diluted to the appropriate strength which is one billionth of a gram, stabilized, and freeze-dried can it maintain a dosage that is safe and effective in treated hundreds of conditions, both aesthetic and medical. Botox is synonymous with sausages. In the mid 19th century people were dying of uncontrolled paralysis after eating blood sausages. A German medical officer named Justinus Kerner, closely studied these outbreaks of deadly paralysis and discovered spores secreted from the bacteria Clostridium bacteria in sausages that were not properly heated. The name “Botulus” is latin for sausage. Unbelievable to see history repeating itself in 2024. #counterfeit #contaminated #unsanitary

Liquid Biopsies: What You Need to Know | I fully recognize that my expertise is in dermatology - hair, skin, and nails. That’s what I spent a decade studying and another decade practicing. But as a physician is it my job to advocate for my patients when it comes to screening for cancer and not just skin cancer. Let’s be realistic, age is your single most important risk factor for cancer. Being over the age of 50 puts you at a 10x relative risk of developing cancer. Following the standard of care reccomendations are an absolute must. You must get your mammograms, your Pap smears, your colonoscopies. Don’t fall off schedule with these tests. But as I just turned 40, I have realized that the diligence of care that I have applied to my skin and my face needs to now be applied to my entire body. I have taken steps to go beyond what is standardly recommended to screen for cancer and over the next few weeks I am going to share with you each of those tests. First let’s dive into Cell-free DNA Multi-Cancer Screening. #galleri #liquidbiopsy #cellfreedna

Dirty Little Secret | Body Acne, Folliculitis, Ingrown Hairs Beware of Hibiclens. I have one in every guest bathroom. The one thing to note is that Hibiclens can’t touch eyes/ears. So stick to using it on the body for all your anti-bacterial needs. #hibiclens #chlorhexidine #antiseptic

A Total Eclipse of the Heart | 04.08.2024 #totaleclipse #solareclipse2024 #birkin25