Have our brains undergone more transformation than our faces? Today, I'm joined by powerhouse psychotherapist and author, Jennifer Cox, to explore the fascinating intersection of aesthetics and psychology.  From the rise of the 'Annabels Face' - a new aesthetic tribalism where conformity trumps individuality, to facial dysmorphia and the pressure on men to keep their hair (but only in the right places) have our plastic minds been so #influenced that it's changed the landscape of our faces forever?  

Today, we’re breaking down maybe the biggest topic in skincare: Retinoids, or as my co-host Salima calls them ‘the broccoli of skincare’ - something you do need to have, whether you like it or not.  If you’re on the fence when it comes to adding this miracle molecule to your routine, this episode is your golden ticket to retinoid success. I’ll share my foolproof guide on achieving A class results with vitamin A, without enduring the infamous Retinization process. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Aesthetics afficionado and award-winning journalist and author Alice Hart-Davis, for an unfiltered foray into the changing face of Tweakments – a term she coined that has since become industry standard.  We journey from 1998, when Alice first ventured into aesthetics procedures, to the present. Back then, nurses were injecting collagen, and the idea of using toxins was met with horror. Fast forward to today and we chat salmon sperm injections for firming things up under the eyes, shaking up cocktails of regenerative medicine and ingredients to regrow your own fat. 

Do you feel you're losing it? I certainly did, and it turns out we're in good company - in fact, half of the male population has started to lose it by the time they hit 50. Hair, that is. Today, we're baring all on baldness, thanks to our guest Mr. Chris D'Souza, a master in the field of hair transplants and the very surgeon who performed my recent procedure. Baldness is often described as a 'sign of advancing years', which is hardly helpful given that hair loss can start as early as the mid-twenties for many men. In this episode, Mr. D'Souza lifts the lid on the complex issue of male (and female) pattern baldness, with a razor-sharp focus on the most effective treatments and the snake oil we need to be wary of.

Today we're sifting through the bizarre bazaar of the Aesthetics Industry. Salima wants bang for her beauty buck but is fearful of those over-filled faces we see even with those who have unlimited budgets. This episode is a guide to navigating the complex (and fairly unregulated) world of cosmetic procedures. Where to start? Who to choose? How to spend?From toxins alleviating depression, to hyperpigmentation treatments that make you feel as good as a facelift, and valuing facials like you do hygienist appointments, tune in for where you should spend, when to run away, and for some insight into the latest treatments that get your skin functions to reverse its own damage.

We’re diving into the hormonal rollercoaster which many women ride for years – Menopause - or as Dr. Charlotte describes it, ‘puberty in reverse’. When it comes to this universal female experience, the silence can still feel deafening, but not for the next half an hour or so. We’re delving into the science behind the symptoms; why your tried and tested skincare may suddenly seem to work against you, why your jawline has flatlined and why your drop in confidence might be linked to your drop in collagen, and the best, science-led ways to approach this time of change to get you feeling (and looking) like yourself. 

Since Kylie Jenner pouted her way into our beauty consciousness, dermal fillers have been hugely on the rise, and there have arguably been more filler faux pas than with any other aesthetic treatments. So, it's little wonder that Salima (joining me again today) goes a bit green around the gills at the thought of ending up with a puffer fish face. 

Think of this episode as your filler fact files: everything you need to know about these rejuvenation injectables, from the art of application, to how long they last, their side effects, and why trying to look like J Lo will almost certainly blow up for you.  

Why should your fertility journey mean your skin health falls off the map? It was this very question Dr. Jo Mennie felt passionate (and ragey) about during her own fertility experience - how labour intensive it was to find accessible, expert advice on looking after your skin at each turbulent stage, from pre-pregnancy to conception, trimesters and the post-partum journey. 

Now a leading aesthetic doctor specialising in women’s health, Dr. Jo is here with me today to clear up the murky waters of pregnancy skincare - the ingredients do’s and don’ts, some age-optimising alternatives and the most advanced body treatments that can tighten tummies and smooth saddlebags, repairing post partum skin damage, without going under the knife. It’s all straight talking today - no baby talk we promise.

Has facial fat become the latest victim of our culture’s toxic obsession with downsizing? Today we’re tackling a somewhat unappetising new phenomenon – the rise of weight loss ‘miracle’ drug Ozempic, and the subsequent fall of our youth-preserving facial fat.  

With hollowed-out temples and gaunt, sunken structures, it seems the recreational use of diet drugs may, in fact, be creating BOBFOCs (Bodies Off Baywatch, Faces Off Crime Watch). Fillers can only go so far, so if you are thinking of going down the Ozempic route, we have some advice you need to hear – even if it’s hard to swallow.  

Biostimulators, boosters, skincare, toxins, fillers, lasers... there's a myriad of ways we can support, strengthen, and rejuvenate our skin as we age. But where on earth do we start, and when should we begin thinking about doing what? 

Salima and I are racing through the decades today - from troublesome teens to swinging sixties and beyond - to guide you through the changes that happen deep within the skin. We'll explore timely tweakments and savvy skincare best considered at each milestone. 

Melasma moustaches, SPANX for the skin and the importance of a good mental attitude, we’re covering it all. So, whatever your age, it’s worth tuning in today (note - even if you're a teenager, slap on that SPF!). 

Got a gut feeling? Well, today it's all about why you actually 'do' need to listen to it, because as Nutritional Therapist Andy Daly explains, it's the organ that most determines your overall health, skin included.

The Sugar DoctorTM shares some unsavoury truths about sugar and its inflammatory impact on the body, sets us straight on pre-, pro-, and postbiotics, skin supplements, and why our stools may well hold the answers to our health concerns.

We're also tackling the rise of histamine issues, from the strangest and most severe symptoms to the foods to avoid if you're struggling with intolerance, as well as the youth-preserving power of boiling and steaming our food and why we should all be thinking a little more Japanese.

The idea of starting out with Aesthetic treatments is daunting for many. Now imagine sharing your journey with over 1 million followers. Well in the hotseat today is Hayley Karsaris - fashion, lifestyle and beauty afficionado and influencer, who is bravely doing just that. 

Today we’re talking about the world of skincare and treatments under the glaring eye of social media, and why being transparent and authentic on this topic is so important when one has a #influenced following. 

Daily routines, blepharoplasties and skin boosters, Hayley shares her experiences and how her community responded to what we know is a hot and often controversial topic.  

We're flashing our hazard lights today as we face an unsightly side of aesthetics - the risks of certain procedures, the red flags you need to watch out for, and Salima's and my own experiences with treatments gone wrong (think scars, swelling, and IV antibiotics - it ain't a pretty picture).

While many aesthetic treatments are highly effective when performed by experienced and highly qualified practitioners, there are some I personally would avoid at all costs, and in this episode, you'll discover why three particular procedures have made it onto my hit list.

It's more common to have an uneven skin tone than not. Regardless of your skin colour, dark spots and patches can appear on any part of the face and body. This is referred to as hyperpigmentation - think of it as your skin's way of keeping a diary of your adventures (such as sun-soaked holidays, scarring moments and pregnancy journeys). While it's common, many people find it problematic.

So, as summer gives its last hurrah, I'm sharing my Pigmentation Playbook. It's designed to get you clear on the types of hyperpigmentation you may (or may not) have, outline the approach to treating this tricky skin concern, and explain why taking a 'stepladder' approach might be your best bet in the quest for a bright and even complexion.