Much ado about nothing? Recent FDA alerts and NovoNordisk lawsuits
Due to the blockbuster weight loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro going on the FDA Shortage List, compounding pharmacies are legally allowed to make duplicates of these name brand drugs without risk of patent infringement. And even though NovoNordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, admits they can’t keep up with demand, they’re trying everything […]
Shame on you Mississippi and West Virginia
Why would Mississippi and West Virginia, states that are ranked #1 and #4 in poverty, #5 and #1 in adult obesity, and #2 and #4 in adolescent obesity, respectively, eliminate access to the most affordable version of the safe and effective weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy? Background on Ozempic and Wegovy Not since […]
Consumers’ misguided focus on the risks surrounding Ozempic and Wegovy
Consumers reluctant to try new weight loss drugs seem to focus more on the least likely risks such as pancreatitis and a rare type of thyroid cancer rather than focusing on the more common side effects like burping, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. Instead of focusing on the risks associated with taking the medication, patients […]
Why you need to vet the surgeon you find on social media
It’s happened to all of us. You jump on social media for a quick peruse and quickly fall down the rabbit hole of the scroll. The next thing you know, you’ve saved, taken screenshots, and maybe even DM’d a handful of surgeons whose before-and-after images and mind-blowing videos have you wanting to sign up for […]
Life After Lash Extensions: What I did after developing an allergy
You love the look of eyelash extensions. You’ve tried lash growth serums in the past, but extensions give you the instant gratification you want! At least, that was the case for me. Because of my naturally short and sparse lashes, I’ve always been self-conscious and felt that I looked like a little baby boy. But […]
Why cosmetic procedures aren’t just for the shallow at heart!
Cosmetic procedures help people feel comfortable in their own skin, and studies have shown that a person’s physical appearance affects their self-esteem. It impacts the value we place on ourselves, which feeds into the confidence we exude in our day-to-day lives. My experience with cosmetic procedures When I was about 13 years old, my […]
Is Topical Hyaluronic Acid Effective?
Ever since hyaluronic acid became a mainstream beauty and skincare ingredient, it seems like it’s everywhere and in everything. Beauty giants formulate it into creams and serums, aestheticians load it up on the skin post-facial, and even supplements promise to increase hydration and moisture levels within the skin. Sure, hyaluronic acid, which holds 1,000 times […]
Founder/CEO, Jonathan Kaplan and US Senator Bill Cassidy pen op-ed in Newsweek
The No Surprises Act, a bipartisan effort to reduce the number of surprise medical bills, went into effect on January 1. As significant as this legislation is—surprise bills are one of the biggest drivers of medical bankruptcy in America—the act is still being overlooked. This legislation remains unfamiliar to those it affects most, specifically […]
I told you so (warning, graphic photos)
In this recent Medscape article, the FDA has announced that the heat-based device Renuvion/J-Plasma, which has been used for skin tightening after tummy tucks or liposuction, “has not been determined to be safe or effective for any procedure intended to improve the appearance of the skin.” The device is cleared by the FDA for “general […]
Botox, Xeomin or Jeuveau during pregnancy and breast feeding
First off, thanks to Professor Emily Oster for the inspiration behind this article. In over 1000 articles I’ve written for this site, I’ve never directly tackled the issue of botulinum toxin (the active ingredient in the popular anti-wrinkle injections behind BOTOX®, XEOMIN® and Jeuveau® (#newtox)). I did write about this topic, albeit tangentially, in […]