#18: Red light masks, haircare myths, and lots more

February update.

Shorter content

Latest posts on Instagram and TikTok:

• Cyperus oil for hair removal - unfortunately, this has been popularised by a lot of influencers (including dermatologists), but it might actually be a hormone disruptor. Mo of Mo Skin Lab did a preliminary toxicological assessment - his video is here, and the written article version is here.

• Do you need to avoid PFAS in waterproof mascara? (explaining The Lawyer Angela’s post about lawsuits)

• How to choose skincare products mindfully

• The truth about clean beauty - an excerpt from my appearance on Abbey Sharp’s Bite Back podcast! We talked about the intersection of clean beauty and clean eating, which seems to overlap more and more these days…

• Hairdresser warns about mineral oil

Red light masks - what’s the science?

I’ve had a lot of questions about red light masks, so I made a video breaking down the science! I talk about what red light does, how wavelength and dose affect the results, and why the video that went viral last year comparing masks and panels doesn’t make sense.

This was a tri-continental collaboration with awesome female YouTubers Becky Stern, who is the queen of DIY and electronics, and Ruth Amos, an incredible engineer and maker!

Becky pulls apart a red light mask and works out how much it costs, and how to design your own, while Ruth solders together her own red light mask and full body red light suit!

As someone who is slightly scared of power tools, I’m constantly in awe of the female maker community - Becky and Ruth’s videos are incredible, I highly recommend subscribing to them (Ruth is also half of the Kids Invent Stuff channel which makes real life versions of ideas kids come up with!)

My favourite videos from their channels (aside from our red light videos of course):

• Ruth made a 6 foot tall 3D printed Lego Christmas tree and life sized barbie heels

• Becky has videos on so many useful topics - I’ve made her ring holder necklace (in a conical flask shape of course), and if you’ve ever wondered how to reuse disposable vape batteries, she’s got you covered!

• The Kids Invent Stuff cheese grating hat is a classic!

You can watch my video on YouTube and Nebula.

Debunking the worst TikTok haircare advice

Another TikTok debunking video - this time it’s haircare! We go through haircare advice of varying quality, the topics covered include:

• Hair loss lawsuits

• Cold water for shinier hair

• Professional vs “watered down” drugstore products

• Not washing your hair

• Dry shampoo being worse than cigarettes

• “Natural” shampoo

Watch it on YouTube or Nebula.

All About Women festival

The All About Women festival at the Sydney Opera House is coming up soon! I’ll be speaking on the Skin Deep panel on Sunday 9th March at 3:30 pm - say hi if you’re there! I’ll also be signing books.

Sunscreen safety and the FDA article

I’ve been a bit behind on article versions of my videos, but part 2 of the Huberman skincare episode articles is up!

This one covers FDA regulations, and whether chemical sunscreens are really no longer “safe and effective” - it’s a common misconception even amongst scientists and medical doctors.

Extra bits

• If you’re wondering what’s going on with all the US government science cuts and what the implications are, this podcast episode from Science Vs is an excellent overview.

• If you’re in the US, here are some actions you can take from Science Whiz Liz.

• I did an extended interview with Jen Luv recently, talking about science and the beauty industry. It was a really fun chat that went both broad and deep!

• I also coauthored a research letter in JAMA Dermatology on benzene in benzoyl peroxide - it comes with an author interview featuring me and legit acne expert Dr John Barbieri.