ISSUE 19: THE TWO SIDES OF LA DERMATOLOGY
My foray into face taping, a mole check, and a smattering of updates
Thank you all for your continued readership!
If you missed it last week, I talked about the wild phenomenon that is 10 year olds buying full-out skincare regimens and making videos about it on TikTok.
We’re almost at issue 20(!) of OH, THAT’S GOOD, and so far the most popular articles (according to my homepage) are 1) me getting a buccal massage, 2) the end of hobbies as we know them, 3) my whiney ass complaining about shared plates in restaurants, and 4) a PhD level analysis on the state of Smoothie Culture (this is my favorite.)
Give this a read, give those a read, and send a favorite to a friend!
MOLE MONEY, MOLE PROBLEMS
Sometimes, the viewer of art gives meaning to the art, not the artist. I’m going to apply that principle to my header above, as I have no intentions but to make a pun on “mole” which is relevant to today’s issue.
However, and this is fully a digression before we get into the real topic, I googled “mole with top hat” because I thought…wouldn’t it be funny to put a picture in a seemingly rich, high society mole (animal) to accompany this dumb headline, which is actually not about the animal mole at all? Well, I have news for you all:
There are way more illustrations (and also some very realistic renderings) of moles wearing top hats than you’d think.
Perhaps I am tapping into a cultural phenomenon we have yet to see come to light. After all, moles are nocturnal. But alas, today we are not talking about these debonair rodents. Sorry :(
Today we are talking about GOING TO THE DERMATOLOGIST!!! Which I did this week.
“FULL BODY SKIN CHECK”
It had been a while since I’ve gone to the dermatologist. As I pondered this yesterday, I realized it’s probably been at least 6 years.
My impetus for finally making an appointment was not necessarily that I had suspect moles or imminent skin concerns (though I kinda did). My impetus was that I just bought a self-tanner that I want to put on, but figured it would make sense to do so AFTER someone evaluated my skin.
So, in the vain name of being artificially bronze ASAP, I booked a “Full Body Skin Check” at a nearby and seemingly prestige dermatology office.
Going to the dermatologist in LA is kind of fun, because there is a mix of clients who are like “oh no is my mole gonna kill me” and “I’ll take 100 units of Botox straight to the forehead, doc!”
Because I am the heir of countless beauty marks and moles, I am the former of the clients. The mole woman.
I won’t bore you with the details, although I was literally so nervous for some reason that I tripped over myself in the examination room in front of the assistant. My skin is all good (yay) but they gave me a little pamphlet for checking moles that I wanted to share with you all in case it’s been a while for you, too.
The comedy of this is that this pamphlet is from a skincare brand which fully sells sunscreen and skincare products, and this is definitely part of a sales brochure. But hey, I commend them for creating a useful health tool that also screams “buy our sunscreen so THIS doesn’t happen to you!”
You know how you get scared into buying something? People say word-of-mouth is the most effective form of marketing, but I would argue it’s fear mongering!
However as a tweet I saw once said: “can we have the old sun back? The new one is taking its job to seriously.” And I feel that. So wear your sunscreen, kids!!! Especially if you’re in LA. Like really what the hell is up with the sun.
One other thing I will share that might actually be helpful is that the PA who did my skin check said that women are more likely to develop suspect moles on the legs, and men are more likely to develop suspect moles on the “trunk” which is basically the central part of your body. Hope that’s helpful!
GET IT ON TAPE!
I attempted a new skincare trend or tactic (however you feel about it) this week, and I have to say I am intrigued to continue so far. That is, I tried… face taping!
Via Kacie Carter, the owner of Honey Hi which one of my favorite LA eateries, I discovered this account called Natural Face Bible. Sorry to let down the Catholics, but this is not a historic investigation into Jesus Christ’s skincare routine.
It is, however, a beautiful 48-year-old woman, who has never had Botox or fillers, showing off the products and practices she keeps to maintain a snatched face!
I decided to purchase the Japanese face tape she sells through her site, which is basically kinesiology tape you’d put on your body to support your muscle recovery but is a bit more gentle for the face. The rough idea is that the tape helps boost circulation and cellular recovery in the areas where you tape, helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles which can often form as a result of overworked muscles.
Since I am paranoid that I’m getting forehead wrinkles, that is where I put the tape so far.
I have to say, and sorry I didn’t take a proper “before” pic, but my forehead definitely looked pretty smooth the next morning!
I’m going to keep experimenting with the tape. My boyfriend also asked to try it on his own face, and this is how the men and women become equal in society.
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE
I wrote, directed, and edited this sketch which premiered last week at my sketch team’s show! It’s a true crime trailer parody. Watch and enjoy!!! And dare I say SHARE with your friends and leave a comment. :)
EMMA CHAMBERLAIN CANNED
Emma Chamberlain, the Gen-Z YouTuber who has become a coffee company owner and once host of the Met Gala red carpet, dropped some canned lattes. Normally I’m not a fan of this product category, but with almond and coconut milk and 1g of sugar coming only from date syrup, I was intrigued when I found these in the refrigerated drink section at Whole Foods.
I have to say…this is probably one of the best canned coffee drinks I have ever had. It’s smooth, just a hint of sweet, and made me feel like I was drinking a nice iced latte from a coffee shop. Would absolutely buy again! They sell mocha, cinnamon bun, and basic “cold brew” latte flavors in addition to the vanilla one I tried. Well done.
SOMETHING LIKE… A COMEDY SHOW!
It is my distinct honor to share that my friend and comedy colleague 🤝 Kelsey Harper is doing the next installment of her show “Something Like…” this upcoming Thursday and Friday. This month, Kelsey will be taking on PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
The premise of the show is that Kelsey (a trained singer and performer) learns the music to a Broadway show but doesn’t look up the plot. Then, during the show, she acts out what she thinks happens in the musical…but using finger puppets. And I’ve heard they are divas!
Kelsey debuted this show at the Hollywood Fringe last year and won two awards for it (ok!!!) and was also nominated for Best Solo Show on Broadway World LA 2023. This is not a drill. And I will be there! Get tickets HERE before they sell out!
Here’s a write-up about Kelsey and the show last year in Broadway World.
That’s all for this week!!!!
Tell a friend!!! You know what to do!
LJ