After Hours Skin Clinic

From jaw pain caused by "mewing" to extreme internet trends where young men take hammers to their face, the internet’s obsession with "looksmaxxing" is going far beyond a basic skincare routine. This week, Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid investigate the bizarre, dark, and often dangerous underworld of extreme aesthetic manipulation.

In this episode, Emma and Ellie unpack the medical realities behind softmaxxing vs. hardmaxxing, the psychological impact of online body ideals, and why trying to "mew" or "bone-smash" your way to a chiselled jawline is a recipe for permanent damage. Plus, they explore how these online trends exploit vulnerability, the dangerous black-market use of prescription skin-bleaching ingredients like hydroquinone, and why true attraction is so much more than skin deep.

Episode Highlights:

The Medical Reality of 'Mewing': How a 15-year-old’s unexplained jaw pain led Dr Ellie down the internet rabbit hole of DIY facial re-shaping.

Softmaxxing vs. Hardmaxxing: Breaking down the line between healthy self-care and extreme physical alteration.

The Danger of 'Bone Smashing': Why hitting your face with a hammer triggers soft-tissue trauma and swelling rather than structural bone growth.

Facial Nerve Damage & Fracture Risks: The permanent clinical consequences of unmonitored facial trauma.

Black-Market Hydroquinone: The dangerous rise of unsupervised skin bleaching and the risk of irreversible ochronosis.

Beyond 2D Aesthetics: Why online image trends exploit psychological vulnerabilities and distort real-world human connection.

Key Questions Answered:

What is looksmaxxing, and why are young men resorting to dangerous DIY face reshaping?

Is "mewing" or "bone smashing" medically safe or effective for creating a stronger jawline?

What are the clinical dangers of using hydroquinone without a dermatologist's supervision?

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments

💌 Send us your questions ahsc@raconteur.tv

Connect with us:

After Hours Skin Clinic Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinic

Dr Ellie Rashid: @drellierashid

Dr Emma Craythorne: @dremmacraythorne

TikTok: @afterhoursskinclinic

YouTube: After Hours Skin Clinic Channel

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.

⁠Klira⁠ - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to ⁠klira.skin⁠
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From high-end night creams to cheap and effective cleansers, what do skin specialists actually buy with their own money? This week, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid pull back the curtain on their personal shopping lists, revealing where they like to splurge and where they save the most when it comes to skin health and the right products or procedures.

In this episode, Emma and Ellie unpack the truth about luxury vs. high-street skincare, why muscle-building exercise changes dermal thickness, and the surprising mental health "glow" that comes from joy, relaxation and movement. Plus, they break down why expensive collagen powders fail to deliver, which in-office laser technologies are actually worth the investment over home gadgets, and their favorite budget-friendly drugstore staples.

Episode Highlights:

The Science of Exercise & Dermal Thickness: How resistance training releases muscle myokines that directly boost skin structure and sleep quality.

Sensory Joy vs. Active Ingredients: The real reason Dr Ellie splurges on her night cream (and how to layer it with prescription actives).

In-Office Lasers vs. At-Home Gadgets: Why dermatologists skip handheld home devices in favor of Alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and CO2 in-clinic treatments.

The Lymphatic Drainage Myth: How targeted massage techniques support fluid flow and overall relaxation.

Dietary Collagen vs. Eating the Rainbow: Why expensive collagen supplements fall short compared to whole-food nutrition.

Dermatologist-Approved Budget Staples: The exact drugstore cleansers, body creams, and anti-dandruff shampoos Emma and Ellie buy on repeat.

Key Questions Answered:

Do expensive night creams work better than drugstore moisturisers, or are you just paying for fragrance?

Are at-home skincare devices and laser gadgets worth your money?

What are the best affordable cleansers and body moisturizers recommended by dermatologists?

Products Mentioned:

Klira (Bespoke prescription skincare formulated by Dr Emma Craythorne)

Niance Night Care Regenerate

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M

Byredo Hair Perfume

Dyson Airwrap & GHD Hairdryer

Ziip (Nano-current facial device)

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser & Cetaphil Rich Night Cream

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

E45 Cream

QV Skincare Range

Head & Shoulders Shampoo (Classic Original & Citrus Fresh)

Find The Times article mentioned in the episode here.

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments

💌 Send us your questions ahsc@raconteur.tv

Connect with us:

After Hours Skin Clinic Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinic

Dr Ellie Rashid: @drellierashid

Dr Emma Craythorne: @dremmacraythorne

TikTok: @afterhoursskinclinic

YouTube: After Hours Skin Clinic Channel

This is a Raconteur Studios Production. ⁠
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Do collagen supplements actually work?

Collagen powders, drinks and supplements promise plumper skin, fewer wrinkles and more collagen, but what does the science actually show?

In this episode of the After Hours Skin Clinic, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid break down what collagen is, why we lose it as we age, and whether taking collagen orally can really improve your skin.

They examine the evidence behind collagen supplements, discuss UV exposure and lifestyle factors that damage collagen, and explain which skincare ingredients and treatments have stronger evidence for supporting collagen.

You'll learn:

Whether collagen supplements are worth the money

What happens to collagen as you age

How UV exposure damages collagen

Whether collagen can reduce wrinkles

Why food and protein may matter more

The evidence behind tretinoin, vitamin C and peptides

How in-clinic treatments can stimulate collagen

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments

💌 Send us your questions ahsc@raconteur.tv

🤍 Follow us on Instagram

👀 Watch us on ⁠Youtube⁠

🔔 Subscribe for dermatologist-led, evidence-based skincare.

Producer: Ella Blaxill
Series Editor: Eve StreeterMusic: Simon Elms

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
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We all know exercise is good for our heart, muscles and mental health, but what does it do for our skin?

In this episode of the After Hours Skin Clinic, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid answer the question: Can exercise actually make your skin healthier?

They explore the surprising connection between exercise and skin health, including how resistance training may increase dermal thickness and collagen, why exercise is linked with less severe psoriasis, and whether sweating really “detoxes” your skin.

They also discuss the potential downsides of exercise for conditions including rosacea, hives and sweat-related rashes, and what you can do if exercise triggers your skin.

In this episode:

Can exercise make your skin thicker?

Exercise, collagen and skin ageing

Why resistance training may benefit your skin

The relationship between exercise and psoriasis

Does sweating actually detox your skin?

Exercise, blood flow and the post-workout glow

Can exercise make rosacea worse?

Exercise-induced hives and sweat rashes

Why movement throughout the day matters

How exercise can support better sleep and healthier skin

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.
🔔 Subscribe for dermatologist-led, evidence-based skincare.

Producer: Ella Blaxill
Series Editor: Eve Streeter
Music: Simon Elms

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
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Sunburn isn't just red, sore skin...

Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid explain what happens to your skin when UV radiation causes sunburn, why repeated UV exposure increases the risk of skin damage and skin cancer, and what you can actually do if you've been caught out.

You'll learn:

Why some people burn faster than others

What sunburn does to your DNA

Whether there's such a thing as a safe tan

Why sunbeds don't give you a protective "base tan"

How to use the UV Index

What actually helps treat sunburn

Which popular sunburn remedies aren't worth it

Products mentioned:

Avène Thermal Spring Water

Aloe vera gel

Don't forget to follow and subscribe so you don't miss another episode!

You can watch us on YouTube and find us on Instagram too.

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music: Simon Elms

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices