Biohacking Beauty: The Anti-Aging Skincare Podcast

Episode Summary: Dr. Vonda Wright - This Might Be the Real Reason Your Face Looks Different After Weight Loss

Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host: Amitai Eshel, Co-founder of Young Goose
Guest: Dr. Vonda Wright, Double Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Longevity Expert

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Biohacking Beauty, host Amitai Eshel welcomes Dr. Vonda Wright, a renowned orthopedic surgeon and longevity expert, to discuss the intricate connections between muscle health, bone density, skin aging, and overall longevity, particularly in women navigating midlife challenges such as menopause. Dr. Wright brings a wealth of knowledge, challenging conventional beliefs about aging and offering actionable insights to age gracefully.

The Mobility-Longevity Connection

Dr. Wright emphasizes that aging is not an inevitable decline but can be significantly influenced by lifestyle choices. She references the Health ABC study funded by the NIH, which followed a cohort of 70-year-olds and concluded that many age-related declines are more a result of a sedentary lifestyle than natural aging.

• Quote: “[...] what we know about aging has to do with sedentary aging, not what the human body is capable of.” (02:22)

Dr. Wright and her research team have explored using sports performance as a biomarker of aging, demonstrating that active engagement and physical investments can preserve muscle, bone, and even brain health. She introduces the longevity protein Clotho, highlighting its role in maintaining bodily functions.

Understanding Inflammation and Aging

A significant portion of the discussion delves into inflammation's dual role in the body. While acute inflammation is a necessary healing process, chronic, unresolved inflammation leads to various degenerative conditions affecting joints, skin, and overall health.

• Quote: “[...] most of the time people think of inflammation as either the chronic inflammation that's going to kill you or the sprained ankle inflammation. [...] they're part and parcel of the same process.” (12:07)

Dr. Wright explains how lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management play crucial roles in controlling inflammation. She criticizes the conventional orthopedic approach of relying heavily on steroid injections, advocating instead for nutritional interventions to reduce systemic inflammation.

Hormonal Imbalance and Estrogen's Role

The conversation transitions to hormonal changes, particularly the decline of estrogen during perimenopause and menopause, and its profound impact on inflammation, bone density, and skin health. Dr. Wright debunks the myth that estrogen is exclusively a "female hormone," explaining that both men and women produce it, albeit in different proportions.

• Quote: “[...] women are suddenly highly inflamed in ways they had never been because the role of estrogen and our insulin is dysregulated.” (12:22)

The abrupt decrease in estrogen levels during menopause leads to increased inflammation, rapid collagen loss (about 30% in the face), and a host of other symptoms that accelerate the aging process.

Misconceptions and Myths About Aging

Dr. Wright addresses several misconceptions rooted in outdated studies like the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), which negatively impacted hormone replacement therapy (HRT) adoption among women. She laments that many women believe aging is something to be passively endured rather than proactively managed.

• Quote: “Women believe that aging is inevitable and that suffering is okay.” (22:59)

She encourages women to take control of their aging process through active intervention, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, and hormonal balance, rather than resigning themselves to decline.

The Importance of Physical Activity and Strength Training

A recurring theme is the critical importance of physical activity, especially strength training, in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and overall health. Dr. Wright advocates for heavy weightlifting as a means to combat muscle loss and improve bone health, which in turn supports skin firmness and reduces the risk of fractures.

• Quote: “I have a whole discussion about inflammation, starting with nutrition... any of those hallmarks [of aging] can be dialed back right now, 20 years.” (04:49)

She outlines a practical routine that includes heavy lifting and compound movements, emphasizing that even short, consistent workouts can yield significant health benefits.

Red Light Therapy and Other Biohacks

Dr. Wright shares insights into red light therapy, recommending specific devices like Chroma, Mito Red, Biolite, and Joovv Platinum LEDs for their efficacy in promoting collagen production and enhancing skin health through improved blood flow.

• Quote: “[...] what I recommend just have better customer service or maybe they're a little smaller and you want to support slightly smaller company.” (49:21)

She cautions against using subpar devices that can cause skin burns, stressing the importance of choosing quality products with proper cooling systems.

Rapid Fire Segment

In a rapid-fire round, Dr. Wright provides succinct answers to pressing questions about aging:

1. Biggest Lie Women Over 40 Believe About Aging: “That they have to suffer.” (62:32)
2. Midlife Health Trend Worth the Hype: “Lifting heavy weights.” (62:40)
3. Outdated Orthopedic Practice to Ban: “Steroid injections into joints.” (62:50)
4. Most Underrated Longevity Tip: “Start when you're 17.” (62:58)
5. Concerning Aspect of Muscle Loss After Menopause: “Women are losing bone and muscle, and gaining adipose tissue, leading to exponential damage.” (63:07)
6. Shocking Connection Between Menopause and Mobility: “Loss of estrogen leads to increased inflammation, freezing joints, and rapid onset of osteoarthritis.” (63:51)
7. Advice for 30-Year-Old Women About Their Future Body: “Become educated on hormonal changes and proactive health measures to avoid future suffering.” (64:25)
8. Daily Habit That Makes Her Biologically Younger: “I eat 130 grams of protein.” (65:23)
9. Muscle Loss and Skin Aging Insight: “Losing muscle in your arms means losing muscle in your face, leading to a sagging appearance.” (66:15)

Practical Interventions for Bone Density and Skin Firmness

Dr. Wright concludes by emphasizing the importance of adequate protein intake and eliminating sugar to maintain bone density and skin firmness. She highlights glycation—the harmful process where sugar molecules attach to proteins, degrading skin elasticity and increasing wrinkles—as a major factor in skin aging.

• Quote: “Please, can we stop eating sugar and inflaming the bejesus out of our skin?” (61:20)

Conclusion and Further Resources

The episode wraps up with Dr. Wright sharing resources where listeners can follow her work, including her Instagram handle, personal website, and her upcoming book, Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging With Power. She encourages women to educate themselves about hormonal health and to adopt proactive measures to age gracefully and maintain vitality.

• Quote: “[...] they need to be completely literate so that they do not have to suffer like my generation did.” (65:04)

Key Takeaways

• Active Lifestyle: Maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, especially strength training, is crucial for preserving muscle mass, bone density, and skin health.

• Hormonal Balance: Understanding and managing hormonal changes during menopause can significantly impact overall health and aging.

• Diet and Inflammation: A diet rich in quality protein and low in sugar helps reduce chronic inflammation, crucial for preventing degenerate conditions and promoting skin firmness.

• Myth-Busting: Challenging outdated beliefs about aging being an inevitable decline encourages proactive health management.

• Holistic Approach: Combining orthopedic insights with skincare practices offers a comprehensive strategy for graceful aging.

Recommended Resources

• Dr. Vonda Wright's Instagram: @DrVonda
• Personal Website: DrVondaWright.com
• Book: Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging With Power (Available on Amazon and other booksellers)

By integrating orthopedic principles with skincare science, this episode provides a holistic view of aging, empowering listeners—especially women in midlife—to take control of their health and appearance. Dr. Wright's expertise underscores the importance of an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, and hormonal balance in achieving youthful, resilient skin and a strong, healthy body.