Biohacking Beauty: The Anti-Aging Skincare Podcast Episode Summary: "Sandra Silverman: What Aesthetics Gets Wrong About 'Non-Invasive'" Release Date: July 23, 2025
Host: Amitaj Eshel
Guest: Sandra Lena Silverman, author of From Bullshit to Botox

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Biohacking Beauty, host Amitaj Eshel welcomes Sandra Lena Silverman, a seasoned beauty and wellness explorer and author of From Bullshit to Botox. Sandra brings a wealth of experience from various aesthetic procedures and holistic practices, offering a candid take on the anti-aging skincare industry. Their conversation delves into the efficacy of popular treatments, the emotional journey of aging, and the impact of societal pressures, particularly from social media, on women’s perceptions of beauty.

Overrated Anti-Aging Treatments

Sandra’s Top Pick: CoolSculpting [03:40]

Sandra begins by identifying CoolSculpting as the most overrated anti-aging treatment she has tried. She criticizes its effectiveness and expresses skepticism about its real benefits, aligning with Amitaj's view on similar devices.

Amitaj’s Insight: He expands on the issue, explaining the financial loop where high costs of devices like CoolSculpting fall back onto consumers without delivering proportional results. He states, “a lot of the times device, I mean most devices are not returning their investment even” [06:09].

Sandra confirms her stance, stating, “I think that they're overrated. I don't really think they work” [04:33].

Injectables: Sculptra vs. Radiesse

Sandra’s Critique of Sculptra: [09:23]

Sandra labels Sculptra as an overrated injectable, citing unpredictable results and adverse effects like nodules. She shares her personal experience: “I had injected Sculptra in my elbows before I cut my elbow skin, and it created nodules. And those nodules lasted for a year” [10:22].

Preference for Radiesse: In contrast, Sandra favors Radiesse for its dual action as a filler and bio stimulator. She explains, “I like Radiesse because it acts as a bio stimulator as well. So I want to see results. I don't want to wait months in hopes that I will have good results” [12:05].

Amitaj’s Agreement: Amitaj concurs, noting the complexities and potential long-term issues with Sculptra, stating, “So what you have to do is kind of try to pay off the device by the time you run through those client bases” [06:09].

Skin Care Ingredients and Trends

Overhyped Skincare Ingredients: [08:48]

Sandra discusses the pitfalls of certain skincare ingredients, particularly focusing on injectables rather than topical treatments. She emphasizes the importance of choosing products and treatments based on their actual efficacy rather than trends fueled by social media.

Embracing Biohacking: The conversation touches on emerging treatments like exosomes and peptides. Sandra mentions, “It's just so, so depending on how you inject them and who you go to” [29:16], highlighting the variability in treatment quality and effectiveness.

Personal Journey and Book Discussion

From Bullshit to Botox: [33:59]

Sandra shares the inspiration behind her book, aiming to provide a humorous yet informative guide for those navigating the world of aesthetic procedures. She recounts the collaborative process with her co-writer, Erica Florentine, and the serendipitous way the book's title was chosen.

Emotional Insights: Sandra reveals her shift from obsessing over external appearances to fostering internal self-love and balance. “I realized I need to work on the inside part. And that's when I started life coaching and figuring out a way to really find balance with my hormones and just feeling better every day” [37:30].

Emotional Insights on Aging and Self-Love

Inner Work Over Outer Enhancements: [37:30]

Sandra emphasizes the importance of internal well-being over constant aesthetic enhancements. She shares, “I have to do this procedure, that procedure. I don't really do them as much anymore. In fact, I haven't done a surgery in a while” [38:32], underscoring her journey towards self-acceptance and happiness beyond physical appearance.

Balancing External and Internal Wellness: The discussion highlights how Sandra integrates holistic practices with medical aesthetics, ensuring a balanced approach to aging gracefully.

The Influence of Social Media on Aging Perceptions

Double-Edged Sword: [39:28]

Sandra discusses how social media serves both as a source of valuable information and a platform that can negatively impact self-esteem with unrealistic beauty standards. “I think social media can offer a lot of good information for women, but I also feel like women can feel really bad about themselves if they're obsessed with social media” [39:56].

Unrealistic Expectations: She points out the artificial enhancements seen on platforms like Instagram, explaining, “There are so many apps out there. You can change your body, you can change your face... it's like an app that's doing that” [40:17].

Recommendations and Advice

Choosing the Right Surgeon: [20:25]

Sandra advises against selecting surgeons who are "jacks of all trades." Instead, she recommends seeking specialists for specific procedures to ensure expertise and better outcomes. “Make sure they're specialists. Because these surgeons that do multiple face, body lifts, whatever, they're not doing enough surgeries to make them an expert” [20:25].

Effective Anti-Aging Strategies: [45:22]

Sandra outlines her top three treatments that have significantly impacted her appearance:

1. Facelift
2. Lymphatic Work: She utilizes a fascia blaster and gua sha for lymphatic drainage, crucial for maintaining a youthful look.
3. Weight Training: Emphasizes the importance of strength training in preventing skin sagging.

Philosophy on Aging: [58:25]

Sandra shares her evolved philosophy: “I could stay. If I can preserve this for the next 20 years, I'm going to be very happy.” She advocates for aging gracefully and maintaining current youthful appearances rather than striving to look younger.

Final Thoughts and Closing

Advice for Women Across Ages: [59:36]

Sandra encourages women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s to pursue aesthetic enhancements for their own satisfaction rather than societal pressures. “Just do it for yourself and not for anybody else” [59:51].

Reflecting on Her Own Mistakes: [58:09]

Looking back, Sandra wishes she had opted for her facelift earlier to avoid the complications from threads and fillers. “I would have had my facelift in my early, early 40s instead of waiting until 47” [58:09].

Closing Remarks: [61:02]

Amitaj wraps up by expressing appreciation for the honest and in-depth discussion, highlighting the importance of balancing medical aesthetics with holistic wellness practices. Sandra reiterates her commitment to helping others navigate their anti-aging journeys through her book and personal consultations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sandra on CoolSculpting: “I think that they're overrated. I don't really think they work” [04:33].
• Sandra on Sculptra: “I bought Sculptra, so” [10:22].
• Sandra on Facelifts: “I love the facelift” [45:22].
• Sandra on Social Media: “I see girls that I meet and then I see their Instagram and I'm like, that's not who they are” [39:56].
• Sandra on Aging Philosophy: “I could stay. If I can preserve this for the next 20 years, I'm going to be very happy” [58:25].

Key Takeaways

• Skepticism Towards Certain Treatments: Both Amitaj and Sandra express doubts about the efficacy and value of treatments like CoolSculpting and Sculptra.
• Preference for Effective Alternatives: Sandra prefers Radiesse over Sculptra and emphasizes the importance of facelifts, lymphatic work, and weight training.
• Emotional and Holistic Approach: Sandra underscores the significance of internal well-being and self-love as integral to aging gracefully.
• Impact of Social Media: The episode highlights the dual role of social media in providing information and promoting unrealistic beauty standards.
• Expertise Matters: Choosing specialized surgeons over general practitioners is crucial for successful aesthetic outcomes.
• Personal Reflection: Sandra shares her own journey, including regrets and lessons learned, offering authentic guidance for listeners.

For more insights and tips on anti-aging skincare, be sure to listen to the full episode and explore Sandra Lena Silverman's book, From Bullshit to Botox.