Podcast Summary: Forever35, Episode 380

Title: Sometimes Less Is More: A Dermatologist Takes Your Questions with Dr. Jenny Wang
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Guest: Dr. Jenny Wang, Board-Certified Dermatologist
Date: December 8, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on demystifying dermatology and self-care, featuring listener-submitted skincare questions answered by Dr. Jenny Wang. The conversation is a lively deep-dive into practical, evidence-based skincare (and debunking fads), with thoughtful insights on anti-aging treatments, product sensitivity, and the psychology of cosmetic procedures. "Sometimes less is more" is the guiding motif: simplicity and gentle choices often trump trends.

Main Discussion Segments & Key Insights

1. Meet Dr. Jenny Wang & Hosts’ Self-Care Updates

Timestamps: 01:43 – 17:15

• Introduction of Dr. Wang:
  Elise shares Dr. Wang is not a "celebrity derm," but a practicing, well-respected dermatologist who treats Elise and her family.
• Dr. Wang on Self-Care:
  • Currently focused on prenatal yoga (she’s six months pregnant) after pausing lifting weights:

    “I used to do a lot more lifting...I've been picking up more yoga just to get my joints moving and deal with some lower back pain.” (17:15, Dr. Jenny Wang)

  • Lifting began during med school, sparked by family influence, and she values it for tangible goal-setting.

2. Listener Q&A with Dr. Jenny Wang

Timestamps: 19:01 – 53:23

Eczema Flare-Ups in Adulthood

• Dr. Wang on Eczema Care:
  • Genetics and environment are root triggers; sweat, detergents, fragrances, and household products are common irritants.
  • “Skin care diet" recommended:

    “Eliminate all your non-essential fragrances...even special detergents, soaps, bath bombs—pause them and let your skin barrier recover. Sometimes you have to give it maybe two to four weeks.” (20:24, Dr. Jenny Wang)

  • Stick to “boring” basics:
    • Eucerin, CeraVe, Vanicream—all plain, no-frills, drugstore creams.
    • Quote:

      “In general for my eczema patients, I do say simple is key... sometimes you just have to stick to boring and basic.” (21:57, Dr. Jenny Wang)

Dealing With Blackheads

• Genetics and reality:
  • “Blackheads...we also call them sebaceous filaments...pores are natural, we can't technically be poreless, and Instagram filters create a false sense of beauty.” (23:10, Dr. Jenny Wang)
  • “Pore size is like your shoe size—you can’t change it. It’s totally genetic.” (23:10, Dr. Jenny Wang)
  • Gentle exfoliation (eg. salicylic acid cleanser) or retinols can help.
  • Caution:
    • Overusing harsh acids or strips can irritate and worsen pores.

Product Sensitivities (Especially With Aging/Perimenopause)

• Causes:
  • Sensitivities can develop unexpectedly, companies may change formulas, or hormone fluctuations (menopause, pregnancy, birth control) change skin.
• Approach:
  • Again, “skin elimination diet” — strip back to basics, especially if reactions suddenly develop.
  • Brands recommended: CeraVe, Vanicream, La Roche-Posay for "highly sensitive skin."

Exosomes and Growth Factors in Skincare

• Are they “magic bullet” or scam?
  • Exosomes are “sexy,” with robust (but mostly non-US) data, and work by signaling cell repair.
  • Skepticism:

    “It’s still very new and not regulated tightly...we don’t always know where exosomes are harvested from...how pure they are, if it’s actually just exosomes.” (31:28, Dr. Jenny Wang)

  • "Don't be wooed yet" — more research, transparency, and evidence are needed.

Best Value In-Office Dermatology Treatments

• Start with Sun Protection:
  • “Sun protection is the cheapest way to fight anti-aging...sun exposure and tobacco are the quickest way to accelerate aging.” (34:15, Dr. Jenny Wang)
• Retinols/Retinoids:
  • “There are relatively inexpensive retinols out there...that plus sunscreen will take you 80% of the way.” (34:15, Dr. Jenny Wang)
• Biggest Impact Procedures:
  • “Probably the best bang for your buck is probably a toxin, what you think of as Botox. It relaxes muscles, softens lines, and prevents them from getting deeper.” (35:57, Dr. Jenny Wang)
  • Other: Chemical peels, microneedling, laser resurfacing to improve skin texture/pigment.

Trends in Laser Treatments & Resurfacing

• Lasers create “micro-injuries” to trigger skin’s natural repair, building collagen and sometimes decreasing skin cancer risk.
• “It’s a controlled way to strengthen the skin, like bone density from impact sports.” (38:00, Dr. Jenny Wang)

Alternatives to Hyaluronic Acid for Dry Skin

• Alternatives:
  • Use thick creams/ointments like Eucerin, CeraVe, Vaseline (“slugging”).
  • Moisturizer should be applied damp.
  • Quote:

    “Sometimes if I have a dry patch...I’ll just put a bunch of Vaseline on and it looks much better. You don’t have to try all these expensive serums.” (41:56, Dr. Jenny Wang)

Face Oils: Love or Leave?

• If you like it, keep it—but many acne-prone patients get worse with facial oils/essential oils:

  “Our faces naturally produce oils, and when we introduce more oil, it’s like a buffet for the organisms already present...like Demodex mites, bacteria, fungus.” (42:34, Dr. Jenny Wang)

• Issues: Perioral dermatitis, acne, dandruff can be linked to oils.
• Guiding principle: “Less is more.” (44:15, Dr. Jenny Wang)

The Shift Away from Dermal Fillers

• Recent Trends:
  • There’s a real, measurable “huge shift” away from fillers, as seen in supply/demand and social attitudes.
  • Overfilled faces are always the exception:

    “No one talks about good filler because it’s imperceptible.” (46:26, Dr. Jenny Wang)

  • Migration and lumps can happen with overfilling or poor technique/provenance.
• Advice:
  • Know your injector’s training; beware of non-approved products and Groupon deals.
  • Personal philosophy: “I like a more natural look. I’m not trying to change the way anyone looks.” (47:40, Dr. Jenny Wang)

Facelifts vs. Non-Invasive Treatments (Microneedling, RF, Sculptra)

• Some social media influencers warn against non-surgical treatments for those considering future facelifts—but Dr. Wang is skeptical:
  • Consults with plastics surgeons indicate procedures like Sculptra or microneedling do not generally preclude successful lifts.
  • “It improves the skin integrity, so you have a little more to work with.” (51:40, Dr. Jenny Wang)
  • Always discuss your history with your future surgeon.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Blackheads:
  “You can’t technically be poreless, and Instagram filters create a false sense of beauty that’s unattainable...Pore size is like your shoe size—you can’t really change it.”
  — Dr. Jenny Wang (23:10)

• On Less Is More:
  “Sometimes overgrowth of Demodex, which is those mites, and you get these yellow pustules. So I always tell them, take away the oil-based toners, the face oils. Less is more.” (44:15)

• On Skincare Trends:
  "There’s a lot of bad filler out there, but people don’t talk about good filler because it’s imperceptible." (46:26)

• On Evidence-Based Approaches:
  “Sunscreen plus retinol will take you eighty percent of the way.” (34:15)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Dr. Wang’s intro and self-care regimen: 16:45–18:52
• Eczema & “Skin Diet”: 19:01–22:13
• Blackhead management & realistic expectations: 22:13–25:57
• Sudden sensitivity to products: 26:00–28:06
• Exosomes/growth factors explained: 30:29–33:40
• Best in-office anti-aging treatments: 34:01–39:52
• Alternatives to hyaluronic acid: 39:55–41:56
• Face oils – pros and cons: 42:00–44:15
• Fillers: trend shift & advice: 44:18–49:40
• Non-invasive treatments and facelifts: 49:41–52:49

Conclusion & Where to Find Dr. Jenny Wang

Timestamps: 53:24–53:55

• Practice based in Playa Vista and West LA.
• Instagram: @socal_skinsurge
• Emphasizes that she’d love to see new patients and encourages research and quality care in aesthetics and medical dermatology.

Overall Tone

Friendly, honest, myth-busting, and practical. Dr. Wang is warm, clear, and scientific, focusing on what actually works over what’s trendy, while hosts keep the episode relatable and encouraging. Plenty of humor, especially around the new anxieties and habits of midlife.

Best for Listeners Who Want:

• Practical, non-hyped skincare advice
• Understand how fads like exosomes, face oils, or “poreless” skin are approached by real medical experts
• Honest discussion about the shift in anti-aging perspectives, especially with the rise of social media influence

Forever35's on-brand message: “Taking care is still, and always, about caring wisely—even if it means sticking with ‘boring’ basics.”