No BS Bulletin 69

Sixty nine

Author

Sarah
July 11, 2025

Welcome to Issue 69 of the No BS Beauty Bulletin!

In This Issue

Made Me Laugh

Juicy Beauty News

👀 What did I buy this week?👀

Don’t tell Cameraman!

About the Dogs

This week brought some unexpected turns for our dog, Ike. He’s about 14 years old now—a senior pup who has lived a full, though often challenging, life.

Ike was diagnosed with hip dysplasia as a puppy and underwent surgery on both hips. He once had an unfortunate run-in with a porcupine (spoiler alert: the porcupine won). About five years ago, he was diagnosed with oral cancer, and in 2023, he suffered a dislocated elbow. Looking at him today in 2025, I honestly never imagined he’d make it this far.

Over the past three years, we’ve tried PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and PFP (Platelet Fibroblast Plasma) injections to support his joints and overall health. In January, I truly thought we were going to lose him. One morning, he woke up and his back legs had completely given out—possibly from a pinched nerve. But miraculously, within 24 hours, he had regained use of his legs. It felt like a second chance.

Then last week, during Ike’s annual vet exam, his bloodwork came back with a surprise diagnosis: Lyme disease. Suddenly, I began to wonder if some of his recent health struggles might have been connected to it all along.

If you have pets—especially older ones—please don’t skip their yearly exams, even if they seem stable or you're tempted to delay. I almost postponed Ike’s appointment because he hadn’t been feeling well, but I’m so grateful I didn’t. Catching Lyme disease early is critical and could explain a lot about sudden or recurring symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, or neurological changes.

Ike’s a fighter, no doubt. And while we don’t know what the future holds, I’m thankful for every extra day we get with him—and for the vets who help make that possible.

Winner of the Week -Collagen Peptides

This isn’t specifically skincare-related, but it ties into overall health and wellness. About two months ago my dad started experiencing significant knee pain and general joint soreness. During a recent trip to Las Vegas, the discomfort became so intense that he couldn’t fully enjoy the trip or participate in most activities.

After doing some research, my friend and I put together a list of recommendations to help reduce the soreness and support his joints going forward:

  • Increase water intake

  • Massage therapy

  • Acupuncture

  • Collagen peptide powder supplements

  • Daily exercise

  • Lose 10–20 pounds

When we got back from Vegas, the collagen peptide supplement had already arrived. I decided to start taking it too. My dad mixes his with coffee, and I drink mine with water. One thing I quickly learned: if you're going to mix collagen peptides with water, go for a flavored version. The unflavored kind does not taste good—chugging it was a struggle! I’ve since switched to the lemonade flavor from Vital Proteins, which is much more tolerable.

Now, almost two months in, my dad's knees and joints are noticeably less sore. Of course, health improvements rarely come from just one thing. Along with the collagen, he’s increased his water intake, started seeing a chiropractor, and now exercises four to five times per week. While I can’t say collagen peptides alone made the difference, I do believe they’re playing a role.

There are many ways to take collagen—powders, gummies, drinks, even pills—and dozens of brands to choose from. Right now, both my dad and I are using Vital Proteins, and so far, we’re happy with it. 

Some studies regarding collagen peptides and it’s benefits for skin and joints:

Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30122200/ 

Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/ 

Low-molecular-weight collagen peptides supplement promotes a healthy skin: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37822045/

Loser of the Week - Numbing Cream Reactions

I linked to this in the news stories above, but it’s worth highlighting again: numbing cream, even when used correctly, can potentially cause unexpected skin reactions. This isn’t about fearmongering—it’s more about awareness. The topic doesn’t get much discussion, but it deserves some attention.  I must say, if I woke up with such a similar loss of volume I’d be freaked out too!

This week on Reddit, a Redditor shared her experience following a microneedling session. She posted a photo showing a noticeable loss of facial volume, describing her face as looking “deflated.” Another user chimed in with a likely explanation: the deflation was probably due to a combination of two things—the absorption of the numbing cream, which can constrict blood vessels, and the natural inflammatory response triggered by microneedling. These tiny punctures can cause fluid shifts and temporary swelling, which later recede, giving the face a thinner or more hollow appearance.

Microneedling typically follows a predictable pattern: swelling and vasoconstriction initially (especially when numbing agents are involved), followed by a temporary “deflation” phase as inflammation calms down. While it can be initially alarming, this process usually resolves within a few days. Hydration is essential for recovery—think gentle serums, moisturizers, and barrier-supporting products to keep skin calm and help it bounce back.

Interestingly, several Redditors mentioned that they avoid numbing creams entirely for treatments like microneedling or lasers due to concerns about these side effects. That being said, I’ve personally undergone multiple microneedling and laser sessions using numbing cream without ever experiencing this type of reaction. I’ve also been diligent about following the instructions closely and making sure to rinse and remove any numbing product thoroughly before treatment. While that may not guarantee a reaction won’t occur, in most cases it does appear to be a short-term issue rather than a lasting problem.  You learn something new every day!

In Case You Missed It

Comment of the Week

Oh thank you so much for your kind comment!  I do have a few hair growth product recommendations.  First, copper peptides are proven to help increase hair follicles growth.  So if you can find a scalp serum with copper peptides that would be my #1 recommendation. I typically buy copper peptide raw powder and mix it into The Ordinary's Multi Peptide Serum for Hair Density.  That would be my other product recommendation.   For severe hair loss (such as after chemotherapy or other major losses) Minoxidil is a great (and very proven) way to regrow hair.  It is typically marketed as the brand Rogaine, which was initially geared towards male hair loss and has been around for a very long time.

Giveaway -
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Thank you both for being part of the No BS Beauty community—we’re so excited for you! Keep an eye on your inboxes; we’ll be in touch so you can claim your goodies. 💌

And if you didn’t win this week, don’t worry—another chance is coming up in the next newsletter!

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