Tea with MD, Seattle, WA (2025)

10/31/2025

My ride-or-die Sephora products to stock up on during the Sephora Holiday Savings Event.

Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator — the ultimate lightweight hydrator that gives skin that fresh, glass-skin glow without feeling greasy. Layers perfectly under SPF and makeup.

Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads — a derm-favorite exfoliant for smoother texture and brighter, more even skin. Great for dullness, congestion, and overall glow.

Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 — completely invisible and weightless. It doubles as a primer and works beautifully under makeup on every skin tone.

Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm — melts away sunscreen and makeup while keeping my barrier happy. I’ve gone through so many jars of this one.

Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream — rich, cushiony moisture that repairs the barrier, calms irritation, and leaves skin soft and supple.

Caffeine Eye Cream — depuffs and hydrates tired eyes while layering smoothly under concealer. Budget-friendly and effective.

10% Azelaic Acid Booster — my go-to multitasker for redness, uneven tone, and post-acne marks. Gentle but delivers results.

SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray — calming hypochlorous acid mist I use for breakouts, irritation, or post-workout skin. Simple, derm-tested, and truly works.

Genesis Defense Thermique Blow-Dry Primer — protects from heat while strengthening and smoothing. My must-have for soft, shiny hair.

Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum — a gentle, fast-absorbing retinol that refines texture and softens fine lines without irritation.

10/30/2025

In this episode of Detangling Hair Loss, we’re talking minoxidil success stories.

It’s not an overnight fix — you need to stay consistent for at least 3–6 months before seeing real results. Minoxidil works by extending your hair’s growth phase and reactivating dormant follicles.

The “dread shed” you see early on? Totally normal. It means the treatment is working and old hairs are making way for new ones.

If you’re using minoxidil, keep going. The progress might be slow, but your hair is working hard behind the scenes.

🎥 VC:

10/29/2025

Over the past few years, we’ve documented a spike in telogen effluvium, a temporary shedding triggered by illness, stress, or hormonal changes. Normally, about 10% of hairs are in the shedding phase — with telogen effluvium, that can jump to 30–40%.⁠
⁠
Common triggers include COVID, emotional stress, poor sleep, coming off birth control, and nutrient deficiencies like low iron or vitamin D. Even weight loss medications like Ozempic can trigger shedding (linking our GLP-1 video in the caption).⁠
⁠
It also feels more common because people are finally talking about it — clinics are reporting more cases, and social media has made hair loss more visible, especially among women in their 20s and 30s.⁠
⁠
The good news? Most telogen effluvium cases are reversible once the trigger resolves. But if shedding continues past six months or you notice widening parts or bald spots, it’s time to see a dermatologist to get to the root cause.⁠
⁠
🎥 on TT. #

10/28/2025

When patients come in for rosacea and think I don’t know ball… trust, I know ball. I’ve had rosacea for most of my life — definitely got it from my dad. Thanks, Dad 🙃 My biggest trigger is stress, so managing that has been key to keeping flare-ups under control.⁠
⁠
Drop your rosacea questions below and comment "rosaceaskin" (one word) and I’ll DM you my top rosacea-healing products (If you’re not following, you might not see my message due to IG’s privacy settings!)⁠
⁠

10/27/2025

10 years as a dermatologist, and people still don’t believe me when I tell them these hair growth hacks actually work 😭⁠
⁠
💧 Minoxidil: Always go for the 5% men’s version — it’s the same active ingredient, just stronger and more cost-effective than the 2% “for women.” The 5% liquid or foam works safely and effectively for both men and women. (Just avoid during pregnancy and keep away from pets.)⁠
⁠
💆‍♀️ Scalp massage: Using your fingertips or a scalp brush after applying minoxidil can help spread the product evenly and improve blood flow to the follicles. It’s not magic — just consistency and circulation.⁠
⁠
🪡 Dermarolling: Think of it as micro-stimulation for your scalp. It boosts blood flow and signals repair, but skip minoxidil the same night to avoid irritation. Start once a week with a 0.25–0.5 mm roller.⁠
⁠
✨ Brows: If you overplucked in the 90s, you can apply 5% minoxidil with a clean spoolie once a day to sparse areas — just keep it out of your eyes and stop if you get irritation.⁠
⁠
Hair growth is slow and steady — consistency is everything. Nothing changes overnight, but science-backed habits do pay off.⁠
⁠

10/26/2025

You’ll never guess where my rings were hiding 🙈 like baby girl why didn’t you say something 😭

10/26/2025

You’ll never guess where my rings were hiding 🙈 like baby girl WHY didn’t you say something 😂

Tell me your mom brain moment below please!

10/25/2025

When we met I had just turned 25, had been burned by a string of toxic relationships, and wasn’t sure what a healthy loving partner looked like. God chose to bring you into my life at that time and I thank Him everyday for you. We’ve been through cross country moves, multiple job and career changes, medical scares, infertility challenges, and devastating losses. But through it all you keep me grounded and give me strength, supporting me to chase every dream while your star continues to shine more and more brilliantly. You are my wish list and I feel so lucky you choose me too ❤️

10/24/2025

Brushing hair when it’s soaking wet causes more breakage than you think. When hair is fully wet, the cuticle layer swells and weakens, making strands more likely to stretch and snap.

Wait until it’s damp, and detangle from the ends up to minimize stress on the hair shaft. Using a wide-tooth comb or flexible detangling brush makes a big difference.

And yes, clean your brush regularly oil, product residue, and microbes can build up on the bristles and transfer right back to your scalp.

Healthy hair starts with healthy habits.

10/23/2025

You, my friend, are about to build your healthiest hair routine ever. 🧠✨
Today’s Episode 7 of the Detangling Hair Loss series is all about building the perfect haircare routine.

1️⃣ Pre-shampoo treatment (optional) — use a scalp oil or exfoliating mask once or twice a week to lift buildup and calm irritation.
2️⃣ Shampoo — cleanse the scalp gently without stripping it.
3️⃣ Conditioner — apply on mid-lengths and ends (or scalp too if it’s dry).
4️⃣ Post-wash scalp serum — non-negotiable for growth; look for actives like peptides, caffeine, or red clover extract.
5️⃣ Leave-in conditioner (optional) — oopsie, forgot to film this one 😅 but it helps with detangling and hydration.
6️⃣ Heat or UV protectant — essential before styling or sun exposure to prevent damage.
7️⃣ Styling products (optional) — use if you want extra volume, shine, or control.

Think of this as your derm-approved roadmap — flexible, effective, and all about consistency.

10/23/2025

You, my friend, are about to build your healthiest hair routine ever. 🧠✨
Today’s Episode 7 of the Detangling Hair Loss series is all about building the perfect haircare routine.

1️⃣ Pre-shampoo treatment (optional) — use a scalp oil or exfoliating mask once or twice a week to lift buildup and calm irritation.
2️⃣ Shampoo — cleanse the scalp gently without stripping it.
3️⃣ Conditioner — apply on mid-lengths and ends (or scalp too if it’s dry).
4️⃣ Post-wash scalp serum — non-negotiable for growth; look for actives like peptides, caffeine, or red clover extract.
5️⃣ Leave-in conditioner (optional) — oopsie, forgot to film this one 😅 but it helps with detangling and hydration.
6️⃣ Heat or UV protectant — essential before styling or sun exposure to prevent damage.
7️⃣ Styling products (optional) — use if you want extra volume, shine, or control.

Think of this as your derm-approved roadmap — flexible, effective, and all about consistency.

10/22/2025

Noticing gray hairs earlier than you expected? 👀⁠
Here’s the science behind it (PMID: 39697103).⁠
⁠
Genetics play a major role, but oxidative stress — from things like UV, pollution, and chronic stress — can speed things up.⁠
Low vitamin levels (B12, D, iron, copper, zinc) also matter, so a nutrient-rich diet is key.⁠
If you’re seeing grays sooner than expected, focus on antioxidant-rich foods, stress management, and getting labs checked if you suspect deficiencies.⁠
There are new anti-graying supplements and topicals out there. I haven’t tried them yet, but I’ll report back once I do.⁠
⁠
VC on TT: .liviagallagher⁠

Tea with MD

10/31/2025

10/30/2025

10/29/2025

10/28/2025

10/27/2025

10/26/2025

10/26/2025

10/25/2025

10/24/2025

10/23/2025

10/23/2025

10/22/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category