Beauty & The Brain®

William C. Croley , Jerry Drinkard
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Beauty & The Brain, the podcast where we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of medical aesthetics! I'm Dr. Chris Croley, and I'm joined by my co-host Jerry Drinkard, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Together, we co-own Skin & Tonic, a medical spa that's passionate about providing the latest and greatest treatments to help our clients look and feel their best. We started this podcast out of our love for medical aesthetics and our desire to share our knowledge and insights with others. Every week, we'll be discussing new trends, sharing our thoughts on controversial topics, and keeping you up to date on the latest technology in the industry. But we won't just be talking to ourselves! We're excited to bring in experts and industry leaders to share their perspectives and insights with our listeners. Our goal is to provide a podcast that's authentic, informative, and genuinely helpful for anyone who's interested in beauty and wellness. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast or a medical professional, we hope you'll tune in every week to learn something new and join us on this journey of discovery. So, if you're ready to dive into the world of medical aesthetics, join us on Beauty & The Brain, and let's explore this fascinating industry together!

  1. 5d ago

    Why Your Skin Suddenly Gets Weird as You Age

    Has your skin ever seemed to change the rules on you? In this episode of Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, talk about why the skincare routine that worked perfectly in your 20s may suddenly stop working in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond. From adult acne and rosacea to unexpected dryness, oiliness, redness, and hormonal breakouts, Chris and Jerry unpack some of the changes they see as patients age—and why the answer isn’t always another exfoliant or a brand-new skincare routine. They discuss how hormonal shifts, menopause and perimenopause, testosterone therapy, environmental damage, skincare habits, and overall health can influence the skin. You’ll also hear why over-treating the skin can backfire, why consistency matters, and why the simple foundation of cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin still matters at every age. The conversation also covers advanced skin imaging, collagen-stimulating treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, lasers, biostimulators, and the value of building a treatment plan based on what your skin actually needs—not just what you see in the mirror. If your skin suddenly feels drier, oilier, redder, more sensitive, or more breakout-prone than it used to, this episode will help you understand what may be changing and why your approach may need to change with it. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you don’t miss next week’s conversation on beauty, health, aesthetics, and feeling confident at every stage.

  2. Aug 6

    A Smarter Guide to Peptides for Skin, Weight, and Wellness

    Peptides are having a major moment—but the excitement is moving much faster than the regulation. This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, take a closer look at what peptides are, why they’re attracting so much attention, and what patients need to know before ordering a product online or beginning treatment. From weight management and glucose control to muscle growth, skin, hair, and longevity, peptides are being promoted for a long list of potential benefits. But where a peptide comes from, how it was manufactured, how it was stored, and whether it was actually intended for human use can make a major difference. Chris and Jerry discuss the risks of research-grade products, misleading labels, contaminated supplements, inconsistent sourcing, and the lack of oversight in parts of the peptide industry. They also explain why even promising therapies should be approached with a critical eye—and why a qualified medical provider needs to understand your health history before recommending anything. The conversation also explores emerging oral peptide products, possible changes within the compounding landscape, and the steps patients and providers can take to make safer, better-informed decisions. Peptides may offer exciting possibilities, but they are still medicine—not a shortcut without consequences. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you never miss a candid conversation about beauty, health, wellness, and confidence.

  3. Jul 30

    The Orgasm Gap: What Most Couples Aren’t Talking About

    It’s National Orgasm Day, and Jerry Drinkard, NP, and Allie Ballew, NP are marking the occasion with a candid, funny, and refreshingly open conversation about the orgasm gap. With Dr. Chris Croley away this week, Jerry and Allie unpack why men and women often report very different experiences with orgasm—and why it can still feel so difficult to talk about. They explore the many factors that can shape sexual pleasure, including anatomy education, communication, emotional safety, performance anxiety, hormonal changes, medications, vaginal dryness, painful sex, and the pressure to treat orgasm as the only goal of intimacy. They also discuss sexual-wellness options available at Skin and Tonic, including the O-Shot, Scream Cream, P-Wave treatments, and vaginal CO₂ laser procedures, while emphasizing that the right solution depends on the underlying cause. The biggest takeaway is simple: sexual health becomes much less intimidating when we are willing to talk about it—with our partners and with providers we trust. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you never miss Jerry and Dr. Chris as they continue exploring the connection between beauty, health, confidence, and feeling your best.

  4. Jul 23

    Smarter Consultations: How AI Is Improving Aesthetic Care

    AI can give you bigger lips, sharper features, smoother skin, and even a completely different body in seconds—but that does not mean those results are realistic. This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, unpack the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence in aesthetic medicine. They explain why generic AI images can create misleading expectations and how more specialized tools are helping patients explore treatments without losing sight of what is safe, natural, and achievable. You’ll hear how Skin and Tonic Med Spa uses Ageless AI through RepeatMD to help patients visualize potential treatment outcomes, understand facial balancing, and review possible treatment costs before a consultation. Chris and Jerry also discuss ClearView’s predictive-aging technology, which evaluates current skin damage and illustrates how the skin may change over the next several years. The conversation goes beyond before-and-after simulations. They also share how AI supports patient education, appointment communication, pre- and post-care questions, marketing, and everyday practice operations—and why many patients actually enjoy the convenience and clarity of speaking with a well-trained AI assistant. Whether you are curious about cosmetic treatments, work in aesthetics, or simply want to understand how AI is influencing beauty and healthcare, this episode offers a practical look at the technology’s possibilities and limitations. For more information on Ageless, send Dr. Croley a dm @drcroley or an email at info@drcroley.com Local to Pensacola, Milton, or Pace? Contact Skin and Tonic Med Spa to learn about a complimentary AI-supported skin analysis. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you never miss a candid conversation about beauty, health, aesthetics, and confidence.

  5. Jul 16

    Is Your Botox Fake? The Red Flags to Know

    When does a great Botox deal become too good to be true? Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, are breaking down the real story behind cheap neurotoxin treatments in this episode of Beauty & The Brain. They explain why pricing can vary between practices, when a promotion may be completely legitimate, and which red flags could point to counterfeit products, unauthorized sourcing, improper storage, or an underqualified injector. They also clear up common confusion around Botox and Dysport units, discuss why a lower dose may not last as long, and explain why patients should always know exactly what product is being injected. Plus, Chris and Jerry explore new neurotoxins that could offer results within hours, last only a few weeks, or potentially remain effective for five to six months. This episode will help you become a more informed aesthetics patient by showing you what to ask during a consultation, how to verify your provider’s credentials, and why choosing an injector based only on price can carry serious risks. Follow Beauty & The Brain for more smart, approachable conversations about aesthetics, health, beauty, and feeling confident in your own skin.

  6. Jul 9

    PRP, PRF, and Exosomes: Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Goals

    This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP are joined by Allie Ballew at Skin and Tonic in Pace, Florida to unpack the world of regenerative aesthetics. If you’ve heard terms like PRP, PRF, exosomes, PDRN, PDGF, or stem cells and wondered what they actually mean, this episode breaks it down in a way that makes sense. The team talks through the difference between platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin, when PRF gel may be helpful, why PRP is often used for hair and sexual health, and how exosomes fit into the bigger conversation around skin rejuvenation. They also dig into what patients need to know before jumping on the latest aesthetic trend—especially when it comes to injectable vs. topical use, compliance, provider education, and realistic expectations. This conversation is perfect for anyone curious about more natural-looking aesthetic treatments, collagen and elastin support, under-eye rejuvenation, hair restoration, or the science behind using your body’s own healing factors to support healthier-looking skin. Follow Beauty & The Brain for more smart, approachable conversations about beauty, health, aesthetics, and confidence.

  7. Jul 2

    Why Does Your Botox Wear Off So Fast?

    This week, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, are joined by Skin & Tonic nurse practitioner Allie Ballew, NP, to tackle one of the questions they hear most often in clinic: "Why doesn't my Botox last as long as everyone else's?" The answer is more complicated than you might think. From dosing and muscle strength to aging, treatment goals, and patient expectations, the team explains what really determines how long neurotoxins last—and why comparing your results to someone else's rarely tells the whole story. They also discuss the differences between today's available neurotoxins, whether longer-lasting products are worth the trade-offs, and the truth behind popular myths like taking zinc supplements to extend your results. Whether you're considering your first treatment or you've been receiving neurotoxins for years, this episode offers practical insight that will help you better understand your treatment plan and set realistic expectations. If you enjoy conversations that combine science, aesthetics, and honest patient education, be sure to follow Beauty & The Brain and leave a review so you never miss a new episode.

  8. Jun 25

    How Weight Loss and Menopause Affect the Labia

    This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP are back together for a conversation that may feel taboo at first—but is incredibly real for many women. They’re talking about the external changes that can happen to the labia after weight loss, GLP-1 medications, childbirth, hormonal shifts, perimenopause, and aging. From volume loss and laxity to discoloration, discomfort, chafing, and changes in confidence, Chris and Jerry explain why intimate-area concerns are not just cosmetic—they can affect how people feel in their bodies. In this episode, they cover the difference between the labia majora and labia minora, why “deflation” can change the overall appearance of the area, and what treatment options may help. They discuss filler, PRP/PRF, regenerative treatments, Plexr, Neogen, topical pigment support, and internal treatments like the O-Shot for function-related concerns. They also talk through safety, who may need to avoid or delay treatment, and why having a trusted provider makes these conversations easier. Because confidence does not stop at the face. Listen in, follow the show, and share this episode with someone who might appreciate a real, judgment-free conversation about aesthetics, aging, and intimate wellness.

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Trailer

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About

Welcome to Beauty & The Brain, the podcast where we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of medical aesthetics! I'm Dr. Chris Croley, and I'm joined by my co-host Jerry Drinkard, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Together, we co-own Skin & Tonic, a medical spa that's passionate about providing the latest and greatest treatments to help our clients look and feel their best. We started this podcast out of our love for medical aesthetics and our desire to share our knowledge and insights with others. Every week, we'll be discussing new trends, sharing our thoughts on controversial topics, and keeping you up to date on the latest technology in the industry. But we won't just be talking to ourselves! We're excited to bring in experts and industry leaders to share their perspectives and insights with our listeners. Our goal is to provide a podcast that's authentic, informative, and genuinely helpful for anyone who's interested in beauty and wellness. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast or a medical professional, we hope you'll tune in every week to learn something new and join us on this journey of discovery. So, if you're ready to dive into the world of medical aesthetics, join us on Beauty & The Brain, and let's explore this fascinating industry together!

Information

  • Creator
    William C. Croley , Jerry Drinkard
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    172
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 William C. Croley , Jerry Drinkard
  • Show Website
    Beauty & The Brain®

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