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. Sep 17

    Cellulite, Stretch Marks & Loose Skin: What Really Works?

    Can you actually get rid of cellulite? Are some stretch marks easier to treat than others? And when it comes to loose, crepey skin, which treatments are worth your time? This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, welcome fellow Skin & Tonic nurse practitioner Allie Ballew for an honest, informative and entertaining conversation about cellulite, stretch marks and skin laxity. They explain why cellulite isn't simply a sign of excess body fat, why genetics can play a major role in stretch marks, and why even people who eat well and exercise regularly experience these common skin concerns. Drawing on their clinical experience, the team discusses everything from the discontinued cellulite injectable QWO to subcision, Radiesse, Sculptra and shockwave therapy. They also explore options for stubborn stretch marks, including Plexr, lasers and microneedling, and explain why combining treatments can sometimes be more effective than using a single approach. You'll also hear practical tips for supporting your skin through different stages of life, along with a few unexpected detours into beef tallow, tanning beds and Chris's memorable tanning history. Whether you're considering an aesthetic treatment or simply curious about what's happening beneath your skin, this episode offers a refreshingly candid look at what's possible, what's challenging and why realistic expectations matter. Follow Beauty & The Brain wherever you listen, and join us each week as we make aesthetic medicine a little easier to understand—and a lot more fun to talk about.

  2. Sep 10

    How to Treat Crepey Skin, Loose Skin & Aging Beyond the Face

    We spend a lot of time talking about facial aging — but your face isn’t the only place that changes. This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP are joined by Allie Ballew, NP, to talk about the “forgotten” areas of aging: the neck, chest, hands, earlobes, knees, elbows, and other places patients may notice changes but never realize can actually be treated. The conversation also explores an increasingly common concern after significant weight loss: loose, dry, crepey skin. Chris, Jerry, and Allie discuss what they’re seeing in patients using GLP-1 medications, why being thinner doesn’t always create a more youthful appearance, and how early treatment planning may help address some of those changes. You’ll hear their approach to options like hyperdilute Radiesse, Sculptra, NeoGen, Plexr, Ultherapy, CO2, chemical peels, PRP, PDO threads, radiofrequency treatments, and Botox — and why the best results often come from combining treatments rather than searching for one magic solution. They also get candid about downtime, complications, and an important misconception: the body isn’t necessarily easier to treat than the face. In many areas, it actually heals more slowly, making treatment selection, settings, aftercare, and realistic expectations especially important. If there’s an area that bothers you but you’ve assumed “that’s just aging,” this episode may change the questions you ask at your next consultation. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you don’t miss next week’s conversation — including, apparently, a future episode Jerry has already named “Hoo-hahs and Bootas.”

  3. Sep 3

    Healthy Habits for Travel, Stress & a Packed Schedule

    This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, are getting a little more personal. Chris spends a huge amount of time traveling for work, and while conferences in places like New York, Miami, California, Puerto Rico, and London may sound glamorous, life on the road comes with a very different reality. So how do you maintain skincare, exercise, nutrition, mental health, and some sense of normalcy when you’re constantly moving? Chris shares the routines he’s great at keeping—especially his very regimented skincare routine—and the healthy habits he’ll readily admit still need some work. You’ll hear about the products that always make it into his suitcase, his surprisingly loyal haircut routine, the pharmacy-like collection living inside his backpack, and his weakness for Hershey’s Kisses and airport snacks. Chris and Jerry also dig into something many busy people can relate to: what happens when being productive becomes so normal that slowing down actually creates anxiety. They discuss exercise, meditation, intentionally creating downtime, and why learning how to disconnect may be just as important as checking everything off your list. And if you’ve ever wondered what Chris does when he actually relaxes at home, the answer involves a barn, a pair of Meta glasses, and some very opinionated chickens. It’s an honest conversation about wellness without pretending anyone has it completely figured out—and why taking care of yourself often requires more intention when life gets busy. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you don’t miss next week’s conversation, and send Chris and Jerry your questions about aesthetics, wellness, Skin and Tonic, travel, farm life, or anything else you’d love to hear them unpack on the show.

  4. Aug 27

    Why You Still Have Cellulite Even If You’re in Great Shape

    You can exercise, eat well, have low body fat—and still have cellulite. This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP tackle one of the most common and frustrating concerns in body aesthetics: cellulite. They explain why cellulite isn’t simply “fat,” how fibrous bands beneath the skin create dimpling, and why genetics, hormones, skin thickness, body composition, and aging can all influence its appearance. That also explains why cellulite can show up in people who are extremely fit. Then they get into treatment. Chris and Jerry discuss why cellulite often responds best to a combination approach rather than a single procedure, including subcision to release tethering bands, collagen biostimulators such as Sculptra or hyperdilute Radiesse, and shockwave therapy to improve the surrounding tissue. They also talk candidly about what patients should expect: results take time, treatments may require multiple visits, improvement isn’t always permanent, and the goal should be meaningful improvement rather than an unrealistic promise of perfection. For aesthetic providers, there’s also a practical discussion about designing treatment packages, pricing expensive technology and injectables appropriately, and why recommending the complete treatment protocol is ultimately about achieving better outcomes—not simply selling more treatments. Whether you’re considering cellulite treatment yourself or you’re a provider trying to build better treatment plans, this episode offers a realistic look at what works, what takes time, and why the right sequence of treatments matters. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you don’t miss next week’s conversation on beauty, health, confidence, and the science behind aesthetic medicine.

  5. Aug 20

    Botox or Filler Gone Wrong? When to Worry vs. When to Wait

    What do you do when you look in the mirror after an aesthetic treatment and think, “I hate it”? This week on Beauty & The Brain, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, NP, talk about the difference between an aesthetic result you simply don’t love and a true complication that needs immediate attention. From uneven-looking lips and post-filler swelling to heavy brows after neurotoxin treatments, many concerns that feel alarming at first can actually be part of the normal healing process. Chris and Jerry explain why they often give filler and Botox or Dysport about two weeks to settle before deciding whether an adjustment is needed — and why treating an apparent asymmetry too early can sometimes create a bigger problem. They also cover the other side of the equation: symptoms that shouldn’t be watched and waited on. You’ll hear what can signal an urgent filler complication, why early evaluation matters, and how patient education before treatment can make these situations much easier to navigate. For providers, Chris and Jerry share an equally important message: if you inject long enough, you’ll eventually encounter an outcome that isn’t exactly what you or the patient wanted. The goal isn’t pretending complications never happen. It’s knowing how to recognize them, manage them appropriately, listen to the patient without becoming defensive, and have a strong network of other aesthetic professionals you can turn to when needed. They also share real experiences from their own practice involving filler, neurotoxins, and energy-based treatments — including situations that required patience, retreatment, and a willingness to learn. If you’re a patient wondering what’s normal after an aesthetic procedure, or a provider wanting to become more confident in complication management, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what happens when the result doesn’t immediately go according to plan. Follow Beauty & The Brain so you don’t miss next week’s conversation on aesthetics, health, beauty, safety, and confidence.

  6. Aug 13

    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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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Trailer

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out of 5
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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
    177
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 William C. Croley , Jerry Drinkard
  • Show Website
    Beauty & The Brain®

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