After Hours Skin Clinic

If you care about healthy, resilient skin long-term, your neck deserves the same attention as your face...and this episode explains why.

In this episode of After Hours Skin Clinic, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid explain how neck skin behaves differently and what actually supports it as we age, as well as why we might regret it if we don't give it the attention it needs.

Emma and Ellie break explain:

How neck skin differs from facial skin

Why the neck is thinner, more fragile and slower to heal

The role of the platysma muscle in neck ageing and how this affects the way it looks

“Tech neck” lines and repetitive creasing

Sun damage, fragrance and pigmentation (poikiloderma)

Why many people protect their face but forget their neck

Whether expensive “neck creams” actually work

The truth about retinol and tretinoin on the neck

In-clinic treatments: Botox, biostimulatory injectables, radiofrequency microneedling and surgery

What’s worth your money and what isn’t

They also discuss the powerful case study of a 92-year-old woman whose face looked decades younger than her neck, simply because she applied sunscreen to her face for 40 years but, cruicially, she never extended it downwards.

If you want clearer, firmer, healthier-looking skin, don’t stop at your jawline!

Klira - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to klira.skin

Follow & Connect:Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinicEmail: [email protected]

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production. 

Products mentioned: RoC Derm Correxion Retinol Firming Serum Stick to Lift, Tighten & Smooth Fine Lines
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Is deodorant dangerous?

Does aluminium in antiperspirant cause breast cancer?

Are we “blocking toxins” when we stop ourselves sweating?

This week on After Hours Skin Clinic, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid cut through one of the most persistent skincare myths on the internet: the safety of deodorants and antiperspirants.

From aluminium and breast cancer fears to “endocrine disruptors,” hormone myths and detox misinformation, Emma and Ellie break down what the science actually says (and what the noise on social media can get very wrong).

They explain:

The difference between deodorant and antipersant

What aluminium actually does in the skin

Whether antiperspirants increase cancer risk

The truth about “toxin build-up”

What endocrine disruptors really mean

Why irritation and contact dermatitis are more common than serious risk

How to manage excessive sweating safely

They also discuss fragrance reactions, irritant dermatitis, and when stronger antiperspirants for hyperhidrosis are appropriate.

If you’ve ever felt worried about using antiperspirant or confused by clean beauty claims this episode will leave you informed and reassured.

Have a skincare myth you want us to tackle next? Send it in.

Klira - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to klira.skin

Follow & Connect:Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinicEmail: [email protected]

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are your under-eyes puffy in the morning? You've got dark circles that won't go away no matter how much sleep you get? Is it pigmentation, fluid retention … or just shadows?

In this episode of After Hours Skin Clinic, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid address one of the most common skincare concerns: puffy eyes and dark circles. They offer the explanations, solutions and expert advice that may actually help you fix your dark circles.

Because the important truth is, not all “eye bags” are the same. And if you don’t understand what’s causing yours, you’ll likely never be able to treat them properly. Plus there are some approaches that are better than others and some that require serious consideration beforehand (spoiler: fillers).

In this episode Emma and Ellie break down:

The key differences between puffiness, pigmentation, shadows and true 'eye bags'

Why fluid retention, hormones, sleep, salt and alcohol can make your under eyes look worse

How allergies and eczema cause post-inflammatory pigmentation (especially in skin of colour)

The role of anatomy, ageing and collagen loss

Why tear trough filler needs serious caution

What eye creams can and can’t do

Ingredients that actually help (tretinoin, caffeine, antioxidants, hydroquinone) and when to use them

Lymphatic drainage massage and simple at-home tricks that genuinely work

When injectables or blepharoplasty might be appropriate

The cheap, quick trick hiding up Ellie's sleeve

Emma and Ellie also talk honestly about trends (including the haemorrhoid cream craze… ), and why understanding the cause is everything when it comes to treating under-eye darkness.

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Why do I look exhausted?”, this episode is for you. Because healthy, glowing skin is about understanding what’s really going on.

Have any questions? Send them over to [email protected] 

Find us on Instagram @AfterHoursSkinClinic

⁠Klira⁠ - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to ⁠klira.skin⁠

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Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode covers the science behind pores, oil production, blackheads, sebaceous filaments, ageing, UV damage and acne. Consultant dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid share practical, evidence-based advice to help you focus on healthier, more resilient skin rather than chasing “poreless” perfection.

Emma and Ellie cut through the misinformation around pores. From pore-shrinking serums, blackhead extraction tools and nose strips to viral skincare hacks, they explain what pores actually are, why they can look more visible, and what really helps improve pore appearance and skin texture.

This episode covers:


Why everyone has pores and why you can’t shrink, open or close them


What actually makes pores look larger, including oil production, acne scarring, ageing and sun damage

How filters, lighting and magnifying mirrors distort how we see our skin


Sebaceous filaments vs blackheads - what’s normal and what isn’t

Why pore strips and extraction tools offer only short-term results and may even be damaging your pores

Ingredients that can help improve the appearance of pores over time: Salicylic acid, retinoids (including tretinoin), niacinamide

The role of collagen loss in visible pores

Prescription ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of pores (Spironolactone, tretinoin)

In-clinic treatments that may help selected patients (Botulinum toxin, lasers)

Why consistency and patience matter more than quick fixes

Have any questions? Send them over to [email protected] 

Find us on Instagram @AfterHoursSkinClinic

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This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your treatment.

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What skincare trends are actually worth paying attention to in 2026 and which ones should be left behind in 2025? In this episode of After Hours Skin Clinic, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid break down the biggest skincare trends of 2026 through an expert, evidence-based lens.

From AI skin analysis and “longevity skincare” to barrier-focused routines, antioxidants, peptides, polynucleotides (PDRN), lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid, they explain what’s backed by real science, what’s still emerging, and what’s mostly marketing noise. You’ll hear why skin barrier first skincare is firmly here to stay, why fewer steps may be better than more, and how to critically appraise skincare trends before spending your money.

This episode is about cutting through the noise, understanding ingredients properly, and focusing on what genuinely supports long-term skin health…not just what’s trending on social media.

As always, this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

Products mentioned: 

The Klira Nighttime Special

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Medik8 Advanced Liquid Peptides

Medik8 Peptide Cream

Ameliorate (lactic acid products for keratosis pilaris)

Aveeno Very Dry Skin Ointment 

CeraVe Healing Ointment

Klira - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to klira.skin

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Have any questions? Send them over to [email protected] 

Find us on Instagram @AfterHoursSkinClinic

_____

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices