BIOHACKING YOUR SKIN 101
What was a not-so-common term a decade ago is now mainstream and has built an incredible following by consumers and performance seekers alike. Coming off our participation in the 10th anniversary of a biohacking conference in Austin Texas, I felt compelled to put together some observations and take-aways from this event.
Emerging in the early 2000s, Biohacking is the combining of the term Biology (your body) and Hacking (making unconventional adjustments to boost performance). The term was popularized by several people, including the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, Dave Asprey.
Biohacking covers a myriad of activities—all driven at ‘goosing’ performance for those who adopt the strategy. These ‘hacks’ include:
Behavioral- breath work, sleep optimization, breathe work, and tracking heart rate variability (HRV)
Nutritional protocols- intermittent fasting, nootropics, ketogenic diet & other dietary protocols
Supplementation- NAD+, Creatine, Peptides, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Environmental- Red Light Therapy, Hyperbaric Chambers, Cold Plunging, EMF blockers & unending devices and tools
Technology- Wearable tech and tracking systems that can pinpoint accurate measurements on the biometric markets previously mentioned(sleep, HRV, blood oxygen, and resting heart rate)
There is no shortage of Skincare Hacks within this community. We see all sorts of gadgets and tools to amplify your skin’s glow and health. In addition, there have been numerous practices that are popularized under the shroud of “biohacking” for optimal skin.
Micro-needling, Dermaplaning, Microdermabrasion, IPL, Chemical Peels, Dermal Fillers, Botox, and Laser Resurfacing are but a few of the skincare methods that have gained significant popularity in the past decade. I can’t say that all these methods are directly linked to the Biohacking community and we’re not here to judge. That said, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM BOTOX!
There is certainly utility in implementing some of these tools into your skincare life—especially if you have some pre-existing skin damage or scarring.
Does Biohacking Take our Eye off the Foundation?
We love biohacking, but not at the cost of ignoring the fundamental lifestyle choices that lead to optimal health. When it comes to skin health, there is nearly a 100% correlation between the basics needed for optimal skin AND every other performance-based aspect of your life.
Biohacking is AWESOME…. but is nearly pointless unless you are addressing the underlying basics that build a healthy foundation for the “hacks” to have the greatest impact. We especially see this in skincare. People are so quick to chase the newest gadget or dermatological technique, rather than focusing on the stuff that has worked for thousands of years.
The basics aren’t being discussed by most dermatologists and aestheticians. The basics don’t generate any revenue for their respective fields. Here are your baseline skincare hacks that you should employ before you consider investing in the ‘fancy’ stuff.
Sleep- It ain’t sexy…but then again, it’s the sexiest thing you can do for your skin, body and spirit. 99%* of the human population requires 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. A dark/cool room is ideal, and you should eliminate artificial blue light at least an hour before bedtime.
*If you think you’re one of the 1% of people that can get by on only a few hours of sleep—check your ego at the door and give this a try.
Nutrient Dense Food- We’re going to make this very simple…eat real food and get at least 50% of your calories from animal-based nutrition. Meat, eggs, fish, dairy and healthy fats should be at the top of your grocery list. Eat these foods when you’re hungry and consume them until you’re full. AVOID SUGAR and artificial ingredients as often as possible.
Play & Exercise- These two should go hand in hand. There are countless skin benefits from regular sweating and exercise. Fundamentally, we want you moving and ‘playing’ with other human beings. Too many people get lost in the overwhelming nature of a workout routine—when for many people, regular walks and basic bodyweight movements are enough to keep them glowing.
Skincare & Sanitization- There are some fundamental aspects of skin health that are certainly related to your skin. Farrow may be the only company to put the previously mentioned lifestyle choices over our products…but that’s the damn truth of the matter. Saying that, WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN DOES MATTER.
Stay away from products that have ingredients you can’t pronounce…this is most products. Also, remove chemical and alcohol-based cleansers from your routine. If it says “Soap” it should be reasonably good…but also check for the term Fragrances—you’ll want to avoid those too.
Our skin is way over-sanitized in today’s world. Warm running water and a nice washcloth can remove 95% of the dirty and grime that has built up on your skin. It’s perfectly OK to use soap when you’ve got grease or grime but try and keep soap use to a minimum. Don’t worry, you won’t stink.
Other products that should be CLEAN when going on your skin: deodorant, after-shave, sunscreen, and makeup (for the ladies).
If you’re Biohacking Curious and want a great opportunity to explore this burgeoning market…
Consider booking a trip to Tampa Florida for this year’s
Hack Your Health Conference November 14-16.
Not only will you get a cornucopia of practitioners and professionals in the wellness and biohacking space, but also a chance to see many innovative brands on the exhibit floor.
I’ll be speaking on a panel for Regenerative Farming and doing a talk on how the Lard Works in Mysterious Ways.
Use Promo Code: FARROW to save $100 off your ticket.