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Amy Schumer Revealed She’s Going Through IVF Treatments


Comedian Amy Schumer has always been one to share what’s on her mind—in her stand-up sets, in interviews, and on her own social media feeds. That has become especially true since she got pregnant with and gave birth to her first child with husband Chris Fischer, Gene, who’s now eight months old.

This week Schumer revealed that she is going through IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments in order to have a second child—and asking fans for advice in dealing with the grueling process.

“I’m a week into IVF and feeling really run down and emotional,” she wrote in a caption next to a photo of her bruised belly. “If anyone went through it and if you have any advice or wouldn’t mind sharing your experience with me please do. My number is in my bio. We are freezing my eggs and figuring out what to do to give Gene a sibling. ❤️” And there is indeed a phone number in the bio (+1 (917) 970-9333) for anyone who wants to reach out.

The comments section was filled with supportive comments from fellow celebs like Katie Couric who wrote, “You got this mama❤️❤️ Sending you lots of love ! ?” and Selena Gomez who said, “I’m praying for you and chris. I’m sorry!”

Other people shared their own personal experiences like one woman who wrote, “Ugh. I did 7 rounds to get my b/g twins. It was such an emotional roller coaster. I remember the bruises like you have and feeling like a giant bloated pin cushion. Thank you for normalizing and bringing this topic out into the open.”

During her pregnancy, Schumer suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum—which is like an extreme form of morning sickness—and wasn’t afraid to show its effects on her body and life. Including daily bouts of vomiting. (Kate Middleton also had the same condition when pregnant with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.) And after giving birth, Schumer didn’t stop bringing her characteristic humor to the struggles of mom life.

The emotional and physical toll IVF takes is only made worse by a culture of silence. For women dealing with fertility issues, it’s amazing to see women like Schumer opening up the conversation.

UPDATE: January 11, 3:13 p.m.: Amy Schumer provided an update about her IVF process to her followers, explaining that she and her husband have decided to freeze their embryos.

The comedian also shared some of the tips she received from fans who have undergone IVF, listing things like eating salty foods, drinking Gatorade, icing the area, and, most importantly, being “patient and kind” to yourself.

“There are sooooo many of us willing to be there for each other,” Schumer penned in the caption. “Your stories helped me more than you can imagine. I feel incredibly lucky. I’m really hoping this works and staying positive. Much much love!”



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Face Fillers: Your Ultimate Guide to Treatments and Costs


Simon Ourian, M.D., whose Beverly Hills clinic Epione is particularly popular for injectables, counts lips as one of his most-requested treatments. He estimates the average cost at $2,900 to $4,900. “Fillers can be charged by units or by area,” he says. “In my practice, we charge by area to achieve the desired look each patient wants instead of limiting them to a certain amount of units per area.” That pricing model may also be due to the fact that he compounds his own formations with FDA-approved fillers. “For a more youthful, plumped appearance, I use a combination a of hydrophilic-based fillers and a non-hydrophilic formula to create a more defined appearance for areas such as the lip boarders,” he says.

Dendy Engelman, M.D. prefers a thinner, softer product made from hyaluronic acid like Juvederm Volbella for lips. In her clinic, they charge by the syringe, so based on the amount of product you need, the starting price is typically $1,000 to $1,400. (And FYI, to get the look most influencers have, it’s typically two to three syringes, if not more.)

Cheeks

Want more lifted and sculpted cheekbones? There’s filler for that. But the midface is an area where you might see a cannula more commonly used than a needle. “Cannulas are blunt-tipped thin tubes used for filler placement,” says Weiser. Because they lack the sharp tip of a needle, they’re less likely to be inserted directly into a blood vessel, causing potential complications that can be as severe as blindness. “The one drawback of the cannula is that they are not quite as precise as needles so occasionally more product volume is needed, or the result may be slightly less exact than intended,” she adds. “Many experienced providers choose to use a combination of cannula for large scale injections and than a needle for the fine and more precise aspects.”

Your dermatologist or plastic surgeon will apply or inject a local anesthetic to the treated area, create an opening with a needle, and slide the cannula in. As for the technique and cost, that depends on the result you want. “The midface loses fat and structural support from the cheekbone resulting in a flattening and shadowing of your cheek,” says Weiser. “Filler can be used along the cheekbone to a more youthful contour to your cheeks.” She estimates that this type of midface injection can cost around $1,200, and typically those getting this treatment tend to be older and have already lost volume in their cheeks due to aging. But, again, if you want the “Instagram face” look, there’s also the option to contour your cheeks, creating a sharper, lifted cheekbone instead of making your midface look fuller. Expect that to start around $650.

Temples

Temples are another area of the face that will lose fat and become hollow over time, according to Weiser. You likely won’t need too much product here, but pricing also factors in complexity of treatment. “Treating a temple hollow could cost $1,500 or more,” she says. This is one of those “no-filler filler” treatments where if done correctly, it won’t look like you’ve had any work done. Currently, this isn’t an FDA-approved use, although licensed practitioners do often use injectibles off-label (like jaw Botox for teeth grinding).

Jawline

Some patients ask for jawline filler in order to compensate for loss of bone structure over time, while others simply want to sculpt a more angular profile. Ourian cites jawline contouring as the most popular treatment in his clinic. “For a chiseled appearance, I created a calcium-based and hyaluronic acid formula,” he says, estimating the cost tends range between $3,900 to $5,900. (Note again, that this is off-label use.)





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The Best Itchy Scalp Treatments and Products


For so long, itchy scalp treatments and products for dandruff were a one-to-one operation. See a flake? Pick up a cheap, clunky bottle of shampoo from the drugstore and breathe in the smell of dads everywhere. Tried and true formulas get the job done, and have been with us through thick and thin, but—make no bones about it—dandruff shampoo isn’t exactly the chicest product in the shower. We push it to the back of the caddy.

But no longer. With more info than ever about the importance of scalp health (and horror stories about dry shampoo’s dark side), scalp products are stepping up their game. And they’re doing so in hoards. Every time we open Instagram it seems like another luxury brand is releasing a new scrub, mask, or elixir promising to to de-flake, balance, and nourish your scalp.

It’s easy to be suckered into pretty packaging, but seriously, how many scalp products does one woman need? Should you be using a scalp-focused shampoo, let alone an entire collection, even if you don’t deal with dandruff? It turns out, yes, according to pros.

“Everyone, no matter their gender or age, can benefit from taking care of their scalp,” says Dr. Ariel Ostad, a NYC-based dermatologist. Your scalp is more prone to dryness than your hair, and a build-up of styling products and increased pollution can lead to irritation and flakiness. Hadley King, M.D., a dermatologist at Skinney Medspa in New York City, adds that excess dryness is something to keep your eye on, as it can eventually lead to hair loss.

While scalp care is definitely something you should be thinking about, most experts will agree you don’t need a full arsenal of products, and less is actually more because too many products can lead to irritation. “We are conditioned to think we need more products than we do, often leading to over washing, which actually irritates our skin by disrupting its natural barrier,” says Ostad.

A clarifying shampoo is something everyone can use once or twice a week to help get rid of build-up, and actually clean your scalp, not just your hair. If you need a deeper clean, King suggests scrubs for deeper exfoliation, but Ostad warns that they can be irritating, so ease in. He also recommends using a moisturizing oil weekly or a mask monthly to really hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier and protect your hair follicles. More targeted serums and treatments are best for those who are trying to prevent hair loss.

The one thing everyone should be using every day? Sunscreen. Just like your face, you should be using SPF daily in order to protect your delicate scalp skin. “I encourage my patients to wear hats whenever possible in the sun, since they protect our scalp as well as our face,” says Ostad.

So, in short: No, the influx of cool dandruff and itchy scalp treatments aren’t just a marketing ploy. But if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites below.

Kristin Ess Anytime Anywhere Scalp + Hair Milk Oil

It’s hard to find scalp products that clock in at under $20 that don’t look clinical, but as always, Kristin Ess delivers. This bi-phase milk has avocado, olive, jojoba, and castor oils to moisturize both your scalp and hair.

Kristin Ess Anytime Anywhere Scalp + Hair Milk Oi

$14

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Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Who could say no to this pretty pink packaging? Plus, the shampoo’s inclusion of salicylic acid works to gently exfoliate and cleanse build up and irritation.

Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

$46

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Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt

This gritty sea salt scrub has a cult following and 613 glowing Sephora reviews, but the derms we spoke to had mixed opinions on physical head scrubs as a whole. While Ostad is in favor of salicylic acid to tackle dandruff, King says that if that kind of chemical exfoliant isn’t your favorite, scrubs like Robin’s could do the trick instead by clearing out the buildup and dead skin that can cause inflammation.

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt

$53

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Amika Reset Pink Charcoal Scalp Cleansing Oil

If you have really sensitive skin, this cleansing oil will de-gunk your scalp with French pink clay and charcoal, but the Sunflower oil base won’t strip skin. Because the oil emulsifies into a light milk, all hair types can use it and will be left with soft and shiny hair.

Amika Reset Pink Charcoal Scalp Cleansing Oil

$25

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Kérastase Resistance Length Strengthening Scalp Serum

If your number one concern is hair loss, choose a targeted serum. This one uses Creatine R Complex and ceramides to strengthen your scalp and hair follicles, plus smells like an expensive salon.

Kérastase Resistance Length Strengthening Scalp Serum

$51

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Davines The Wake-Up Circle Mask

This yummy mask re-invigorates and moisturizes your scalp and hair with Rhodiola extract and purple clay.

Davines The Wake-Up Circle Mask

$10

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Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo,

This gentle scrub is perfect for keeping flakes at bay with minimal irritation. It draws on “vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators” to remove dead skin and buildup, and King says the addition of coconut oil will help you moisturize an itchy scalp and soften flakes.

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo,

$42

Buy Now

Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

Chic and with all the dandruff-fighting properties of a traditional flake-targeting shampoo: Sachajuan’s formula includes salicylic acid, piroctone olamine, and climbazole to exfoliate skin and kick-start healthy cell turnover. King says the combo takes on yeast—if left alone, bacteria feeds off of it to create more inflammation and flakes

Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

$28

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Aveda Pramasana Protective Scalp Concentrate

Aveda’s little turquoise bottle homes in on the powers of lactobacillus, which the brand says preserves your scalp’s natural protective barrier; seaweed extract, to help control and balance sebum levels; and tamanu oil, which they say protects your scalp from pollution and other free radicals.

Aveda Pramasana Protective Scalp Concentrate

$46

Buy Now

Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment

This treatment is ideal to soothe and moisturize very dry scalps. Ostad loves it for it’s inclusion of Argan Oil, which is full of nourishing essential fatty acids to calm irritation.

Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment

$38

Buy Now



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9 Soothing Rosacea Treatments That Don't Require a Prescription


“Are you wearing blush?” is a question I’ve received since I was old enough to understand English. My answer has always been an automatic, “No, that’s just my face.”

As skin conditions go, I know that I can’t really complain about mine. I have a case of rosacea so mild that it passes for makeup most days. Exceptions occur only when I exercise, drink alcohol, eat spicy food, or overheat, which is when my face becomes noticeably more flushed. In these instances, the question typically changes to the somewhat less flattering, “Are you okay? Your face…” Still, I’ve never had a flare-up so extreme that it called for an urgent visit to a dermatologist. A regimen of products labeled “soothing” and “hydrating” is the only change I ever bothered making.

A recent meeting with dermatologist Dr. Timm Golueke alerted me that I might want to rethink that attitude. “You have rosacea,” he informed me mid-conversation (in the kindest way possible). I considered it a welcome reminder to start assembling a more tailored skin care routine.

A very important point to remember when it comes to rosacea is that the chronic condition gets worse over time. According to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, it’s best to prevent progression in the earlier stages. “Rosacea is in your genes and while we cannot change our genetic make up, we can change the way that our genes are expressed,” he says. Dr. Golueke notes that a milder version will manifest as facial redness (although having facial redness doesn’t necessarily indicate that you have rosacea), while more aggressive versions cause pimple-like bumps on your cheeks and nose. Triggers include spicy foods, the sun, and irritating skin care ingredients (particularly retinols, exfoliants, and anything acid-based).

As for treatments, there are common prescription options that are both topical and oral. I’m currently using Soolantra on Dr. Golueke’s suggestion, which contains the active ingredient, ivermectin. Ivermectin helps reduce the level of mites living on your skin, which is increased (thereby causing inflammation) in those with rosacea. Your dermatologist may also prescribe Mirvaso or Rhofade, which constrict blood vessels in your face, reducing the appearance of redness for hours.

Then, there’s Oracea, a medication taken by mouth that reduces inflammation from the inside out. “While it’s technically considered an antibiotic, the dose is so low that it doesn’t kill any bacteria,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It really works as an anti-inflammatory treatment, and because of this, it can be taken for extended periods of time without the risk of bacterial resistance.”

In the realm of beauty tech, LED light therapy also scores points for reducing redness. This is an option celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas often recommends. “It thickens your skin and helps eliminate that persistent redness,” she says. “LED light has been proven to increase the energy in living tissue, which is why it stimulates collagen production, reduces inflammation, and speeds healing.” In her practice, she often administers the treatment with her RevitaLight Bed.

While LED facials and derm appointments are highly recommended if you want to effectively treat your rosacea, they don’t cover everything else you do at home. So to make sure your top shelf is fully expert-approved, I asked the pros to also weigh in on effective over-the-counter products for rosacea. Below, an everyday routine that will keep your face cool and calm—no prescription needed.



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The Best Acne Scar Treatments, According to Derms


So your zinger of a pimple finally went away. (Congratulations!) But before you put away your concealer, look again. You might be dealing with some side effects, like a new dark spot right where the offender in question was. It’s an acne scar, and it’s like your zit’s final kiss-off.

Dermatologists would first like us to know that what most of us consider acne scars—that is, the residual marks following a popped pimple—aren’t always scars (since scars imply permanence). Most derms refer to the subsequent discoloration as stains, marks, or blemishes. And the good news? These are usually temporary.

“Red marks or blemishes are the result of smoldering inflammation left behind by the active pimple,” says Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology. “These marks will fade, but that can take a long time, and it’s frustrating.” Popping your zit will definitely lead to marks even darker than this (think purple) that last longer, too. So if you’re prone to them, consider it yet another reason to keep your hands off. Another common stain are dark spots, or hyperpigmentation. These crop up more often in those with darker skin tones—and, similarly to red marks, get worse when you squeeze them. But even that’s not enough to avoid them. “Deep cysts can cause pigment, even if you restrain yourself from touching,” says Howe.

True acne scars, on the other hand, permanently alter the texture of your skin. They’re usually divvied up into three categories—boxcar, rolling, or icepick—which denote the shape of the dent in your skin. Usually, “the only effective treatments are in-office procedures,” says Howe. And if you’re thinking lasers, like Fraxel and Accupulse, and surgical procedures, you’re right, and possibly psychic.

That doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause. Certain topical ingredients can address discoloration, minor textural scars, and, in some cases, both. Click through to see what the derms recommend if you’re going to DIY it.



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A Beauty Editor's Impulse Buys: $263 of Treatments, Custom Cat Socks, and More


Once upon a time, when I was living on an Upper East Side couch for $1,000 a month and ate a steady diet of ramen, I remember thinking that by the time I turned 30, I’d have it all together. I’d be shopping for and cooking real adult meals. I’d have enough discretionary income to not worry about paying rent if I had a health crisis. But mostly, I’d make enough money to actually have a budget—and stick to it.

Seven years later, I have a Casper mattress (on an Ikea bed frame), pillows that aren’t couch cushions, and a savings account that I’m pretty good about not dipping into for the most part. I eat homemade chicken and broccoli…when my boyfriend cooks. But a budget? Eh. It’s not like I’m in debt or shop a ton. (Although, I’m a retail email marketer’s dream—more on that below.) Rather, I love a plan on a whim. Mani date? I’m there. Brunch? We’re splitting a stack of pancakes for the table on top of an egg dish, round of mimosas, and, yeah, give me the latte. I don’t even want to admit how much I spent on Ubers alone in the past month, because I honestly don’t even want to know.

This usually results in a hodgepodge of Venmo and credit card charges that are hard to plan for. The only thing you won’t find? Beauty products. Call it perks of the job.

A gel mani at the L.A. nail spot I’ve been dying to visit: $136
I started December out with a whirlwind trip to L.A. to visit the brilliant Shani Darden for a facial. (I told you being a beauty editor has its perks.) As a celebrity aesthetician and Garnier ambassador, she’s worked on the faces of Emmy Rossum, Kelly Rowland, and so many more. After she worked her magic on my acne-prone skin, using Garnier’s new charcoal peel-off mask, I had eight hours of free time to futz around the city, so I did it the best way I knew how—booking a full day of treatments at all the L.A. hot spots I’d been itching to try, starting with Olive & June.

I’ve been following the nail salon’s Instagram for nearly half a decade. In my opinion, they just do nail art right: subtle, sophisticated, with just the right amount of kitsch. (Check out their Insta and you’ll see what I mean.) Initially I’d signed up only for the $40 Chrissy, a regular gel mani, and figured I’d get my usual moody blue or purple. But once I sat in the chair, I knew exactly what I wanted: a design inspired by Betina Goldstein (my favorite nail artist at the moment; just look at these fingers!) on each of my cuticles. I ended up with a baby pink base and a delicate line of gold shimmer—plus nearly $100 extra added to the total cost. That said, it lasted a full two and a half weeks, so I’d say it was worth it.

A 60-minute massage at the swankiest L.A. massage bar: $96
Another beauty editor who’s really picky about her treatments recommended I book an appointment at The Now, and I’m so glad I did. The concept is similar to Drybar in that you’re not paying for the overhead of a bunch of different services—rather, the only thing they offer are massages. Correction: great massages. The decor inside was very Instagrammy. You could buy palo santo and tarot cards at the shop, and when you walk back to the treatment area, each room was separated by a patterned curtain. I blissfully melted away the stress of traveling while an ocean sound machine echoed crashing waves from above. Note to The Now: Other cities are waiting. We need this.

My J.Crew haul

The J.Crew sale that was too good to pass up: $251.30
I shop at approximately two places—J.Crew and Madewell—on the regular and never fail to click a sale email from either one. I’ve probably funded at least one junior copywriter’s salary at this point. This time J.Crew was having a pre-Christmas sale, and nearly everything was 50 percent off. Obviously I had to act. I came away with an extensive turtleneck haul—one striped ($17.25), one solid gray ($14.75), one emerald green ($39.75), and one ruffled ($22.50)—plus, a sweatshirt that says “Brooklyn” because I couldn’t resist ($24.75). That’s not all. I also bought a bracelet (because it was $6.49 and why not?), an $8.25 velvet hair bow (because I’m a sucker for red-carpet hair trends), and a bird-print maxi ($99) that I was so excited to wear until I realized it was crazy low-cut. I still haven’t decided whether I should return it or wear it with one of my thousand turtlenecks. Knowing me, it’ll probably be neither and instead will sit in my closet until I sell it. Which brings me to…

The Ubers I took to and from selling my old clothes: $69.87
Errands are much better done with friends, mostly because I continue to put them off if I don’t have someone forcing me to do them. So this is why, season after season, I continue to spend almost how much I make in resales so I can join my best friend at her local neighborhood consignment shop. I still got to take home $20 and ended up bingeing 90 Day Fiancé at her place the rest of the day. Not a bad Saturday.

The custom pet socks every fashion editor was getting, so I did too: $15.95
No shame: I’m one of those millennials who talk about my cat like he’s my child. In fact, most people do think he’s my kid because his name is Matthew. (I firmly believe pets are part of the family and deserve names that reflect that. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.) So when every fashion editor was getting sent these very ugly, incredibly fantastic customized socks with their dogs’ faces on them, I obviously had to get a pair. Technically they were a belated Christmas gift for my boyfriend, but they were too small for him so now they’re mine. Matthew remains unimpressed.

The Gap jeans I bought because my favorite pair ripped: $90.93
Another sale email got me, but this time I had a valid reason. The cropped boot-cut jeans I’d been wearing religiously since our fashion team convinced me I could pull them off got a huge hole in the thigh. Tragic. Gap had only a pair six sizes too small left, so I pity-bought two extra pairs on sale in the hopes that they’d be as cute. The jury’s still out.

A spur-of-the-moment mani and brunch date with an old coworker: $83.71
When a former member of the Glam Fam texted me to get together (hi, Maureen!), it was a no-brainer about what we’d do: manis at the delightfully chic Tenoverten, followed by lemon ricotta pancakes and mimosas at Sarabeth’s. After my gels, I was aching to go back to my usual dark shade. I’ve been dying to try Essie’s new Booties on Broadway—the coolest winter navy—but they didn’t have it, so it was Midnight Cami instead, the perfect shade for the ball drop and back to work on the 2nd.

Lindsay Schallon is a senior beauty editor at Glamour.





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