7 Skincare Trends & Treatments to Avoid (And What to Do Instead!)
November 5, 2025 - Rhys Branman, MD
Some of the latest viral skincare trends can do more harm than good, and lead to skin damage, infections, and even permanent scarring. At our Little Rock medspa, we’ve seen it all, and we want to help you avoid DIY disasters. Here are seven skincare trends and treatments you should absolutely avoid, plus safer, professional alternatives that actually work. Sunscreen Contouring Sunscreen contouring involves applying sunscreen only to certain areas of your face while leaving other areas bare, with the goal of creating “natural” contouring through selective tanning. Why it’s dangerous: Deliberately leaving parts of your face unprotected from UV... 
Arkansas’s Only Double-Board Certified Aesthetic Nurse At Cosmetic Surgery Center and Exhale Med Spa, we're proud to highlight our own Leslie H. Branman, BSN, RN, CPSN, CANS, ISPAN-F—our Clinical & Surgical Services Director, Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse, and expert injector. With unmatched credentials and a warm, caring approach, Leslie ensures you're in the best hands for all your injectable needs in Little Rock. Why Leslie Is Little Rock's Premier Injector Leslie holds a distinction no other injector in Arkansas has: she's the only nurse in the state double-board certified as both a Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse (CPSN) and a Certified... 
Many cosmetic surgery procedures, like a breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, are performed under general anesthesia. But a few procedures are simple enough to be performed under local anesthesia, meaning you’re awake, but the treatment area is completely numb, and you stay comfortable. If you’re looking for a less invasive option with a shorter recovery time, board-certified Little Rock cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rhys L. Branman offers several minor procedures in-office under local anesthesia right here at Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock. Here are 3 procedures that Dr. Branman frequently performs under local anesthesia: 1. Submental Liposuction (Under-Chin Lipo)... 
Considering a Little Rock breast lift? This is an ideal procedure to restore youthful shape after pregnancy, weight loss, aging, or for simply improving your breast contour. At Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock, we understand that you may have questions about a breast lift, and we want to make sure you feel fully informed and confident at every step. Here, top Little Rock cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rhys Branman answers some of the most common (and important!) questions his breast lift patients ask. What does “drooping” or “ptosis” mean, and how is it measured? Breast ptosis (pronounced toe-sis) refers to... 
So you’re thinking about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and wondering, can it really do all they say it can? If you have a hormone deficiency, the answer is likely yes! Bringing your hormones into balance can be life-changing, relieving mood swings and chronic fatigue, among other not-so-fun, and sometimes debilitating, symptoms. However, hormone therapy must be administered by a highly-qualified provider who tailors your treatment to experience the best results. At Exhale Med Spa, our board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Crystal Marcussen, uses advanced hormone analysis to ensure your treatment is completely customized and follows you throughout your treatment. Below,... 
Hype. Beef tallow doesn't live up to the hype. Here’s why. Beef Tallow is essentially fat rendered from cows. It’s rich in fatty acids, vitamins and has great moisturizing properties. However, it also contains oleic acid which can disrupt the skin's barrier. When the skins barrier is compromised, it becomes more vulnerable to irritation and skin sensitivities that could potentially lead to conditions such as eczema & rosacea. How Beef Tallow interacts with your skin Now let’s talk pH. Our skin’s natural pH ranges from 4.5 to 5.5. The pH of Beef Tallow is typically between 6.0 to 7.0 or possibly higher. This means it... 
Hot! The next big thing in beauty: Salmon Sperm “Salmon-sperm” is creating buzz in the beauty industry, why? Research shows that salmon sperm shares similarities with DNA found in human placentas, giving it a gold star for its abilities. Not only does the term “salmon sperm” have a shock factor, but it works! Some of these benefits include stimulating collagen production, promoting tissue regeneration, and reducing inflammation. What is PDRN? PDRN stands for Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a DNA fragment derived from the sperm cells of salmon, trout, or chum salmon. The DNA fragments go through a purification process allowing for the recovery of... 
Botox is a popular non-surgical treatment that is often the first step people take toward refreshing their appearance and softening the early signs of aging. Botox in Little Rock is safe, quick, and highly effective—but if it’s your first time, you may have questions about how it works and what to expect. To help you feel informed and confident, our expert Botox provider Leslie H. Branman, RN, BSN is sharing 7 things every first-time Botox patient should know. 1. Botox results aren’t immediate, but they don’t take long You might leave your appointment looking exactly the same (and that’s normal!).... 
Is your skin feeling tight, dull, or flaky? You might assume you have dry skin—but hold on! Your skin could actually be dehydrated. Although these two skin concerns sound similar, and even feel the same at times, they’re not one and the same. Understanding the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is key to giving your skin exactly what it needs to stay smooth and healthy. Here, our Little Rock med spa’s expert skincare providers are breaking it down. What is dry skin? Dry skin is a skin type, just like oily or combination skin. You are born with... 
The internet and social media are full of DIY beauty hacks, but can you really perform cosmetic treatments on yourself and expect the same results as a trained professional? At our Little Rock med spa, we are all for at-home skincare, however, some treatments are best left to the experts. Here’s what you need to know before trying to recreate professional cosmetic treatments at home. The Risks of DIY “At Home” Cosmetic Treatments Many professional cosmetic procedures rely on advanced technology, thoroughly tested devices, and medical-grade products—most of which cannot be sold to the general public because usage should only... 