Two years ago, Isabelle and I founded Troy Dermatology Club with a simple idea in mind. Weeks before club applications opened, we knew we wanted to create a club centered around dermatology, wellness, and skincare. After many conversations and brainstorming sessions, we realized that dermatology offered the perfect opportunity to educate others while giving back to our community. Today, our club has become one of the few student organizations at Troy dedicated to a single med

Diet has always been one of the biggest factors influencing our overall health. While I do not follow a strict diet, I know that constantly eating junk food, sugary snacks, and fast food is probably not the best choice, especially as a teenager. Like many people, I have often wondered whether the foods we eat actually affect our skin or if it is simply another skincare myth. After researching this topic, I found several interesting findings that may help explain the relations

Over the past two years, Troy Dermatology Club has accomplished more than I ever imagined. From hosting our very first booth at Club Rush to organizing fundraisers and serving underserved communities, every experience has reinforced why we founded this club. However, one encounter from just a few weeks ago stands out more than any other. After hosting a fundraiser, we were fortunate enough to raise nearly $220 thanks to the generosity of our family, friends, and local communi

For the past five years, I have been drinking matcha almost every single day. At first, I started drinking it because of all the health benefits I heard about online, including clearer skin, healthy weight management, sustained energy, and improved focus. Over time, however, matcha became much more than a healthy habit. I developed an appreciation for its unique flavors and began exploring different cafés and boba shops throughout Orange County. Trying new matcha drinks has s

Korean skincare has quickly become one of the fastest-growing trends in the beauty industry, and for good reason. While many people are familiar with Western brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, and The Ordinary, Korean skincare has gained global recognition for its innovative ingredients and focus on maintaining healthy skin. Many K-beauty products feature ingredients such as centella asiatica (cica), heartleaf extract, fermented ingredients, and rice extract, which help soot

Have you ever wondered why your skin seems to break out after flying on an airplane? I used to think it was just because I was touching my face more or that airplanes were not the cleanest places. While that can play a role, it is not the full story. It does not happen to everyone, but it is more common than people think. I never really understood why this was happening until I looked into it more, and there are actually a few reasons behind it, along with ways you can preven

Acne is stubborn. My journey battling through this skin condition says it all. One day I am breaking out after a long day in the sun. Another day, my pores feel like they are trapped beneath the surface of my skin while I am hoping they will somehow disappear overnight. Looking back, my journey with acne has been long, frustrating, but also rewarding. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, finally consulting a dermatologist made me realize that all of it was part of the proce

Teenagers today are constantly surrounded by skincare. Whether it is Rhode essence, cleansing oils, or pimple patches, it is easy to get pulled into trying the latest trends. I catch myself doing the same thing. Even when I do not fully understand why I am drawn to certain products, I still find myself wanting to try them. One thing is clear: the skincare craze is growing quickly, and depending on how it is approached, that can be either helpful or harmful. From one perspecti

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions that people around the world deal with. Although I do not personally have eczema, I have seen what it is like through many of my family members who struggle with it. It can be uncomfortable and frustrating to manage, especially when symptoms flare up unexpectedly. Not to worry, this blog will explain what eczema is and go over some common treatments that can help. According to Cleveland Clinic, eczema is a skin condition that c

Many teenagers today wonder when is the right time to see a dermatologist. For me, that answer became clear early on. I started struggling with acne in middle school, and after reaching out for professional help, my skin improved significantly within a year through treatments like tretinoin and doxycycline. That experience showed me that dermatology is not just about appearance but also about understanding your skin and taking care of it before issues become more serious. Whi

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, often caused by UV rays and prolonged sun exposure. Because my family visits Orlando, Florida, almost every year, I learned early on how important sunscreen is before going outside. While there are many treatments available today for skin cancer, one stood out to me as especially interesting. Mohs surgery, performed by specialized dermatologists across Orange County and beyond, focuses on removing cancer in a very precise

At Troy High School, I saw a pattern that was hard to ignore. Many of my peers, including myself, struggled with acne flare-ups during the same periods when academic stress and burnout were at their peak. Between demanding coursework, extracurricular commitments, and a constant lack of sleep, it often felt like there was barely time to take care of ourselves. In a culture where many teenagers are not meeting recommended sleep levels, stress becomes almost constant, and I star

Prescribed by my dermatologist nearly two years ago, I began taking doxycycline pills paired with 0.1% tretinoin cream. Around this time period, I would often break out after spending long periods in the sun or sweating from physical activities. After a visit to my dermatologist, she prescribed this medication, which I incorporated into my daily routine. Here is what you need to know about doxycycline and how it actually works for acne. Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibioti

Throughout my school journey, my literature curriculum has been filled with numerous meaningful novels such as Persepolis, The Outsiders, The Great Gatsby, and Animal Farm. However, one of my absolute favorite novels, even after nearly seven years, is Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Narrated through the perspective of Auggie Pullman, a child who attends school with a facial difference, his story highlights the challenges of trying to fit in from an outsider’s perspective. While this

Out of all the movies I have watched, Parasite remains one of my absolute favorite films to this day. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, the movie explores the divide between social classes by highlighting the quiet ignorance of the wealthy and the reality faced by the working class. While the story centers around two families in Korea, its message goes far beyond class. It pushes us to look deeper at people’s environments and how those environments shape their lives. In our dermatolo

In recent years, “GRWM” (Get Ready With Me) videos have become a major trend on TikTok and Instagram, especially among teenagers. These short clips, often lasting 30 seconds to a few minutes, show creators going through their daily routines while appearing effortless and put together. However, what looks natural on camera is often carefully constructed behind the scenes, including lighting, setup, and multiple takes to achieve a polished final result. While GRWM content can b

There is a very specific kind of quiet in the operating room. It is not actually silent. There is soft background music playing, the steady sounds of movement, and the calm coordination between everyone in the room that makes everything feel controlled and intentional. Working alongside the nurses and staff, I quickly noticed how much teamwork and communication goes into even the smallest steps before a procedure begins. Over the past few weeks, through the Troy Tech Senior I

At our club, our goal has always been to give back, not just to students. We want to support everyone who plays a role in our school community, including those who often go unnoticed. Recently, we had the chance to give back to the construction crew from Edwards Construction Group, who are currently working hard on major improvements across our campus, including renovations to the 300 buildings and upgrades to our seismic mitigation systems. After hosting a fundraiser with No

Have you ever wondered about what those fancy ingredients behind your skincare products actually mean? Sifting through products, it’s easy to convince yourself that the fancy kelp and vitamin A in your moisturizer sets it apart from the 3 dollar bottle. However, I’m here to break down the ingredients you should look for. You might’ve already heard about retinol. While it is good for your skin as it does have some anti-aging components, overusing the ingredient can lead to la

As a popular drug for treating acne, wrinkles, and other skin conditions, you may have heard of tretinoin or its less potent cousin, retinol. These drugs, simply put, are strong derivatives of Vitamin A. Vitamin A, an essential vitamin for your skin, speeds up the skin cell turnover and stimulates collagen production. You mention tretinoin and retinol. What is the difference? As they are both similar in chemical structure and tretinoin and retinol essentially function the sa