Tackling Toxins in LA
For years, Los Angeles has felt like a magical place to live and raise a family. Growing up on the East Coast, endless sunshine always sounded dreamy, yet I carried the stereotypes: a city filled with the self-centered, vapid, and plastic surgery obsessed. But when I followed my husband here 17 years ago, I was pleasantly surprised.
Sure, the weather turned out to be as perfect as expected, but it was the people who defied my expectations. We found a lovely, down-to-earth tribe, neighbors and friends who wouldn’t think twice before lending a hand. Sure, there are IV drips for hangovers and more plastic surgery clinics than elsewhere, but that all stems from a deep appreciation for health — whether it’s found on a hiking trail, in a juice bar, or unconventional wellness treatments.
Three weeks ago, our health and our city as we know it was rocked.
Fires swept through thousands of acres, leaving devastation in their wake. Homes and dreams burned to the ground. The air turned toxic, thick with ash and debris. The beauty in the heartbreak was that the people of LA once again showed their true colors — opening their homes, donating resources, and doing whatever they could to support each other.
Volunteer Getty Images
As the immediate threat subsided and the rebuilding began, conversations naturally shifted to air quality. Cleaning up the debris will take years, and while we don’t fully understand the long-term dangers in the air, we know it’s not good.
Writing this post has felt overwhelming. As a journalist, I’ve written through 9/11 and Covid, but facing yet another crisis, I wanted nothing more than to hide under the covers. Ironically, my next planned article was about reducing toxins in everyday life — a topic that has felt overwhelming given the circumstances.
I had just finished replacing my non stick pans for healthier ones, bought a new type of lifestyle guru approved laundry detergent and received a sample of “botox in a bottle” to write about.
In the face of a climate crisis that is beyond our control, botox in a bottle has felt uncomfortably trivial, but perhaps wrapping our heads around the small, intentional mental and physical changes we can embrace for our health is the baby step we need. So here’s my baby step. Publishing my first post since the fires.
Whether yours is exercising, seeing friends or making some alternative product choices, move forward with the little you can control right now. We will slowly start getting back to “normal” and LA will rebuild — one small step at a time.
Q&A with Daryn Herzfeld Owner of Feel The Heal Skincare and Holistic Wellness Med Spa
"Botox in a bottle" is a healthier, less expensive, and certainly easier alternative to injections. What makes it work?
The star ingredient in our "Botox in a Bottle" is a powerful peptide called Argireline. Known as nature’s Botox, Argireline works by targeting the facial muscles responsible for expression lines, such as crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles. It reduces muscle tension, helping to minimize the depth and appearance of wrinkles over time. Unlike injections, Argireline delivers its smoothing benefits topically, offering a non-invasive way to achieve firmer, younger-looking skin. Its ability to relax the skin while boosting hydration makes it a must-have for anyone seeking a more youthful glow.
I love the gel-like thickness of the liquid and after only 2 weeks, feel like I can see a difference. Is that possible?
Argireline typically starts showing visible results within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent use, with some people noticing improvements even sooner. Its wrinkle-reducing effects are cumulative, meaning the longer you use it, the more pronounced the results become. For best results, apply it consistently as part of your daily skincare routine, you can also apply it to your neck and chest for added results.
You have quite an extensive background including a license in colon therapy. How did this skincare line come about?
We've always recognized the powerful connection between gut health and skin health, embracing a natural approach in nearly all our treatments and products. About 10 years ago, we launched our Feel The Heal line with a vision to create a botanical, organic skincare collection that works for all skin types using minimal, high-quality ingredients. Over the past decade, this line has remained a staple, evolving and expanding with new additions to meet our clients' needs while staying true to our roots.
You count some A-listers as clients. Can you spill any names?
We do our best to keep our celebs and VIPs under the radar, but let’s just say we’ve had Housewives, athletes, musicians, and artists.
Aside from your product line, what are your best kept skin care secrets?
While we’ve always been known for our colonics, our parasite detox kits and in-office protocols are now stealing the spotlight. Our office stands out because we make detoxing not only effective but fun! On the skincare side, our most popular treatment is the Double Stack or Triple Threat Stack—a same-day combo of the Aerolase laser, BioRePeel chemical peel, and Hydrafacial. This powerhouse trio leaves clients with glassy, tight, and radiant skin, delivering instant results with zero downtime.
