OUR STORY
Hi! We’re Jae Ro and Juliana Brewer, a brother-sister team from California. Our story is one about cancer, babies, and, well, life.
For our family, 2018 was a whirlwind of emotions: Juliana had her first baby, Jae went through a divorce, and our father received a bone marrow transplant after battling lymphoma for 6 years at that point. He was given a
“second birthday” to celebrate his second chance at life.
A New Purpose
Have you ever watched someone you love struggle to find a solution for something that seems commonplace, like dry skin? Following his chemotherapy and radiation treatments, our dad dealt with some painful side effects, especially to his skin. We’re talking chemo rashes, radiation dermatitis, redness and inflammation, super dry and itchy skin, and overall sensitivity. It was frustratingly challenging to find skincare products for him that weren’t just safe, but also felt good to use. Taking care of his skin was an opportunity for self-care, but the available recommended products were lacking in the experience factor.
So we decided to make our own. Inspired by our whole family’s experiences that year, we started Happy 2nd Birthday to provide skincare options that are gentle yet effective for everyone in our family, from cancer patients to nursing mothers—and everyone else, too. We believe that taking care of your skin doesn't have to be another unnoticed part of your day-to-day routine. Even if it only lasts a few minutes, that time can be a special moment that helps you reconnect with yourself, and gives you the opportunity to do something nice for you.
Losing the Battle
Despite his unwavering positive spirit and undergoing numerous advanced cancer treatments, our father lost his long fight with cancer in 2021.
To the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff at the Stanford Cancer Center: Thank you for giving our father the best support and care possible. The various treatments gave us more time with him and allowed him to meet his two granddaughters.
Our Mission Continues
The 9 year battle took a toll not only on our father but also on the family members taking care of him. Being a caregiver for someone fighting long-term health issues carries an emotional cost, and our family learned firsthand the struggles of caring for our own mental health along the way.
Through that experience, we came to appreciate the value of simple rituals that build good habits and have a positive impact on your mood. Something as basic as washing your face or taking a shower can help you feel better and ready to tackle the next thing, whatever it may be.
That’s why we donate to a variety of charities and non-profit organizations that mean a lot to us—all focused on cancer research, mental health, and giving others who may be disadvantaged or overlooked a second chance at life.
Skin is more than just skin, and Happy 2nd Birthday is about more than just good skincare — we care about your emotional wellbeing while improving your physical skin health. If someone in your family is going through cancer or struggling with mental health, it is our sincerest hope that Happy 2nd Birthday can offer you one less thing to worry about, and we also want you to know you’re not alone.
DESTINATION:
A happier you through healthy skin!
OUR ADVISORS
Of course, we knew we couldn't craft such delicate formulations on our own—we're not doctors, after all. So we teamed up with leading dermatologists who specialize in Dermato-Oncology and Cosmetic Dermatology & Surgery to help us with formulation safety and efficacy as advisors.
We also regularly consult with many dermatologists for second opinions, and we work with some incredible labs in both the U.S. and South Korea who embrace our vision to bring to life products with innovative ingredients from around the world.
Bernice Kwong, M.D.
Bernice Kwong, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto, California. She completed medical school at Yale University, and completed her dermatology residency at Stanford University in 2012. Dr. Kwong serves as Director of the Inpatient Dermatology Consult Service and Director of the Supportive Dermato-Oncology Program at the Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Kwong has a special interest in the management of skin complications that arise in cancer patients including chemotherapy-related skin side effects, radiation dermatitis, and graft-versus-host disease.
Dr. S. Tyler Hollmig
Dr. S. Tyler Hollmig is Director of Dermatologic Surgery and Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at Ascension Texas and UT Dell Medical School. He grew up in New Braunfels and attended Duke University, graduating magna cum laude. Dr. Hollmig then attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern and graduated as valedictorian. He underwent dermatology residency training at Stanford, followed by a fellowship in Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Hollmig subsequently returned to Stanford to join the medical faculty as Mohs surgeon and Director of Laser and Aesthetic Dermatology. He was recruited to UT Dell Medical School and Ascension Seton to become the Director of Dermatologic Surgery and Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology.
Dr. Hollmig has a special interest in skin cancer removal and advanced, highly aesthetic surgical reconstruction, along with safe, evidence-based, laser and cosmetic dermatology. He enjoys leading a team in providing exceptional care for skin cancer as well as for cosmetic purposes, with a focus on evidence-based management of common and rare skin conditions. He is frequently invited to give lectures nationally and internationally on Mohs Surgery, Surgical Reconstruction, and Skin Health and Beauty, and is regularly cited as an expert in the popular media, including the New York Times, Good Morning America, and Vogue Magazine, among others.
Outside of the office, Dr. Hollmig enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with his wife and three children.