After more than 20 years in aesthetic medicine, explain how you define beauty and wellness today.
My definition of beauty has evolved tremendously. Early in my career, the focus was often on cookie cutter cosmetic treatments based on very stereotypical images of what society deemed to be a “beautiful woman”. Today, I believe true beauty is about confidence and feeling like you look like the best version of your authentic self, not necessarily the youngest version.
Beauty and wellness are deeply interconnected. It's not just about how we look, but how we feel. Trust me, when my patients are going through a serious health crisis, the last thing they think about is how they look. You can truly only appreciate your own beauty if you also feel well.
What is one misconception about aesthetic treatments you wish more people would let go of, and what do you want them to understand instead?
Primarily that aesthetic treatments automatically make you look unnatural or that the goal is to look younger at any cost. The truth is, when aesthetic treatments are performed thoughtfully and skillfully, the results should be subtle, balanced, and natural - not screaming that you’ve had work done.
My philosophy is “less is more” and I always tell my patients that the best aesthetic work is the work no one notices. I joke with my girlfriends and patients that I would rather look “older than look weird”. Aesthetic treatments are meant to care for the skin, face and body in a safe and healthy way, not make you look like a different person.
How has the conversation around aging changed since you entered the field, and do you believe society is becoming more accepting of aging naturally?
20 years ago, the conversation was largely about anti-aging; treating wrinkles, plumping up the skin with lots of filler and trying to hold on to youth. Today, I see a refreshing shift toward aging well rather than simply looking younger.
People are becoming more educated and intentional about their aesthetic choices. They are focusing on skin health, preventative treatments, longevity, and maintaining a natural appearance rather than dramatically changing their features.
Based on my conversations with thousands of women over the years, I do feel like the over 50 crowd is becoming more accepting of aging naturally and aging with good health. I do get concerned however with younger people, especially girls - being over influenced by social media and fake filters and holding themselves to a beauty standard that is very hard and dangerous to attain. I indulge in and enjoy social media like most of my peers, but it has also created unrealistic expectations through filters, editing, and constant comparisons that are very concerning.
How do you approach a consultation when a patient’s expectations may be unrealistic or when you believe they would benefit more from doing less rather than more?
This is an everyday occurrence for me and probably most aesthetic providers. Quite frankly, I've become very comfortable with saying "No". When patients come in with unrealistic expectations, often influenced by social media or celebrity images, my duty and responsibility is to educate them about what is safe, achievable and appropriate, while also respecting their individual budget. More isn't better and some of the best aesthetic outcomes come from a conservative, thoughtful treatment approach. If I feel a treatment won't benefit someone, or could compromise their safety, it's always a hard no. Building trust means having honest conversations, even when they are not what a patient wants to hear.