Let’s “face” it! Being a mom can take a toll on your beauty, specifically how tired you look most days.
As more and more women are choosing to go with non-surgical procedures, including fillers to preserve their beauty. To break down the best preventative procedures by age, I reached out to Dr. Lara Devgan, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City. She is ranked the #1 female plastic surgeon in New York by RateMD, and has been named a rising star in plastic surgery by New York Times magazine among many other accolades. We are hoping her tips and tricks will help you make more informed decisions when considering today’s top beauty trends. Read below for my interview with Dr. Devgan.
Xo,
Lizzie
Lizzie: Dr. Devgan, we have seen your work on social media and we are wowed by the results many of your patients receive. It seems like nonsurgical procedures have become very popular. Which non-surgical procedures produce the best results in your opinion?
Dr. Devgan: My desert island nonsurgical procedures would be neuromodulator for the upper face and neck– this is great for a subtle brow lift as well as keeping the neck looking taut and pristine, cheekbone augmentation for creating a sculptural beauty for the face, and tear trough augmentation for softening the dark hollows under the eyes and brightening the face. I’m also very impressed with the way suture suspension can lift the tissues so beautifully, and by how nonsurgical rhinoplasty and microdroplet filler contouring can make small but subtle changes.
There is no one magic bullet answer that is correct for everyone. All faces are different, and people vary significantly in their anatomy, goals, expectations, and concepts of beauty. There are some tried and true non-surgical procedures that are helpful for nearly every face.
Neuromodulators (aka botox) to reduce deep facial furrows can be extremely helpful and keeping skin quality, smooth and beautiful over time. The judicious use of injectable hyaluronic acid can be instrumental in replacing lost collagen, building better bone structure, and softening the appearance of hollowing and aging.
Microinfusion microneedling and laser resurfacing are helpful for the maintenance of skin quality.
And of course, medical-grade skin care, which is so often underappreciated. This is like a mini daily opportunity to help yourself in the comfort of your own home. You would never forgo brushing your teeth your whole life and then get an expensive set of cosmetic veneers 30 years later, but yet people think of plastic surgery in this way.
I developed my signature approach to non-surgical Global Facial Optimization as a holistic approach to facial rejuvenation that is unique to each patient depending on his or her facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. After an in-depth consultation and mathematical facial analysis, I create a customized treatment plan that enhances my patients’ already natural beauty. We want to preserve identity while optimizing beauty. This is the best way to harness the power us both non-surgical and surgical procedures.
Lizzie: I’m in my late 30s and I see a lot of my friends starting to go for “preventative” treatments. Which procedures would you recommend women in their 30s look into, to preserve their youth as long as possible?
Dr. Devgan: Every person’s anatomy is different, and genetics play a large role in aging and collagen production. Generally speaking, I recommend that people in their 30s begin thinking about a neuromodulator (aka baby Botox) to prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You will want to start Botox when your skin embodies the elasticity you want it to keep, not when you’re trying to undo signs of aging that have already happened. I started using Botox at 27 and think it was the perfect time.
I also always say, if you’re over 30 and not using a retinol, it’s time! Our Retinol+Bakuchiol Serum and Vitamin C+B+E Ferulic Serum work beautifully to resurface the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and create a smooth and soft glow.
Lizzie: Let’s talk fillers… are there any that people should avoid? Which areas make the biggest difference in your opinion?
Dr. Devgan: When it comes to filler, the biggest differences happen with the most subtle changes. In my practice, less is always more. The changes are not in the centimeters, they’re in the millimeters. A series of subtle millimeter-level changes will create a globally enhanced, beautiful improvement in facial harmony. There are ways to inject filler that look natural and won’t migrate, you just have to be rigorously strategic in the placement and amount you use. The single most important topic underlying a beautiful filler result is the person holding the syringe.
Lizzie: What are the most popular procedures by decade?
Dr. Devgan: For Gen Z it’s hard to pinpoint what is or what will become their most popular procedure. Gen Z is turning away from expected beauty standards and leaning towards fluid and unique aesthetic choices. Gone are the days of ‘Instagram Face’. Instead, this new generation is ushering in an individualized take on cosmetic procedures.
Many of my patients in their 30’s are receiving some level of Botox. By the time you’re 30, collagen and elastin production begins to decrease so patients may consider judicious use of injectable filler for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We may also begin to think about suture suspension, which is a non-surgical modality for lifting tissues that has minimal downtime.
For those in their 40s, more visible signs of aging start to appear, and they may notice hollowing under the eye area, jowling, or facial laxity. Medical grade skin care, maintenance of resurfacing procedures, such as erbium laser, and potentially even surgery, dependent upon anatomy and goals, may be part of the equation here. Some of my patients in their 40’s might consider a surgical facelift.
For those in their 50s and beyond, I recommend that my patients consider both surgical and nonsurgical procedures to preserve a natural beautiful result with a fresher, more youthful version of identity.
“The bottom line here is that aesthetic and plastic surgical intervention is more about anatomy than age. Everything requires an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who shares your aesthetic, goals, and sense of nuance about beauty.”
Dr. Lara Devgan is a top board-certified New York City plastic surgeon and the founder and CEO of luxury medical-grade skincare line Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty.
Dr. Lara Devgan is a top board-certified New York City plastic surgeon and the founder and CEO of luxury medical-grade skincare line Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty. She is an international lecturer, a renowned industry consultant, a classically trained artist, and an expert in plastic surgery and injectables for the face, breasts, and body. She is the former Chief Medical Officer of RealSelf. She lives with her husband and 6 young children on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. To learn more, visit https://laradevganmd.com or follow her on Instagram @laradevganmd
