What’s the Secret to a Great Face?

It’s true, a board certified plastic surgeon with practiced and talented experience can work wonders taking years of worry and work and stress by way of a facelift. That being said, most skin experts say long before you get to the operating room, there’s much that can – and should – be done.

by John Hammarley
and Mark Pinsky, MD

Your Skin is All You’ve Got

Dr. Mark Pinsky sees it every day in his Palm Beach Gardens practice: new and old patients alike coming in asking about the ‘latest’ technique for radiant-looking skin.

“Their number one concern, above all others is pretty looking skin,” says Pinsky. “And that’s why I believe we have to start there – with fundamentals.”

Bond. James Bond. (Girls, that is)

“For example, if you go online and look at the James Bond girls, even from years ago, the women who have had a face lift with bad skin, don’t look quite as good as the women who have good skin and who haven’t had a face lift,” Dr. Pinsky observes. “The point is smooth skin – skin with even tone – makes all the difference in the world.”

He recommends skin care creams developed and distributed through board certified plastic surgeons because of several reasons, including the strength of the active ingredients used and the physician’s expertise in prescribing the most effective dosages and frequencies of these treatments.

Nourishing and Revitalizing the Skin

“Like your body needs good vitamins, the skin needs good nutrients,” says Dr. Pinsky. “If you want a healthy, radiant look outside, you’ve got to be careful what kind of ‘diet’ if you will you sustain the skin with.”

Beyond nutrition and sun protection, the myriad of injectables can provide an immense rejuvenation compared to how small the procedure (injection) is. Ranging from Botox and Dysport to Juvederm and Restylane, plastic surgeons can use these and other options in various combinations to refresh and rejuvenate patients’ faces.

“There’s an unending series of combinations we use to help shape our outcomes,” Pinsky adds. “We’re not just trying to fill in this wrinkle or that crease. That’s where the artistry in our profession is essential. And all of this can be accomplished with little or no down time.”

Regardless of the type, mode, or amount of products being recommended, board certified plastic surgeons say, “the earlier the better.” Women who begin age-defying treatments at a younger age not only will look younger and better earlier in their lives but maintaining those youthful looks will be easier and more effective.

Still not ready for a full-fledged face lift? No problem. Take any combination of all the aforementioned treatments and then add a variety of lasers and you add even more options. Dr. Pinsky says shy away from any med spa or medical practice that only offers a single choice when it comes lasers.

While some fillers and neuromodulators can bring a fresher, younger look relatively fast, board certified plastic surgeons recommend that you set out a long-term plan. “I like a 12-18 month plan,” says Pinsky.