This week, I would like to explain more about the importance of quality skin care and facial products for both men and women. Good skin care is important for the following reasons: It keeps your skin healthy, gives skin a youthful glow and boosts your self-confidence. In short, when your skin looks better, you’ll feel better about yourself. Luxury skin care companies such as Chanel, Dior and YSL have their scientists developing advanced anti-aging and skin repair remedies to address the growing demand from male and female consumers interested in the importance of good skin on the path to dressing and grooming for success.

The truth is, most seasoned professionals are concerned about looking old and tired during office-hours. There is good news, however. Today, noninvasive procedures, and second-generation dermal fillers allow dermatologists and plastic surgeons a great ability to achieve organic-looking results. The goal is to have a skilled dermatologist or surgeon use these tools to ensure you look like a rejuvenated version of yourself. More to my point, once you finish your procedure, your aim is to have your boss and co-workers notice how healthy and fresh-faced you look, not immediately notice you had done something.

The first step towards a refreshed, yet natural look, is to remain conservative. Natural-looking results are often best achieved through a conservative technique. Keep in mind, facial rejuvenation procedures should be an ongoing treatment, most people get a touch-up every 4-6 months. Remember, well taken care of skin is a key to natural looking skin during office hours.

In addition, a quality skin-care regimen will moisturize and protect the skin, while accelerating the growth of new cells, for an overall refreshed appearance for the office.

Dr. Michele S. Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, a graduate of Yale University and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Green utilizes the most cutting- edge lasers and cosmetic treatments, in her private Upper East Side dermatology office. Her aim is to provide her patients with the most natural-looking facial rejuvenation and non-invasive body contouring. The range of skin conditions that she treats ranges from premature skin aging, melasma, hyperpigmentation, photodamage, acne, rosacea and skin cancer. She has treated thousands of patients in her discreet NYC office with the Fraxel laser, Thermage skin tightening, Botox injections, Kybella, Juvederm injections, CoolSculpting, Vivace, microneedling, Cosmelan, and chemical peels. Dr. Green’s goal as a physician is that after each treatment, her patients look and feel like the very best version of themselves.

Dr. Green takes pride in the relationships that she builds with her patients and she is meticulous when it comes to creating customized treatment plans that are based on the cosmetic goals and unique needs of each individual. For over two decades, she has served as a leader in the field of cosmetic dermatology, treating some of the most discerning men and women from around the globe. Her dedication to her patients and her expertise is reflected by her consistent recognition as a “NYC Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine. Dr. Green is world-renowned for her holistic approach to providing her patients with personalized facial rejuvenation with an emphasis on natural-looking results, embracing a “less is more” philosophy. Dr. Green has consulted for global skincare companies such as L’Oreal, Johnson and Johnson, Biore, and RoC. She is the creator and founder of MGSKINLABs, Inc., a specialty skincare line that she developed in order to meet the diverse needs of her patients. 

I recently talked with Michele Green MD, NYC Cosmetic Dermatologist about why individuals of all ages, genders, and ethnicities are seeking cosmetic procedures, how men who have facial treatments experience a boost in self-confidence that gives them an advantage at work and why she believes that facial rejuvenation cosmetic treatments will boost your self-confidence at the office and give your a feeling of power and strength to take on the day!

Joseph DeAcetis: Talk to Forbes about the benefits of facial procedures with respect to feeling confident during office-hours? 

Michele Green MD, NYC Cosmetic Dermatologist:

When patients have realistic expectations for the outcomes of their procedures, having an in-office cosmetic treatment has been shown to improve mood and boost feelings of self-confidence, including when in the workplace. Repairing acne scars, removing sunspots or the visible signs of aging, can make us feel more confident at work. The positive rejuvenating effects of Botox have even been shown to relieve some symptoms of depression. Studies have indicated that physical appearance and facial expressions are contributing factors to overall self-esteem and mood. That is, looking good helps us to feel better.

JD: Who would you say is your typical demographic seeking procedures?

MG: Individuals of all ages, genders, and ethnicities are seeking cosmetic procedures to help them look and feel like the best version of themselves. More people than ever before have been working from home due to the pandemic. Working from home calls for an increase in the number of video conferences and zoom meetings being held, during which there is ample time to notice signs of aging that may not have been observed otherwise. Additionally, working from home allows for more flexibility when it comes to making an appointment to have a cosmetic procedure done and for planning the recovery time after a procedure is complete. The increased flexibility with working from home has encouraged a greater number of individuals to come into my office for cosmetic procedures.

JD:  In your words, why would a young person in their 20’s or 30’s be seeking facial procedures – at such a young age?

MG: An increasing number of younger people are seeking cosmetic facial procedures as a preventive measure. In the last ten years, the prevalence of people in their 20s receiving Botox treatment has risen by 28%. Trends like preventative and baby Botox exist to help prevent the visible signs of aging from developing. Evidence of wrinkles, fine lines, and facial folds can be distressing for many, especially someone in their 20’s or 30’s. Botox injections, dermal fillers, and cosmetic laser treatments are effective ways to eliminate wrinkles from forming or minimizing those which have already occurred. The ease of these procedures, such as VBeam laser, Clear and Brilliant laser, and IPL allows patients to have these procedures with no recovery time and rejuvenate their skin easily and effectively. Also, thanks to Instagram, and Tik Tok, patients see younger individuals having lip fillers and cheek augmentation or chin augmentation, butt augmentation, and it has taken away the stigma of these cosmetic procedures.

JD: Are the procedures painful?

MG: No. None of these procedures are painful or require painkillers or anesthesia. If patients are sensitive, a local anesthetic or topical numbing cream can be applied to the treatment area 30 minutes prior to their in-office cosmetic treatment to ensure maximum comfort for the patient.

JD: Most American men feel uncomfortable scheduling an appointment for a facial procedure. How do you and your office address this patient uneasiness? 

MG: Thanks to Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms, there is much less stigma surrounding cosmetic procedures for men than there used to be. The benefits of a rejuvenated appearance are not exclusive to women. Men who have facial treatments experience a boost in self-confidence that gives them an advantage whether at work or dating. Including before and after photos of male patients who have agreed to have their pictures published on the Internet is one of the ways that helps to reassure potential patients and provide them with additional insight into what they may expect from having a facial procedure. In the past, men were afraid to look “plastic” or “done.” Now, however, with the subtlety of cosmetic injections and treatments such as Thermage for skin tightening and Kybella injections to contour the jawline and remove the “double chin,” more male patients than ever want to have these non-invasive procedures with no recovery time, giving natural looking, rejuvenated cosmetic results.

JD: What is your best professional advice for patients looking to clear acne scars?

MG: There are numerous types of acne scars, and no two patients have the same types of acne scars. To properly and effectively reduce the appearance of acne scars, treatment by a board-certified, cosmetic dermatologist, who experience in treating acne scars is crucial to the success. Treating acne scars requires a multi-pronged approach and generally requires a few different treatment modalities. Often a combination of lasers, such as Fraxel and eMatrix are needed, coupled with dermal fillers to replace and restore lost collagen from the acne scars.

If the texture of your skin is of concern, the eMatrix laser, Fraxel laser, Vivace Microneedling, PRP with microneedling  are some of the best modalities to rejuvenate your skin.. The eMatrix Sublative Rejuvenation utilizes bi-polar frequency to penetrate below the skin’s surface to stimulate new collagen and elastin production, improving the look and feel of textural irregularities such as acne scars. This laser treatment helps patients who are struggling with acne scars to achieve smoother, brighter, tighter, younger-looking skin. The eMatrix laser is a “color blind” laser and can be used on all skin tones. Since sublative rejuvenation has only 48 hours of downtime, this laser treatment can be scheduled with a quick recovery.

Microneedling is a treatment that can be used to improve a variety of skin concerns including fine lines and wrinkles, sunspots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars. This technique utilizes tiny surgical needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. This collagen-inducing process helps promote skin cell turnover and results in smooth, clear skin that’s overall, more even in tone and texture. To enhance the benefits of microneedling, the procedure can be performed with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). For PRP, a sample of the patient’s blood is collected and spun in a centrifuge to create a unique plasma that contains a high concentration of platelets. PRP utilizes the body’s own natural growth factors to further elevate the restoration and revitalization of the skin. 

Vivace Microneedling with RF is another facial treatment that can help rejuvenate and restore skin to reveal an even, smooth, and refreshed complexion. The radiofrequency technology delivers heat to the dermis while the microneedles penetrate the epidermis, both of which create micro-injuries in the skin. This unique and revolutionary technology combines radiofrequency energy and microneedling in order to stimulate the natural wound healing process of the skin, encouraging maximum collagen and elastin production, to provide smoother, tighter, fresher looking skin.

In addition, one of my favorite rejuvenating treatments for patients with acne scars is the injection of dermal fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm into acne scars, or Sculptra aesthetic. Sculptra induces new collagen formation and replaces lost volume which are the result of acne scars. Not only are the acne scars diminished, but patients look younger and rejuvenated as a result of this cosmetic injection. Finally, Sculptra injections have the added benefit of lasting over two years.

JD: How many times should a person schedule an appointment annually?

MG: Every individual should schedule an appointment with their dermatologist at least once a year for a skin check as a part of their general health and well-being. If there is a family history of skin cancer, it is of the utmost importance to have these annual exams.

The frequency that you visit your dermatologist’s office will vary if you choose to take advantage of other cosmetic procedures that are offered. Botox treatments last approximately four months, whereas treatment with dermal fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, typically need to be maintained every 6-12 months. If you are trying to maintain the clarity of your skin or rejuvenate the skin, yearly Fraxel laser treatments will do the trick.

Many male consumers do not fully understand which procedures are best for their needs. Kindly explain in detail the difference between, Botox, Fillers …. 

Botox and fillers are extremely popular facial rejuvenation cosmetic treatments, but they do fulfill slightly different needs when it comes to restoring a more youthful appearance.

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are FDA-approved injectables that use a neurotoxin in order to “freeze” the nerve signals to allow the muscle to “rest.” Botox essentially relaxes dynamic facial muscles that are used in common facial expressions. Botox injections can thus be used to smooth out wrinkles like forehead lines, crow’s feet, neck, and frown lines. Neurotoxins are used to primarily treat dynamic wrinkles. https://www.michelegreenmd.com/botox-nyc

Dermal fillers are used to treat a separate category of facial lines and deeper winkles. Fine lines and wrinkles which can be attributed to loss of collagen can be targeted and treated with dermal fillers. Fillers can also be used to contour the face and restore lost volume in the cheeks, chin, nasolabial area/smile lines, jowls, and jaw line. These dermal fillers can even be used on the neck or hands to rejuvenate lost collagen in these areas.

Thermage is an extremely popular facial procedure which helps to tighten the skin in a single session with no surgery, no injections, and no downtime. Thermage stimulates the body’s natural renewal process by inducing collagen production. This treatment generates a lifting and tightening effect, ultimately providing smoother, firmer skin and an overall more youthful appearance. When it comes to addressing the appearance of fine lines and skin laxity, Thermage is an excellent non-surgical option for both facial and body skin rejuvenation. The results from Thermage are typically seen 4 months after treatment and can last for up to two years, making it an excellent low-maintenance option for effortless and natural rejuvenation.

Fraxel is often referred to as the “Magic Eraser” and is the gold standard treatment when it comes to improving the overall tone, pigmentation, and texture of skin. Fraxel is an extremely versatile treatment and has the unique ability to target a myriad of skin concerns. Fraxel employs a fractionated laser technology to create controlled, microscopic wounds in the skin. Through the natural wound healing process, new collagen is formed, new and healthier skin cells grow, and signs of premature aging are greatly diminished. There is almost no downtime involved and this low-maintenance skin rejuvenation procedure can be performed as little as once a year to maintain the best cosmetic results.