Dr. Karyn Grossman’s Guide to Aging Well

With cosmetic dermatology clinics in both New York and Los Angeles, and 20 years of experience at her back, Dr. Karyn Grossman is on a lot of people’s speed dial (including our own). Naturopaths, look away: She specializes in non-surgical face lifts, and a host of other treatments like fat freezing and Thermage. “My focus is on making people look natural and refreshed through subtle change,” she explains. “People will think you look great, but can’t put their finger on exactly why.”

Below, Dr. Grossman takes us through her recommendations for every decade. “Ask around and make sure you and your doctor have a similar aesthetic and understanding of what you’d like to achieve,” she cautions. “It’s also important to see a board certified doctor in either dermatology, plastics, or facial plastics.”

When you’re in your 20’s

“Skincare should be your main focus. Stay out of the sun, to the extent that you should never get a suntan. Use a combination of sunscreen and antioxidants, which protects against UV Rays, pollution, and dehydration. Antioxidants combat free radicals, which break down the skin’s DNA and damage it, paving the way for fine lines and wrinkles.”

“Many people in their 20’s also want to be more proactive in preventing aging. Forma treatments, a form of radiofrequency, helps to stimulate collagen. Many patients do this 2-3 times a year as a “supercharged” facial. Also, light Fraxel treatments, such as Clear and Brilliant can help to keep pore size to a minimum as well as to decrease brown spots that may be forming.”

When you’re in your 30’s

“In your 30’s (especially late 30’s) I suggest starting to use Thermage, which looks and feels like a laser but uses heat instead of light to stimulate collagen production in your skin. My philosophy is to hold people in time and slow the progression of aging, making small changes gradually. I typically recommend that people receive these treatments anywhere from twice a year to once every two years depending on how they are aging. I use it on clients to clean and snug up the eyelids and eyebrows, the nasal folds, the jawline, and the neck area. It should feel hot, but tolerable. At the end of the session you might experience some pinkness for a few hours. This is a ‘day before the red carpet’ sort of procedure.”

“The 30’s are also a time to start laser treatments such as IPL and Fraxel. IPL reduces red on the face, helps to treat rosacea, and can decrease those broken blood vessels around your nose and on your cheeks. It also does a great job of reducing the red/brown sun damage along the sides of the neck and in the décolletage area. Fraxel can be used to brighten the skin, and improve texture, pores, and very fine lines. It may also be helpful in the treatment of melasma, stretch marks, and acne scars.”

When you’re in your late 30’s & 40’s

“Fillers are products that are injected into the skin and occupy space—in other words, they lift and fill the skin. I tend to use different fillers for different areas, though this is all based on the patient and what’s happening on his or her face. It’s not unusual for someone to have three different kinds of fillers in different areas at the same time.”

Whenever you’re having injections in your face, there’s always the risk of bruising, so this is definitely not a ‘day before a public appearance’ sort of procedure. Give yourself at least a week or two before any major event.”

“Here’s an example of the kind of fillers I might use in my practice, keeping in mind that I work on a case by case basis and that I take a totally tailored approach to each patient.”

Under eyes: Restylane
Forehead and upper lip line: Belotero
Cheeks: Radiesse or Voluma or Sculptra
Lips: Juvederm

“In the US there are several kinds of fillers both permanent and temporary that are on the market.”

When you’re in your 40’s & 50’s

“This is when fillers and IPL photofacials come into play. This is also a great time to add Active Fx to your routine. This is a fractionated CO2 laser that removes small bits of the skin while leaving normal bridges of skin in between. This allows for a much quicker healing process, and can dramatically improve brown spots, wrinkles, crepe-y eyelids, necks, chests, arms, hands, and even backs.”

When you’re in your 60’s & 70’s

“If you’re looking to get rid of wrinkles without going under the knife, the most aggressive non-surgical procedures I would recommend would be a combination of fat fillers and the CO2 Laser. There is some downtime to the treatment, but if you have moderate to severe sun damage you can get a dramatic improvement in the way you look.”

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