Image Matters

Cristie Lehr-Hawkins, M.D., medical director of Fig Medical Spa in Tulsa, says she continues to see more people taking both a natural and preventative approach to skincare.

“People are wanting more preventative treatments for overall face and body rejuvenation,” says Lehr-Hawkins. “And one of the big trends is the desire for radiant, glowing skin. Skinvive, a new injectable moisturizer, helps achieve that. As a modified hyaluronic acid injection, Skinvive hydrates and refreshes the skin with results lasting six months or more.”

Other popular noninvasive treatments include the use of laser, radiofrequency and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy with the combination of newer regenerative treatments.  

“We’re using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, where we can create volumization in a natural, nonsynthetic way using the patient’s own blood platelets,” she says. “We also use the EXOIE Skin Revitalizing Complex that uses plant stem cell technology to support the restoration and regeneration of a youthful appearance.”

Cathleen LeBeau, P.A., co-owner of Utica Square Skin Care Clinic in Tulsa, says one of the most popular treatments is BBL – or BroadBand Light therapy.

“It not only corrects pigmentation, but when used as part of a long-term maintenance plan, the light rejuvenates the cell and actually helps reverse aging,” she says.

For pigment correction, LeBeau typically recommends two to three corrective BBL treatments, each one month apart, and then maintenance treatments every three months, six months, or annually, depending on the patient. An added benefit to BBL is that there’s no downtime – however, patients must stay out of the sun for two weeks before and two weeks after a treatment, as well as pause the use of any retinol products. 

For those wanting to smooth and tighten skin, LeBeau says Thermage, a non-invasive radiofrequency therapy, helps create a younger appearance.

“Thermage uses your own collagen to stimulate new collagen production,” she says. “It takes about six months to build, but the results are great and can be sustained for three to five years. It can be used on any part of the body – face, neck, stomach, legs – anywhere to help with sagging skin. We use it on people’s eyelids who aren’t yet candidates for blepharoplasty and we use it regularly on the neck and face to help with mild jowling.”

Kasey L. Swayden, P.A.-C., with Radiance Medical Aesthetics of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, says additional procedures gaining popularity are Sculptra and Hyperdilute Radiesse – collagen-stimulating injectables used in the face and neck to restore volume and improve skin condition. 

“These products work by triggering our bodies to produce more collagen and elastin, so results are not immediate,” she says, adding that results typically appear around six weeks and can last up to two years. “Because we’re always aging, we advise getting maintenance treatments annually. Both Hyperdilute Radiesse and Sculptra are great choices for someone who is looking to look younger and refreshed and maintain a natural appearance.”

As an alternative to a traditional facial, HydraFacials are becoming a part of patients’ regular skincare routine. 

“HydraFacial is an advanced facial that uses a specialized handpiece to gently exfoliate the skin and extract the pores,” says Swayden. “The traditional extraction process can be painful and cause redness, but not with HydraFacial. Once the skin is clean and the pores are clear, HydraFacial delivers hydrating serums and optional boosting serums deep into the pores. This leaves your skin glowing, hydrated and protected. Hydration is the foundation for healthy skin, and we recommend getting a HydraFacial every four to six weeks to maximize the health of your skin.”

Beyond skincare, Lehr-Hawkins says she’s noticed a greater interest in hair health. 

“Hair restoration isn’t just for people who are experiencing hair loss,” she says. “People are wanting to strengthen and nourish their hair. Through our Alma TED system, we’re able to stimulate the hair follicles, resulting in hair that’s shinier, thicker and healthier.” 

Swayden says aesthetic laser technology has vastly improved over the last decade.

“We can safely and effectively treat a variety of skin concerns on all skin types and tones, whereas laser treatments used to be unsafe for skin of color,” she says. “Additionally, the laser treatments available today are more comfortable and require less downtime.”

For anyone wanting to start laser treatments, Swayden suggests beginning with BBL, and shares the advice that “when it comes to lasers, who is operating the device matters, for a number of reasons – most importantly, your safety.”

When choosing a provider, “make sure they invest in regular training,” Swayden continues. “Protocols and parameters are always evolving, and training is vital to deliver the safest treatments and the best results. Training is expensive and time-consuming, and the treatment price usually reflects this. When it comes to aesthetic procedures, do your research, and don’t price shop. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Ivan Wayne, M.D., a facial plastic surgeon with W Facial Aesthetics in Oklahoma City, says he’s seeing an uptick in patients wanting neck and face rejuvenation.

“The use of semaglutide medications such as Ozempic has given many people the lean body they want, however the loss of fat in the face and neck brings loose skin along with it,” he says. “The ‘Ozempic face’ issue, combined with the popularity of the deep plane facelift, has fueled a boom in facelift surgery.”

But he emphasizes that the deep plane facelift is “not your mother’s facelift.

“It avoids the windswept, over-pulled look that was so unnatural,” he says. “This rejuvenation technique creates a natural, refreshed look. Downtime is one week for suture removal, two weeks to return to work, and six weeks for full recovery.”

“Rhinoplasty remains one of the most common cosmetic procedures for younger patients desiring a reduction in the size of the nose, removing a bump and making the tip more refined,” says Wayne. 

A new technique gaining popularity, he says, is the ‘preservation rhinoplasty,’ which offers minimal downtime and long-term results.

“I have been using [preservation rhinoplasty] for my rhinoplasty surgeries, and it is amazing how quickly patients recover and how natural the noses look,” he says.

For patients with a drooping nasal tip or a large hump, Wayne says “a liquid rhinoplasty can be done, where fillers are used to contour the nose – making a hump look less prominent while raising a long droopy tip.”

The procedure typically takes around 15 minutes under local anesthetic and results can last from one to two years. However, he notes that not every patient can benefit from a liquid rhinoplasty, and an expert evaluation is needed to determine if this treatment is right for you. 

Another popular procedure that Wayne says has benefited from a more modern approach is blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery.

“Excess upper eyelid skin is trimmed in a one-hour procedure in the office under local anesthetic,” he says. “The bulges seen in the lower lid that can make us look excessively tired are addressed by scarless fat reduction and supplemental micro-fat grafting to the hollows, creating a very natural look. Both upper and lower eyelids have about a one-week recovery.”

Thai Do, M.D., an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City, says cosmetic lower eyelid blepharoplasty is one of institute’s most sought-after procedures.

“This procedure typically involves the careful removal of lower eyelid fat using a skin-sparing approach,” he says. “Additionally, we may recommend adjuvant laser treatment to further reduce lower eyelid wrinkles and enhance the overall appearance of the lower lids. Through these combined approaches, our goal is to achieve facial rejuvenation, leaving our patients looking refreshed and youthful, with a reduction in the signs of tiredness and aging.”

Do’s colleague, Jeremy Tan, M.D., also an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Dean McGee, says the most common cosmetic procedures he performs are upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty and forehead lifts. 

“Each patient has unique anatomy with different age-related or genetically predisposed changes that dictate how to proceed with the procedure,” says Tan.

To support an overall rejuvenated appearance, Dean McGee also offers Contour TRL – a tunable resurfacing laser that allows physicians to adjust the depth to which the laser penetrates the skin. 

“Contour TRL is a deep resurfacing modality available on our Sciton laser,” says Tan. “It’s great for addressing crepiness to the skin and deeper wrinkles in the face, however, comes at the cost of more downtime.”

After a treatment, patients can expect skin to be red and swollen, and recovery time is typically between eight and twelve days. In addition, Tan says there are some medical issues, medications and skin types that may preclude patients from being candidates for Contour TRL, so making an appointment to review available options is best.

When it comes to preventative skin care, LeBeau says it’s first important to remember that our skin is our largest organ. 

“What you put on your skin matters, and it matters to your entire body,” she says. “What’s trending on TikTok may not be the best thing for your skin or be suited for your particular skin needs. Instead, it’s important to be using skincare products that have gone through clinical trials and shown proven results. I often tell patients that the clinic treatments we provide will make about a 30% difference, but it is their daily home skincare routine that will make a 70% percent difference in their skin.” 

Meaning what we do – or don’t do – every day can significantly impact how much, and how quickly, our skin ages. 

“Everyone needs to be wearing sunscreen,” says LeBeau. “So much of what we do in our clinic is reversing sun damage, which causes premature aging, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and creates sunspots. And it needs to be a quality physical sunscreen, not chemical, that’s going to provide a barrier between UV rays and your skin.”

Secondly, she recommends the regular use of retinol.

“Retinol has been shown, over time, to reduce fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. “And we now have retinol in forms that people can use every day to receive its benefits without dealing with red, flaking and peeling skin.” 

While LeBeau knows that most people want to avoid spending a lot of money on skincare, she says they should think of their skin as an investment.

“How you invest in your skin today will affect your skin later, and the better you invest the better the benefits,” she says. 

Lehr-Hawkins says while they see patients of all ages, she’s seen an increase in younger people desiring an individualized skincare program. 

“They’re wanting a combination of in-office and at-home treatments to help maintain the health of their skin and help achieve a healthy glow,” she says “Patients are taking a greater interest and more responsibility in their skincare – making them more committed to the outcomes.”

When beginning any type of aesthetic treatment, it’s important to have goals in mind – but also healthy expectations. 

“Most of us know what we want to improve, and that’s the best place to start when scheduling a consultation,” says Swayden. 

“We see many patients with friends who have seen incredible results, so they want exactly that treatment,” she says “It’s important to remember that we are all unique – from our anatomy to our skin tone and skin health. What worked for your friend may not give you the best results. Research your provider, trust their expertise, and understand that they may recommend a treatment much different than the one you had in mind.”

Swayden says it’s best to be open to different options and to consider your budget and time commitment.

“Remember, you don’t have to receive treatment or purchase anything on the day of your consultation,” she says. “Listen to your provider’s recommendations and express your budget and time restrictions at that time. Often, your provider will be able to provide financing options and other budget solutions as well. Then, take it all home and think it over before taking the leap.”