The Hamptons attracts the best and the brightest cosmetic surgeons who are introducing the next wave of innovative procedures.
Subtlety is the new black. If you were to ask top pros why their patients never look like they had work done, you’d find out that last decade’s nip and tuck is being replaced with microlifts and fillers. From Botox and Juvederm Voluma XC to body-sculpting procedures, beauty right now is more about revitalizing than creating clone like uniformity. In fact, in many cases, there’s no surgery involved at all. According to a 2013 poll of cosmetic surgeons by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, almost three quarters of procedures performed last year were minimally invasive. Here’s a selection of the East End’s best to help you look top-notch for summer.
1. DR. FREEZE
Dr. W. Mark Warfel
These days, says Dr. Warfel, patients want procedures that will preserve their natural contours.
A practicing plastic surgeon since 2000, Dr. W. Mark Warfel specializes in minimally invasive face and neck lifts with fatty-tissue volumization, along with breast implants, lifts, and reductions. He makes Hamptons house calls to administer fillers, give consultations, and makes occasional emergency laceration repairs.
Beauty Philosophy: Start while you’re still young. “If you start early, you can maintain your youthful looks by small procedures along the way,” Dr. Warfel explains. “Stick with sunscreen and skincare today, and you may be able to skip the laser skin resurfacing tomorrow.”
Summer Must-Have: “‘Quickies’ like fillers, Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin never go out of season and continue full force through the summer.”
New and Notable: Dr. Warfel is pioneering another preventative measure that’s a bit more extreme than daily SPF, but even more prescient. He is encouraging all of his patients to harvest and freeze their own fatty tissue, most commonly from the belly, which can then be reinjected years later into the face. Not only will the youthful tissue add volume to an aging face, it will introduce younger DNA into the body, which could help reverse some of the damaging effects of aging.
Most Requested: “The Kim Kardashian buttock is a popular request,” he says. “I performed a procedure known as the Brazilian butt lift, which consists of liposculpture of the waist and buttocks contour, and fatty-tissue harvest and reinjection to enlarge and reshape the buttocks. This procedure can dramatically transform the buttocks contour to a more desirable shape.” 635 Madison Ave., 4th Fl., NYC, 212-414 2266
2. AGE DEFIER
Dr. Howard D. Sobel
Dr. Sobel developed one of the first doctor-formulated skincare lines.
With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Howard D. Sobel is one of the foremost cosmetic dermatologic surgeons in New York. He created one of the first doctor-formulated skincare lines, DDF (Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula). (P&G purchased the line in 2007, and Sobel remains a dermatologic consultant to the company.) He is the director of the Park Avenue Skin & Spa, Aesthetic Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, and he works out of a private area inside Bridgehampton’s Valery Joseph Salons on Mondays during the summer months.
Beauty Philosophy: It’s not about looking like you did 10 years ago, but rather appearing fantastic for your age. “I believe in being conservative and not making my patients look like Cabbage Patch Kids dolls,” Dr. Sobel says. “I want them to look younger but not [in a way that’s] obvious that something was done.”
Summer Must-Have: “Freckles are no longer considered cute by many, so quite a few patients have requested the Fraxel or Clear + Brilliant [laser treatment] to remove sun-damaged skin and hyperpigmentation.”
New and Notable: The new injectable Juvederm Voluma, which became available in early 2014, offers patients more volume and lifting in the cheeks and midface as well as lasting up to between 18 and 24 months.
Most Requested: Noninvasive procedures such as Botox and injectables like Juvaderm, Radiesse, and Perlane are a favorite among his patients, particularly in the Hamptons. The downtime-free Clear + Brilliant [laser treatment] can zap spots and hyperpigmentation from too much time in the sun. For the body, the cutting-edge Vanquish device can melt fat from the abdomen and love handles in four to six treatments. Valery Joseph Salons, 2454 Main St., Bridgehampton, 537-8967; Park Avenue Skin & Spa, Aesthetic Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, 960 Park Ave., NYC, 212-288-0060
3. THE PERFECTIONIST
Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg
Liposuction and breast augmentation are popular procedures for looking beach-ready, says Dr. Greenberg.
A board-certified cosmetic surgeon since 1999, Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg’s goal is to “help people feel more confident about themselves.” Today, he performs injections, does laser treatments, and offers hydrafacials in his Southampton office.
Summer Must-Have: Cellulaze, a laser treatment that diminishes cellulite, coupled with liposuction and breast augmentations for a beach-ready physique.
New and Notable: The newest procedure is NeoGraft, an automated hair restoration system that harvests, collects, and implants individual follicular grafts. The technology makes hair transplants minimally invasive, requiring no incision or stitches, and therefore leaves no linear scar.
Biggest Myth: Aesthetic tweaks don’t have to come with a high price tag and long recovery period, according to Dr. Greenberg. In many cases, noninvasive procedures can offer real results.
Most Requested: MiraDry, a procedure to help reduce underarm perspiration. Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery, 365 County Road 39A, No.7, Southampton, 287-4999
4. TECH GURU
Dr. Kenneth Mark
Dr. Mark recommends the Mixto Fractional Laser treatment for a anti-aging procedure with less downtime.
A 14-year veteran who specializes in procedures from Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery and laser treatments to injectables such as Botox and Juvederm Voluma (“the best filler ever”), Dr. Kenneth Mark has offices in both Southampton and East Hampton as well as in Manhattan and Aspen. “I pride myself on the research I do in choosing which technologies to bring to my practice,” Dr. Mark says. “The major ones I offer—Ultherapy, CoolSculpting, and Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser—are all unique game changers in the results they deliver.”
Beauty Philosophy: “Some surgeons are known for making a few tweaks instead of one big change; others consider lifestyle more important than perfection,” Dr. Mark says. “I truly believe less is more, especially with fillers and Botox. I can always add more, but doing too much and creating an unnatural result is something I always avoid.”
Summer Must-Have: “Ultherapy and CoolSculpting are the most popular as both have no downtime, but more of my patients than ever are still wanting to do the Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser, even though the skin can peel for five to seven days.”
New and Notable: Ultherapy will give you the best bang for your buck—and let you get back to the beach in no time. The no-downtime technology delivers ultrasound energy deep down to the same layer of skin plastic surgeons lift when they do a traditional face-lift, Dr. Mark says. It’s the only nonsurgical treatment approved to lift the skin of the face, neck, and brow, and a single treatment can last as long as three to five years.
Beauty Myth: “People think Fraxel is so good, when in my opinion, the Mixto is a far superior technology,” he says. “The Mixto won an award for regenerative facials three years in a row, it hurts less than Fraxel, and it more uniformly heats the dermis.” 425 County Road 39A, Ste. 201, Southampton, 283-0002; 200 Pantigo Pl., Ste. N, East Hampton, 324-4161
5. EAST MEETS WEST
Shellie Goldstein
Shellie Goldstein created an anti-aging face-lift that combines acupuncture with microdermabrasion and an oxygen facial.
“Acupuncturist to the stars” Shellie Goldstein uses an entirely different set of needles than your typical cosmetic practitioner. Her specialty is cosmetic facial acupuncture, which she practices at both her Amagansett and Manhattan locations. Goldstein was also one of the first acupuncturists to work in hospitals and healthcare facilities in New York.
Beauty Philosophy: You don’t need injectables to look younger. Goldstein is a proponent of alternative cosmetic therapies, which she discusses in her book, Your Best Face Now: Look Younger in 20 Days with the Do-It-Yourself Acupressure Facelift.
Summer Must-Have: Goldstein’s signature AcuFacial Facelift is like “taking your face to the gym”; it uses a combination of therapies to treat aging from the inside out. The personalized treatment begins with either microdermabrasion or ultrasound to slough away surface skin cells and stimulate cell removal. Next, gentle microcurrents are used to lift and firm sagging facial muscles, while Goldstein simultaneously uses acupuncture on the body to enhance and balance the internal energy. The face-lift finishes with a sequence of LED lights, each targeted to a specific issue and, finally, an oxygen infusion to brighten the skin. Out East, she offers the Hamptons 50-minute express version, which can be performed poolside as a house call.
Added Extra: In addition to practicing the therapy, Goldstein is an educator who teaches courses on facial acupuncture. 530 Montauk Hwy., Ste. 201, Amagansett, 219-3226; 928 Broadway, Ste. 1104, NYC, 212-388-0800
6. LASER FOCUS
Dr. Elliot T. Weiss
Dr. Weiss offers Voluma fillers in his office in Southampton.
A board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Elliot T. Weiss’s experience includes fellowship training in Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer (the most common cancer in the US), reconstructive surgery, laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology.
Beauty Philosophy: “I think the biggest misconception is that Botox and fillers have to make someone look ‘overdone’ or ‘frozen,’ ” says Dr. Weiss. “The patient should look refreshed and youthful, but no one should be able to pinpoint exactly what I did.”
Summer Must-Have: “During the summer, Botox and dermal fillers are always in hot demand. Everyone wants to look rested, refreshed, and at their best. CoolSculpting treatments for noninvasive fat removal are very popular to get in shape for bathing suit season.”
New and Notable: “[Juvederm] Voluma is a new hyaluronic acid filler that lasts up to two years, and patients are loving the results. For the past six years, the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and I have been clinical investigators in studies involving the CoolSculpting treatment system. I offer multiple CoolSculpting options in Southampton—thighs, love handles, abdomen, and back fat. Treatments are painless and take one hour per site, and patients resume normal activity immediately.”
Most Requested: “More and more patients are coming to me because they want to look great but not ‘overdone,’ so I’m seeing an even stronger trend toward the subtle, natural look.” Laser & Skin Surgery Center, 325 Meeting House Lane, Bldg. 1, Ste. C, Southampton, 287-7307
7. MAINTENANCE MAN
Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank
Dr. Frank specializes in skin-tightening Ultherapy procedures.
Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank is a 15-year veteran cosmetic dermatologic surgeon and the founder and director of NYC’s Fifth Avenue Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center, where he specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including Fraxel laser resurfacing, Ultherapy skin tightening, and cellulite reduction. At his Hamptons office, he offers injectables, Botox, and fillers for VIP clients.
Beauty Philosophy: Dr. Frank sees cosmetic skin treatments as just another form of maintenance, like hitting the gym or touching up hair color. “Subtle changes make significant cosmetic differences in the long run,” he says. “It is always best to clean your room a bit each day so you don’t need to do a whole renovation [later].”
Summer Must-Have: Injectables are very popular during summer as they are no-downtime procedures.
New and Notable: Technological advances have made body sculpting a nonsurgical affair. Dr. Frank uses Liposonix and CoolSculpting to remove small pockets of stubborn fat with zero downtime. Even cellulite doesn’t stand a chance against new treatments—particularly Vasersmooth, which involves using an ultrasonic wand under the skin to significantly smooth dimples in just one session.
Most Requested: Skin-tightening procedures of the face and body such as Ultherapy, a skin-tightening treatment that uses ultrasound technology. Fifth Avenue Dermatology, 1049 Fifth Ave., Ste. 2B, NYC, 212-327-2919
8. ULTRA TALENTED
Mindy Armandi
Mindy Armandi was one of the first to use ultrasound technology to help erase the signs of aging.
A board-certified sonographer or “ultrasound technologist” with 23 years of experience, Mindy Armandi is one of the first ultrasound experts who is crossing over into the realm of aesthetics. “Having the ability to correctly interpret and read the different layers of tissue that are visualized during the Ultherapy treatment as well as understanding the physics of ultrasound and the anatomy of the body is crucial to obtaining optimal results,” says Armandi of the Ultherapy treatments she offers at the office of plastic surgeon Dr. James Brady in Southampton. “When you are in the aesthetics field, you have the opportunity to bring a smile to each client’s face and increase their self-confidence.”
Beauty Philosophy: “I believe in being proactive with the aging process and gracefully embracing the changes that aging brings on one’s own terms,” Armandi says.
Summer Must-Have: The two most popular Ultherapy treatment areas are the lower face to correct the “turkey wattle” that develops under the chin over time because of gravity, as well as lifting the brow to open the eyes and reduce hooding of the upper eyelids. “Diminishing the appearance of crow’s feet is a big concern, and I’ve also had some remarkable results smoothing out the vertical lines that form around the mouth,” she says.
New and Notable: Ultherapy is a noninvasive treatment that uses ultrasound energy to stimulate skin’s deep structural support layers. During each 60-to 90-minute session, the patient experiences minimal discomfort (on a scale of one to 10, most rate it a four) and no downtime. Results develop as new collagen builds over the course of three to six months, and can last for two years or longer.
Beauty Note: Armandi says it’s important to choose a skilled practitioner to perform the treatment. “Ultherapy is very dependent on the person performing it. I like to customize each treatment I give based on that patient, their lifestyle, and their particular needs.” James Brady, MD, PC, 686 County Road 39A, Bldg. 2, Southampton, 375-4591