Episodes

Working on the fabric of the skin itself does a lot to improve and rejuvenate our appearance when we're in our fifties, sixties, and seventies. Preventive measures when we’re in our twenties, thirties, and forties delays when we have to address the big aging features and preserves our skin at its youthful best. As we age, the metabolism of the skin slows down slowing renewal of skin materials. Collagen and elastin, the structural proteins in the skin, diminish and become less organized. Ground ...

Until the 1980’s, doctors used a small set of lasers as a continuous wave for every medical and cosmetic skin condition, heating and burning off the surface of the target. Dermatologist Dr. Vic Ross characterizes this approach as being like “napalm in the forest,” Then, Harvard researcher and dermatologist Dr. Rox Anderson recognized these treatments would be much more selective if they were delivered in short pulses and tailored to each condition. From there, researchers in laser medicine bega...

Many people are interested in treatments that have a significant positive impact on appearance without a big investment in recovery time or money. Dr. Munique Maia joins Dr. Bass for a deep dive into the most powerful minimally invasive treatments and minor surgeries, and reveals which small aging changes can make a huge difference in appearance when addressed. Everyone has a busy schedule and a budget, and it’s a good idea to think about what procedures will truly make a difference. Drs. Bass...

In the first of our mini-series “Decades of Face,” Dr. Bass shares his advice for people in their 20’s who want to both look their best and have a solid anti-aging treatment and skin care plan. Learn which procedures are most popular for preventing aging and maintaining skin quality at this age, including retinoids, energy treatments, microneedling, and micro Botox. Don’t miss Dr. Bass’ sage advice about chasing the small issues which can manifest during your 20’s. He also discusses ways to op...

With any surgery, it’s normal to be concerned about the scars you'll be left with and whether they heal properly. In this episode, Dr. Bass covers the different types of scars and what to do if you find yourself with an unpredictable scar during your recovery. Two conditions which sometimes occur with scar healing are hypertrophic scars and keloid scars. A hypertrophic scar is red and thick, caused by inflammation combined with your wound healing biology and how your skin behaves. Keloid scars ...

To bring us into the future of stem cells in aesthetics, regenerative medicine pioneer Dr. Steve Cohen joins Dr. Bass for a conversation about the future of this innovative area of medicine. Because stem cells are not fully differentiated, they have the ability to turn into a muscle cell, a skin cell, or a blood vessel lining cell. This versatility allows them to be used in plastic surgery, where benefits include improving blood supply, making new blood supply, reducing inflammation, and repair...

Once an unknown niche procedure, buccal fat pad removal is now everywhere in the media. Buccal fat pad removal surgery allows us to flatten the cheeks of somebody who has "chipmunk cheeks," reducing the bulge below the cheek mound to be relatively flat or just slightly concave. Mostly for young adults, this surgery can be a powerful tool for facial shaping when the right amount of fat is removed. But if too much fat is removed or the patient does not have enough fat to begin with, it can result...

Dr. Bass and guest Dr. Michael Kane explore the latest innovation in the neuromodulator market - Daxxify. With over three decades of experience in the field, Dr. Kane is the author of “The Botox Book” and is an expert in the use of neuromodulators. In this episode, they discuss the history of neuromodulators and the current playing field that Daxxify is entering and trying to disrupt. As the biggest innovation in the botulinum toxin type A category in the last 20 years, Daxxify is approved by t...

Because both plastic surgeons and patients are perfectionists by temperament, it's a good meeting when they get together. But as humans, we have to accept that we're never going to achieve perfection. If we are too demanding toward ourselves and others, it can be hard to find satisfaction with cosmetic procedures. For some people, cognitive therapy and mindfulness is helpful for setting more realistic ideals. For anyone mentally preparing or recovering from a cosmetic procedure, special guest ...

In aesthetic medicine, photography is central to the consultation, treatment planning, execution of the treatment, and the assessment of the results. Photography expert Doug Canfield, founder of Canfield Scientific, returns to the podcast to talk with Dr. Bass about the latest advances in clinical photography including how artificial intelligence is aiding imaging and diagnosis. Without photographic documentation, plastic surgeons aren't able to prove their abilities to prospective patients, cu...

To help you find the best laser or energy treatment for your goals, dermatologist Joel L. Cohen, MD, joins Dr. Bass for a conversation about the devices which have changed the aesthetics game and how treatments can be modulated to fit your goals. Finding the right device means first consulting with and building a relationship with an expert dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who will help you select the treatment that will best address your concerns. Getting to your goals requires an entire too...

Needles are everywhere in medical aesthetics, from injectable treatments to needling treatments that use tiny sterile needles to create tiny punctures and energy based microneedling. Creating a lot of punctures in the skin is microtrauma that the body recognizes and responds to biologically, creating biostimulatory effects such as neocollagenesis, the formation of new collagen in the skin, and neovascularization, the formation of new blood supply in the skin. Some needles are big, some are tiny ...

Once you decide to go forward with facelift surgery, there are a few more important decisions to make. Dr. Bass teams up with facial plastic surgeon, friend, and colleague, Dr. Jason Bloom to guide you through each of these key decisions in the facelift journey. Many people need other procedures in conjunction with a facelift or necklift, but are unaware of what other procedures may need to be added. If you make the mistake of leaving an obvious aging feature untreated, you'll end up getting ano...

Dr. Bass shares a preview of the episodes to look forward to in the coming year, including a new series called "Decades of Face" outlining the changes throughout the decades of aging and the treatment plans best suited to each of them. When something happens in the plastic surgery world, count on Dr. Bass to bring it to you first. This year’s guest experts will bring individual perspectives as we discuss technology and techniques that work best, and industry guests will reveal how science and in...

What's in store for the future of medical aesthetics? Dr. Bass gives an inside look at where we are right now and his expert predictions. Injectable fillers and neuromodulators began to gain momentum in the 1990’s, and the rate of innovation with these technologies has been expanding ever since. These advances in non-surgical treatments will continue to decrease the need for big restorative surgery and revolutionize aesthetic medicine. As technology continues to improve, we can expect to see the...

Dr. Steve Cohen, an internationally recognized plastic surgeon and the co-author of Regenerative Facial Surgery, joins Dr. Bass to look into the future of regenerative medicine within aesthetics. Regenerative medicine focuses on enabling tissue regeneration in the body and restoration of normal function in cells, organs, or tissues to help the body regenerate or restore itself when there's an aging change or a disease. Regenerative therapies not only provide an aesthetic improvement in appearanc...

The goal of plastic surgery is to create balance and proportion as it creates a natural look, not an extreme one. Most people considering plastic surgery aren’t interested in looking overdone. Some people are willing to accept that they are going to be walking around with telltales that they've had plastic surgery, but most only want a few close friends or family members to know. They want a plastic surgeon who will keep them looking natural while touching up their appearance. Because it’s very ...

If you have had a cosmetic procedure and wish it could be undone, or if you are considering a cosmetic procedure but afraid you'll regret it, there are options for going back. There are options available if you don't love the outcome after most procedures. Implants and fillers can be changed, and it is possible to rework other cosmetic procedures. Brazilian butt lifts and other fat grafting shaping procedures can be treated with liposuction like techniques to go in reverse. Trends in appearance ...

Since the pandemic started, people have become hyper-aware of their appearance while being overexposed to what they look like on videoconferencing. A tsunami of visits to the plastic surgeon has resulted, with patients asking to change more things about themselves than ever before. "Zoom Dysmorphia" gives us an unrealistic body image. Sure, stress and taking breaks from aesthetic treatments during the pandemic played a part, but there are other reasons people look especially bad on videoconferen...

Rumors are spreading that patients are “over it” when it comes to injectable fillers, but Dr. Bass says that's far from the truth. The core strategy of facial rejuvenation treatments at most stages of aging includes a program of injectable filler treatments. Filler is being used in more areas and more creative ways than ever before to combat the general facial volume loss that accompanies aging. Also, these products are great for features in which there is no better option, like lips that have l...

As we celebrate the 1-year anniversary of this podcast, Dr. Bass presents a lighthearted retrospective of all that has been covered so far and what's in store for the future. Find out which episodes were Dr. Bass’ favorites, which were listener favorites, and why he hopes the podcast reaches people interested in hearing the reality rather than fantasy or hype. Co-host Doreen Wu shares her perspective and role in making the podcast what it is today. Thank you to our loyal listeners and the people...

Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Christopher Zachary joins Dr. Bass to share the miraculous history behind some of today’s most popular treatments and discuss the impact of developments and research in medical aesthetics. With every new treatment and technology to enter the world of aesthetics, the landscape grows more confusing for patients. Finding the ideal treatment for every concern starts with the patient understanding what each treatment does best. Providers need to work out how each device fit...

You know you are not ready for a facelift yet but your face is not looking as youthful as you want. There are many non-surgical options and minimally invasive options that are increasingly important to maintaining appearance if a facelift might be in your future in the next decade. If you are counting down “T-Minus 10 Years” to a facelift or necklift, listen to Dr. Bass review your options to look your best until you are ready to launch a surgical project and to help extend the time until surger...

If you’re avoiding the plastic surgeon’s office for fear of being sold something you might not need, know that it is much easier and more affordable to prevent your face from aging now than it will be to fix it later. Dr. Bass outlines how planning for the future and a great relationship with the right aesthetic provider will give you much more success throughout the years. The first step is finding a provider who you enjoy and trust. This person should be a good listener and have a refined appr...