DOCTOR'S NOTES

My take on the new "Lipstick Index" for our time The term "Lipstick Index" was first coined by Leonard Lauder, former chairman of Estée Lauder, during the 2001 recession, when he observed that lipstick sales spiked as economic conditions worsened. His theory suggested that, in times of financial distress, people—especially women—might forgo larger, luxury purchases like designer handbags or extravagant jewelry but still invest in smaller, feel-good items, such as a tube of lipstick. The reasoning behind this lies in the perception that lipstick is an affordable luxury, a small indulgence that provides a psychological boost without breaking the bank....

Why We Need Less in the Upper Face and More in the Lower Face as We Age As a plastic surgeon, one of the most common questions I receive from patients as they navigate the aging process is about the shifting use of neuromodulators like Botox. What surprises many is that our need for neuromodulator treatments evolves with age. For most, the demand for units in the upper face—specifically the forehead, crow’s feet, and glabellar area—decreases over time, while the lower face requires increasing attention. This change is directly related to the natural weakening and descent of the upper face...

As a plastic surgeon, my role is to help people feel more confident in their own skin. I’ve seen firsthand how transformative surgery can be—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. However, the rise of extreme aesthetic procedures, fueled by social media, celebrity culture, and rapidly evolving technology, has sparked a heated debate in the medical community. Are we, as surgeons, pushing the limits too far? Are we prioritizing patient autonomy at the expense of their long-term well-being? These are questions we must address as the demand for more radical surgeries continues to grow. Read more on Substack.

Surgical instruments are sized for male hands. How does this effect the growing pool of female surgeons? Since the beginning of my surgical career - like all women surgeons – I have been working with surgical instruments that are far too large for my hands. Instruments were prototyped decades ago by male surgeons, designed for male hands, and bearing the names of men. I am thrilled to announce one of the most important projects I have ever worked on: ​my own best in class ​stainless steel super cut​dissection scissors and precision surgical ​measurement calipers specifically designed by a wom​an surgeon,...