A refreshing take on aging from one of the only sources I trust

Once again, your face is a vintage car (it might need tuneups but don't screw with it too much)

Last November-ish, I wrote about my personal approach to aging, why I prefer not to use Botox or filler in my face, and all the things I’m doing instead to try and preserve what I’ve got. I compared my face to a vintage car - it looks cool when it’s new, then it looks kind of weird and dated for a while, and then it hits that sweet spot and is cooler and more interesting than ever. Remember?

A big part of me getting to that point came from my experiences at GoodSkin (they have a clinic in NY and LA), and in particular, with Christina there. Before I started seeing her, my approach was I’ll try it!!! (And if you don’t know this, you should - most providers are paid on commission, so they’re typically incentivized to sell more Botox, filler, etc.) I used to get botox in my crow’s feet, and a little filler in my upper cheeks, just kind of because I thought I should. Christina helped me understand the bigger factors that would impact my aging process, and look into alternatives to preserve my skin rather than slap on a band-aid and freeze it all up. 

The goal: Jodie Foster shot by Daniel Jack Lyons for The Atlantic

That tailored, holistic approach is part of the whole ~GoodSkin~ philosophy, it’s actually called the GoodSkin Method. Founded by Lisa Goodman, the method is rooted in a European approach to aging, which focuses more on the individual’s genetic factors and lifestyle to tailor an approach that hits at the root issues. The aim is to address the “genetics of aging, correct facial asymmetries, and maintain or restore facial harmony and balance.” Ultimately, the goal is to look untouched, long-term - it’s the opposite of a quick fix and instant gratification, but baby it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Anyway, it’s been refreshing for me to have a place to go to spiral about my face, then have a calm conversation with someone nice, and get honest help. And while this sounds like an ad, I have paid full price for every service I’ve had there (with the exception of a press event to try the Bio-Stim treatment). I just think this is all very interesting and refreshing.

I hopped on the phone with Lisa to talk through all of this, what she’s excited for next, managing expectations, what to do on your own, lasers, do LED masks really work and finding a skilled provider…AND! More.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL POV ON AGING AND MEDICAL AESTHETICS?

My mission is to tell people the truth, to be transparent, and give them good medical care. The American Med Spa has gone off the rails because they've taken the ‘medical’ out of aesthetics, and made it just aesthetics. When you look at what the Europeans have done, the medical aspect is involved in every conversation. I spend so much time working on the ethics of how we give care and trying to run our clinic more like a hospital where we focus on what the patient really needs. A lot of that is working on managing expectations in way that isn’t discouraging.

I want to bring the medical back to medical aesthetics. We foster a place for practitioners who want to work in that way, and a team environment that supports what's best for the patient, not the provider. When that happens, the patients get better care. Patients have the feeling that there's someone who cares for them, not just about the sale. I believe in healthy aging, not anti-aging. 

WHAT ARE THE TECHNIQUES YOU’RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?