Sourced directly from Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum's social posts and replies.
How does Dr. Tenenbaum recommend using Tretinoin (Retin-A) for optimal results and what are her personal practices?
Dr. Tenenbaum advises washing your face, neck, and chest thoroughly and ensuring they are completely dry (allow at least a minute) before applying Tretinoin. Use a pea-sized amount for the entire face and another pea-sized amount for the neck and décolleté/chest area, avoiding very close to the eyes and potentially irritated areas like around the nose/mouth. Allow the Tretinoin to dry and absorb for at least 20 minutes before applying other products like moisturizers or medical-grade skincare. Incorrect use can lead to irritation or reduced effectiveness. She personally uses generic Tretinoin almost every single night and considers it critical for skincare. For those new to Tretinoin, starting slowly (e.g., 2-3 times a week) is often recommended by the community.
What are the key properties of gummy bear breast implants?
Gummy bear breast implants are made of a solid silicone gel that maintains its shape even if the implant is completely ruptured or cut in half. The gel is cohesive and remains together, demonstrating its structural integrity.
What are jowls and how does Dr. Tenenbaum approach their treatment?
Jowls form when facial tissue droops due to ligaments holding skin attached and the descent of fat and soft tissue, an inevitable part of aging. Dr. Tenenbaum considers a facelift (specifically a lower facelift and neck lift) the gold standard for treating jowls, as it re-drapes deep tissues to smooth the jawline. Non-surgical treatments can help the appearance of jowls only if they are mild. For severe jowls, facelift surgery is strongly recommended.
How does Dr. Tenenbaum use hyaluronic acid fillers to treat mild jowls?
For mild jowls, Dr. Tenenbaum prefers hyaluronic acid type filler injected in three specific spots. Filler in the lateral cheek helps pull up drooping soft tissue. Injecting at the angle of the mandible provides a pull or filling effect to smooth the jowl area. Additionally, filling the hollow in front of the jowl camouflages fullness and helps elongate the chin, contributing to a smoother jawline.
How does Dr. Tenenbaum use dilute Radiesse for collagen stimulation?
Dr. Tenenbaum uses dilute Radiesse, a filler that is not primarily for volume, to stimulate deeper collagen production over several weeks to months. She has used this treatment on her mid to low face, noting it's a similar concept to Sculptra.
What are the benefits and typical frequency of Dr. Tenenbaum's CO2 laser treatments?
Dr. Tenenbaum undergoes light CO2 laser treatments several times a year, which have very minimal downtime. These treatments help stimulate collagen and make the skin look glowing and healthy. She considers a heavy CO2 laser treatment once a year ideal for comprehensive benefits.
How does microneedling compare to CO2 laser treatment in Dr. Tenenbaum's practice?
Dr. Tenenbaum performs microneedling, which she notes is very similar to CO2 laser treatments but is slightly less effective. However, microneedling is a lot more affordable, and she loves the procedure.
How does Dr. Tenenbaum prevent a 'heavy brow' feeling after neuromodulator injections?
A 'heavy brow' feeling after neuromodulator treatment occurs when the frontalis muscle (which pulls eyebrows up) is affected too low on the forehead. To prevent this, Dr. Tenenbaum emphasizes injecting only above a specific line on the forehead. It's also crucial to inject the procerus and corrugator muscles (which pull the brow down) effectively. Patients should provide feedback to their injector if they experience a heavy brow to ensure proper placement and dosing in future treatments.
How are neuromodulators used to treat squint lines?
Neuromodulators are injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle, a circular muscle around the eye, to relax the squint lines that form when smiling.
What is a lip lift and what are its benefits according to Dr. Tenenbaum?
A lip lift is a surgical operation that treats an elongated skin portion of the upper lip. It involves a scar at the base of the nose but is considered a 'beautiful, perfect operation' by Dr. Tenenbaum, as it effectively helps to curl the upper lip out and shorten the distance between the nose and lip.
What are Dr. Tenenbaum's considerations for using fillers to treat tear troughs and cheeks as one ages?
Dr. Tenenbaum currently uses hyaluronic acid filler in her tear trough to help blunt the angle, but notes that treating the tear trough with filler becomes harder as one gets older. She emphasizes that correcting the loss of volume and flattening in the cheek is crucial, as it not only supports the lower lid but also treats the cheek itself and helps with deep folds. Even with significant lower eyelid aging, she believes it's reasonable to try using filler for correction.
What is Dr. Tenenbaum's candid advice on treating jowls, especially regarding non-surgical options like threads?
Dr. Tenenbaum states that jowls are an inevitable part of aging and that a lower facelift and neck lift is the gold standard treatment. She strongly advises against thread lifts, stating 'they just don't last' and to 'not get threads.' She cautions against wasting a lot of money on non-surgical methods for jowls, as there are not many great long-term solutions. Instead, she recommends saving money for a lower facelift and neck lift. For those starting to get early jowls, her best recommendation is to continue treating the skin with medical-grade skincare, resurfacing lasers, light treatments for pigment, and neuromodulators for dynamic wrinkles, including in the lower face.