BEAUTY AT EVERY AGE: FIFTH AVENUE’S TOP PLASTIC SURGEONS SHARE THEIR INSIDER GUIDE

BEAUTY AT EVERY AGE: FIFTH AVENUE’S TOP PLASTIC SURGEONS SHARE THEIR INSIDER GUIDE

At their mother-daughter practice overlooking the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Dr. Michelle Copeland and Dr. Libby Copeland-Halperin offer more than just aesthetic enhancements — they offer patients a roadmap to aging with intention. As two board-certified plastic surgeons with decades of combined experience, they bring a rare bigenerational perspective to the art and science of aesthetic medicine, treating patients from head to toe at every stage of life.

“No two people share the same idea of beauty,” says Dr. Michelle Copeland. “I collaborate with patients to discover their goals and to ensure that their reaction is, ‘You look terrific,’ rather than, ‘Who are you?’ We help people feel better about themselves by helping them look better.”

Her daughter, Dr. Libby Copeland-Halperin, agrees. “The goal is to look natural, like the best version of yourself. When patients ask, ‘What do I need?’ I always respond, ‘Tell me what bothers you. Let’s find the best treatment to fit your lifestyle and goals.’”

Together, they deliver highly personalized care from initial consultation through post-operative recovery. “We share similar values, preferring a holistic, hands-on approach to patient care from consultation through post-operative recovery,” says Dr. Copeland-Halperin.

Dr. Copeland adds, “Key principles inform our patient care. We emphasize techniques that result in minimal scarring and minimal downtime, including: hands-on treatment, even for non-surgical options like Botox® or filler; cutting-edge technology in our private, fully accredited surgical suite; IV (‘twilight’) sedation, without the need for general anesthesia, is administered by board-certified anesthesiologists to help speed recovery; and a lymphatic massage is included with our post-surgical follow-up to help stimulate healing.”

“Good skincare is an investment that pays dividends and sun protection is the most important thing you can do for your skin,” she says. “Using my background in biochemistry, I was the first woman plastic surgeon to develop a skin care line. My sunscreen uses clear zinc oxide to provide PABA-free SPF coverage without clogging pores.”

In Your Twenties

“In your twenties, it’s more about body image and healthy skin care routines. It’s never too early to develop good skin care habits. We treat patients in their teens and twenties with acne or skin conditions using unique laser treatments. By administering treatments ourselves, we tailor treatments to each patient’s needs and develop a healthy skin care regimen such as our Dr. Copeland non-drying cleanser, acne formula, and pigment formula to help reduce blemishes and discoloration.

We often meet patients who seek to address an area that causes physical or psychological discomfort. Procedures such as scarless rhinoplasty, gynecomastia surgery for men, or correction of prominent ears can be transformative.

Large breasts cause pain, impact self-esteem, and impair an active lifestyle. Breast reduction surgery is life changing. We use a limited technique to avoid large scars while providing a pleasing breast contour. Scarless breast liposuction is also possible to correct breast asymmetry or for women desiring a modest reduction without lifting, even for women with denser breasts.”

In Your Thirties

“Patients in their thirties are often interested in body contouring. More women are interested in breast augmentation using their own fat. Many patients are bothered by their lower leg contour or ‘cankles,’ which is resistant to diet and exercise and causes them to avoid wearing shorts, dresses or boots. We have unique expertise in this area and developed a minimally invasive liposculpture technique performed under twilight anesthesia that has patients back on their feet and thrilled with their leg contour with minimal downtime.

The first signs of aging may sneak up in our thirties, including crow’s feet, worry lines, and dark spots. Patients may come for Botox® to target their ‘11s’ or for filler for nasolabial folds. Laser treatments help improve discoloration, shrink pores, and stimulate collagen, giving skin a radiant glow. Incorporating anti-aging products like our Rewind Day Serum and Reparative Night Serum is another important step to beautiful skin.”

The goal is to look natural, like the best version of yourself. When patients ask, ‘What do I need?’ I always respond, ‘Tell me what bothers you. Let’s find the best treatment to fit your lifestyle and goals.’ – Dr. Libby Copeland-Halperin

In Your Forties

“Patients in their forties are great candidates for Thermage™. This innovative treatment uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate and firm collagen and help smooth and tighten skin all over the body for a more youthful appearance. This is often combined with fillers or fat transfer to add fullness.

For many women, attention may turn to tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) and “mommy makeovers” to address effects of childbearing or weight fluctuation. Abdominoplasty removes sagging skin, repositions the navel, and tightens weakened or separated belly muscles, which often stretch and lose firmness. This is often combined with breast lift or labiaplasty.”

In Your Fifties and Sixties

“In your fifties and sixties, skin care should be more focused on anti-aging. Our Rewind products are loaded with antioxidants to help restore and rejuvenate skin with hyaluronic acid, Vitamins A, C, and E and lipoic acid. Our products were among the first to feature resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant. A recent addition to our anti-aging offerings is a Salmon DNA Skin Booster, often administered with RF Microneedling, to help reverse signs of aging by supporting natural cell regeneration, promoting collagen production, and reducing fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

With the popularity of weight loss medications, many patients are experiencing skin laxity after weight loss. Fortunately, we have non-surgical and surgical options to help. For instance, neck or facelifts with fat transfer can address skin laxity and hollowing. Other patients may benefit from an arm or thigh lift to address skin laxity.

Eyelid surgery is one of our most frequent procedures for men and women. This can be performed on the upper and/or lower eyelids for a rejuvenated and alert appearance and to correct puffy under eye bags and loose skin. Our Rewind Eye Formula also helps reduce lines and wrinkles around the eyes.”

In Your Seventies and Beyond

“In your seventies and beyond, it’s about confidence and well-being, not just appearance. Our message is ‘It’s never too late!’ to improve your appearance or help patients feel more comfortable in their bodies. Patients report getting comments like, ‘You look so refreshed, have you been on vacation?’ or catching a reflection of themselves that is pleasantly surprising, which is very self-affirming. Many patients schedule a consultation ahead of an event, so they look forward to seeing friends and family feeling confident and rejuvenated.”

Fifth Avenue’s Mother-Daughter Plastic Surgery Team

Dr. Michelle Copeland is the first woman plastic surgeon with dual Harvard doctorates in Medicine and Dentistry and is the author of Change Your Looks, Change Your Life and The Beautiful Skin Workout. She is board-certified in plastic surgery and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as well as an attending surgeon at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Ivy League-trained and double board-certified in general surgery and plastic surgery, Dr. Libby Copeland-Halperin has a wealth of experience, including advanced training in breast surgery. She brings a humanistic dimension to plastic surgery and enjoys helping patients achieve their cosmetic, aesthetic, and reconstructive goals through surgical and non-surgical techniques. Dr. Copeland-Halperin is affiliated with Lenox Hill and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospitals.

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