Dr. Ruth Celestin of Rowe Plastic Surgery Breaks Down the Most In-Demand Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Treatments
Photo by Sam Moghadam
The aesthetics industry has grown rapidly in recent years, but with the ever-changing beauty trends and the latest treatments and procedures, it can be overwhelming at times, especially for those who are just starting their individual beauty journey. The first important step is to consult with a trusted expert with extensive experience and knowledge who can help guide you in the right direction.
Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr Ruth N. Celestin of Rowe Plastic Surgery is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons with over 13 years of experience specializing in body contouring, breast surgery, and facial rejuvenation. Founded by Board-Certified plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Rowe, Rowe Plastic Surgery specializes in plastic surgery of the face, breasts, and body, and has multiple locations in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Prior to joining Rowe Plastic Surgery, Dr. Celestin owned and operated her own plastic surgery practice and medspa for seven years. She is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida. Dr. Celestin also served 11 years as a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of Major; and holds a B.A. in biological sciences from Rutgers University and a Medical Doctorate from UMDNJ, where she completed the institution's highly selective integrated Plastic Surgery residency.
We recently chatted with Dr. Celestin, who shared her perspective on the industry’s current trends and treatments, how she helps guide her patients when selecting the best procedures for their individual goals, and much more.
What are the most in-demand plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments you’re seeing at the moment, and why do you think they’re popular with patients right now?
The most in-demand plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments I’m seeing are focused on patients achieving natural, minimalist refreshes. It’s about improving skin texture, collagen, elasticity and structure over simply adding volume to correct signs of facial aging.
We are seeing earlier facelifts (30s and 40s) and a lot of interest in neck lifts, especially due to the GLP-1 related weight loss people are achieving. HA fillers (RH, Juvéderm, etc) are still very popular, but people are leaning toward more conservative requests for filler. Patients are requesting filler now to compliment modalities that stimulate collagen and tighten skin such as microneedling and radiofrequency treatments.
Glowing skin is also a popular request driving an increased demand for medical grade skincare treatments like VI Peel and HydrafacialMD. Overall patients are seeking surgical solutions earlier and stacking minimally and non-invasive procedures for maximum effect.
Dr. Ruth Celestin is a Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Rowe Plastic Surgery. Photo courtesy of Rowe Plastic Surgery
Procedures like upper and lower blepharoplasty, FaceTite, and other minimally invasive treatments are having a moment. Can you break down what these treatments involve and who they’re best suited for?
These more subtle procedures are definitely having a moment because people (finally) grew exhausted of the overfilled faces they were seeing everywhere. A recent uptick in celebrity transparency about their plastic surgery procedures has also paved the way for plastic surgeons to have their say about when it’s time to use filler and Botox and when a blepharoplasty or brow lift might be a better option.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty is a great way to take years off the face with very little discomfort or downtime. This outpatient procedure can be done awake (upper blepharoplasty) and leaves an extremely thin scar in a natural crease. All your friends and family will see is that you look “more awake” or “less tired.” Eyelid lifts are often paired with endoscopic brow lifts to address drooping of the brow that is often mistaken for upper eyelid drooping.
FaceTite and other energy-based treatments harness the power of radiofrequency to introduce controlled heat energy to the skin. This heat causes mild “injury” to the collagen in our skin, which signals the body to repair this injury and rebuild tighter, healthier collagen. This results in both an immediate effect and a long term effect that continues to improve over 2-6 months post-procedure.
Radiofrequency treatments are able to tighten skin without the downtime and healing of a facelift, but they do not replace facelifts in our toolbox. I would recommend radiofrequency treatments for someone who has mild to moderate skin laxity, when we first begin to notice the changes from facial aging in the mirror.
The pendulum on body contouring is also swinging away from drastic results. People no longer want exaggerated curves and oversized buttock and breast augmentation — they want their results to be proportionate to their bodies. They are also increasingly drawn to minimally invasive energy-based treatments such as BodyTite (which works like FaceTite, but for larger treatment areas) to address mild to moderate skin laxity before committing to a tummy tuck.
This is a also nice option for someone who is not yet finished with childbearing but wants to enjoy an aesthetic improvement to the tummy area. I have also noticed that most patients requesting fat transfer to the butt and hips (BBL) these days stress the importance of a natural and proportionate outcome that looks like the result of diet and exercise rather than a surgical result — otherwise known as the “skinny BBL.”
Rowe Plastic Surgery is a world-class patient-centered practice with offices in the Hamptons, New Jersey, New York, and Palm Beach, Florida. Photo courtesy of Rowe Plastic Surgery
How do you guide patients in choosing between non-invasive or minimally invasive options versus more traditional surgical procedures when it comes to achieving their goals?
This is a great question. There is an old adage that applies here: When all you have is a hammer, then all the world is a nail. For a Board Certified plastic surgeon we have the training, skill, and expertise to offer the full range of aesthetic solutions to our patients, from non-invasive to surgical options. So we are able to make a recommendation for what will work and not limited by what treatments we are able to offer.
I like to consult with patients myself, hear their concerns, and more importantly, learn what they would consider a “great result.” I take into account their age, health status, lifestyle, and as it applies their desired budget when making recommendations, but ultimately I maintain objectivity about what will actually address the concern with which they are presenting.
Quite often my recommendation will differ from what the patient thought they needed and that is OK. Sometimes a patient will come in for a neck lift and I will educate them about radiofrequency. This is where the patient may want to take some time to consider their options, do more research or even get a second opinion.
Rowe Plastic Surgery and its team of Board-Certified surgeons specialize in a full-range of face, breast, and body procedures. Photo courtesy of Rowe Plastic Surgery
With so much information (and misinformation) circulating on social media, what’s your advice for patients interested in any of these procedures to approach it safely?
My best advice for patients interested in these procedures is to seek consultation with a Board Certified plastic surgeon who offers the procedure you are interested in. This is the best way to get a global assessment of your area of concern, which may benefit from a different solution than what you had in mind. Plastic surgery board certification status can be checked on the American Board of Plastic Surgery website with just the first and last name of your prospective surgeon.
Unfortunately with social media comes a lot of misinformation, photoshop, and the deceptive use of AI and even stolen images, all as marketing tools. Social media may be helpful for initial research prior to your consultation, but it should not be your main source of information. Show up to your consultation with your list of questions handy and be open to hearing an opinion that might differ from yours.
A member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Celestin has over 13 years of experience specializing in body contouring, breast surgery, and facial rejuvenation. Photo courtesy of Rowe Plastic Surgery
For more information about Rowe Plastic Surgery and to book a consultation, visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @roweplasticsurgery
[Photos courtesy of Rowe Plastic Surgery]
Kamala Kirk is a Hermosa Beach native, University of Southern California graduate, and has been an editor and writer for almost 15 years. Her work regularly appears in Palm Springs Life Magazine, Meetings + Events Magazines, Group Tour Magazine, and Pasadena Magazine, among others. She is also Copy Editor for Southern California News Group’s daily newspapers.
Her previous roles include Editor of The Argonaut and Playa Vista Magazine, Reporter for the South Pasadena Review and San Marino Tribune newspapers, Managing Editor for Beauty Launchpad Magazine, Senior Editor for Man Magazine, West Coast Editor for American Salon Magazine, Digital Editor for E! Shows Online at NBC Universal, and Editorial Assistant for Malibu Times Magazine.
She has been published in TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, Luxury Travel Advisor, Gulfshore Life Magazine, Hana Hou! for Hawaiian Airlines, Cottage White, Home & Design magazines, Day Spa Magazine, LA Downtown News, Pasadena Weekly, Total Beauty, 805 Living, Arroyo Monthly, North Valley Magazine, Scottsdale Airpark News, Spa Week Daily, The Quarterly, Trojan Family Magazine, and many more.
She lives in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk
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