New York's Skin Wizard And Beauty Insider | An Interview With Dr. Jeremy Brauer

Dr. Jeremy Brauer is New York’s top dermatologist, especially for those seeking help with anti-aging. Armed with the most technologically advanced tools in the field, he can customize a treatment program for you that will help slow the aging process and dramatically make a difference in your appearance.

A clinical associate professor at NYU in New York and with affiliations at some of the world’s leading institutions and hospitals in New York City, his credentials are unrivaled by many others in his field. So, don’t mistake his being an expert in anti-aging with the idea that he doesn’t treat other skin concerns as well. In fact, he knows your skin inside and out – and is a very observant. He can detect skin cancer and other infections and diseases of the skin – and he takes them very seriously.

New York is loaded with dermatologists, but I trust my skin with his knowledge and know-how. Dr. Brauer perfectly marries traditional, medically-based dermatology with the best of anti-aging. He’s conservative in his approach, and truly looks at each patient’s face and body, and the skin that covers it, as a canvas.

I visited Dr. Brauer’s office, he works in two offices in New York City as well as one in Westchester County. I’ve known him for years, and have entrusted my skin to him. Over the course of those years, we’ve developed treatment plans that have addressed skin tone, laxity, acne scarring and other concerns as well. Dr. Brauer works with an array of machines, lasers, dermal fillers and more – all utilized together to help you achieve your highest potential. Dr. Brauer uses various dermal fillers, but this day, he was using Belotero and Radiesse, by Merz Aesthetics.

Both Belotero and Radiesse are dermal fillers, and they can be used individually or together to fill-in scars, address laxity or volume loss and help enhance your overall appearance. I was there to help address acne scarring in my temples, which I’ve also treated through Dr. Brauer with Fraxel lasers. Dr. Brauer chose Belotero, because this filler is thinner and is perfect to be used on a superficial scar – as it sits better in the scar and helps the scar look less noticeable or completely nonexistent all together. To address a small bit of volume loss in my cheeks, the doctor chose Radiesse – which is calcium based, lasts longer (up to three years) and mimics bone. It’s typically placed deeper in the skin near, or on the bone.

After my particular treatment, which lasted about an hour with pre-numbing, I instantly looked more refreshed and rejuvenated. I had very minimal bruising, as Dr. Brauer is very careful and cautious – and was ready for dinner that evening with no one really noticing the difference, other than that I looked my best self. His bedside manner is fantastic. He’s friendly, kind and knows what he’s doing.

After my treatment, I interviewed Dr. Brauer on his philosophy when treating, and his approach when it comes to anti-aging. This is what he said:

IC: What is your ethos when dealing with patients and approaching their aesthetic goals?

JB: When teaching medical students and residents about the Doctor-patient relationship, I always emphasize the ability to listen. What is the patient telling you – or not telling you? Both with their choice of words but also body language. Before jumping to a diagnosis or treatment, it’s most important to take the time to understand why your patient has really come to see you and what their true concerns are. Then you can begin to discuss how best to address them. This is especially true with “cosmetic” patients and their goals.

I believe in looking as natural as possible. The goal of cosmetic treatment should be to have those around you comment about how relaxed or refreshed you look, and not take one look and inquire, “What did you have done?”

IC: What is the cosmetic dermatological procedure or treatment most everyone can benefit from?

JB: Unless there is a known contraindication, the easiest thing everyone can do is appropriate apply a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen during the day and a retinol-containing product in the evenings.

One specific procedure that I feel similarly about is non-ablative fractional resurfacing. Not only has a series of these treatments been clinically proven to reduce the number pre-cancerous lesions, it also stimulates new collagen and reduces pigmentation – improving the overall texture and appearance of the skin.

IC: What are a few of your favorite cosmetic innovations in dermatology that are new to the market?

JB: Picosecond technology is perhaps the latest innovation in the field of laser and cosmetic dermatology. These lasers were initially developed and studied for the removal of tattoos and pigmentation. We have since discovered that they are just as, if not more effective in the improvement of overall texture and appearance of the skin – treating fine lines and acne scars in addition to pigmentation.

IC: What is your “Golden Rule” with filler? More? Less? Any particular filler substance you love to work with?

JB: Beyond the saying itself – I would never perform a procedure on a patient that I didn’t feel was as safe or effective enough to perform on myself or loved ones – it would be, “Do No Harm.”

While we can only minimize and not completely eliminate the inherent risks of these procedures, this belief is paramount in the selection of the appropriate patient, indication, and product. That being said, every approach is tailored to the individual, their goals and their anatomy, and I use different filler products (often in combination) in different areas to conservatively address those goals.

IC: Of all the lasers available, which is best to aid with scarring? Which is best for wrinkles? Sun damage?

JB: Techniques and technologies continue to improve and I believe there are several devices – alone or in combination – that can offer an individual excellent results with scarring. There are several factors involved including characteristics of the patient, of the scar (texture, pigment, vascularity for example), that would help guide that selection.

IC: Is there any trick or procedure combination best to treat scars?

JB: Depending on the scar characteristics, combination of one or more lasers or devices with filler or other injectable agents is generally the rule and not the exception when it comes to the best treatment approach for scarring.

IC: Is there any trick or procedure combination best to treat sagging?

JB: I’m not sure I have enough space to fully address this question. However I’ll do my best! The aging face (which ultimately shows itself with sagging skin amongst other things) is the result of multiple changes to your anatomy that are both genetic and environmental (diet, stress, sun exposure, gravity).

Bone loss, fat redistribution, changes in the skin (such as decrease of collagen and elastic fibers and increase in elastosis (due to the sun)) all contribute to sagging skin. Therefore the optimal approach is absolutely a combination of treatments that appropriately addresses these changes.

Dr. Brauer can be seen through his own private practices and partnerships at Dr. Paul Frank’s office in New York, as well as at Gendler Dermatology in New York.

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