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The facelift internet loves a clean fight: SMAS vs deep plane, one “best” method, one winner. But what if that whole debate is a distraction from the only thing that actually predicts a great result: whether your surgeon can see how faces age in three dimensions and reverse it with intention? I sit down again with Dr. Ben Talei, Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon, educator, and relentless anatomy nerd, to talk about what technique labels can’t capture and why most studies miss the parts patients care about most.

We dig into how surgeon “vision” shows up in real outcomes: jawline clarity, midface shape, eye area youthfulness, skin quality, and even how the smile moves after facial rejuvenation surgery. Ben breaks down the logic behind planes, fixation zones, tissue glide, and why “ligament release” has become an oversimplified story that can block real understanding. We also get practical about neck contour, parotid-related volume, and why small three-dimensional corrections can beat big two-dimensional pulls when you’re chasing natural, durable change.

From there, we go wider: pricing outrage and why elective cosmetic surgery behaves like a luxury market, the ethics of “profiting from insecurity,” and how social media and AI filters are driving unrealistic expectations for facelift results. We close with high-signal rapid fire on what’s underrated (nanofat), what’s overrated (biostimulators), why fillers can’t “defy gravity,” and whether hyperbaric oxygen or light therapy actually helps healing. If you want a clearer way to think about facelift technique, facial aging, and what excellence looks like, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can find the show.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ben Talei

06:00 Passion for Cars and Personal Interests

10:07 Balancing Education and Practice

16:10 The Debate: SMAS vs. Deep Plane Facelifts

24:04 Understanding Aging and Surgical Techniques

31:41 The Frustration of Misunderstanding in Aesthetic Surgery

33:39 The Evolution of Surgical Techniques and Patient Expectations

35:59 The Value of Cosmetic Surgery: Price vs. Quality

39:18 Addressing Insecurities: The Role of Cosmetic Surgery

43:13 The Impact of Social Media and AI on Self-Perception

49:29 Advancements in Facial Rejuvenation Techniques

56:21 Understanding Facial Anatomy: The Key to Effective Surgery

01:00:57 Understanding Surgical Challenges and Techniques

01:01:18 The Impact of Crevasse Technique on Aesthetic Surgery

01:03:28 Innovative Approaches to Facial Anatomy

01:07:23 Exploring the Causes of Aging

01:09:09 The Complexity of Aging and Surgical Outcomes

01:15:28 The Role of Genetics in Aging

01:16:28 Cellular Biology and Aging: A Deeper Dive

01:19:12 The Future of Anti-Aging Science

01:25:00 Exploring Post-Operative Care Techniques

01:29:42 The Efficacy of Light Therapy in Healing

01:32:29 Exploring the Efficacy of Anti-Aging Treatments

01:33:03 Rapid Fire: Trends in Cosmetic Procedures

01:34:46 Underrated and Overrated Anti-Aging Interventions

01:35:48 The Importance of Patient Education in Cosmetic Surgery

01:37:04 Personal Insights: Balancing Surgery and Self-Care

01:37:49 The Intersection of Passion: Cars and Cosmetic Surgery

01:38:55 Market Trends in Classic Cars and Investments

01:41:05 The Future of Car Values and Investment Strategies

01:43:01 The Joy of Car Enthusiasm and Personal Connections

Dr. Ben Talei Links:

Website: https://www.beverlyhillscenter.com/dr-ben-talei/

Cupid Lips: https://www.cupid-lips.com/

IG: @drbentalei, @muybenno

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Wrinkles, sagging, and pigment are easy targets because we can see them, measure them, and sell treatments for them. But I keep coming back to a more uncomfortable question: are we actually treating aging, or are we only managing the appearance of aging? In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Suzan Obagi, a leader in cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic surgery and Associate Professor in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and former President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, to follow the smoke back to the fire and talk about what really drives skin aging and recovery.

We break down intrinsic aging versus extrinsic aging and why epigenetics, inflammation, and oxidative stress matter as much as lasers and injectables. Dr. Obagi explains what collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans do, why their production peaks early, and why menopause can accelerate collagen decline. We also get honest about hormone replacement therapy: how estrogen affects skin, mood, joints, vessels, brain health, and wound healing, where risks truly live, and why many women are still mismanaged with symptom-only fixes. If you care about healthspan, longevity, menopause skin changes, and better surgical outcomes, this part will shift your perspective.

Then we turn practical. You’ll hear the simplest high-yield skincare routine we both rely on: cleansing, well-formulated antioxidants morning and night, moisturizers that support barrier function, mineral sunscreen, and retinoids with realistic timelines for results. We also unpack why some medspa “annual” treatment advice keeps people on a treadmill, and we look ahead at where anti-aging medicine may go next, from rapamycin analogs to NMN to the promise and complexity of Yamanaka factors.

If this made you rethink your approach to anti-aging skin care, hormone health, or aesthetic medicine, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.

Dr. Suzan Obagi links:

Instagram: @suzanobagimd

Website:http://dermatology.pitt.edu/people/suzan-obagi-md

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We sit down with Dr. Brittany Eidson, board certified facial cosmetic surgeon from and owner of TruForm Surgery out of Michigan, to unpack the biggest myths patients hear about cosmetic surgery and why “quick and easy” often leads to disappointment. We talk candidly about trust, psychology, leadership, and the mindset shifts that help surgeons deliver better care without burning out.
• why aesthetic results take time and why instant gratification misleads patients
• how AI and social media change patient expectations and weaken medical authority
• using goal-based questions to guide consultations and reset expectations
• spotting red flags like perfection chasing and chronic dissatisfaction
• handling unhappy patients emotionally while owning complications and learning
• when outside influence from family can flip a patient’s perception
• humility and empathy as core clinical skills and trust builders
• military lessons on discipline teamwork and leadership in the OR
• high performance vs meta performance and why delegation scales a practice
• business coaching as a lever for team buy-in and burnout prevention
• why rhinoplasty is so hard and why millimeters matter
• dropping the imposter syndrome label and building confidence through reps and passion

Her story can be used as a guide and blueprint on how to utilize "meta performance" in order to transcend your business in a competitive aesthetic and cosmetic surgery industry.

Dr. Brittany Eidson Instagram: @dr.brittany_cosmeticsurgery

Resources:
Beyond High Performance (Book)
Five Dysfunctions of a Team (Book)
Alex Hormozi (Podcast)

Tweet me @realdrhamrah
IG @drhamrah