Q+A with Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Prem Tripathi
Dr. Tripathi on the energy his patients bring to their treatments, advice for those considering cosmetic surgery, and more.
Dr. Prem Tripathi is a facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon based out of San Francisco. He's dedicated his life to facial esthetics, and is passionate not only about having a stellar at-home routine prior to any form of cosmetic surgery, but even more so about the ingredients and formulas of the products within the routines. Read on to hear more from Dr. Tripathi on his philosophy behind "needing" procedures, the energy of his patients, and more.
Q: First and foremost, we’d love to hear about your time in the world of skincare. How did you get started, and how did you get to where you are today?
Skincare is always something surgeons brush off, until we realize it impacts almost everything we do. We can't get our patients good surgical results without glowing skin! I got involved when I was in fellowship for facial plastic surgery and it's been at the forefront of my mind ever since. I also didn't realize how much of a difference at-home skincare regimens can make to help people feel good and in control about what they can do with their skin.
Q: What do you love the most about what you do?
The energy is the best part of my job. People want to come in for treatments, they want to look and feel their best, and this energy is contagious. I also love that I get to spend so much time with my patients getting to know what their goals are and creating a plan to get them there. Even though what I do isn't exactly saving anyone's life, I still find esthetics so impactful.
Q: You often take to TikTok to debunk skincare myths and educate your followers on product ingredients, treatments, procedures, and more. What has been the most rewarding part of growing this audience online? The most challenging part?
The most rewarding part of the process is realizing that I can actually have fun debunking skincare and surgical myths — and that other people find this type of education entertaining. I first got into social media because I saw so much misinformation, and even dangerous recommendations, that were potentially harming my patients. Some of the most challenging aspects are convincing people that, when done well, treatments don't have to be noticeable and that good quality ingredients can make a huge difference.
Q: What is a mistake you commonly find people make with their skin and their skincare regimens? What are some of your recommendations for correcting it?
Some of the biggest mistakes people make is overusing products but forgetting about the basics, like sunscreen. It's just like taking 3 steps forward and 4 back — you may as well toss all your products if you aren't fully committed to sunscreen. I recommend remembering the basics like a good cleanser, vitamin C, sunscreen, and retinol, and then gradually including actives that are powerful.
Q: As an expert in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, what is some advice you have for those who may be considering getting procedures done?
I tell all my patients that no one needs cosmetic surgery. No one. This means that even though you might be anatomically ready for a surgery or treatment, you also have to be mentally prepared for family input when you don't want it, downtime, and potential complications. I also try to drive the point home that the goal of cosmetic procedures is not to look younger, but to look like a more refreshed version of yourself — and that's it.
Q: You’re passionate about the fact that any treatment performed on patients looks better with a high-quality skincare routine at home. We’d love for you to tell us about how you determine what the highest quality skincare is, what you look for, and how others can more easily determine the products that are best for them.
There are thousands of skincare products on the market including poorly designed products that can be irritating, all the way up to luxury brands that have no active ingredients. I explain to my patients that the most important thing I look for when determining a good quality regimen is solid research on the formulas and active ingredients, and making sure your regimen is created with the proper guidance. Not every brand has the ability to do research and not every product needs it, but we use science and evidence in all of our recommendations and skincare should be no exception.
Q: Finally, we’d love for you to walk us through your current nighttime skincare routine!
Rapid Fire Round:
Q: Worth the splurge:
Vivier Radiance Serum.
Q: Favorite drugstore or budget find:
Australian Gold mineral tinted SPF.
Q: Latest beauty empty:
Obagi Tretinoin 0.1%.
Q: Recent discovery:
NIOD Modulating Glucosides.
Q: Product you can't leave home without:
SuzanObagi Physical Defense Mineral SPF.
Q: Brand you wish more people knew about:
Vivier.
For more of Dr. Tripathi's favorite products, check out his shop below:
