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Peter Attia MDPeter Attia MD

355 – Skincare strategies, the science of facial aging, and cosmetic-intervention guidance

Tanuj Nakra & Suzan Obagi, two leading experts in aesthetic medicine, explore the science of facial aging & skin health as well as the responsibilities physicians face in the world of cosmetic procedures. They examine the biological & hormonal drivers of facial aging, the evolutionary & psychological foundations of attractiveness, & the impact of modern media on beauty standards. They discuss the rise in cosmetic procedures among adolescents & the ethical responsibilities of physicians in these cases. The conversation then shifts to a practical, evidence-based guide to skin health—covering the use of mineral sunscreens, retinoids, vitamin C, & tailored skincare routines, as well as the management of acne & the psychology behind aesthetic consultations. Additionally, they assess of Peter’s own face, offering a revealing look at what aesthetic medicine can achieve & how to think critically about pursuing it. View show notes here: https://bit.ly/44x8aaC Become a member to receive exclusive content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ 0:00:00 0:01:18-Evolving field of aesthetic medicine 0:08:50-Biology of the aging face 0:15:27-Why facial fat atrophies with age while body fat tends to accumulate 0:19:15-How chronic stress accelerates facial aging 0:24:49-Evolutionary biology of beauty, & how modern lifestyle, culture, & medicine interact with ancient instincts 0:37:20-How social media has shifted aesthetic trends toward exaggerated features/unrealistic beauty standards 0:43:10-Ethical challenges, financial incentives, & social pressures shaping modern aesthetic medicine 0:53:52-Concerning trend of teenagers seeking cosmetic enhancements 1:01:04-UV damage & sunscreen recommendations 1:12:57-Minimizing skin aging: retinoids, vitamin C, & evidence-based application methods 1:23:31-Daily skincare routine: cleansing, antioxidants, retinoids, moisturization 1:37:07-Managing acne 1:46:08-The 4 changes of aging & the complexities of aesthetic consultations—anatomical, psychological, & ethical factors 1:58:22-The 5 R’s of rejuvenation 2:01:22-Facial aging analysis & cosmetic strategy using Peter’s face as a case study 2:05:07-Fat grafting vs dermal fillers for facial rejuvenation 2:11:08-How self-image, eye aesthetics, & fleeting photos drive the desire for cosmetic enhancement 2:15:18-Advice for wrinkles, causes of dark circles under the eyes, & the importance of facial symmetry 2:21:12-Considerations that shape clinical decision making around fat grafting & other procedures to address the eye area 2:32:39-Evolution of facial cosmetic surgery techniques, the serious risks, & how physician skill & procedure selection impact outcomes 2:38:59-Selecting a cosmetic surgeon 2:51:34-Ablative vs non-ablative skin resurfacing treatments, laser vs. peels 3:01:49-How treatments are chosen & customized based on patient-specific factors 3:07:00-The human desire to align physical appearance with self-identity -------- About: The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, & all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 90 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, & much more. Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan & simultaneously improving their healthspan. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com Connect with Peter on: Facebook: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDTW Instagram: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDIG Subscribe to The Drive: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveApplePodcasts Overcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveOvercast Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheDriveSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheDriveGoogle Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. I take conflicts of interest very seriously. For all of my disclosures and the companies I invest in or advise, please visit my website where I keep an up-to-date and active list of such companies. For a full list of our registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names, and service marks, please review our Terms of Use: https://peterattiamd.com/terms-of-use/

Peter AttiahostSuzan ObagiguestTanuj Nakraguest
Jun 30, 20253h 10mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
June 30, 2025
Duration
3h 10m
Channel
Peter Attia MD
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Tanuj Nakra & Suzan Obagi, two leading experts in aesthetic medicine, explore the science of facial aging & skin health as well as the responsibilities physicians face in the world of cosmetic procedures. They examine the biological & hormonal drivers of facial aging, the evolutionary & psychological foundations of attractiveness, & the impact of modern media on beauty standards. They discuss the rise in cosmetic procedures among adolescents & the ethical responsibilities of physicians in these cases. The conversation then shifts to a practical, evidence-based guide to skin health—covering the use of mineral sunscreens, retinoids, vitamin C, & tailored skincare routines, as well as the management of acne & the psychology behind aesthetic consultations. Additionally, they assess of Peter’s own face, offering a revealing look at what aesthetic medicine can achieve & how to think critically about pursuing it. View show notes here: https://bit.ly/44x8aaC Become a member to receive exclusive content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ 0:00:00 0:01:18-Evolving field of aesthetic medicine 0:08:50-Biology of the aging face 0:15:27-Why facial fat atrophies with age while body fat tends to accumulate 0:19:15-How chronic stress accelerates facial aging 0:24:49-Evolutionary biology of beauty, & how modern lifestyle, culture, & medicine interact with ancient instincts 0:37:20-How social media has shifted aesthetic trends toward exaggerated features/unrealistic beauty standards 0:43:10-Ethical challenges, financial incentives, & social pressures shaping modern aesthetic medicine 0:53:52-Concerning trend of teenagers seeking cosmetic enhancements 1:01:04-UV damage & sunscreen recommendations 1:12:57-Minimizing skin aging: retinoids, vitamin C, & evidence-based application methods 1:23:31-Daily skincare routine: cleansing, antioxidants, retinoids, moisturization 1:37:07-Managing acne 1:46:08-The 4 changes of aging & the complexities of aesthetic consultations—anatomical, psychological, & ethical factors 1:58:22-The 5 R’s of rejuvenation 2:01:22-Facial aging analysis & cosmetic strategy using Peter’s face as a case study 2:05:07-Fat grafting vs dermal fillers for facial rejuvenation 2:11:08-How self-image, eye aesthetics, & fleeting photos drive the desire for cosmetic enhancement 2:15:18-Advice for wrinkles, causes of dark circles under the eyes, & the importance of facial symmetry 2:21:12-Considerations that shape clinical decision making around fat grafting & other procedures to address the eye area 2:32:39-Evolution of facial cosmetic surgery techniques, the serious risks, & how physician skill & procedure selection impact outcomes 2:38:59-Selecting a cosmetic surgeon 2:51:34-Ablative vs non-ablative skin resurfacing treatments, laser vs. peels 3:01:49-How treatments are chosen & customized based on patient-specific factors 3:07:00-The human desire to align physical appearance with self-identity -------- About: The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, & all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 90 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, & much more. Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan & simultaneously improving their healthspan. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com Connect with Peter on: Facebook: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDTW Instagram: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDIG Subscribe to The Drive: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveApplePodcasts Overcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveOvercast Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheDriveSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheDriveGoogle Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. I take conflicts of interest very seriously. For all of my disclosures and the companies I invest in or advise, please visit my website where I keep an up-to-date and active list of such companies. For a full list of our registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names, and service marks, please review our Terms of Use: https://peterattiamd.com/terms-of-use/

SPEAKERS

  • Peter Attia

    host

    Physician and host of The Drive podcast.

  • Suzan Obagi

    guest

    Dermatologist with cosmetic surgery fellowship and longtime academic physician at the University of Pittsburgh.

  • Tanuj Nakra

    guest

    Oculofacial plastic surgeon (ophthalmology/oculoplastics) trained at UCLA, practicing in Austin and affiliated with Dell Medical School.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Peter Attia MD, featuring Peter Attia and Suzan Obagi, 355 – Skincare strategies, the science of facial aging, and cosmetic-intervention guidance explores dermatologist and oculofacial surgeon explain facial aging, skincare, and safe cosmetic choices Obagi and Nakra describe facial aging as a combination of fat-pad atrophy, bone loss, ligament tethering, skin changes and gravity, with women aging faster after about 50 because of hormonal bone loss.

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