Photographed by Raul Tovar | Styled by Jaclyn Bloomfield | Written by Roxanne Robinson
You’ve probably seen Dr. Macrene Alexiades’ work without even realizing it. Not only because she claims several high-profile actresses, models and VIPS as clients, but because if she is performing her job well, her work is undetectable. The Manhattan-based doctor applies procedures she pioneered with a “less-is-more” approach, preferring to leave clients looking restored rather than over-done. LVR Magazine spoke with the trailblazing doctor about her artistic process, her innovative non-invasive lift, her groundbreaking product line and the Clean Beauty Authority she helped establish.
LVR Magazine: Your work engages both the art and science of medicine. Your approach to the face and skin employs an artistic point of view. Can you tell us how your approach differs?
Dr. Macrene Alexiades: From the age of 3, I was an artist. I made portraits of my teachers each school year. I am a Greek-American dual-citizen and studied sculpture and art both at Harvard and in Greece, having spent time there throughout my life. It’s an innate gift. I have a natural artistic talent that cannot be taught, combined with technical skills to restore, and create, natural beauty. The syringe is my sculptor’s tool and artist’s brush to create and restore a more youthful appearance.
LVR: You’ve created a buzz in the industry with your new filler-lift method. Tell us more about this non-invasive procedure.
I have a natural artistic talent that cannot be taught, combined with technical skills to restore, and create, natural beauty. The syringe is my sculptor’s tool and artist’s brush to create and restore a more youthful appearance.
Throughout the first half of my career, the goal was to replace plastic surgery with cosmetic procedures. Some fillers can erase wrinkles and improve skin quality; these are skills and abilities outside the realm of surgery and in the domain of cosmetic procedures. This results in my patients consistently looking 10, 15, 20 years younger.
DMA: Throughout the first half of my career, the goal was to replace plastic surgery with cosmetic procedures. I use filler in the way a plastic surgeon lifts skin that sags over time. Some fillers can erase wrinkles and improve skin quality; these are skills and abilities outside the realm of surgery and in the domain of cosmetic procedures. This results in my patients consistently looking 10, 15, 20 years younger. Fillers can be dangerous when not applied well, as results can be permanent and cause disfigurement. When I use fillers, each drop is instinctively and carefully placed in the ideal location, assuming that it could be permanent.
I’ve recently learned that my eyes are like Leonardo da Vinci, meaning we can see the face in a unique 3D view. I start by capturing a 3D view of the face to execute optimal outcomes. The filler I use with active ingredients is placed strategically, instead of cutting—more like sculpture art than plastic surgery. My instinctual talent for understanding the face and body made it obvious that I could replace plastic surgery by lifting with fillers using careful, conservative placement. I published the Alexiades Filler Lift Method in a dermatologic journal, demonstrating using the vectors of the skin to lift the skin with filler behind the hairline invisibly. This is performed like a plastic surgeon who cuts and sews at the hairline to restore a more youthful appearance.
My instinctual talent for understanding the face and body made it obvious that I could replace plastic surgery by lifting with fillers using careful, conservative placement.
LVR: So, there is never a need for a surgical procedure?
DMA: Only for select clients and circumstances. I can perform small lifts using local anesthesia for a mini facelift with no downtime. But usually, I can do the same with fillers. Progress allows it to be less invasive.
LVR: It seems like people start to look the same with plastic surgery and other procedures. Why is this?
DMA: I think that so far, cosmetic procedures have been dominated by a male aesthetic of the ideal female beauty, but they are also violent. The aesthetic can be traced to ancient Greek medical philosophy pioneered by men who, for instance, invented forceps used in OB/GYN. My goal is to avoid that with a non-invasive and non-violent way to restore natural female beauty. It’s important to break down those ideas and recognize women’s impact in the field. I want to develop treatments that mark progress people want.
I can recapitulate the results of injectables, lasers and devices using topical active ingredients. This is the future—and the future is here.
LVR: How do MACRENE Actives fit into your work?
DMA: After spending the first half of my career replacing plastic surgery with cosmetic dermatologic procedures—documented in my book, “Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery”—I am devoting the second half of my career to replacing these cosmetic procedures I helped pioneer with topical delivery of active ingredients.
LVR: Interesting, so you are working to eliminate the non-invasive procedures you helped create to avoid plastic surgery?
DMA: I believe that the future is about active ingredients. That is my goal: to move in that direction, shattering the traditional facelift platform. I’m replacing surgery with cosmetic procedures and replacing that with active ingredients. My work on this non-invasive facelift can do that in a way to restore the face.
All the treatments I have pioneered and perfected—be they injectables, lasers or devices—work by bio-stimulating stem cells to produce their own collagen and elastin. I have matched up different sets of active ingredients with the effects I seek to achieve in the skin, for example, stimulation of skin elements, tightening, firming, clarifying, brightening and so forth.
By combining these scientifically active and clinically proven ingredients in a delivery method that I have patented, assuring active and stable delivery to the targeted skin layers, I can recapitulate the results of injectables, lasers and devices using topical active ingredients. This is the future—and the future is here.
We want to revolutionize the manufacturing process and ethical standards so people understand the products and figure out what is clean.
LVR: Ideally, when should someone consider procedures—minor and major non-invasive or otherwise?
DMA: If people start using MACRENE Actives early enough, the goal is to replace cosmetic procedures. My patients who started in their 20s have not needed to do botulinum toxin fillers or lasers. Possibly, they will not need to do any of these procedures because their skin won’t age. It’s less of a heavy lift if you prevent the decay of skin. It’s harder to turn back the clock at 70 years old.
However, for those who started later and have already accumulated damage to the skin, judicious use of cosmetic procedures will get them to where they need to be to maintain with MACRENE Actives.
LVR: I understand sustainability and clean ingredients are important to you. Can you tell me more about that?
DMA: I read Silent Spring at the age of 12 [Rachel Carson’s seminal 1962 book detailing the dangers of pesticide use]. This ignited my pioneering path to clean and sustainable practices in science and medicine. I started in a university laboratory with three degrees from Harvard University (undergraduate, MD, and Ph.D. in molecular genetics). A Fulbright scholarship focused on discovering non-toxic plant-based modes of pest control, non-GMO alternatives in agriculture, and applying these plant-based approaches to pioneering clean beauty during my career as a practicing dermatologist and skin-care scientist.
LVR: Can you explain what the Clean Beauty Authority is?
DMA: I’ve defined certain unclean ingredients, manufacturing practices and sourcing guidelines. The Clean Beauty Authority is a beauty seal that products earn [that use only] clean ingredients, practices and sourcing. I established it and have a board of VIP industry leaders such as Gabriela Hearst, Gucci Westman, Bobbi Brown and executives from Pfizer and JP Morgan Chase. We are defining it for the industry; we want to revolutionize the manufacturing process and ethical standards so people understand the products and figure out what is clean. I spoke out on the dangers of benzene early on in Allure magazine.
The goal is to encompass all the other seals, including plant-based, organic, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, BPA-free, as well as sustainable packaging. MACRENE Actives and the Clean Beauty seal espouse uncoated paperboard, vegetable-based biodegradable inks and glass packaging to eliminate plastic.
This is something in parallel with my love of the Earth. It is maintaining and protecting natural beauty in all aspects.
LVR: Being on the cutting edge of technology is also a part of your practice. Can you tell us more about your tech and skincare achievements?
DMA: My dermatology career spans over two decades, and I conducted many FDA trials on injectables, including botulinum toxins and fillers. I am the lead author on the latest Allergan Volite filler research released currently in the United States. I developed a laser device and am an expert in radiofrequency technologies, being credited for bringing radiofrequency micro-needling to market. Now there are a plethora of technologies that have followed. Radiofrequency micro-needling has all but replaced fractional technologies and allowed us to rejuvenate the skin without downtime or adverse effects to skin of color.
LVR: Anything else you have in the works that you want to share with us?
DMA: In my skincare lab and dermatologic research clinic, I am applying the topical application of MACRENE Actives for lash, brow and eyes. I believe I will be able to replace prescriptions for hair growth and, hopefully, the need for eyelid surgery one day very soon.
Radiofrequency micro-needling has all but replaced fractional technologies and allowed us to rejuvenate the skin without downtime or adverse effects to skin of color.
Production assistant: Luisa Soto. Hair & makeup artist: Morgan Matous.
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