cover image About Face: A Plastic Surgeon's 4-Step Nonsurgical Program for Younger, Beautiful Skin

About Face: A Plastic Surgeon's 4-Step Nonsurgical Program for Younger, Beautiful Skin

Gregory Brown. Ballantine Books, $24.95 (192pp) ISBN 978-0-345-46728-7

""Many people underestimate the fact that, in order to have youthful skin, they must keep their internal machine operating at optimal condition,"" writes Brown, a seasoned plastic surgeon who has spent his career studying skin. In this refreshing book, Brown shares his knowledge of the skin's natural healing ability and provides alternatives to extreme makeovers and invasive surgeries. Poor diet, sun exposure, smoking and a lack of physical exercise can all slow down the regeneration process of skin. So before opting for facelifts, injections or surgeries, Brown suggests readers reexamine their lifestyle choices. He provides a condensed list of skin-friendly foods, including proteins like chicken and fish, healthy carbohydrates (whole grains, green veggies, citrus fruits, etc.), and good-for-you fats like olive oil and omega fish oils. He also recommends simple yoga routines and stretches that may help reduce wrinkle-causing stress and increase circulation. Even though the section on Brown's antiaging cream, ReVive, smacks of self-promotion, the book is comprehensive enough-encompassing everything from Botox and Dermabrasion to more advanced procedures like facial implants and hair replacement surgery-to guide readers toward an informed decision.