Desperate for makeover! Please offer advice! (Photo)

Question

After having a 2 year old, my skin & hair has seen drastic changes. I no longer feel like myself & self confidence has plummeted. I know I will never return to my pre-baby looks so I want to give myself a makeover to embrace myself once again. I am seriously considering under eye filler as my eyes are hollow and bag up when I smile. I have had my lips done and failed liquid rhino. I’m asking for flat out honesty - what can I do to improve myself? Hair, skin, looks, etc?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

First, I want to say that I think many new moms can relate to how you're feeling. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the years that follow can bring real changes to your skin, hair, and facial volume. It's understandable that you don't quite feel like yourself right now, and it's okay to want to invest in yourself again.

Looking at your photo, I don't think you need a dramatic makeover. I see someone who looks a bit tired rather than someone who needs major cosmetic changes. That's actually encouraging, because subtle improvements often make the biggest difference.

The first thing I notice is the under-eye area. There is some hollowing that creates shadows and can make you look more fatigued than you probably are. Under-eye filler can be helpful in the right candidate, but it's also one of the most technically demanding areas to treat. If the concern is primarily volume loss, filler may soften the hollows beautifully. If puffiness is coming from under-eye fat pads rather than hollowness, filler has to be used very carefully because too much can actually make the area look heavier.

Your skin overall looks healthy, but if your goal is to regain that "well-rested" glow, I'd focus on improving skin quality as much as volume. A consistent skincare routine with daily sunscreen, a nighttime retinoid if your skin tolerates it, and vitamin C in the morning can gradually improve texture and brightness. Treatments such as microneedling, fractional laser resurfacing, or light chemical peels can also enhance skin tone and stimulate collagen over time.

Regarding your hair, postpartum changes are incredibly common. Even if the initial postpartum shedding has resolved, some women notice that their hair never quite feels as full as it once did. Making sure there isn't an underlying issue—such as iron deficiency, low vitamin D, or a thyroid imbalance—is worthwhile if you've noticed persistent thinning. Once those possibilities are addressed, there are effective options to support hair growth if needed.

I also wouldn't underestimate the impact of small refinements. A little softening of dynamic lines with Botox, maintaining the lips in a natural way, or subtle cheek support if volume loss develops over time can refresh your appearance without changing the features that make you look like you.

One thing I would not do is chase every perceived flaw all at once. It's very easy, especially after a major life change like motherhood, to feel like everything needs fixing. In reality, the most natural and satisfying results usually come from making one or two carefully chosen improvements rather than trying to transform your entire face.

From what I can see, your foundation is already very good. You don't need to become a different version of yourself—you simply look like someone who's been through one of life's biggest changes. A thoughtful combination of skin rejuvenation, addressing the under-eye area if appropriate, and paying attention to your hair health would likely have a much greater impact than pursuing multiple cosmetic procedures. Sometimes the most beautiful makeover is simply helping you look like a more rested, refreshed version of yourself.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

At least from the photos provided, the infraorbital hollows and dark circles appear to be the most prominent cosmetic issue. The smile smiles are a secondary issue. Both problems are routine aesthetic issues that can be easily treated in the hands of an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert  Frankly, an experienced injector can do both treatments in about twenty minutes with results that typically are immediate and usually engender little to no significant post-treatment downtime. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to begin by visiting with a board certified plastic surgeon or experienced aesthetician near you.  Discuss your concerns and learn about options.  A great skin care routine including medical grade skin care products like Transform MD can help in getting balanced skin and a healthy glow.  Fillers for added volume can be discussed as well as other skin treatments to get you feeling rejuvenated.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

It’s not unusual for a woman to feel insecure after a child birth. A lot of minerals and vitamins are drawn out of the body making the skin, nails and hair lose strength and luster. The only things that I can recommend is to number one, eat healthy. Second, supplement yourself with vitamins and minerals. Thirdly, be well hydrated. And lastly, the only surgical intervention that I can recommend is to fill out the hollows in the lower eyelids, but do it with your own fat. When Fat grafting is done by an expert Plastic surgeon, who specializes in fat grafting, the results are very natural and practically permanent. The recovery is also quite Easy after fat grafting. You can look at our photographs for a general idea of what the results should look like. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City Plastic Surgery.

Desperate for makeover! Please offer advice! (Photo)

Answers (5)

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