Be Your Most Confident Self: A My Carolina CBS 17 Interview

I recently sat down with Brea Hollingsworth from My Carolina CBS 17 to talk about something I get asked about every single day in my practice: how to feel like yourself again, whether that means smoothing a few wrinkles or considering a facelift. It was a fun conversation, and I wanted to share some of what we covered here on the blog for anyone who missed the interview.

At Tannan Plastic Surgery, I lead an all-female team, and that was actually the first thing Brea noticed when she walked into our office during the My Carolina CBS 17 segment. I am a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in the face, breast, and body. I work closely with a nurse injector who partners with me on the non-surgical side of things. Having a team of women treating women brings a level of understanding to the table that I think really matters when someone is trying to figure out what they want.

This is such a common statement in our office, and honestly, it is one of my favorite things to hear from patients. My first step is always figuring out your specific goals and identifying your natural aesthetic strengths, whether that is your eyes, your cheekbones, or your smile. Next we build a plan that frames and enhances what already makes you look like you. The approach is different depending on your age and your skin, which is exactly why a one-size-fits-all plan rarely works.

Brea asked me to break this down simply, so here it is:

• Botox and other neuromodulators work at the site where they are injected. They relax or weaken the muscle, depending on the dose, which is why they are so effective for dynamic wrinkles like forehead lines and crow’s feet.
• Dermal fillers are used to restore volume. As we move into our 50s and 60s, we naturally lose facial fat, and even the underlying bone structure can recede. Fillers help replace that lost volume in a natural, balanced way.

Both are injectables, but they solve very different problems, which is why an honest consultation matters so much before you decide what you actually need.

One topic I feel strongly about is making sure women with deeper skin tones get safe, effective care. Treatments like laser resurfacing and microneedling address the entire skin surface, not just one specific area, and that surface includes pigment producing cells that need to be calmed before treatment to avoid complications. In our practice, that means:

• Using prescription medications to prepare the skin beforehand
• Reducing trauma per session with gentler settings
• Spreading treatment out over more sessions to protect the skin

If you are researching providers, ask directly about their experience treating women of color and how they tailor their approach. That question alone tells you a lot.

One of the benefits of working within a practice that includes plastic surgeons and injectors under one roof is that everyone knows exactly where their expertise ends. My nurse injector, for example, will tell a patient when laser and injectables have taken them as far as they can go, and that it may be time to talk about a lift. That kind of collaboration leads to more honest, more comprehensive care.

What Does a “Modern Facelift” Actually Look Like?

I know the word facelift can sound extreme, even scary, to some people. But a modern facelift should look tasteful and natural. My goal is never for someone to look “done.” My goal is for people at your reunion to say you look radiant, not to ask who your surgeon is. If you are considering it, interview a few providers, review real before and after photos, and make sure their philosophy matches your goals.

My Advice if You’re Curious But Hesitant

Start by learning from real medical providers, whether that is through a consultation, our website, or our social channels, rather than relying on general internet searches or AI for medical answers. Aesthetic treatments are not just for celebrities. They are simply another way of taking care of yourself, the same way you already do with your hair and your skincare routine.

If you’re ready to talk through your own goals after watching the My Carolina CBS 17 interview, I would love to meet you for a consultation. (919) 797-0996.