DR. DENDY ENGELMAN
Medicine was destiny for Dr. Dendy Engelman, who grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, with a live-in role model: “I was going to do general medicine like my dad,” she says. But even the best laid plans benefit from a little course correction, as she found herself drawn to a fast-evolving specialty during med school. “I joke that my dad was the only parent in the world who’s ever been upset that his daughter matched in dermatology.” Still, she gets it. Dermatology, once the subdued province of skin checks and cortisone creams, looked different 50 years ago. “There were no lasers, no Mohs surgery, no injectables,” says Dr. Engelman, a notable expert in all three. “We’ve seen a true explosion in our field, where almost every six to eight months there’s something new and kind of revolutionary.”
Dr. Engelman sees all of that dynamism in her practice at Shafer Clinic, the seven-story aesthetics hub run by the plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer. “It’s the Taj Mahal of beauty in New York—it’s insane,” she says, explaining how the lasers alone span two floors. Come the start of the year, that comes in handy. “It’s certainly laser season for us—January comes back like guns a-blazing,” she says of the impulse to reset and repair. Dr. Engelman has done studies on injectables for the FDA and regularly consults on leading-edge technologies, arguably shaping what we’ll take for granted in years to come.
As a member of the VIOLET GREY Committee tasked with testing new launches, Dr. Engelman has a similar front-row seat to skin care—a subject that animates both her patients and her 7-year-old. “My daughter is as girly as they come, which I love and kind of secretly prayed for,” the dermatologist quips, recalling her own make-believe spa days as a kid in her parents’ Jacuzzi. The tween beauty phenomenon highlights the need for education—“I see barrier disruption and acne and all the fallout from them overusing products,” Dr. Engelman says—but there’s a positive spin. “They’re all using sunscreen now, which is amazing.” Find her skin care picks and more in her judiciously edited BAG.
10
I love this luxurious bath soak. It contains mineral-rich salts, coconut milk, and jasmine oil, helping to nourish, cleanse, and soften the skin. It feels so extravagant and relaxing to enjoy this after a long day!
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9
I really love Westman Atelier’s lip palettes. The ultra-soft, all-vegan formula is free of harsh chemicals and preservatives. Instead, it’s made with nourishing ingredients like antioxidant-rich cherry oil, marula oil, and peptides—so I always feel good about wearing it. I also like that it comes in a convenient compact, so it’s easy to blend and layer shades.
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Formulated with retinol, L-ascorbic acid (a powerful form of vitamin C), vitamin E, and anti-inflammatory olive leaf extract, this multitasking serum helps relieve irritation, redness, and cystic acne while providing antioxidant protection and anti-aging benefits.
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7
I recommend this sunscreen to patients all the time. Not only does it provide mineral broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, it also helps reverse past environmental damage for overall healthier skin. I like that it has a subtle, universal tint to refine skin tone and add a bit of radiance.
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6
The TheraFace PRO makes it easy to address a variety of skin needs and concerns with a single convenient device. From cleansing and massaging to delivering microcurrent and LED light therapy, this device is clinically proven to help firm and contour the skin while working to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
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5
This innovative serum is powered by BIOMSC™: a lab-produced mesenchymal stem cell byproduct, or conditioned media, that contains a complex of growth factors, peptides, exosomes, and enzymes. Backed by clinical studies, it repairs, moisturizes, and improves radiance for healthier, younger-looking skin.
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I highly recommend the LYMA Laser, an FDA-cleared, clinical-grade cold laser device. In clinical trials, it is demonstrated to be very effective at improving skin texture, reducing inflammation, increasing cell regeneration and elastin production, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike many lasers, LYMA is safe for all skin types and does not require any downtime.
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3
This is a beautiful formula that provides skin with deep, long-lasting hydration while helping to address signs of aging and fortify the skin barrier.
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2
Packed with peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, this lip treatment helps nourish, plump, and moisturize for fuller and more hydrated lips. It also contains AHAs for gentle exfoliation. It comes in so many pretty colors—I love wearing it all day long!
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