A subject that keeps coming up in Portland coffee shops is, “Can the Portland Center www.portlandfacial.html for Facial Plastic Surgery really make you look younger?” At forty, hair standing on end isn’t appealing, and those crow’s feet? They aren’t going to win any popularity contests. Every year, cries for aid get louder. So, what does this clinic really have to offer? Let’s take a closer look, with coffee in hand and doubt nearby.

 

It seems easy to get Botox here and a filler there. But people at the Center don’t just talk about “doing what she had” or emulating that magazine ad. The doctors begin by talking to you about your story. They want to know how much sleep you get, how often you sunbathe, and if you snore. It’s a strange blend of a medical exam and a therapy hour. Some people think it’s strange how much they want to know about your skin and stress.

The doctors? They are quite down-to-earth, and one of them even has a dog in the office. They won’t advocate a procedure just because it sounds cool. There is a low murmur of “Let’s see if it makes sense for you” throughout the patient rooms. One woman came with screenshots of Instagram surgery. She told her to drink water and make an appointment for a facial. No scalpels, just honesty and a little bit of snark.

Let’s talk about lasers. They have so many gadgets that they could be in a Bond villain’s lair. Lasers zap away wrinkles, redness, and brown spots. But the tech isn’t a magic wand. “Your skin doesn’t care about your 30th high school reunion,” one doctor says. It’s just as important to have steady habits and be patient as it is to get expensive therapies.

The mood? Think of a mix of a medical spa, a little library, and the advice of your favorite aunt. You may listen to jazz, see potted succulents, and see shelves full of serums. People don’t feel rushed during consultations. People joke, “You leave with less stress, if not less skin!”

But does anyone really look younger? Yes, sometimes in a big way. A teacher who has been on the road for a long time says, “People tell me I look ‘rested’ now.” I haven’t gotten eight hours of sleep since 2001. Some people say they feel more sure of themselves. Some people recognize that Botox isn’t the answer; they need to use sunblock and drink water instead of booze.

Price is always on everyone’s mind. Let’s be honest: it’s not cheap. Patients think about the expenditures, how to pay for them, and even trade vacation days. The staff is honest about the numbers. No secret games, just calculators and open conversation.

Recovery gets its own stage. The doctors get individuals ready for what will happen after the surgery: swelling, bruising, or the world’s shortest bangs (don’t cut your own hair after the surgery!). Sometimes, when you have free time, you watch awful TV and eat frozen peas. They say, “Don’t expect miracles to happen right away.”

So, does the Portland Center make younger faces? Yes, sometimes. They can make you happy with what you already have. That might be the best part. A little bit of sunshine goes a long way in a city that gets a lot of rain.