Timeless Beauty: Dr. Amy Lewis

BEAUTY ELIXIR

On the Upper East Side, Dr. Amy Lewis is changing lives one procedure at a time.

by Nicole Haddad photography by Lana De Doncker

THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY is constantly evolving, but the desire for a magical upgrade remains the same. Whatever the process, the aspiration is for natural, glowing results with little, if any, downtime. Dr. Amy B. Lewis, a celebrated medical expert and consultant with her eponymous private practice Lewis Dermatology located on the Upper East Side, has answers. While the Yale School of Medicine graduate specializes in Cosmetic and Laser Dermatology, her true passion lies in helping people accept themselves.

These days, that’s more important than ever. “With COVID and everything else that’s going on in the world, dermatology is one thing you can do to improve people’s quality of life,” she says. In what she refers to as “Zoom, gloom, and doom,” people are increasingly forced to view themselves while they interact with others, and they don’t always like what they see. Dr. Lewis offers a wide range of solutions that are highly effective in improving people’s sense of peace with themselves.

“Dermatology has evolved so much. Options used to be so limited: we had only Botox, a couple of fillers, and one or two lasers. Now that there are so many tools in our toolbox, people can get a refresh without spending a lot, suffering through a lot of downtime, or having anyone be the wiser,” she says. These days non-surgical treatments run the gamut, and Dr. Lewis offers some of the most cutting-edge technology available. EMSCULPT Neo, a new device used for skin tightening and body contouring, incorporates High Intensity, Focused Electro-Magnetic (HIFEM) energy to trigger muscle contractions. It not only helps build muscle — sometimes by almost 25% — but also melts body fat through a process called lipolysis. According to Dr. Lewis, one session is equivalent to doing 20,000 sit-ups.

Among the various cosmetic and medical dermatology procedures her practice is known for, CoolPeel, conducted with the advanced Deka SmartXide Tetra CO2 Laser, is very popular. The laser has more scanning patterns than earlier versions, allowing for unparalleled precision when it comes to skin resurfacing. “I have been trained in it from the beginning and in all its evolutions,” explains Dr. Lewis. “It can help increase collagen, texture, and tighten the skin, it has no downtime, and it’s painless.” She also added that it can be used for various parts of the body. While the face is important, Dr. Lewis reiterates, “I promote overall wellness. Your hands and chest have to match your face.”

A self-proclaimed “science geek,” Dr. Lewis recommends following the data — not new fads promoted by celebrities. She frequently participates as a speaker and trainer for major injectable companies, and as a scholar when it comes to webinars on new techniques, injection workshops, and more. “You always pick up a pearl,” she says. “You learn from other people’s successes and failures.” Taking this to heart, Dr. Lewis is always open to mentoring Yale Dermatology residents. “I didn’t have people who took me under their wing to teach me the ropes, so it’s nice to be a resource.” A fellowship in Dermatological Laser and Reconstructive Surgery armed her not only with a unique understanding of the path aging takes, but also with an eye for facial artistry — an element apart from being technically good. While some patients may not like what they see in the mirror without understanding why, Dr. Lewis understands. And as for the symmetrical ideal? “You need to understand the rules of beauty to be able to break the rules. Complete symmetry is not the end-all of beauty,” she explains, noting her instinctive understanding of when not to negate what is clearly more alluring thank so-called classic beauty.

But professional ingenuity aside, having founded the Yale Cosmetic Dermatology Division within the Dermatologic Surgery Department in 2005, and serving as a consultant and advisor for skincare companies like Kiehl’s, L’Oreal, and Helena Rubenstein, Dr. Lewis truly takes pride in transforming people from self-conscious individuals to happy, confident beings. One patient in particular had a pronounced asymmetrical jaw that she was able to fix with fillers, even though all of the patient’s previous consultations had proposed orthodontics and maxillofacial surgeries to fix the jaw line. “She told me I changed her life. I was on a high the whole weekend,” recalled Dr. Lewis. “It really made me feel great.” While not all changes may be so dramatic, subtle effects are just as delightfully transformative to those experiencing them, proving that bliss emanates beauty. DT