Downtime With Dr. Catherine Chang

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF

The plastic surgeon Catherine Chang, MD, understands the art of multitasking. In the operating room at her practice, Privé Beverly Hills, she performs subtle face lifts and other procedures with the finesse of a concert pianist. (In fact, she once was one.) Dr. Chang also helms the skin care line NakedBeauty MD, which just launched the new ExoGlow Multi-Action Face Serum—potent, results-oriented, and only at Violet. Here, a window into her off-duty routine.

WHAT’S IN YOUR MORNING CUP?
Despite early mornings and a hectic schedule, I’m not a fan of drinking coffee. If I ever need a pick-me-up, you’ll find me with a matcha latte with 2% milk. No fancy milk.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO MOVE YOUR BODY ON A DAY OFF?
I love doing classical Pilates on the mat, reformer, and Cadillac. I’ve found that it has improved my core strength, which helps me in the operating room.

WHAT SELF-CARE RITUAL DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR?
My skin care routine, every morning and night. I always enjoy cleansing my skin, then I use the new ExoGlow Face Serum, which has growth factors, peptides, and antioxidants. I like knowing that I’m nourishing my skin from the inside out.

WHAT SO-CALLED CHORE AT HOME DO YOU FIND ODDLY SATISFYING?
Watering plants is a small ritual that feels restorative. And wiping down tables—there’s something so calming about a perfectly clean surface! As a plastic surgeon, I’m naturally drawn to order and precision, and having a tidy, serene environment at home brings clarity to my day.

WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO GO FOR A NATURE FIX?
My favorite place to escape into nature is the ocean. Surfing is the ultimate reset—it puts me in a peaceful, meditative state and helps me fully unplug. There’s a unique calm in the rhythm of the waves, a sense of being both grounded and free.

WHICH IN-OFFICE PROCEDURES ARE WORTH A FEW DAYS OF DOWNTIME?
I love a CO2 laser. This is really effective for improving skin texture, fine lines, and wrinkles; depending on the strength of the laser, the downtime might be one to two weeks. And PRF for the under eyes. It helps to add a little volume with minimal complications, and I use the NakedBeauty MD under-eye masks after injection to minimize swelling.