Dr. Noëlle Sherber

03/28/2026

Skin quality is always the foundation of my approach to treating patients, and it’s exciting that after years of work the Skin Quality Index project is launched! It’s been a fascinating and fulfilling process to work with a global team of esteemed dermatology colleagues and researchers on this science-backed approach to unifying language around skin quality, and I’m so looking forward to continuing these clinical and research efforts to improve quality of care and patient outcomes.

👏 congratulations to all involved, including .kilmer 👏

to take an interactive quiz and learn more: https://skinqualityindex.newbeauty.com

03/07/2026

I was honored to write the most recent editorial for the newsletter as we marked the 35th anniversary of the WDS mentoring program. This gave me a lovely opportunity to reflect on mentorship I’ve been so fortunate to receive, from Prof. Greg Nagy at Harvard to through … and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to take it back to Prof. Nagy’s Classics lectures on the story of Mentor in The Odyssey!

Thanks to for sharing your best bits of advice from mentors - I alway feel lucky to learn from others’ wisdom. 💫

• swipe to read •

12/05/2025

New in Everyday Health: “baby Botox” has always been popular with my patients, and now it’s a trending topic in aesthetics so I was happy to share information and best practices for this article. While there’s no standardized definition of this term, I generally view it as preserving movement and maintaining plausible deniability with a light treatment that involves fewer units than FDA-approved standard neuromodulator dosing. For reference, the FDA-approved standard is 20U of Botox for the glabella (frown lines), 20U to the upper forehead, and 24 units to the crow’s feet. Since there’s a dose-response relationship, the lower the dose the shorter the duration of effect… however I have lots of patients who love the results from a light treatment 2-3 times per year that just helps their skin look better rather than leaving them looking frozen. 🧊

Proponents of preventive Botox say it may help younger adults stay wrinkle-free for longer. But it’s not without risk.

06/09/2025

New in POLITICO, Dr. Ariel N. Rad and I were interviewed about the popularity of jawline enhancement procedures among men in DC. As a dermatologist and plastic surgeon practicing together (and married for 13 years 🤍) I love that we can offer the full spectrum of approaches to improving concerns such as jawline contour, and we see men seeking out a wide range of nonsurgical and surgical solutions.

I often treat these patients with higher G prime fillers (like Voluma) to define the contour of the jaw, combined with Thermage FLX for radiofrequency skin firming. I find that it’s key for best results to do this incrementally over time to avoid over-treatment with fillers and heat-based devices. For those with skin and/or muscle laxity, surgical neck lifts and deep neck sculpting are the most effective approaches for a definitive and durable result.

The most popular treatments for men in my practice also include gentle fractional resurfacing lasers to improve skin texture and tone and to minimize pore size, small amounts of Botox precisely placed to enhance skin smoothness and to reduce expression lines without obviously altering facial expression, and hyaluronic acid skin boosters that improve hydration and elasticity without adding volume. I also always recommend that we develop a concise and effective skincare routine since skin quality is such an important determinant of looking our best at every age.

Chiseled jawlines are in everywhere, but in Washington, D.C., people have even more reasons to go under the knife (or at least the needle).

11/21/2024

I love great gifting, so it was fun to contribute to New York Magazine The Strategist’s 2024 skincare gift guide. The gift of a beautiful skincare product can be an unexpected treat… and no one’s ever regretted taking care of their skin!

One of my favorites for this season is La Mer’s new The Rejuvenating Night Cream which features their clinically-researched marine retinol alternative, MRA-3. I find this soothing and smoothing cream to be well tolerated, including by those who are sensitive to retinoids, and who wouldn’t love the gift of beauty sleep. 💤

Another new favorite, especially with colder weather being part of the holiday season for many, is the Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream. It’s a lush formula that includes their proprietary TFC8 complex of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and makes the eye area look really refreshed. Like champagne, it’s even better when chilled (for maximum depuffing). 🥂

What to get the beauty fanatic who has (almost) everything.

10/30/2024

Highsnobiety recently interviewed me about the interplay between politics and aesthetics as I see it in our DC practice. With elections approaching and politicians increasingly in the public eye, it’s a timely topic to discuss the relationship between appearance and the perceptions of competence, power, trustworthiness, and likability.

I frequently counsel patients on the concept of «plausibly deniable results». The prevailing goal for my patients is not to appear transformed through treatments but rather to look fresh and to slow the arc of aging through discreet enhancements. My patients also often reference concerns about unintentional messaging, such as not wanting to look tired or grouchy when appearing on camera. To achieve subtle optimizations I like to create a comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on skin quality, incorporating gentle fractionated lasers, “baby Botox,” and subtle injections of skin boosters and fillers. Achieving natural-looking results that preserve the character of a face is actually more difficult than producing a more obvious change, whether non-surgically or surgically ( 👀 Dr. Ariel N. Rad), and requires a high level of attention to detail and expertise… and a light hand, as Carl Ray Makeup Artist says!

The way politicians look — and how they measure up to “professional” beauty standards — plays a bigger role in elections than we’d probably like to admit.

08/13/2024

The American Academy of Dermatology Skin Healthy magazine summer issue is out now! ☀️ As a member of the editorial board, I’m excited to support the AAD in creating this reputable resource backed by board-certified .

In each issue, you’ll find dermatologists' insight to help you keep your skin, hair, and nails looking their best.

07/24/2024

Patients ask me frequently about gel manicure safety, so when New York Magazine wanted me to share expert advice with her I was delighted to do so. As someone who loves a good , understanding whether LED or UV lamps are being used and how best to protect your skin from UVA exposure are key to good results over time.

Although a single gel manicure doesn’t confer much UV exposure, the cumulative effects are important to consider as UV exposure contributes to skin cancer risk and skin aging. As a board certified dermatologist, I highly recommend finding a salon that uses LED lamps and does a dry manicure:

💡 LED bulbs emit a higher percentage of visible light than a conventional UV lamp, decreasing (but not eliminating) UV exposure. A helpful tip to know whether your salon uses LED is that these lamps work quickly such that each coat of polish should cure within 60 seconds, as compared to UV lamps that take longer.

💅 A dry manicure means that soaking won’t remove sunscreen you’ve applied prior to your nail appointment. Be sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and a PA++++ rating (this specifies UVA protection, which is what’s emitted to cure the polish). Fingerless UV-blocking gloves with a UPF of at least 30 are another effective approach - my colleague Dr. Samantha Ellis, MD’s brand Prequel Skin just launched a UPF 50 pair… just hand wash and air dry your UPF clothing to keep the fabric in good shape to maintain its UV protection.

You’re right to wonder about protecting your wrists, hands, and fingers from nail-curing lamps.

06/28/2024

In the June issue of Washingtonian I talked with Cathy Alter as she tried out several unconventional facial treatments in the DC area.

The big picture is one that I often share with my patients: no noninvasive treatment can claim surgical results. That’s not to say that facials aren’t beneficial, there’s just no such thing as a non-surgical facelift!

Some facials promise to contour and lift skin with a combination of zapping and actual slapping. Our writer put one to the test.

05/31/2024

New York Magazine shared some of my favorites in their Very Best Body Oils article. Body oils can be a great choice in the summer, as opposed to heavier body creams, as they tend to be more lightweight and leave a glossy glowing finish to the skin.

For my patients with more sensitive dry (non-acne-prone) skin I often recommend coconut oil since it’s a wonderful natural source of essential fatty acids and soothing vitamin E to achieve deep moisture without irritation. Conscious Coconut has a tube formulation that’s lovely and avoids possible contamination from dipping into a jar. 🥥

For those looking for more active ingredients in their body oil, I love the Tata Harper Skincare Revitalizing Body Oil which combines plant-based antioxidants and nutrient-rich jojoba, argan, and primrose oils to maintain the elasticity and smoothness of the skin. It also gives a spa-like sensorial experience that makes it a joy to use. 🌿

Tested by our bath-and-body writer, vetted by our staffers, and recommended by dermatologists.

05/25/2024

May is and ASDS Skin MD and I developed an educational resource on skin cancer myths.

One myth to highlight as we head into Memorial Day weekend: “as long as you’re wearing your sunscreen every day, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing or how much you put on.” ☀️ SPF is rated based on applying 2mg/cm2, which translates to a nickel size (or two fingerlengths) for the face alone, and 1 ounce to cover the body. This means that a 6oz sunscreen bottle should be empty after 6 applications if you’re applying it to your entire body at the beach or pool… and the highest FDA water resistance rating is only 80 minutes, so remember to reapply!

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