Published on July 2025
Can You Get a Facelift If You Smoke or Vape?
How Raggio MD Helps Nicotine Users Heal Safely—with Natural, Beautiful Results
The Truth Few Practices Will Tell You
If you smoke, vape, or use nicotine products—and you’re considering a facelift—you’ve probably heard this before:
“Sorry, you’re not a candidate.”
That’s because most facial plastic surgeons won’t operate on patients with any nicotine exposure due to concerns about wound healing, skin necrosis, and infection.
But here’s what makes Raggio MD different:
We’ve developed an evidence-based, advanced facelift protocol—called the PreservaLift™—designed with enhanced healing, meticulous blood flow preservation, and regenerative therapies that reduce […]
Published on June 2025
Why I Chose to Specialize in Facelifts:
A Note from Dr. Raggio
In a world full of options, why choose the facelift?
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, I could have chosen to offer a broad array of procedures. But instead, I’ve narrowed my focus. I’ve dedicated my career—and my craft—to mastering facial rejuvenation, particularly the deep-plane facelift and neck lift. And today, I want to tell you why.
Because when you trust someone with your face, it shouldn’t just be about surgery. It should be about vision, respect, and artistry.
It’s About Restoring Identity—Not Changing It
When […]
Published on June 2025
Facelift Myths Debunked
What You Really Need to Know
When it comes to facelifts, misinformation is everywhere. At Raggio MD, we hear it all the time: “Won’t I look pulled?” “Isn’t recovery awful?” “Aren’t facelifts outdated now that we have fillers?” These myths often hold people back from a procedure that could genuinely change the way they feel about themselves. In this guide, I want to cut through the noise and answer the real questions patients are too afraid—or too overwhelmed—to ask.
Let’s separate fact from fiction—and give you the clarity you need to make a confident, […]
Published on May 2025
The Modern Approach to Facelift: The PreservaLift™
At Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, AL, the pursuit of natural, lasting facial rejuvenation has reached a new level with the PreservaLift™ — a signature procedure developed by Dr. Blake Raggio, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. This advanced technique redefines facelift surgery by blending modern deep-plane methods with preservation-based artistry, all within the safety of our AAAASF-accredited surgical center.
As we age, our faces naturally lose volume and elasticity, leading to sagging skin, deepening lines, and a less defined jawline. While traditional facelifts have long been the go-to […]
Published on April 2025
Enhance Your Facelift Recovery
Evidence-Based Supplements for Optimal Healing at Raggio MD
At Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery in Homewood, Alabama, our commitment to your care extends beyond the artistry of the facelift itself. We believe in a comprehensive approach that supports your body’s natural healing process for a smoother, more comfortable recovery and exceptional, long-lasting results. A key aspect of this is considering evidence-based perioperative supplementation. While not a substitute for meticulous surgical technique and our personalized post-operative care, certain natural remedies and supplements can support wound healing, reducing bruising and swelling, and improving scar […]
Published on April 2025
10 Steps to Exceptional Scar Healing
The Raggio MD Difference
Have you ever wondered why the incisions after facial plastic surgery at Raggio MD often heal so beautifully? It’s not magic – it’s a careful plan and a promise from Dr. Raggio himself. We believe that every step, from before your surgery to months after, plays a big part in how well you heal and how your skin looks. Here’s a peek into our approach:
1. Getting Your Body Ready to Heal
Just like a plant needs good soil to grow strong, your body needs to be […]
Published on March 2025
SKIN PROCEDURES AFTER ACCUTANE
What You Need to Know About Timing and Safety Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery —
Why This Matters
If you’ve recently completed a course of isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne, it’s important to understand how it may affect your skin’s healing process—especially if you’re considering laser resurfacing, deep chemical peels, or other ablative treatments.
What the Research Shows
Historically, patients were told to wait 6 to 12 months after stopping Accutane before having skin procedures, due to concerns about poor wound healing or scarring.
However, newer medical studies have shown that this long delay is not always […]
Published on October 2024
The Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery Experience
Where Southern Hospitality Meets World-class Care Welcome to Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery, where every treatment plan is designed to highlight your natural beauty. I’m Dr. Blake Raggio, a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon based in Birmingham, Alabama, and I’m excited to share what makes our practice unique. Whether you’re interested in a surgical procedure like a facelift, rhinoplasty, or you’re exploring non-surgical treatments such as Botox, fillers, or laser therapy, our approach always centers around you.
A Personalized Approach to Facial Aesthetics
At Raggio MD, achieving exceptional facial rejuvenation […]
Published on July 2024
The 7 Keys to Hair Restoration: A Facial Plastic Surgeon’s Perspective
As a double-board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon in Birmingham, AL, I often encounter patients seeking effective treatments for hair loss. Based on my experience in hair restoration and weighing the available evidence-based medicine, here’s a rundown of the best available options, from least effective to most effective:
Supplements (e.g., Nutrafol and Viviscal)
For patients seeking Hair Restoration, I start by ensuring they eat a balanced diet, implement healthy sleep patterns, and optimize any chronic medical conditions (e.g., Diabetes, Thyroid disease, Autoimmune disorders, Chronic Skin Conditions, etc.). I […]
Published on June 2024
Skin Purging: Everything you need to Know by Dr. Blake Raggio, Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Skin purging is a phenomenon often encountered in professional skincare and facial rejuvenation treatments. As a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Blake Raggio frequently educates his patients in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan area and surrounding regions, such as Huntsville, Auburn, and Montgomery, about this temporary but normal skin reaction. Skin purging occurs when new skincare products or treatments accelerate skin exfoliation and regeneration, leading to a transient increase in breakouts.
Understanding the Mechanism of Skin Purging
Skin purging arises because certain active ingredients or […]
