Plastic surgery is both science and art - and for board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Shruti C. Tannan, that intersection is where the future of aesthetics lives. Known for her meticulous technique and her patient-first philosophy, Dr. Tannan leads Tannan Plastic Surgery in North Carolina, where she blends surgical mastery with advanced non-invasive treatments.
Her practice philosophy mirrors her credentials: thoughtful, evidence-based, and grounded in humanism. A long-time resident of the Triangle, Dr. Tannan completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning membership in Alpha Omega Alpha. She continued her training at the University of Virginia, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, followed by a fellowship in microvascular and hand surgery at the world-renowned Hand Center of San Antonio.
Today, as an active member of The Aesthetic Society, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the North Carolina Society of Plastic Surgeons, she leads an all-female team dedicated to helping women feel aligned - inside and out.
Recently, we sat down with Dr. Tannan to talk about why she brought Ourself into her practice, how she integrates biotech skincare with her surgical protocols, and what excites her about our newest innovations.
In Conversation with Dr. Tannan
Q: What made you decide to bring Ourself into your practice?
A: “I brought Ourself into our practice because it works. I’m really impressed with the science—it speaks for itself. The results, the biopsies showing collagen and elastin reorganization, the volumization plus the clinical outcomes… it’s the first time I’ve seen a medical-grade skincare line achieve this without retinol. It’s truly disruptive in a great way.”
Q: As a surgeon who offers non-invasive treatments, where does Ourself fit in your patient routines?
A: “I believe in pretreating skin before any facial procedure. Getting patients on the Ourself regimen—hydrating with hyaluronic acid, improving the barrier, brightening with vitamin C—makes the skin healthier before surgery. Plastic surgery is more than skin-deep, but it doesn’t change the surface. Pre-treating before and continuing Ourself after extends the life of my surgical results.”
A: “Procedures like Helix laser or microneedling heal better when the skin is in good health. Ourself really enhances the outcome.”
Q: What stands out about Ourself’s Tiered-Release Vesicle™ technology?
A: “The patented delivery system is incredibly unique. Instead of hyaluronic acid just sitting on top of the skin—or worse, irritating it—you have something truly being infused where it’s needed. Delivering different-sized molecules at the levels they’re needed is a game-changer. You see it in biopsies, you see it clinically, and you see it when patients text me pictures of their results.”
Q: How do you explain this ‘elevator for actives’ to patients?
A: “I tell them hyaluronic acid is such a big molecule—it’s not going to penetrate on its own. Ourself’s technology is like a delivery vehicle that drives those large molecules to where they need to go. It’s the same concept used to deliver insulin through the skin in transdermal patches. That’s how advanced it is.”
Q: Why are you excited about the new Complexion Brightening Serum?
A: “Hyperpigmentation is one of the hardest skin concerns to treat. I’ve prescribed tranexamic acid orally, but there’s limited guidance on dosing. Having a topical delivery system with potent antioxidants, stabilized vitamin C, and the patented peptide MI9™ is a breakthrough—we don’t have anything like this on the market.”
A: “Hydroquinone can be harsh and less effective on darker skin tones. Ourself is inclusive and effective across all skin types, which is huge for my diverse patient base.”
Q: How do you see Complexion Brightening Serum fitting into practice?
A: “It’s going to complement in-office procedures for pigmentation and resurfacing—especially for patients prone to sunspots or melasma. We’ve seen people develop scars and pigment after procedures done without proper pretreatment. As a plastic surgery practice, we need to be stewards of our patients’ skin health before and after. Ourself helps us do that safely.”
Q: What kind of patients benefit most from Ourself?
A: “Truly everyone. Retinol can be effective for acne-prone, oily skin, but as patients age into drier, more sensitive skin—especially in their 30s and beyond—it’s hard to tolerate. Ourself is hydrating, strengthening, and sets you up for the future. When you do Botox or fillers, your skin looks better longer. It improves the whole canvas.”
Q: How does Ourself help you simplify treatment recommendations?
A: “It’s so nice to have a one-stop system instead of ten different products with confusing instructions. Previous lines were complicated—patients needed printed directions, and half the time they didn’t follow them. Ourself is potent, effective, and simple. You cleanse, you apply, and it works. The simplicity mirrors how I approach my surgical practice.”
Q: If a patient asks why you chose to partner with Ourself, what’s your one-sentence answer?
A: “Ourself is a skincare line that’s effective, simple, and delivers results. It’s well-tolerated, I use it myself, and I recommend it to prolong the life of my surgical procedures.”
For Dr. Tannan, beauty and biotechnology aren’t separate pursuits - they’re part of the same continuum of care. Her integration of Ourself into both surgical and non-invasive protocols underscores a new era in aesthetic medicine: one where clinical precision meets everyday skincare, and where innovation doesn’t just restore - it elevates.
