Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey

UPDATED 05/08/2006 at 01:00 AM EDT • Originally published 05/08/2006 at 01:00 AM EDT

Patrick Dempsey

The Grey's Anatomy star, 40, spills the basics on how he keeps Dr. McDreamy dreamy

THE HAIR: "I'll trim it down just to contain it. When I'm not working, I just wear a baseball cap so I can keep it quiet. Whatever I can do to make it less painful for me to deal with is good."

THE BEARD: "I hate shaving. It's much easier to just do a little stubble. But my wife and my daughter like it when I'm clean-shaven. If you see me with a clean face, then you know I'm in the kissing mode."

THE FACE: "Plastic surgery? I don't think so. For a guy, you're better off to just accept age as it happens. But talk to me in 20 years and we'll go from there."