How to Prepare: Chemical Peel

To protect your health and find out what results you want, a dermatologist always offers a consultation before performing a chemical peel. To help you get the most benefit from this consultation, dermatologists recommends that you:

• Ask questions.
• Gather important information before your consultation.

This page tells you what to ask and what information to gather.

Questions to ask before getting a chemical peel 

You should ask the following questions before getting a chemical peel:

• Will a board-certified dermatologist perform the chemical peel?
• What will I need to do before and after the peel to get the best results?
• What results can I expect?
• What are the potential side effects?
• Do I have a higher risk for any complications?
• Will I have downtime?
• May I see before-and-after photos or speak with patients you treated with a chemical peel?
• How much will the treatment cost?

During the consultation, your dermatologist also can tell you whether another treatment would be a better option for you. You may find that your dermatologist recommends using more than one treatment. Results from many research studies show that combining treatments can lead to better, longer-lasting results. 

Information to tell your dermatologist before getting a chemical peel

Before you get a chemical peel, be sure to tell your dermatologist the following information:

• If you are taking or have ever taken isotretinoin, a medicine prescribed for severe acne. 
• All other medicines you take. Be sure your dermatologist knows about antibiotics, acne medicines, and over the counter medicine.  
• If you frequently get cold sores or have had cold sores in the past.
• If your skin scars easily.
• All surgeries and cosmetic treatments you have had.

Don’t omit anything — even if it seems unimportant.

For more information visit. http://bit.ly/1wdYD1Q

Eczema: Tips to help your child feel better

Juvederm Voluma is here.

Cosmetic treatments not just for women

While the majority of cosmetic patients are women, it has also been found that more men are becoming increasingly interested in aesthetics treatments as well. The reason men are now seeking treatment is because they now can find exactly what they are looking for: non-surgical, no-downtime, procedures with gradual results and little or no pain.

The treatment that men seek do not differ much from the treatment that women seek. There are several treatment options that men prefer when they decide to have some aesthetic treatment.

One of the most popular treatments for men as well as women is injectables. Age, sun exposure and lifestyle can all take a toll on our skin, but luckily we can turn to neuromodulators and fillers for an easy fix. Neuromodulators work to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles, while fillers – such as Juvederm, Juvederm Voluma, Radiesse, Restylane and Sculptra – help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, folds and volume loss. All injectable treatments are quick and easy with very subtle results.  

There is also the options of skin tightening and body contouring. Various non-invasive procedures can help. For skin tightening, ultrasound therapy and laser resurfacing can tighten tone and lift loose skin on most parts of the body including the jowls, neck, eyebrows, abdomen, arms and thighs.

Men typically have more sun damage than women because of their carefree nature when it comes to sun protection. Skin resurfacing devices such as lasers treat texture, discoloration, brown spots, fine lines, redness and pores, leaving patients with a smoother, more rejuvenated complexion.

Women and men both can agree that shaving is not a task that we all look forward to. One of the most practical luxuries for men is laser hair removal, which not only helps to reduce excessive body hair but also eliminates painful ingrown hair.

We offer most of these treatments in our office. Contact us and schedule your free consultation.

Find the full article:American Academy of Dermatology

Illegal fillers on the rise.

A simple Google search for “cheap cosmetic fillers” will show you results of many pages advertising fillers for half the price of any trusted certified professional.  The pages advertise cosmetic fillers that are sent to you and easy to use. Behind the “cheap” fillers is a dangerous lie that is costing more than expected.

The San Francisco Gate reported a story of a woman who bought inexpensive cosmetic fillers from the Internet and asked a friend to inject them. When the delivery arrived the box was post marked from Brazil. As soon as the woman was injected she felt a burning sensation in her cheeks. It took the women four months to repair the damage that the fillers had done and left her permanent scars from the draining of the supposed fillers.

The women story is not unique; there are several stories of women becoming blind after a non-physician injected the patients in an artery. There are also several reports of women having severe allergic reaction to injections. Many women don’t realize that when they are purchasing unapproved fillers from the Internet from foreign countries they are doing so illegally.

A visit to a licensed dermatologist to perform procedures like Restylane may cost from about $600 to $700 per syringe. Doctors will use multiple syringes sending a visiting to $1,200 or more.

Doctor recommends not purchasing any filler online.

For more information visit SF Gate.

Wrinkles be gone!

Our offices offers a full range of services designed to smooth away wrinkles and enhance the lips, including Restylane®, Artefill®, and Radiesse™ injections.

Lip Enhancement and Wrinkle Removal

Both permanent and temporary enlargements are offered through various injectables substances introduced comfortably under topical or local anesthesia. There are a variety of fillers that can erase the effects of aging by filling marionette lines, smile lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and other skin depressions.

Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite, a naturally occurring component found in bone and teeth that appears to have no risk of allergy when used as an implant.  The procedure is performed with a small gauge needle injection after the application of a topical anesthetic cream. You'll begin to notice results on the day of the procedure, and effects typically last 1 to 2 years.

BOTOX® Cosmetic, a natural, purified protein that relaxes muscles, is also used to treat an aging neck. This injection dramatically eliminates deep frown and forehead lines and crow’s feet lines. Results last several months. There’s no recovery time and you can get back to work or participate in other activities immediately!

Artefill® is used to treat deep wrinkles, depressions under the eyes, depressed acne scars, and chicken pox scars. It can permanently eliminate unsightly lines and wrinkles, leaving the skin looking younger, radiant, and revitalized. Effects look extremely natural. Unlike prior approaches, such as collagen injections, the area is not overcorrected (not raised up much above flat skin level) The area injected is raised by the bovine collagen, which then disappears over 1-3 months. As this collagen (temporary) is disappearing, more or less simultaneously the patient’s (permanent) collagen is being produced to replace it

Juvéderm Juvéderm is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid-a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration for lip augmentation and facial expression lines. Studies show superior results of Juvéderm compared to collagen-based dermal filler. In addition, Juvéderm injectable gel is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is proven to be safe and effective for persons of color.

Consumers satisfied with wrinkle-relaxers and body contouring.

A survey conducted by the ASDA found that consumers are most satisfied with wrinkle-relaxers, soft-tissue fillers and body sculpting treatments.

All three treatment categories received satisfaction ratings of 90 percent or above for the second straight year. And the ranks of those who declared themselves “extremely satisfied” increased significantly in all three groups.

Wrinkle-relaxers – Botox, Dysport and Xeomin – to soften facial lines and crow’s feet are at the top of consumers’ satisfaction list. Next are soft-tissue fillers – Belotero, Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane and Sculptra – which smooth wrinkles and folds and add facial volume.

Satisfaction also is high with body sculpting. Options include tumescent liposuction, performed in an office setting under local anesthesia; cryolipolysis, also known as “fat-freezing;” laserlipolysis to remove localized, stubborn pockets of fat; and other non-invasive treatments – using focused ultrasound and/or radiofrequency – for fat and cellulite.
ASDS President Mitchel P. Goldman said body sculpting is popular “because it works so well.” The average liposuction patient in his multi-dermatologic surgeon practice has 2.3 procedures within two to three years. “Once they see how easy it
is – downtime is a few days, typically – and that the results are so good, they want it done on a different part of their body,” he said.
The procedures with the highest satisfaction ratings reflect the top reasons consumers say they turn to cosmetic procedures: to look “as young as I feel or better for my age,” to appear more attractive and to feel more confident.

 Find full article: bit.ly/1so2GWA

Time to start thinking of laser resurfacing

Laser Resurfacing is defined as the improvement of surface irregularities of the skin with lasers. These irregularities include wrinkles and acne scars.  Our offices provide the best in laser resurfacing. It is important to determine the most effective treatment for one's condition during a consultation because the same technology used for acne scars can’t be used for wrinkles so.

For the treatment of wrinkles the CO2 laser remains the most effective treatment available. The laser removes outer layers of damaged skin to reveal the underlying skin which is softer and smoother.

We use the Ulta Pulse Co2 which is the Rolls Royce of the CO2 devices. There is a very definite one month preparation with topical and oral medications; followed by a very specific after care regimen. Down time is 7 days for local areas; 10 days for a full face. Substantial results are seen early and even improve with time.

Fraxel is the most effective laser treatment for acne scars. It is non-ablative ( no removal of skin & no downtime ) so it is able to go much deeper than any of the ablative lasers  which needs to heal from hair follicles, there by preventing penetration of the laser light to the bottom of many acne scars. It is also the treatment of choice for white stretch marks. If you’re interested in any of these laser treatments call our office to book your consultation and find out which is the best option for you.

Avoiding weight gain after a fat removal procedure

One common concern expressed by our body contouring patients is how to maintain results after undergoing their fat removal procedure. This is a very valid concern.  Patients should understand if they gain significant weight after the procedure (liposuction or non-invasive fat removal), fat can be gained and deposited in new and unpredictable areas of the body, especially with liposuction.

A healthy, balanced diet and exercise plan is a must to maintain results seen from a treatment and to maximize the effect of treatment. Some important points to remember are:

1. If you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain weight.

2. Exercise alone will not do the trick. You must exercise in conjunction with and proportional to a decrease in the amount of food/calories consumed. Just because you run 5 miles a few times a week does not mean you can eat KFC every day and still expect to loose weight. The right exercise program will vary from individual to individual, but generally it will require anywhere between 30-60 minutes three to five times per week.

3. Drink plenty of water.  Avoid store bought flavored waters. If you must have flavored water, try adding some sliced fruit, cucumber, herbs (such as mint) or spices (such as nutmeg or cinnamon sticks), into your jug of water.

4. Watch your meal portion sizes. If you find this difficult (the food tastes so good or you are hungry when you serve the meal) try giving yourself half of your usual serving and then wait 20 minutes, you may find you are not hungry anymore. Decrease the portion size to an amount that lets you eat until you are not hungry anymore, instead of eating until you feel full.

5. Stay away from refined sugar, too much salt, fat and preservatives/additives. This means staying away from packaged, processed or fast foods. Try and prepare as much food at home that you can. Make meals ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer. Take a sandwich or salad to work instead of grabbing a burger in your lunch break.

Remember, this is a long term plan, not just for a month or two after your treatment. Stay active, stay healthy, stay hydrated, and make the most of your treatment, you deserve it!

Non-Surgical Fat Removal with Lipodissolve

Lipodissolve is best for treating areas that diet and exercise cannot budge. Localized fatty deposits, such as love handles, back rolls, belly fat, bra rolls or thigh fat can be bothersome and hard to completely get rid of on your own.  For these areas, Lipodissolve may be the right treatment solution for you.

Lipodissolve is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure which consists of a series of tiny injections of a fat-dissolving mixture. The mixture consists of 2 naturally occurring chemicals, Phosphatidylcholine and Sodium Deoxycholate, which are normally secreted and stored in the gall bladder and help with the digestion of fat. Once injected, these chemicals begin to break down and dissolve fat giving you a more contoured and toned appearance.

The first appointment will be a consultation to visually inspect the areas of concern and evaluate if Lipodissolve is the best treatment solution for you. The size of the area and the number of treatments required will be determined during this initial consultation. Keep in mind that Lipodissolve is only meant to treat small pockets of fat, and not everyone is a candidate. Often, the first treatment will be administered that day also.

After the treatment, it takes several weeks for the broken down fat to be cleaned up and removed by your body.  The success of the treatment varies from patient to patient with some seeing better or faster results than others. It may take a few months for results to become obvious, depending on the size of the area treated. The removal of fat is permanent as long as you do not gain weight.  It is therefore important to maintain a healthy life style post Lipodissolve treatment with plenty of physical activity and a healthy diet.

If you think you may be a candidate for Lipodissolve, we offer free initial consultations in both our Woodland Hills and Beverly Hills offices. Please call us to schedule your free consultation (310) 275-6400.

FLAT TONED TERRIFIC ABS IN MEN

These can now be achieved with Therma Sculpting fat reduction and the new ultra high energy Thermage® to tighten skin.

Now you really can get and stay hard. The gym is up to you, but that only tones muscle; it doesn't remove abdominal fat or tighten skin.

Dermatologists experiment with non-invasive technology for back fat resistant to diet and exercise.

High intensity ultrasound being investigated for the treatment of women’s back fat, bra fat
OVERVIEW:
For many women, back fat that bulges along the bra lines is an embarrassing reminder that even a healthy diet and regular exercise can only go so far when it comes to one’s genetic predisposition to fat pockets. While tumescent liposuction has long been the gold standard for eliminating bothersome fat on many areas of the body, including the back, many patients do not want to undergo an invasive surgical procedure. 

Now, dermatologists are testing a non-invasive technology known as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) – currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for abdominal fat – to target and safely eliminate excess back/bra fat.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY EXPERT
Information provided by Cheryl Karcher, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University (NYU) Medical Center in New York, NY.

ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY DELIVERS PRECISE ENERGY TO BACK FAT
Similar to how it is used to break up kidney stones, ultrasound technology is now being harnessed as an innovative approach to breaking up fat. By delivering focused, high-intensity sound waves at precise depths within the fat, HIFU heats and destroys the fat cells. The fat cells are then absorbed by the body and eliminated slowly eight to twelve weeks following the procedure. 

Dr. Karcher explained that HIFU has been shown to reach deeper fat and only requires one treatment session to produce measurable results. When HIFU has been used on abdominal fat, most patients have experienced a waistline reduction of more than 1 inch in circumference. Although not approved by the FDA for the treatment of back fat, Dr. Karcher is finding similar results during her study of HIFU.

ALL PATIENTS NEED NOT APPLY
Subcutaneous fat in the back and bra area tends to be very fibrous and dense, making it very resistant to diet and exercise. Patients with unsightly “back rolls” that form around the bra area may be good candidates for HIFU.  Dr. Karcher cautioned that the procedure is not for everyone and candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Able to “pinch an inch” (2.5 cm of fat) in the treatment area
• Have a body mass index (BMI) less than 30 with isolated fat (procedure is not intended for obese patients)
• Have no large scars or wounds in treatment area
• Have good skin tightness in the area to be treated
• Have no redundant skin folds

IMPRESSIVE EARLY RESULTS
In an ongoing study at Dr. Karcher’s practice, she has treated more than a dozen women who met the criteria for HIFU on back fat. While men can be treated, Dr. Karcher only has treated women and noted that men typically do not have fat in this particular area of the back. Dr. Karcher noted the following early findings:

• Two different frequencies are being studied – a lower energy that takes slightly more time to treat (one hour), and a higher energy that takes less time (45 minutes).
• The average circumference loss of fat has been 1.08 inches in the back/bra area.
• At this time, there have not been any significant safety concerns with this procedure.
• Pain medication can be administered before treatment to counter mild pain post-procedure.
• Some patients experience mild bruising following treatment.
• Best results were seen after eight to 12 weeks.
• Patients are advised to maintain a healthy weight and to exercise, as future weight gain could result in new back fat.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY EXPERT ADVICE:
“Our early results using HIFU to treat back and bra fat have been positive and well received by our patients, especially since this non-invasive technology doesn’t pose the risks associated with surgery,” said Dr. Karcher. “I think as we fine tune the technology, this off-label procedure can become widely used by dermatologists to combat this stubborn fat that affects countless women – many of whom may not even be overweight. In the meantime, if you have concerns about back fat, see your dermatologist for solutions that work with your lifestyle.”

Courtesy of The American Academy of Dermatology. www.aad.org.  

See the article on aad.org.

Cellucision: Permanent elimination of cellulite.

  © Marilyn Barbone | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Cellucision is a trademarked term that refers to what we believe is the gold standard for effective permanent elimination of areas of cellulite.

The procedure, using a subcision type minimally invasive technique of releasing fibrous bands with a small blade/needle, was originated by Dr. Doris Hexel, a dermatologist in Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The technique appears to be more precise and reproducible than a similar laser technique called Cellulaze. 

Post procedure care includes a compression garment that is worn for one month. Some bruising may occur however it generally fades in about 2 weeks.

Skirts, Shorts and Winter in Los Angeles!

It might be winter in Los Angeles, but it certainly doesn't feel like it!  

We've been seeing shorts and skirts more than coats this winter and if varicose/spider veins are stopping you from getting into your summer gear this winter, we can help with Sclerotherapy.

 
Sclerotherapy effectively treats varicose and spider veins and is the treatment of choice for small veins.

Sclerotherapy is a simple procedure in which saline solution is injected into the veins to be treated so that they collapse and become invisible.
The number of injections depends on the number and size of veins being treated.

Treatment is generally performed over several sessions, spaced 1 to 4 weeks apart, and a typical treatment session takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes.  Treated veins begin to fade within a few weeks, although some larger more stubborn veins may take up to a month (or longer) for full results to be seen.  

Treated veins don't come back, but new veins may appear.

You can generally return to normal activities post treatment.  You will also need to wear medical grade compression stockings for the first 72 hours after the procedure. The stockings help to keep the treated veins collapsed, promote faster healing and vein disappearance, and minimizes any post treatment pigmentation or bruising.

Studies of sclerotherapy as a treatment for varicose and spider veins indicate that it has an overall success rate of 80% to 100%.

We offer a free consultation so we can discuss your specific expectations and confirm what would be the best option for you.