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San Diego Dermatology & Laser Surgery is pleased to announce the latest addition to our practice…

Introducing Pixel CO2!!

Pixel CO2 Laser offers the latest in fractional resurfacing technology.  Results from the Pixel CO2 are very similar to those of traditional CO2, but with dramatically reduced downtime and much less risk of complications.  For the average patient, a week of downtime results in tighter skin, dramatically diminished wrinkles, and overall improvement in skin texture and appearance.  When you’re ready for the next step, consider Pixel CO2!   

Photos courtesy of Alma Lasers

Have you always wanted to do laser resurfacing, but worry that you don’t have the downtime?  Then you may want to consider fractionated resurfacing.  Pixel laser is a non-ablative treatment used to even skin tone, help with fine lines, scarring and overall rejuvenate your skin with minimal downtime.  “Downtime” generally lasts about four(4) to 5 days for the average patient.  When IPL(Fotofacial) isn’t quite enough, and you’re just not ready for full blown resurfacing, consider fractionated resurfacing… consider Pixel!

Photo taken immediately post-Pixel treatment

Photo taken two(2) days post-Pixel treatment

Photo taken 4 days post-Pixel treatment

To learn more about Pixel, please visit our website at Derm SD or visit Alma lasers

Why do women have more wrinkles than men?  This question sounds like it could be the set-up for a “battle of the sexes” joke, but researchers have found that women may actually be more prone to wrinkles than men.  A study, published in the November-December issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, focused on the differences in aging between men and women, focusing primarily on wrinkles around the mouth (perioral wrinkles).   Their results found that the differences in aging may be a result of the biological differences between men and women.  The study, conducted by researchers in the Netherlands, found that:

• Women’s skin tissues around the mouth contain fewer sweat and sebaceous glands than men’s, which could influence the natural filling of the skin.
• Women’s skin tissues around the mouth contain fewer blood vessels than men’s. Better circulation may help slow wrinkle development.
• In women, the closer attachment of muscle fibers surrounding the lips to the middle layer of skin may cause an inward traction, thus creating deeper wrinkles.

To read the complete article, please click on the following link to Web MD: WebMD

Fortunately, there are many dermal fillers that help to slow down the aging process and the appearance of wrinkles.  Products such as Radiesse^®, Restylane^®, Perlane^®, Juvederm^® can all be used to fill lines for an instant result.  Forget diamonds… dermal fillers are a girl’s best friend!

Before treatment with dermal filler

After treatment with dermal filler to nasolabial folds

Before treatment with dermal filler

After treatment with dermal filler to nasolabial folds

To learn more about the fillers available at our office, please follow this link: Dermal Fillers

A report on Medwire-news.com details a study which shows that Pulsed-dye laser(PDL), aka Vbeam, is an effective treatment for acne (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology).  The study consisted of 20 patients who were treated with PDL on one side of their face and another laser on the other side of the face.  While both laser treatments were effective in improving facial acne, a histopathological assesment “showed a reduced inflammatory reaction… this was more pronounced in the PDL-treated sides.”  Additionally, the study also found that acne stayed away longer on the sides treated with PDL. 

In our office, we often treat patients with Vbeam, in addition to Smoothbeam laser to treat acne.  Laser treatments offer patients an alternative to traditional acne treatments.  Multiple treatments are often needed, but the results can be dramatic.  To learn more about Pulsed-dye laser, follow this link to our website: Laser treatment of acne

Before treatment with Vbeam and Smoothbeam

After treatment with Vbeam and Smoothbeam laser

Image from beauty-budget.com

Until recently, dermatologists have advised their patients to wear a minimum SPF 15 sunscreen.  But recent findings have prompted the American Academy of Dermatology to increase the minimum recommendation to 30.  According to  Arielle N.B. Kauvar, M.D., chair of the Academy’s Council on Communications, “research shows that most people are only applying 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen.”  She goes on to say, “if you apply only half the amount that you should using an SPF 15, you are probably only getting the equivalent of an SPF 7 or 8, which is insufficient protection” (JAAD, Academy ups minimum SPF recommendation from 15 to 30 by Richard Nelson).

CORRECT SUNSCREEN APPLICATION

*It takes one ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass) to cover the exposed parts of your body

*Apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen liberally

*Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out in the sun

*Reapply often, about every one to two hours, especially after going in the water or sweating

*Sunscreen is needed even during the colder months, and while doing actvities such as skiing or snowboarding

For other helpful information on skin care, please visit American Academy of Dermatology or Derm SD patient resources

Before

37 year old white female patient came to the office after having IPL/Fotofacial on her chest performed by a nurse in another facility.  The patient stated that she noticed blistering on her chest shortly after her fotofacial and the blistering eventuated into a very noticeable striped pattern on her chest… essentially a burn from the IPL treatment.

I treated the patient with a fractionated laser device to even out the discoloration left behind from the IPL.  The patient underwent three treatments, done one month apart.  She had an excellent result; the striping is virtually gone and the patient was very pleased.  She now maintains the results with daily sunscreen and topical anti-aging products. 

This patient’s story is all too familiar.  When consulting with a patient for the first time, I always stress the importance of seeking a board certified dermatologist to perform laser treatments.   While there are many facilities that offer minimal downtime laser treatments, if not performed correctly by a dermatologist with the proper settings, the results can be unfavorable and costly.

After

Photo found in Practical Dermatology, September 2009- "Battle for the Sexes: How to Market Cosmetic Services to Women and Men" by Charles Crutchfield, III, MD

Men are slowly moving more and more into cosmetic procedure territory.  Cosmeceutical and over the counter products are being designed specifically for men, and recently men are “having more positive attitudes toward cosmetic procedures.”  According to an article by Charles E. Crutchfield, III, MD, “men increasingly represent a new patient base for cosmetic dermatologists.“  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), men underwent 1.1 million cosmetic procedures in 2008 and 82% of that number were minimally invasive procedures (Battle for the Sexes: How to Market Cosmetic Services to Women and Men by Charles E. Crutchfield, III, MD, Sept 2009 Practical Dermatology).  Listed below are the most popular minimally invasive procedures among men, according to Dr. Crutchfield’s article:

1. Botox/Dysport

2. Laser hair removal

3.  Hyaluronic Acid fillers (Restylane/Juvederm)

Before and after treatment with Radiesse to the cheeks

As we age, we tend to notice flattening on our cheeks and hollowing under the eyes.  For some, surgery is the answer.  But many of us don’t want to go under the knife.  So what is the alternative?  Radiesse is a dermal filler that can be used to treat areas like the cheeks and nasal grooves.  Radiesse is similar to more familiar fillers, like Restylane and Juvederm, but it is thicker and lasts on average 9 months to one year.  Pain is minimal, as Radiesse is mixed with lidocaine.  See results instantly, with minimal downtime!

What do you get when you have botulinum toxin(Botox or Dysport) in combination with hyaluronic acid filler(Juvederm or Restylane)- longer lasting results!  Thats according to a recent report in Medscape(10/7, Melville).  Research presented at a dermatology meeting showed “botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers, when used in combination in the lower face and perioral region, provide better and durable cosmetic results than either modality used on its own.“  Researchers came to this conclusion by taking 90 patients and splitting them into three groups: those treated with botulinum toxin, those treated with hyaluronic acid filler, and those treated with both.  The patients who received either botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid filler received one touch up during the study.  Even with the touch up, the patients who received the combination treatment fared better.  After six months, all 90 patients were evaluated again and found patients receiving combination therapy received the highest scores, and longevity and durability of the filler was improved when combined with botulinum toxin.”

To learn more about dermal fillers and wrinkle reducers, like botulinum toxin, please follow the link to our cosmetic dermatology page: Cosmetic dermatology