Skin Care & Laser Dermatology Clinic | Dr. Derek Jones : Los Angeles, Beverly Hills

Skin Care and Laser Dermatology Clinic, led by Dr. Derek Jones, offers a wide array of services in general and cosmetic dermatology. Contact our dermatologists in Los Angeles and book a consultation today!

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Double Chin Reduction: Basics of CoolSculpting®, Kybella®, and Ultherapy®

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Fat is something most of us battle in one way or another, whether it’s too much fat, too little fat, or fat in the “wrong” areas and in less-than-ideal proportions. When we think of the enviably chiseled, strong jawlines of Hollywood leading men and slim lines of supermodels, a doughy double chin isn’t often what comes to mind. For anyone who wants to address unwanted chin fat, there are several solutions available from the dermatologist team at the Los Angeles-based Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. Three of the most popular options for treating what is known as “submental fullness” are CoolSculpting®, Kybella®, and Ultherapy®.

Typically, if you’re overweight and putting on pounds all over the body, one of the areas where extra volume will be more noticeable is the face—especially around the cheeks and chin. Overdoing it on alcohol and junk food can certainly make your face appear rounder, but even very fit and slender people can by burdened by the look of a double chin.

Oftentimes, the cause of a double chin is completely out of a person’s control. It may be genetics or hormones. In some cases, it’s the bone structure they’re born with, as a weak, receding chin makes under-the-chin fat look more pronounced. Facial contours shift with age, with loose skin deflating to form jowls and “turkey wattle,” bone structure receding, and fat heading south as well. All of this can make you look overweight or older than you actually are. If lifestyle changes aren’t helping, it may be time to directly target the area with a nonsurgical treatment.

Kybella® contains a synthetic form of digestive acid (deoxycholic acid) that dissolves fat. After a series of injections made directly into the double chin, fat cells are broken down, and the body metabolizes their former contents. CoolSculpting® also destroys isolated fat cells, but uses a significant drop in temperature instead of a disruptive chemical. In both cases, results are gradual, with multiple treatment sessions necessary for achieving desired results.

For those whose submental fullness is mainly caused by excess skin, Ultherapy® can help. This treatment uses sound wave energy to firm and tighten skin by stimulating collagen regrowth. Lax skin contracts over time, leading to better-defined neck contours and a younger-looking profile.

If you want a sharper silhouette, Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills can help you find the most effective cosmetic solution. Looking for an experienced dermatologist in the Los Angeles area? Call 310-246-0495 to get started or fill out a contact form.

Winter Skin Care Tips

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Aesthetic treatments, such as volume-adding injectables, can give your skin the help it needs to reduce deep wrinkles, recharge the internal processes that keep it healthy and young looking, or fill in hollow areas. That said, nothing should ever replace a good, everyday skin care routine and all of the lifestyle habits necessary for promoting skin health from the inside out, such as clean eating and hydration. With that in mind, it’s especially important to give some extra attention to your skin during the colder winter months (yes, even in the sunny Hollywood area). Local dermatology practice Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills is known for cosmetic and medical dermatology, but the team also provides advice on at-home routines and general skin care.

Skin is very sensitive to changes in temperature and other environmental factors. Strong winds, humidity or dryness, and intense heat or cold can irritate the skin, potentially causing flare ups of existing disorders, such as acne or eczema. Having a seasonal skin care routine helps to maintain a radiant complexion not just in particular months, but all year round. During the winter months, when the air is dry and indoor heating takes a toll, attention should be given to routines that prevent skin from becoming cracked and flaky.

Heat and sun can still affect the skin during December in the Southern California area. Our physicians recommend routinely applying a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen, avoiding sun exposure during its most intense hours (even when there’s cloud cover), and wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses when outdoors. UV rays, though weaker in wintertime, can still penetrate the skin and cause damage. Planning on going for a snow-filled getaway on some tantalizing slopes? Winter-proof for your ski trip by moisturizing often, drinking plenty of water, using a humidifier, and, of course, applying sunblock.

On the bright side, you can take advantage of the milder weather by addressing previous sun damage from earlier in the year. Laser skin resurfacing is popular during this time of the year. The Fraxel laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) laser are two energy-based treatments that can significantly improve the appearance of sun damage, such as broken blood vessels, blotches, sunspots, and wrinkles. Winter weather also provides a built-in excuse for staying indoors after a treatment.

Improve your skin’s health and appearance with cosmetic or medical dermatology treatments available in the Hollywood area from Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. Book an appointment with a dermatologist today by calling 310-246-0495 or filling out a contact form.

BOTOX® ‘Immunity’: What You Need to Know

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While BOTOX® is a common and effective wrinkle treatment, it does require some level of maintenance in order to get its full benefits. In many cases, dermatologists encourage patients to get repeat sessions in order to enjoy the full, long-term benefits of the injectable. This allows providers to gradually correct the targeted cosmetic issues over time in a way that looks natural and harmonizes with the patient’s existing facial features. However, as explained by the team at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, BOTOX® patients can, in rare cases, develop an immunity to the drug. Additionally, some people are naturally resistant to its effects.

In most cases, if BOTOX® injections haven’t worked to properly smooth out the targeted lines, the problem could be due to technical errors or poor product quality. Nevertheless, statistics have shown that immunity builds up in a very small number (one to three percent) of patients who have chosen BOTOX®. Manufacturer Allergan has acknowledged that the body may create neutralizing antibodies as part of its immune response to injections, which inhibits the normal biological effects of the prescription mediation.

The risk of developing an “immunity” is believed to increase when injections are administered frequently, with high doses and short intervals between sessions, over an extended length of time. Anyone coming to a dermatologist for injections, should take the first steps of learning what strategy works best for them and developing a customized treatment plan with their chosen provider.

The best injectable for a given patient often comes down to personal preference. If you’ve discovered that BOTOX® isn’t as effective as you’d like it to be, this realization doesn’t mean all hope is lost. There are a variety of other similar neuromodulator products available in the U.S. market, including Jeuveau™ (“NEWTOX”), the newest botulinum toxin-derived injectable available. This option was developed by the facial aesthetics firm Evolus and is being marketed to a younger generation than the demographics typically associated with other botulinum toxin-based treatments.

The two injectables are structured similarly, but unlike BOTOX®, Jeuveau™ is intended purely for cosmetic uses and is only FDA approved for glabellar lines.

For more tips on BOTOX®, Jeuveau™, and other aesthetic treatments from Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, call 310-246-0495, visit the practice, or send a message online.

CoolSculpting® vs. Weight Loss: What’s the Difference?

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Hoping to get sculpted in the new year? The standard methods of trimming down body fat—like working out regularly with plenty of cardio and strength training while following a healthy diet—are effective for toning up your entire body … to a point. What about that frustrating problem area that lingers even after you’ve shed a lot of weight? That pocket of fat that literally stands in the way of your gaining your better-defined physique? Maybe it’s a double chin, wine waist, beer belly, or love handles you’ve been battling for years. Wherever the undesirable flab is located, chances are good that CoolSculpting® from Los Angeles’ Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills can slim it down.

The human body contains a lot of water, fat, and muscle. Most nutritionists recommend incorporating exercise to build muscle and maintain a good metabolism, as opposed to simply losing weight by dieting alone. Aside from the perks of going down a few clothing sizes, reducing your number on the scale, and feeling more confident about your appearance, keeping the extra pounds off helps you to prevent chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. But even healthy, generally slimmer bodies can carry around stubborn pockets of large fat cells. This is because excess energy consumed is stored in the body in the form of fat. The body saves this energy to maintain its functions when need, whether you’re physically active or resting.

When we “lose” weight, the body is tapping into those energy stores, but fat cells aren’t really lost. Instead, they shrink through metabolic processes as some of the banked energy is used up. Some of the cells’ lipids are broken down, filtrated, and flushed out. When the flushing is significant, it can lead to a visible reduction in volume. Muscle or water loss can also contribute to overall weight loss, but there’s no way to precisely control where or when any of this happens on the body. This explains why one area can slim down, while another remains bulky.

The CoolSculpting® system addresses this problem by actually causing unwanted fat cells to break down—not just shrink. The treatment can be used on most areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, bra fat, double chin, flanks, and upper arms. As it is non-surgical, there is no significant preparation or recovery time required. The applicator precisely crystallizes and destroys fat cells under the skin, without harming surrounding skin, tissue, muscle, or bone. This fat is gradually eliminated over weeks and months, leaving behind slimmer contours. Unlike conventional weight loss, CoolSculpting® can permanently eradicate fat in isolated spots.

Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills provides body contouring services with CoolSculpting®. Set up a personalized treatment plan in Los Angeles today! To learn more about your options, call 310-246-0495 or write online to schedule a consultation.

Dermal Fillers for Mid-Face Contouring

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While many fillers are used to reduce the severity of creases, such as nasolabial folds, there are also fillers designed to add volume to areas such the cheeks, lips, under the eyes, and temples. The apples of the cheeks, in particular, tend to require more significant volume added in order to achieve a lifted look. There are various formulas among the available dermal filler collections specifically made to temporarily plump up the cheeks for a more rounded and youthful appearance. Two of the most popular such filler options available from the physician-only Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills West Hollywood are VOLUMA® XC and RESTYLANE® LYFT.

The cheekbones are an important aspect of overall facial symmetry and beauty. Age, gravitational forces, and skin damage sometimes result in drooping tissue in the lower facial area, creating pronounced folds, jowls, and sunken cheeks. Dermal fillers can help to “boost” the cheeks again for a more sculpted, contoured appearance. This can have the effect of also making the jawline look more defined as a result.

There are some key similarities in the way Juvederm® and Restylane® fillers are formulated. Both of these non-surgical options require virtually no recovery time and are convenient and typically associated with only minor injection-related side effects. The Juvederm® and Restylane® lines also contain lidocaine to minimize any discomfort for patients.

VOLUMA® XC

VOLUMA® XC is a strong and resilient filler, with effects lasting for a duration of up to two years in ideal conditions. The injectable is made up of a thick gel and, much like the rest of the Juvederm® line, contains hyaluronic acid as its active ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that occurs naturally in the human body and has the ability to attract and bind to large amounts of water. Once injected into the skin, the added volume is visible right away.

RESTYLANE® LYFT

Restylane® is another hyaluronic acid-based filler collection for wrinkle smoothing and augmentation of various facial features. Restylane® Lyft is very similar Juvederm Voluma® in terms of what it can accomplish, though it tends to cost slightly less per unit. It can also be used to contour the hands. Restylane® Lyft can be expected to last about six to nine months.

Learn more about VOLUMA® XC, Restylane® Lyft, and other dermal fillers available at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, serving West Hollywood and the entire Los Angeles area. For general inquiries, or to set up a consultation, call 310-246-0495 or send a message online.

It’s Time to Think About Pre-Holiday Cosmetic Treatments

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When you’re getting ready to look your best in holiday photos and at seasonal parties, there are a number of cosmetic treatments that can help you to achieve a stunning look you can be proud of. Whether you’re a newcomer to BOTOX® or use injections for routine maintenance, it’s important to follow certain steps to get optimal results before special events. The Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team provides tips on non-surgical treatments like BOTOX® that the Los Angeles practice can use to help you look and feel your most radiant during the most wonderful time of the year.

Since some treatments have results that look best some time after the initial session, it can be helpful to start planning a final look weeks or months in advance. No matter what you choose, remember to allow yourself at least a few weeks—just in case there are unexpected hiccups or situations that require some refinement or touch-ups.

Neuromodulators

It’s best to treat wrinkles as early as possible to avoid them becoming more pronounced and permanent. BOTOX® contains a neurotoxin that relaxes wrinkle-revealing facial muscles. Additionally, it has off-label uses to correct gummy smiles, soften the jawline, and lift lips and eyebrows. Jeuveau™ is a newer, similar option available. Optimal results are seen around a week after injections, with results lasting for months. Talk to one of our physicians to determine which injectable would be ideal for you.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers not only temporarily smooth the skin but can also sculpt a more symmetrical, balanced appearance and youthful contours. The JUVEDERM® product line consists of hyaluronic acid-based fillers, such as JUVEDERM® ULTRA, which is ideal for significant lip augmentation. Volbella® XC works for more subtle refinements, and Voluma® XC provides rounder cheeks. Results are visible as soon as a session is over, but—depending on the specific type of filler used—it may take about two weeks for the effects to fully “settle.”

Kybella®

Insecure about a double chin? Kybella® is a fast, non-surgical option for reducing under-the-chin fat. Within a few days of an injection session, bruising and other minor side effects associated with Kybella® should fade, with the slimming results becoming increasingly apparent in the following weeks and months. Multiple treatments are typically necessary to get desired contours, so this treatment in particular should be planned in advance of any important dates.

Ready to try out these treatments available from Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills? Reach out to the team in Los Angeles by calling 310-246-0495 to schedule a consultation or send a message online.

The Benefits of Cool-Weather Laser Skin Resurfacing

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Considering laser skin resurfacing? Los Angeles’ Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team of board-certified dermatologists explains that it’s a good idea to schedule laser and light therapies for the cold and cloudy months. The reason for this is simple: Following a laser treatment, your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight. The fall and winter months are less stressful on the skin. UV radiation is not as intense during this season, days are shorter, and you’ll be spending more of your time bundled up indoors.

Specifically, your skin is more susceptible to burning and hyperpigmentation due to sun exposure after undergoing light and laser treatments. As it can take several months for your skin to fully heal after a treatment, it makes sense to plan ahead for the winter to give yourself time to heal.

That said, if you want to prolong the results for as long as possible after a session, sun protection is a must—even after the initial recovery period, and even on overcast days.

Laser skin resurfacing is a type of non-surgical cosmetic procedure that involves using laser energy to reduce tone and texture irregularities. It is good for reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, sun damage, sagging skin, and age spots. There are a number of laser and light devices available, most of which can be customized to address specific skin types and cosmetic concerns.

Some of the available options include Fraxel®, intense pulsed light (IPL), and CO2 laser resurfacing.

In a Fraxel® procedure, microscopic, pixelated energy columns target the deeper levels of skin, thereby creating tiny micro-injuries that leave the surrounding areas of skin untouched. This triggers healing that promotes skin cell turnover and collagen production.

IPL is a form of light therapy that emits multiple, scattered wavelengths of broadband light. Unwanted pigmented cells are heated and vaporized.

CO2 laser resurfacing is an ablative type of laser treatment (one that removes the top layers of skin) that can produce dramatic results for deep wrinkles, scars, and more.

One of our board-certified dermatologists can help you select the best option for your needs.

Ready to get started with laser skin resurfacing or other laser and light therapies in Los Angeles? The Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team is here to guide you t. For more details, call 310-246-0495 or reach out via a contact form.

What Are the Different Types of Restylane?

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The team at Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills offers customized dermal filler treatments, like Restylane® injections, for Los Angeles-area patients. The U.S. FDA-approved Restylane® brand is a family of similar dermal filler products, including Restylane-L®, Restylane® Refyne, Restylane® Defyne, Restylane® Lyft, and Restylane® Silk.

The various subtypes are intended as non-surgical treatments to address signs of aging around the nose, mouth, and mid-face. They can lift flattened, drooping skin and fill depressions around the cheekbones and jawline by augmenting the cheeks. Additionally, some types of the filler are used for lip enhancement and to improve dark circles under the eyes (tear troughs).

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in animals. This gelatinous carbohydrate is highly concentrated in the skin, eyes, and connective tissue of humans. It provides lubrication and cushioning for the joints and other movable body parts. Aging skin produces less of the molecule, which leads to thinning, dulling, and sagging.

Restylane® products contain a sterile, biodegradable, non-animal form of hyaluronic acid. When injected into the targeted tissues, Restylane® is efficient at pulling in and holding onto water molecules, with the goal of smoothing moderate to severe facial wrinkles or adding fullness to the skin.

This dermal filler is usually well-tolerated, but people with certain bleeding disorders, allergies, or infections in the treatment area may be advised against having Restylane® injections.

Each of the subtypes has a unique application. Restylane® and Restylane-L® are formulated in a similar way and are meant for mid-to-deep dermal implantation to fill in wrinkles, and also for lip augmentation. Restylane-L contains the local anesthetic lidocaine to improve comfort. Restylane® Lyft can help to round out the cheeks and add volume to the backs of hands.

Restylane® Silk has a smaller and lighter consistency than some other types of Restylane® and is good for subtle, precise definition. It minimizes signs of aging around the mouth and on the lips, such as smoker’s lines, and can also enlarge and soften the lips. Finally, Refyne and Defyne both target marionette lines and nasolabial folds, but the latter is suitable for more deeply etched lines.

Discover more about Restylane® and other dermal fillers by reaching out to Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. To get in touch with the practice, call 310-246-0495 or seek a consultation.

What Does BOTOX® Treat? A Brief Overview of Wrinkle Types

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BOTOX® is a universally popular method of combating unwanted signs of facial aging. Although new and effective cosmetic alternatives are introduced each year, the drug remains a tried-and-true favorite among physicians and patients alike throughout the country. Many people are aware of the injectable’s skin-smoothing abilities, but some may not know that BOTOX® is intended specifically for wrinkles caused by muscle activity. Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills advises patients that the choice between a dermal filler or a wrinkle relaxer, including BOTOX® Cosmetic, from their Los Angeles-area practice depends on the types of wrinkles the patient hopes to correct.

Wrinkles can essentially be categorized as either dynamic or static. Within these two divisions, there are at least four other subtypes: expression wrinkles, elastic wrinkles, gravitation wrinkles, and compression/sleep wrinkles.

Each time we communicate different emotions through our facial expressions, the skin on the surface of the face moves along with the underlying muscles. This produces dynamic wrinkles, like those dreaded crow’s feet, forehead lines, bunny lines, and frown lines. BOTOX® is highly effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles that form this way, because it inhibits muscle activity so that the skin appears smooth and youthful.

While static wrinkles may appear similar to dynamic wrinkles, these lines and creases are not linked to muscle motion. Static wrinkles are instead associated with volume loss from aging, sun damage, gravitational forces, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits. They can appear on the face even when the skin is not moving and usually form in aged skin that has been more severely damaged by ultraviolet radiation and a loss of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin. Sometimes, dynamic wrinkles can become permanently etched into the skin, causing them to appear as static wrinkles.

Expression wrinkles are lines caused by repetitive facial expressions, from excited smiles to angry scowls. Elastic wrinkles, on the other hand, are mainly caused by sun exposure and appear on the cheeks, lips, and base of the neck. Gravitation wrinkles, as the name suggests, are folds found in saggy, wrinkled skin caused by gravity and aging. Compression wrinkles are caused by pressure from sleeping in certain positions, as well as friction from some pillowcase and sheet materials.

Ready to learn more about wrinkles, as well as what BOTOX® and other solutions can do for you? Get in touch with Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills by calling 310-246-0495 or sending an online message to request an appointment.

How Does JUVEDERM VOLUMA® XC Enhance Facial Contours?

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JUVEDERM® is a commonly used brand of dermal filler that includes a full range of products catering to specific cosmetic concerns. The entire collection contains a biodegradable form of synthetic hyaluronic acid. The injectables in the line are primarily used to address wrinkles, sagging, and hollowness on the face caused by volume loss.

Dr. Derek Jones at Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills was the lead investigator for the research into JUVEDERM VOLUMA® XC. The Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist’s work contributed to the injectable’s FDA approval for mid-face contouring, and it is now used around the United States to give women and men more youthful facial contours.

Rounded, full cheeks are associated with youth and good health. As we get older, the symmetry and structure of our face often changes, as the body produces less collagen (the protein that keeps the skin strong and elastic), and we lose some muscle and fat from under the skin. The natural aging process also causes us our skin to hold onto less moisture. Weight loss and excessive exercise can accelerate signs of aging, contributing to a pinched in and flattened facial appearance. Also, skin sometimes separates from fat over time and hangs down, forming jowls around the jawline. The cheek bone areas may appear gaunt and sunken.

Hyaluronic acid, the key ingredient of VOLUMA® XC, is a naturally occurring sugar that retains large amounts of water. It helps to keep the skin dewy and thick. When injected deep into the cheek areas, VOLUMA® XC lifts and restores volume to the apples of the cheeks, thereby softening a face marked by harsher angles and hollows.

VOLUMA® XC is a very durable and long-lasting filler, with a lifespan of up to two years, on average, in the face. This non-surgical technique is preferred by many people who enjoy the treatment for its results, as well as because it is less of a risk, is more cost-effective, and requires less downtime than cosmetic surgical procedures like facelifts. It has a smooth, gel-like consistency and creates subtle results that blend well with existing features. The “XC” in the title means that the product contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic that numbs the area for increased comfort during an injections session.

The physician-only Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills can help you find the cosmetic solution you’ve been looking for, whether it’s VOLUMA® XC or something different. To learn more about the dermal fillers available, call 310-246-0495 or fill out a short contact form online.