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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Brush Up on Belotero Balance® Basics

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Ever wonder why there are so many filler options available to women and men dealing with signs of aging in the face? As innovations in the industry have continued to progress the efficacy and safety of dermal fillers for years now, the forward momentum has also allowed for the development of products that excel at addressing particular issues. Take, for example, Belotero Balance®. The Los Angeles-based dermatologists at Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills use it to smooth out several types of facial lines, but the hyaluronic acid-based filler is especially suited for reducing the appearance of fine lines that form around the mouth in general, and the lips in particular.

Belotero Balance® is both smooth and cohesive: two qualities that give it an edge when it comes to filling in wrinkles that are less severe than nasolabial folds and similar creases. A thicker gel can make fine lines appear over-filled. This gives the skin an obvious and even unnatural smoothness—which is a look many (if not most) of our patients want to avoid. By integrating into the actual tissue of the facial skin, Belotero Balance® acts on moderate and even severe etched-in lines.

Though it excels at treating fine lines, Belotero Balance® can also be used on moderate nasolabial folds, which are often called parentheses. Deeper and more severe folds may call for a filler intended for less delicate work.

Because the mouth area tends to be a very active part of the face, results there tend to fade sooner than they do in regions that sit more at rest. In general, the smoothing effects of Belotero Balance® can be expected to last for about six months. Multiple factors impact the longevity of a filler, with another being the skill of the injectors themselves. Choose experienced providers to maximize results.

Like many dermal fillers, injection sessions can be repeated at regular intervals so that fine lines and moderate creases remain less visible long term.

Find out more about Belotero Balance® at the Los Angeles area’s Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. Send a message online, or call the physician-only team at 310-246-0495.

Hands Up for Radiesse®—a Filler That’s Not Just for the Face

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Since most dermal fillers are formulated to address signs of aging on the face—nasolabial folds, hollow cheeks, and thin lips—that’s the area that tends to get the most attention. Of course, the face is not the only part of the body where wrinkles and lines appear as volume diminishes due to fat, collagen, and hyaluronic acid depletion. The hands are also features that take a toll as the years go by, with volume loss creating a skeletal look due to bones, tendons, and veins becoming more pronounced.

There is a dermal filler approved by the FDA for use on the hands: Radiesse®. In the Los Angeles area, at Skin Care And Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, Radiesse® is used to contour the hands—as well as the face and jawline.

While many dermal fillers have hyaluronic acid as their base, Radiesse® is made with microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) suspended in a gel. The spheres encourage the body to produce new collagen where injected. Filled with fresh collagen collagen, the skin can transform from dull and wrinkled to healthy and vibrant. The CaHA microspheres will eventually be absorbed into the body, but the collagen will remain to support the skin.

Results typically last for one year, though “touch ups” can be scheduled to maintain the more youthful look. Ongoing maintenance is vital for anyone who wants their smoother skin to last, since collagen molecules only last a finite amount of time in the skin. Though the proteins are routinely replaced, this process slows with age—a change that leads to the formation of wrinkles and lines in the first place.

Creating new collagen, such as via the process triggered by Radiesse®, is known as “neocollagenesis.”

To learn more about Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills and the available Radiesse® treatments, as well as other strategies for addressing collagen loss, call 310-246-0495 or send a message online.

The World vs. Your Skin: Itching, Burning Questions Answered

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Rains in Los Angeles bring flowers and skies washed clear of particulates—for a while, anyway—but they also mark a season bursting with elements that can make your skin red, itchy, and uncomfortable. If you’re worried about a rash, you can always bring it to the Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team of dermatologists. Here are several potential causes to be aware of:

• Mosquitoes. These annoying pests need standing water to breed, so any flowerpot, clogged rain gutter, or hidden puddle that just won’t dry out can be prime territory for the insects to multiply. Sensitivity to mosquito bites varies from person to person, with reactions ranging from barely a blip to significant swelling and redness. A bite (or even several) can typically be distinguished from a rash due to the distinct bumps where the bugs drew blood.

• Poison ivy and poison oak. New growth in the wilder areas of Southern California means new opportunities to encounter unfriendly plants on trails. Skin that brushes against the leaves of any hostile plant can soon erupt into red, crusty patches that itch or burn. The oils from these leaves can also transfer to clothing, which can then impact the skin when touched later. Topical solutions are available to help with unhappy hikers who had an unfortunate run-in with defensive vegetation.

• Wool. Cool mornings can quickly give way to warmer afternoons, which means layers are the way to go. Short sleeves under a comfy wool sweater allow the natural material to sit in direct contact with bare arm skin for hours—and not everyone’s skin likes that. Contact dermatitis occurs when touching a material triggers irritation. Fibers themselves may be to blame, though other culprits can be detergents, soaps, lotions, and even certain types of metal.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert at skin conditions. If you have a mysterious rash, the Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills dermatologists can help you to determine the cause of unexplained redness and discomfort.

Find out more about diagnosing and treating skin conditions in the Los Angeles area. Send a message to the practice online, or call 310-246-0495 to arrange a consultation.

Dr. Derek Jones Present a New Textbook Focused on Dermal Fillers

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The second edition of “Injectable Fillers: Facial Shaping and Contouring”—the third textbook from Dr. Derek Jones—was available on shelves earlier this year, as of March 1. That’s the same weekend as the 2019 American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

The Beverly Hills-based dermatologist has worked for years on developing highly sophisticated techniques to maximize the results of dermal filler injections, drawing on his more than 20 years of experience in the industry. That includes multiple stints as the principle investigator on FDA trials involving the majority of dermal fillers available in the United States. He has also authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications on the subject of dermal fillers alone.

Through his work at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills and elsewhere, Dr. Jones has developed a reputation as a science-based artist with a talent for producing results that alter facial contours and texture, but appear natural. His motto for the effects of dermal fillers injected according to his methods is “Everyone will notice, but no one will know.”

Chapters in his new textbook, co-edited with Arthur Swift, include information on contouring and shaping, safety, and specific regions of the face: the temples, forehead, brows, cheeks and mid-face, lips, jawline, and neck.

Popular dermal fillers include the JUVEDERM® and RESTYLANE® families, as well as Belotero® Balance and Radiesse®. Though they feature different formulations and focuses, they are all intended to address age-related changes that appear as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin break down in the skin.

Learn more about board-certified dermatologist Dr. Derek Jones, his textbook, and his approach to dermal fillers by calling Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills at 310-246-0495. You can also arrange a consultation by sending a message online.

The Timing of BOTOX®

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Although BOTOX® is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world, people still have a lot of questions when it comes to specifics about the injectable. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, BOTOX® Cosmetic prompts patients to ask a lot about time: How long will the session last? When will I first see results? How long will I enjoy a line-free forehead?

As an investigator in the U.S. FDA clinical trials for treating crow’s feet with BOTOX®, Dr. Derek Jones has spent significant time of his own with the injectable. While every patient is different, he works to answer questions about duration and more, so that women and men considering the treatment are equipped with as much knowledge as possible.

First, the procedure: While there will be a consultation and paperwork to consider—both of which will take time—the injections themselves take only about 15 minutes to administer. That’s not even the length of a typical sitcom.

Common side effects include injection-related redness and minor swelling, both of which typically resolve after just a few hours.

BOTOX® begins working right away to inhibit muscle contractions, but patients can expect to wait about three days before they actually see the results of their treatment start to appear.

Once the muscle activity significantly slows and the most ideal results are achieved, patients can expect to enjoy the effects for up to four months.

Many people find that they look 10 years younger after a BOTOX® session with an experienced injector like Dr. Jones.

Still have questions about BOTOX® Cosmetic and how it might fit into your own schedule? Contact Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills by calling 310-246-0495 or sending a message online.

Kiss Thin Lips Goodbye

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Valentine’s Day is at hand, known for candy hearts, romantic dinners, and—hopefully—a sweet kiss from a loved one. The flower-filled holiday puts a lot of attention on the lips, whether they’re smiling at the sentiment in a thoughtful card or puckering up for a smooch. With such a focus on the mouth, it’s no wonder people want their pout to be as perfect as it can be. Thankfully, for anyone who wishes their lips were just a little plumper, we have Volbella®. The Los Angeles-based team of dermatologists at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills recommends the dermal filler in the Juvederm® family for patients who have naturally thin lips due to genetics or whose lips were once full and soft, but have grown thin as collagen has diminished with age.

Dr. Derek Jones has a long history with Juvederm® maker Allergan, having served as the principal investigator on the FDA approval studies for Voluma®, a sister filler to Volbella®. Both are made with a proprietary process that cross-links hyaluronic acid to make a smooth gel with lasting effects, and both contain a small amount of the anesthetic lidocaine to make the injection process more comfortable.

The results from Volbella® injections are intended to be subtle, so patients can avoid that “pillow” look of an overdone mouth. These natural-looking results can last up to a year.

Volbella® is also ideal for smoothing fine lines that develop around the mouth over time, making a smile that much more appealing to anyone looking for a more youthful appearance. Kiss wrinkles and thin lips goodbye this Valentine’s day!

Learn more about Volbella® in the Los Angeles area from Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. Call 310-246-0495 or send a message online.

Winter Can Be More Difficult for Psoriasis Sufferers

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While there are many factors that can trigger a flare-up of psoriasis, the Los Angeles-based team at Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills knows that winter is one of the worst times for many people dealing with this chronic skin condition.

Cold, dry weather—which is par for the course for Southern California as the seasons change—is a common trigger. Winter is also a time when various viruses and other bugs make their way through families and communities, leading to harder-working immune systems. Fighting a cold or the flu can also contribute to psoriasis flare-ups.

At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, the team is committed to helping psoriasis patients manage their condition as best as possible. There are certain treatments that can temporarily relieve the itchy, sometimes burning symptoms of this disease that causes skin cells to grow quickly and form visible, uncomfortable lesions.

It’s important to understand that every psoriasis sufferer is unique. Not only does the disease manifest in a range of ways, but each patient’s triggers can differ from others, which also means treatments will vary in their effectiveness from person to person.

With that in mind, the task of managing psoriasis can seem daunting, but it helps to have an experienced dermatologist to work with. Dr. Derek Jones and the rest of the Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team work tirelessly with each person who seeks their help.

Just like winter, a psoriasis flare-up will eventually pass.

Schedule a consultation by calling 310-246-0495, or send a message online to contact the office.

Why Is Winter Ideal for Laser Treatments?

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Winter is a time for bundling up and staying inside, which also makes it an ideal time for laser treatments. In Beverly Hills, Dr. Derek Jones, Dr. Naissan Wesley, and Dr. Jeanette Black encourage their patients to think of the colder weather as an opportunity to smooth out unwanted wrinkles, reduce the appearance of scars, and take care of other cosmetic imperfections.

Why winter? The season of long nights and chilly weather provides many advantages for patients considered a light-based treatment.

First, lasers can leave the skin especially susceptible to sun damage, so it makes sense to schedule sessions during a time when the sun is out the least. That said, remember that overcast skies do not make for UV-radiation-free days. Keep slathering on that sunscreen every time you set foot out your front door.

Second, colder and wetter weather encourages scarves and other skin-obscuring garments. Extra layers are perfect for covering up any signs of a recent treatment, as well as adding another barrier against the ultraviolet radiation that can cause damage.

Third, a rainy afternoon is the perfect excuse to stay indoors and not go anywhere or see anyone. While the side effects of laser treatments are minimal, there are some signs that take a short time to fade. It’s not like you need an excuse to choose to enjoy a cozy time at home in the winter, but some brief downtime after a laser treatment is as good a reason as any.

At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, choose from fractionated CO2 with UltraPulse™ to address deep wrinkles and scars; Fraxel® DUAL for treating the surface, deeper layers, or both; and IPL to lighten brown spots and collapse visible veins.

Contact Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills to arrange a consultation by calling 310-246-0495 or sending a message online.

Say It With Us: Wear Your Sunscreen!

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You may have tired of hearing WHAM’s “Last Christmas” this time of year. Equally as repetitive (but certainly more vital to your health) is dermatologists’ ongoing chorus of reminders to wear sunscreen. Sun damage can be both cosmetic and medical, deepening wrinkles, causing brown spots to appear, and drying out the skin while at the same time damaging cells and increasing a person’s risk of developing skin cancer or pre-cancers, such as actinic keratoses.

This blog alone is packed with posts that focus on the importance of wearing an adequate sunscreen in Beverly Hills and beyond, whether the sun is shining or clouds are looming. Many more at least mention that potentially lifesaving tip.

The very fact that it can be lifesaving is the reason physicians who specialize in skin beauty and health repeat themselves so often.

While modern skin cancer treatments are more effective than ever before—giving today’s patients unparalleled opportunities to not just preserve their health, but to maximize their cosmetic results, too—the best offense truly remains the best defense.

After considerable research and years of practical application, the Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team is united in recommending ISDIN’s Eryfotona Actinica® as a sunscreen of choice. It has a lot going for it, including a non-greasy formula and a powerful sun protection factor of more than 50.

Because we appreciate multitasking in this busy time, we also love it for its ability to actively repair sun damage. It heals actinic lesions as it protects against future damage. This season, we consider that to be the gift that keeps on giving.

Get more advice on skin care and learn about treatments for sun damage from Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. Call 310-246-0495 or send a message online.

Take One On (or Under) the Chin

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CoolSculpting® in Beverly Hills tends to have a big reputation. Since the fat-reduction treatment is nonsurgical and requires no post-session down time, it has a sizeable following—which also tends to focus on the largest areas the device can treat. Unwanted fat is practically synonymous with a bulging belly, but remember that the abdomen is only one (granted, obvious) place where stubborn fat cells can gather.

Manufacturer Zeltiq makes a range of applicators for the CoolSculpting® device, including one that is sized perfectly for addressing a double chin.

Dubbed the CoolMini™, this applicator is designed specifically to target small pockets of unwanted fat cells. Submental fat that creates a neck-obscuring bulge responds well to the treatment (as does fat that collects at the knees), gradually reducing in volume in the weeks following a session.

Remember that we can’t choose where diet and exercise will impact fat cells the most—or at all. Many people may find that though their body is looking slimmer and trimmer, their neck still has a flabby look. CoolMini™ puts contour control where it belongs: with you.

On the other end of the scale, yes, there are also applicators for the biggest areas of the body, too. Part of what has earned CoolSculpting® its positive reputation is its versatility and ability to be effective on everything from double chins to thighs.

Learn more about CoolMini™ and other CoolSculpting® applicators by calling Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills at 310-246-0495 or sending a message online.