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As we all know, sun protection is one of the best ways of preventing the formation of wrinkles and blotchy pigmentation. Thanks to the popularity of BOTOX^®, many people are also now aware of their need to be conscious about extreme facial expressions that might cause the development of dynamic wrinkles. Another factor to add to the list? We also need to be getting at least seven hours of high-quality beauty sleep each night to ward off skin damage. Of course, maintaining a consistent skin care routine and removing makeup each day are great for your complexion, but sleep position may also be causing lines and creases to etch into your skin, even if you seem to be doing everything else right. Delaying the effects of facial aging could be as simple as changing the way we sleep at night. Here are some essential tips for getting the most out of your sleep from our dermatology team at Los Angeles’ Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills.

Avoid Sleeping on Your Side (or Invest in a New Pillowcase)

For many of us, sleeping on our left or right side is how we feel most comfortable. Unfortunately, the movement of our skin against our pillow when we’re tossing and turning at night is a major contributor to wrinkles on the face and chest—especially when multiplied over many years or decades. If you’re a side sleeper, try a silk or satin pillowcase, as these materials provide a smooth surface and won’t strip moisture from the skin.

Don’t Sleep on Your Stomach

Sleeping face down unfortunately means your head is constantly squeezed into your pillow. Your skin is distorted and could eventually develop lasting folds and creases.

Sleep On Your Back if Possible

Sleeping on your back has numerous advantages, including reducing the lines and wrinkles you get from squishing your head against a pillow, relieving pressure from the neck and back, reducing the puffiness and swelling around the eyes when you wake up (this works best if you keep your head elevated with an extra pillow), and preventing skin care products applied before bed from rubbing off.

For more advice on maintaining youthful and smooth skin, reach out to our dermatology-focused team at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. We can help you find the most suitable treatments for your aesthetic goals. Submit a contact form or call us at 310-246-0495 to schedule a consultation.

Fillers are injectable gels that replace collagen and other elements that have been lost from our skin to add fullness to thin lips, fill in depressions, sculpt cheekbones, soften wrinkles, and reduce the depth of scars. While the various filler options can all add volume and lift to your skin in a natural-looking way, not all formulas are the same. Fillers vary in terms of factors such as chemical makeup, longevity, and consistency.

There are two main categories that these injectables fall into: hyaluronic acid fillers, which are the most common types, and biostimulating fillers. Our physicians use both types, including RADIESSE^®, a collagen-stimulating filler that can be used in combination with or as an alternative to hyaluronic acid fillers. Check out these benefits of biostimulatory fillers from our Los Angeles-based team at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills.

Promotes Collagen Regeneration

As we age, we lose a little more of a protein called collagen from our skin each year, and this is a primary contributor to the formation of wrinkles. Biostimulatory fillers have the benefit of not only volumizing the part of the skin they’re injected into, but also encouraging new production of collagen to gradually improve the appearance of the skin in the long-term. RADIESSE^® is made with a mineral-like compound called calcium hydroxylapatite that stimulates collagen-producing cells beneath the skin.

More Volume and Definition

Collagen-enhancing fillers add a larger amount of volume compared to hyaluronic acid fillers, making them a better choice for patients who have large-volume fat atrophy in the face or want to add more dramatic definition to the cheeks, temples, and jawline.

Longer-Lasting Effects

Both hyaluronic acid and biostimulating fillers provide temporary results and are gradually metabolized by the body. Many hyaluronic acid fillers last anywhere from six to 12 months on average, but biostimulatory fillers are known to last much longer. This makes them a good choice for people who tend to metabolize hyaluronic acid fillers quickly. The results from a RADIESSE^® injections can last for up to two years.

Want to address wrinkles and re-define your facial contours? Injectables can help you to restore smoother and younger-looking skin. For more advice on temporary hyaluronic acid and biostimulatory fillers, contact Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. Submit a contact form or call us at 310-246-0495 to set up a consultation.

BOTOX^® is one of the most widely used cosmetic treatments worldwide, and the wrinkle-reducing injectable has many benefits to offer—such as being a quick, straightforward treatment with no recovery time to speak of. One factor that many patients may not consider, however, is that it doesn’t always work ideally for everyone. Of course, the vast majority of patients won’t experience any issues and will be happy with their results, but in rare situations, some patients may develop antibodies and become “immune” to the effects of BOTOX^®. This only occurs in roughly 1 to 3 percent of all patients, so most people won’t need to worry about it. In other cases, the injections might not be as effective as they could be because the dosing or product itself is not potent enough for the patient. Here are some options to consider if you have recently had BOTOX^®, but think your anti-wrinkle injections from our Los Angeles-based team aren’t working as well as you would like.

Talk to Our Team

If you’re not as happy with your results as you would like to be, contact us. We might be able to administer other treatments that work with the initial BOTOX^® injections to create a more comprehensively rejuvenated look. There’s no “one size fits all” rule for BOTOX^®, and there’s no guarantee that it will work the same way on everyone. You might just need to have your injections done in a different pattern or receive a higher number of units in the future.

Be Patient

BOTOX^® doesn’t work right away. On average, it’s estimated that it may take at least three to four days for the nerves and muscles to be affected—and as long as two weeks for the full results to become noticeable. If you wish you saw a more dramatic result in the mirror shortly after your injection session, just give it a little time.

Try Alternative Aesthetic Treatments

People who do not see much response to a BOTOX^® injection session in their face can certainly choose to embrace their wrinkles, but there are also plenty of other cosmetic treatments that may work better for them. Laser skin resurfacing, microneedling and PRP, and Ultherapy^® can help to enhance the appearance of skin and reduce wrinkles. There are also other injectables that work in a similar way to BOTOX^®, such as Jeuveau^™.

Need some advice on BOTOX^® or facial fillers from an experienced injector who’s also a board-certified dermatologist? If you’re planning to have—or have recently had anti-wrinkle injections and want some questions answered—us at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills to find out more. Fill out a contact form, or give us a call at 310-246-0495 to request a consultation.

When you’re having fun spending time outdoors or at the pool, the last thing you want to be worrying about is skin breakouts. Extreme temperatures and humidity, however, are harsh on our skin, especially if it’s sensitive. Inflamed skin can be a total bummer for anyone, especially if dealing with it is cutting into your vacation time and making your feel too self-conscious to take part in activities the way you would like. Luckily, many skin issues are preventable or can be addressed simply and quickly. Collagen-induction therapy from our Los Angeles practice, for example, is a minimally invasive treatment to get your skin back into shape if it’s looking worse for wear, but you can also follow these basic tips to keep your skin healthy and balanced in the hottest temperatures.

1. Tame Acne Flare-Ups

People often experience their worst acne breakouts in intensely hot or cold weather. Heat and humidity can cause the skin to produce more sweat and oil, which—together with residue, debris, and other stuff on the surface of the skin—may end up blocking your pores and giving bacteria that cause acne breakouts an ideal environment to multiply. Sun damage may also dry out your skin, resulting in oil production being kicked into overdrive. Use non-comedogenic skin products and blot sweat from your face with a clean towel to minimize this problem.

2. Nourish Dry, Irritated Skin

If you’re spending a lot of time in the sun or exposed to chlorinated water, dry skin is often a side effect. To soothe your skin, remember to apply sunscreen before heading outside, bathe in warm rather than hot water, and moisturize after each shower or bath.

3. Protect Against Hyperpigmentation

Exposure to sunlight often causes the skin to produce an abundance of melanin, resulting in uneven dark patches. Wearing sunscreen and limiting your exposure to ultraviolet radiation are your best bets for avoiding this problem. Wear long sleeves, stay inside, and be generally sun smart to maintain an even look.

4. Avoid Heat Rash/Prickly Heat

Heat rash typically occurs in hot weather when sweat becomes trapped in the pores, leading to itchy red bumps or blisters. Wear lighter and cooler clothing, take showers frequently, and cool down with a fan or air conditioning to give your body a chance to avoid overheating and sweat the way it should.

If you’re interested in finding out more about seasonal skincare tips, as well as treatments to help manage both cosmetic and medical conditions, contact our Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team. We will help you put together a treatment plan. Fill out a contact form, or give us a call at 310-246-0495 to schedule a consultation.

When your skin soaks up too much ultraviolet radiation, whether from exposure to the sun or tanning beds, an inflammatory reaction can occur due to cellular damage that causes the skin to become red, swollen, and sore as the body attempts to heal the damage. While people with a fair complexion and light hair are more likely to be sunburned because they have less melanin to protect their skin against the sun’s rays, anyone is at risk of skin damage. (Remember that tans are also a sign that your skin has been damaged.) Sunburns increase your risk of developing skin cancer, in addition to causing premature signs of aging to appear, so it’s always best to wear sunscreen and do as much as you can to protect your skin from exposure. Once summer is over, many patients come to us for skin checks, as well as light and laser treatments at our Los Angeles-based practice to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles caused by sun damage.

One of the most commonly overlooked elements of sun protection is the fact that the supplements we take and the products we use on our skin can also increase our risk of sun damage. You can take steps to reduce such sun damage in the first place, such as monitoring the types of products you’re using on your skin before exposure to sunlight. Here are some common skin products, herbal remedies, and medications that are known to cause sun sensitivity, particularly if you aren’t also wearing sunscreen.

Retinols and Other Actives

Be careful about exposing your skin to sunlight after using acids or retinols. It’s better to use products that contain retinol at night and use sunscreen after applying acids on your face or wait at least a day before heavy sun exposure.

Certain Medications

One of the side effects of certain oral medications like allergy treatments, acne medications, heart medications, and some pain relievers such as Aleve, is increased sun sensitivity.

Essential Oils and Fragrances

Perfumes containing scents such as lavender, cedar, rosemary, bergamot, and sandalwood can cause skin irritation and hyperpigmentation when you’re exposed to sunlight, as can citrus oils and other oils.

If you want to learn more about how to avoid sunburn and reduce skin damage, contact our Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team for more tips. Fill out a contact form or call us at 310-246-0495 to request a consultation.

Many people wish they could be taller or have longer, leaner legs. Slim legs not only make your overall body appear thinner, but also look amazing in skinny jeans, skirts, dresses, and shorts. Sadly, your height is mostly determined by genetics, and you’re unlikely to grow any taller once you reach adulthood, so we can’t actually increase our skeletal height. Women in particular are prone to carrying more weight on the lower body around the hips, thighs, and pelvis due to the effects of hormones, and it is typically more difficult to lose fat from these areas than any other part of the body. Nevertheless, if your legs are naturally shorter or thicker, there are techniques you can use to make them more sculpted and create the illusion of elongating the legs. Consider non-surgical fat reduction, which our Los Angeles-based Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team offers, in addition to these other tips:

1. Exercise to Tone Muscles

Cardio may not necessarily change your body shape, but it helps to reduce overall body fat, and your legs may become leaner as well. Exercises such as lunges, bridges, side leg extensions, deadlifts, and squats give legs a more sculpted appearance. Just be careful not to overdo them if you don’t want a muscular look.

2. Do Stretches

Exercises that include stretches such as yoga and ballet stretches can loosen your spine and muscles and help you to stand taller.

3. Choose the Right Clothes and Shoes

What you wear can make a major difference to the appearance of your legs. Avoid cropped pants, and choose vertical rather than horizontal stripes, high-waisted pants, and skinny, dark jeans.

4. Improve Your Posture

Try to stand straight and tall with your shoulders back and your stomach pulled in.

5. Try CoolSculpting^®

Even though you can’t lose fat from your legs through targeted exercises, fat freezing with CoolSculpting^® is one way of getting rid of some of the excess fat from the inner and outer thighs and below the buttocks, especially if hormones or genetics make you prone to storing more fat in those areas.

Learn about non-surgical fat reduction and other aesthetic treatments from Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. To find out more about the benefits of CoolSculpting^® treatments, submit a contact form or give us a call at 310-246-0495 to schedule a consultation.

It’s always a good idea to regularly check your skin and take note of any physical changes, as this is the best way of spotting signs of serious conditions—like skin cancer—that can initially show up as strange-looking spots. However, there are other marks that may also appear on your skin that are actually harmless, aren’t linked to any long-term damage, and don’t require medical treatment. Many adults notice small white or yellowish bumps on the skin. These bumps typically have a hard texture and may be mistaken for whiteheads or small pimples. They usually occur on the forehead, around the eyes, or on the nose and cheeks. These bumps are sometimes called “baby acne,” as they are often seen on newborns, but this is incorrect as they aren’t a symptom of acne. Milia, also referred to as “milk cysts” or “milk spots,” don’t have the redness and inflammation associated with acne outbreaks. If you’re not sure whether you’re seeing milia on your own skin, our focus is on aesthetic and clinical dermatology at Los Angeles-based Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, where we can diagnose your condition and help you find the best treatment for milia if you don’t like the way they look or they’re uncomfortable. The following are some of the most common treatments used for these bumps:

Topical Products

Milk spots occur when keratin, a rigid protein that is abundant in the skin and nails, gets stuck beneath the surface of the skin because dead cells aren’t being shed properly. Although they may eventually go away after weeks or months, you can speed up skin cell turnover by using topical retinoid creams or other exfoliates.

Manual Extractions

The fastest and most simple treatment may be going to a professional to have the milia extracted. It’s better to seek advice from board-certified dermatologists, as attempting to remove them yourself can be more difficult, painful, and may cause scarring or infections.

Laser Ablation

Laser skin resurfacing is also believed to be effective for milia. This treatment uses laser energy to get rid of the cysts without causing scarring or dyspigmentation.

Our Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team provides aesthetic and medical dermatology care in the Los Angeles area. If you’re interested in having your skin assessed or would like to learn more about the procedures we offer, submit a contact form or give us a call at 310-246-0495 for further details.

Have you been noticing more blackheads, whiteheads, other acne blemishes, and a washed-out complexion lately? These are all potential symptoms of problematic pores: those tiny openings in your facial skin, through which sweat and natural oil are released to the surface. They’re responsible for keeping your skin lubricated and healthy. Unfortunately, they sometimes don’t work properly, leading them to become congested with dead skin, oil, and dirt. This, in turn, leads to blackheads and worse, especially on the oiliest areas of the face, like the nose and chin. The good news is that even if you can’t completely “unclog” the pores, there are some ways of actually getting rid of most of these blockages if you’re bothered by them. The following are some methods our dermatology team in Los Angeles recommends most highly for getting clearer skin, as well as for minimizing the appearance of your pores.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation involves cleaning the skin and removing the dead cells. Instead of a physical scrub, look for gentle chemical exfoliants containing salicylic acid. This powerful ingredient penetrates the pores and also breaks down all of the stuff that blocks them.

Microneedling and PRP

The tiny needles used in microneedling trigger the skin’s healing processes to gradually enhance the overall appearance of the skin and make pores look much smaller. This is further boosted by applying platelet-rich plasma. Together these treatments can prompt skin cell turnover.

Hydrate

Drinking lots of water is not only good for your general health, but is also believed to make your skin appear more radiant. Your skin needs to be hydrated from within, since when you’re dehydrated, the pores may seem more pronounced.

Laser and Light Treatments

If your enlarged pores never seem to go away, laser or light-based treatments can help to even out the texture of the skin. Both lasers and light-based procedures heat the skin at a precise level, stimulating collagen production to improve the skin’s health. Some of these treatments also ablate (or remove) sections of the surface.

Find out more about how our cosmetic dermatology options at Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills can help you keep your skin in its best shape throughout the year. To learn more about a specific treatment or have your skin assessed, submit a contact form, or give us a call at 310-246-0495 to schedule a consultation.

Premature wrinkles can betray our age or make us look tired, unfriendly, or unhappy. Sadly, we can’t stop the effects of gravity or the natural aging process that results in wrinkles, but we can delay and minimize the lines. Lifestyle changes and cosmetic treatments together can make a visible difference. Here are four of the most common wrinkles and some simple, non-surgical strategies (such as facial fillers) that Los Angeles-area patients can use to make them less noticeable.

1. Crow’s Feet

The skin around the eyes is significantly thinner than the skin on other parts of the face. We also use the muscles in that area a lot while blinking, squinting, or expressing our emotions. Inevitably, this is one of the first areas where people notice wrinkles. Those tiny lines etched around the eyes are called “crow’s feet” because they resemble the foot of a many-toed crow. BOTOX^® is an ideal way to counteract them, because it calms the muscles that cause them, but you can also use chemical peels, microneedling, or laser skin resurfacing to soften them.

2. Marionette Lines

Marionette lines, named after marionette string puppets, stretch vertically from the corners of the mouth down to the chin. These wrinkles are mainly caused by collagen loss, genetics, and gravity. They can occur generally anytime between a person’s 20s and 40s—or even later in life. BOTOX^® can be used off-label to lift the corners of the mouth and reduce these wrinkles, but laser resurfacing and hyaluronic acid fillers are other popular treatment options.

3. Lip Lines

The lips are thinner and more prone to dryness than the rest of your skin. Aging and sun exposure cause vertical wrinkles called smoker’s lines to appear on or around the mouth. Facial fillers work best for reducing these wrinkles.

4. Nasolabial Folds

Wrinkle folds may occur when your skin becomes less elastic and sags around the jawline, creating pronounced grooves between the sides of the nose and the corners of the mouth called nasolabial folds. Hyaluronic acid fillers add fullness and lift the skin to reduce these wrinkles, which are also referred to as “laugh lines,” because they look most prominent when someone is smiling or laughing.

Thinking of having a nonsurgical treatment to get a rejuvenated look? Find out more about wrinkle relaxers and facial fillers from our Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team. Fill out a contact form, or give us a call at 310-246-0495 to schedule a consultation.

Aging gracefully isn’t just about maintaining beautiful skin. Your underlying muscles and bones can also have a significant influence on your appearance. Obviously, having great bone structure is something many of us want, because it makes us look younger and more attractive by modern societal standards. Those who are lucky enough to be blessed with sculpted cheekbones and a firm jawline throughout their lives won’t have to depend as much on injectables to get their desired appearance. For example, we often use RADIESSE^® at our Los Angeles-based practice to add structure to the face, as a substitute for bone in patients who lack defined cheekbones. Someone who naturally has that anatomy already would not need the filler for that reason.

However, it turns out that there’s a deeper, direct link between signs of facial aging and our bones. As we age, it isn’t only our skin that becomes more fragile; the skeletal structure of the face also continues to change and break down. Scientists have even determined that your bone structure can actually reveal your age. Here are some surprising facts to know about bone structure, plus what you can do to naturally increase bone density:

• Wrinkles May Suggest a Lower Bone Density

Research by the Yale School of Medicine carried out on menopausal women suggests that having a higher number of wrinkles, as well as deeper wrinkles, could indicate weaker bones and a higher risk of fractures. The researchers found that this connection exists regardless of other factors such as age, ethnicity, smoking, and multivitamin intake.

• Skin and Bones Have Common Building Blocks

Certain fillers, such as RADIESSE^®, stimulate collagen in the skin. This is beneficial for patients because our skin loses a significant amount of this component over time. Collagen is a strong protein that provides structural support to both the skin and the bones. As you age and collagen changes in the body, both your skin and bones could be affected.

While there are many skin-treatment options to replace or boost collagen production in the skin, to increase and maintain the strength of your bones, try to do more weight and strength training, consume more calcium during the day, quit smoking, and eat foods that are rich in magnesium and zinc, protein, and vitamins D and K.

Learn more about how time can impact the health and look of your skin from the Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team. Fill out a contact form, or give us a call at 310-246-0495 to request a consultation.