Medical Dermatology

Alopecia areata has a way of arriving without warning, a coin-sized bald patch that appears seemingly overnight, with no injury, no illness, no obvious cause. It’s an autoimmune condition, the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacking hair follicles, and it can be as unsettling emotionally as it is physically. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists move quickly on evaluation, because the sooner treatment starts, the better the odds of meaningful regrowth.

Understanding Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata can present in several forms, including:

• Patchy alopecia areata: one or more coin-sized bald patches, the most common presentation
• Alopecia totalis: complete loss of scalp hair
• Alopecia universalis: complete loss of hair across the entire body
• A condition often seen alongside other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disorders

The pattern and extent of hair loss at the time of diagnosis is one of the strongest predictors of how the condition will behave going forward.

Treatment Options

Treatment is tailored to the extent and pattern of hair loss. Options include:

• Corticosteroid injections directly into affected areas, often repeated every four to six weeks
• Topical medications to suppress the condition and stimulate hair growth
• Oral and systemic medications, including JAK inhibitors, for widespread disease

What to Expect Over Time

Regrowth, when it happens, often starts as fine, light-colored hair that gradually thickens and darkens over several months. Alopecia areata can also relapse even after a full regrowth, which is why our physicians continue to monitor patients well beyond the initial recovery, adjusting treatment if new patches appear.

Are You a Candidate?

If you’ve noticed a new bald patch, don’t wait to see if it fills back in on its own. Earlier treatment genuinely changes the odds of regrowth, and our Beverly Hills physicians will determine the most effective approach for your specific presentation. Schedule a consultation for a prompt, thorough evaluation.

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Genital warts are benign skin growths caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. While not dangerous, genital warts can be a source of significant discomfort and self-consciousness. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists provide discreet, effective treatment to remove genital warts and reduce the risk of recurrence.

What Causes Genital Warts?

Genital warts result from infection with specific strains of HPV, which is spread through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity
• Contact with an infected partner, even without visible warts present
• A weakened immune system, which can increase susceptibility
• Microscopic breaks in the skin during intimate contact

Because HPV can be present without any visible warts at all, many patients are surprised to learn how common exposure actually is.

Treatment Options

Our physicians select a treatment approach based on the size, number, and location of warts. Options include:

• Prescription medications
• Cryotherapy and other destructive methods
• Surgical removal for select cases

A Note on Discretion

We understand how personal this condition feels, and we treat it as the routine, common concern it actually is. All consultations and procedures at our Beverly Hills practice are handled with complete discretion, and our physicians will also walk through what the diagnosis does and doesn’t mean for future partners and long-term health.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with visible genital warts, or concerns about possible HPV exposure, is a candidate for evaluation. All consultations and procedures are handled with the utmost discretion. Schedule a private consultation at our Beverly Hills practice.

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Warts are common, benign skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that can appear on the hands, feet, and other areas of the body. While harmless, warts can be cosmetically bothersome, uncomfortable, and prone to spreading if left untreated. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists offer effective removal options tailored to the type and location of the wart.

What Causes Warts?

Warts result from infection of the outer skin layer with HPV. Contributing factors include:

• Direct contact with the virus, often through small breaks in the skin
• A weakened immune system
• Walking barefoot in communal areas, particularly for plantar warts

Drugstore freezing treatments only reach the surface layer of the wart, which is exactly why stubborn warts so often survive them.

Removal Options

Our physicians select the most appropriate treatment based on the wart’s size, type, and location. Options include:

• Cryotherapy
• Injectable medications
• Surgical excision for select cases

Preventing Spread

Warts are contagious to other areas of your own body as well as to others, particularly through nail biting, shaving over a wart, or shared surfaces like pool decks and locker rooms. Our physicians provide guidance on covering active warts and avoiding the habits that most commonly spread them while treatment is underway.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient bothered by the appearance, discomfort, or spread of warts is a candidate for treatment. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to determine the best removal approach for you.

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A scar that keeps growing well past the original wound, or one that’s thickened, raised, and itchy months after the skin has healed, is likely a keloid rather than an ordinary scar. Keloids and hypertrophic scars can form after surgery, piercings, acne, or even a minor cut, and they’re more common in certain skin tones. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists treat scars and keloids with an approach built around minimizing recurrence, not just shrinking the scar once.

Keloids vs. Hypertrophic Scars

The two are often confused, but they behave differently:

• Hypertrophic scars: raised and thickened, but confined to the original wound border
• Keloids: extend beyond the original wound, can continue growing for months or years, and are more prone to recurrence after treatment
• Both can be itchy, tender, or cosmetically bothersome
• Keloids occur more frequently on the chest, shoulders, and earlobes, and in patients with a family history or darker skin tones

Treatment Options

Because keloids recur more readily than hypertrophic scars, our physicians typically combine approaches rather than relying on a single treatment. Options include:

• Injections to flatten and soften the scar
• Laser treatments to improve texture and color
• Surgical excision for select cases

Why Keloids Need a Careful Approach

Surgical excision alone has a high recurrence rate for keloids, sometimes higher than the original scar. Our physicians pair excision with adjuvant treatment, most often steroid injections, precisely because cutting a keloid out without addressing what caused it to overgrow in the first place tends to produce a second keloid rather than a clean result.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with a raised, thickened, or growing scar is a candidate for evaluation, particularly if it’s itchy, tender, or still changing months after the original injury. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to discuss a treatment approach built to actually hold.

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Not every bump under the skin needs to come off, but every new one deserves a look. Cysts, lipomas, and other benign growths are extremely common, and while most are harmless, distinguishing a straightforward cyst from something that warrants closer attention is exactly the kind of judgment call that benefits from a trained eye. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists evaluate new and existing growths and determine whether monitoring, removal, or biopsy is the right next step.

Common Types of Growths

Most growths we evaluate fall into a few common categories:

• Epidermoid cysts, the most common type, filled with keratin and prone to becoming inflamed or infected
• Pilar cysts, most often found on the scalp
• Lipomas, soft, mobile growths made of fatty tissue
• Other benign growths, including seborrheic keratoses and dermatofibromas

The vast majority of these are entirely benign, but a growth that’s growing quickly, is painful, or has an unusual appearance warrants prompt evaluation rather than a wait-and-see approach.

When Evaluation Matters

Our physicians consider several factors when evaluating a growth, including:

• Rate of growth and any recent changes in size or appearance
• Pain, redness, or signs of infection, particularly common with epidermoid cysts
• Location and how much the growth interferes with daily activity or clothing
• Whether the growth’s characteristics are typical or warrant biopsy to rule out other causes

Monitoring or Removal

A growth that’s stable, painless, and clearly benign on exam often doesn’t need to come off at all, it just needs periodic monitoring. For growths that are enlarging, recurrently infected, or simply bothersome, our physicians offer definitive removal. Cyst and lipoma excision are performed frequently at our Beverly Hills practice, with the specific approach tailored to the growth’s size and depth. These are quick, in-office surgeries performed under local anesthesia.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with a new, changing, or bothersome growth should be evaluated to confirm what it is and whether removal makes sense. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice for an accurate diagnosis and a clear recommendation.

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Hidradenitis suppurativa causes painful, recurring lumps and abscesses, most often in the armpits, groin, and under the breasts, and it’s a condition that’s frequently misdiagnosed as recurrent boils or ingrown hairs for years before the correct diagnosis is made. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists provide the accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment this chronic condition requires.

Understanding Hidradenitis Suppurativa

HS is a chronic inflammatory condition involving the hair follicles and sweat glands. Key features include:

• Recurrent, painful nodules and abscesses in skin-fold areas
• Progression through stages, from isolated lesions to interconnected tunnels and scarring
• A strong association with obesity, smoking, and a family history of the condition
• Frequent misdiagnosis as recurrent infections or ingrown hairs

Getting the diagnosis right matters enormously, since HS responds to a very different treatment approach than a simple boil.

Treatment Options

Treatment is tailored to the stage and severity of disease. Options include:

• Topical and oral medications to reduce inflammation and prevent flares
• Biologic therapy
• Laser hair removal in affected areas to reduce follicular involvement
• Surgical deroofing for advanced, tunneling disease that hasn’t responded to medical therapy

A Condition That Deserves an Accurate Diagnosis

Many patients with HS spend years being treated for recurrent boils before the underlying condition is identified. Our physicians recognize the pattern, recurring lesions in the same skin-fold locations, often starting around puberty, and build a long-term management plan rather than treating each flare as an isolated event.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with recurring, painful lumps in the armpits, groin, or under the breasts should be evaluated for HS, especially if lesions keep returning in the same areas. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice for an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan built for the long term.

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Tinea versicolor is a common yeast-driven skin condition that causes patches of skin to appear lighter or darker than the surrounding area, most often on the chest, back, and shoulders. While harmless, the visible pigment changes can be a persistent cosmetic concern. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists provide effective treatment to clear infection and even out skin tone.

What Causes Tinea Versicolor?

Tinea versicolor results from an overgrowth of yeast that naturally lives on the skin. Contributing factors include:

• Warm, humid weather
• Oily skin
• Excessive sweating
• A weakened immune system

This is not related to poor hygiene, a concern we hear often, since the yeast responsible lives on everyone’s skin and simply overgrows under the right conditions.

Treatment Options

Our physicians tailor treatment to the extent of involvement. Options include:

• Topical antifungal treatments for localized cases
• Oral antifungal medication for widespread or recurrent infection
• Maintenance regimens to prevent recurrence, particularly in warmer months

Patience with Pigment

One thing worth knowing going in: the pigment changes can take several months to fully resolve even after the yeast is cleared, since the skin has to gradually restore its normal tanning response in the previously affected areas. That lag is entirely normal and not a sign that treatment has failed.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient noticing patches of lighter or darker skin, particularly on the chest, back, or shoulders, is a candidate for evaluation. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to learn more about clearing the infection and what to expect as your skin tone evens back out.

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Bacterial skin infections range from a minor, easily treated irritation to conditions that require prompt medical attention. Redness that’s spreading, increasing pain, or a fever alongside a new skin lesion are signs the issue is more than superficial. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists provide prompt diagnosis and treatment to keep a localized infection from becoming a bigger problem.

Common Types of Skin Infections

Bacterial skin infections can present in several ways, including:

• Impetigo, a superficial, highly contagious infection common in children
• Cellulitis, a deeper infection that causes spreading redness, warmth, and swelling
• Folliculitis, infection or inflammation of the hair follicles
• Staph and MRSA infections, which can range from a single boil to more extensive involvement

Because several of these can look alike in their early stages, an accurate diagnosis, sometimes supported by a culture, determines which antibiotic will actually work.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the infection. Options include:

• Topical antibiotics for localized, superficial infections
• Oral antibiotics for deeper or more extensive infections
• Wound culture to identify the specific organism and guide antibiotic selection
• Wound care guidance to support healing and prevent spread

When to Seek Immediate Care

Certain signs mean a skin infection needs same-day attention rather than a routine appointment: rapidly spreading redness, significant pain, fever, or red streaking extending from the affected area. Our physicians prioritize evaluation for patients describing these symptoms, since bacterial infections can progress quickly once they move beyond the surface layer of skin.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with a new area of redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage should be evaluated, particularly if the area is growing or painful. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice for prompt diagnosis and the right antibiotic for what’s actually causing the infection.

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Melasma and hyperpigmentation show up as patches of darkened skin, often on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip, and they have a frustrating tendency to worsen with sun exposure and hormonal changes. Southern California’s year-round sun makes this an especially common concern for our patients. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists take a measured, evidence-based approach, since the wrong treatment can make pigment worse rather than better.

What Causes Melasma and Hyperpigmentation?

Pigment changes can stem from several sources, including:

• Ultraviolet exposure, the single biggest driver of both onset and recurrence
• Hormonal changes, including pregnancy and oral contraceptive use
• Genetics and a family history of melasma
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following acne, injury, or irritation

Melasma in particular tends to be a chronic, recurring condition rather than a one-time fix, which shapes how our physicians set expectations from the start.

Treatment Options

Treatment is tailored to the type and depth of pigment involved. Options include:

• Topical treatments and oral medications
• Chemical peels to gently accelerate pigment turnover
• Conservative, carefully selected laser and light treatment for appropriate candidates
• Strict daily sun protection as the foundation of every regimen

Why Sun Protection Isn’t Optional

Melasma responds to treatment, but it also responds to sun exposure, often within days of a single unprotected outing. Our physicians are direct about this: broad-spectrum sunscreen worn daily, not just on sunny days, is what protects the progress made with every other treatment. Skipping it is the most common reason melasma treatment appears to fail.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with persistent dark patches or uneven pigmentation is a candidate for evaluation. Because melasma can worsen with the wrong treatment, an accurate diagnosis matters as much as the treatment itself. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to build a plan suited to your skin tone and pigment pattern.

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For patients with eczema, the itch is often the hardest part, worse at night, worse with stress, and frustratingly resistant to whatever cream is on the drugstore shelf. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition closely tied to allergies, asthma, and a compromised skin barrier. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists go beyond symptom relief to rebuild the skin barrier itself, so flares happen less often and hurt less when they do.

What’s Behind the Itch

Eczema results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including:

• Genetics and a family history of atopic conditions such as asthma or hay fever
• An impaired skin barrier that allows moisture loss and irritant entry
• Environmental triggers, including allergens, harsh soaps, and weather changes
• Stress, which can trigger or intensify flares within days

Most patients have more than one of these at play, which is why a single trigger-avoidance tip rarely solves the whole picture.

Rebuilding the Barrier

Our physicians tailor eczema treatment to each patient’s severity and triggers. Options include:

• Topicals like corticosteroids and non-steroidal options
• Prescription barrier-repair moisturizers used daily, not just during flares
• Biologic and systemic therapies for moderate to severe cases that haven’t responded to topicals

Keeping Flares from Coming Back

Eczema tends to recur in the same areas, particularly the hands, inner elbows, and behind the knees, and prevention matters as much as treating an active flare. Our physicians help patients build a daily moisturizing routine, identify specific irritants in soaps, detergents, and fabrics, and know when a flare needs medical attention versus at-home care. Most patients notice less itching within the first one to two weeks of a properly matched regimen.

Are You a Candidate?

If you’ve been cycling through over-the-counter creams without lasting relief, or eczema is affecting your sleep, your skin, or your confidence, our Beverly Hills physicians can help you get ahead of it instead of just reacting to the next flare. Schedule a consultation to build a plan that actually addresses your triggers and rebuilds your skin barrier for the long term.

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