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!

Skin Cancer Treatment in Beverly Hills

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A skin cancer diagnosis comes with more than one path forward, and the right treatment depends on the tumor’s type, size, location, and how aggressively it’s behaving. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists, including a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, walk through every option so you understand not just what’s being recommended, but why.

Matching Treatment to Tumor Type

Treatment recommendations are built around the specific diagnosis. Options include:

  • Mohs micrographic surgery for tumors on the face and other high-risk or cosmetically sensitive areas
  • Standard excisional surgery for tumors in lower-risk locations
  • Topical chemotherapy or immunotherapy
  • Injectable medications

Why the Right Fit Matters

Not every skin cancer needs the same treatment, and using a more involved procedure than necessary, or a less thorough one than the tumor calls for, both carry downsides. Our physicians match the treatment to the tumor’s actual behavior and location, reserving Mohs surgery for the cases where its precision genuinely changes the outcome, and using more straightforward approaches when they’re equally effective.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with a confirmed or suspected skin cancer diagnosis benefits from a treatment consultation before proceeding. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to discuss the most appropriate treatment for your specific diagnosis.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Photodynamic Therapy in Beverly Hills

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Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, combines a photosensitizing solution with a specific wavelength of light to target precancerous cells, sun damage, and acne-causing activity beneath the surface of the skin. It’s one of the more effective options for treating widespread actinic damage that would otherwise mean freezing dozens of individual spots one at a time. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists use PDT to treat both the visible damage and the damage that hasn’t shown up yet.

How Photodynamic Therapy Works

PDT is a two-part process, and both parts matter to the outcome:

  • A photosensitizing solution, aminolevulinic acid (ALA), is applied to the treatment area
  • The solution incubates for a set period, allowing it to concentrate in abnormal and sun-damaged cells
  • A specific wavelength of light, typically blue light or intense pulsed light, activates the solution
  • Activation destroys the targeted cells while leaving surrounding healthy skin largely unaffected

What PDT Treats

PDT is most often used for:

  • Actinic keratosis, particularly when spots are numerous or widespread
  • Extensive sun damage and photoaging across the face, chest, and scalp
  • Treatment-resistant or cystic acne, by targeting overactive oil glands

What to Expect

A PDT session at our Beverly Hills practice includes:

  • Cleansing and preparation of the treatment area
  • Application of the photosensitizing solution and an incubation period, typically thirty minutes to a few hours
  • Light activation, which takes several minutes and can cause a warm or stinging sensation
  • Redness and peeling for three to seven days afterward as treated cells clear

Why Sun Avoidance Matters After Treatment

The photosensitizing solution stays active in the skin for a period after treatment, which means unprotected sun exposure during that window can trigger a significant reaction. Our physicians walk through a strict avoidance protocol before you leave the office, and given how much sun Los Angeles gets year round, this is the step patients most need to plan around rather than the treatment itself.

Adding IPL

For patients with significant lentigines, we also offer PDT activated with intense pulsed light (IPL) rather than the standard blue light. The Levulan solution works the same way in both cases, concentrating in sun-damaged cells before light exposure triggers their breakdown, but IPL’s broader spectrum also targets pigment and small vessels directly as it activates the solution. That combination gives a more pronounced improvement in lentigines and overall skin tone than blue light PDT alone, making it a better fit for patients whose main concern is visible sun damage rather than actinic keratosis. Our physicians determine which activation light suits your goals during your consultation.

 

Are You a Candidate?

Patients with widespread actinic keratosis, significant sun damage, or acne that hasn’t responded to other treatment are frequently excellent candidates for PDT. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to find out whether it’s the right fit for your skin.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Lipoma Excision in Beverly Hills

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Lipomas are soft, slow-growing, benign fatty tumors, and most patients notice them as a painless lump that moves easily under the skin. While the vast majority never cause a medical problem, removal is a common request for lipomas that are enlarging, uncomfortable, or simply visible in a way patients would rather not deal with. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists provide precise, same-visit lipoma excision.

Do Lipomas Need to Be Removed?

Most lipomas are entirely benign and can simply be monitored, but removal is often recommended when:

  • The lipoma is growing noticeably over time
  • It’s causing pain, pressure, or restricted movement depending on its location
  • Its diagnosis isn’t entirely clear on exam alone
  • It’s cosmetically bothersome to the patient

A lipoma that’s rapidly growing, unusually firm, or deeply fixed to underlying tissue warrants closer evaluation, since these features are less typical of a straightforward lipoma.

What to Expect

Lipoma excision is performed under local anesthesia. The procedure includes:

  • A small incision over the lipoma
  • Careful excision of the entire fatty mass, capsule included
  • Sutures to close the incision
  • Recovery that’s typically quick, with sutures removed within one to two weeks

Confirming It’s Truly a Lipoma

The overwhelming majority of soft, mobile, slow-growing lumps that feel like lipomas are exactly that. Our physicians examine the growth’s texture, mobility, and growth pattern before recommending removal, and any lipoma with atypical features is evaluated further before proceeding, since a thorough exam upfront is what makes straightforward removal possible.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with a growing, uncomfortable, or cosmetically bothersome lipoma is a candidate for excision. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to have it evaluated and removed.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Cyst Excision in Beverly Hills

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Cysts on the body, scalp, and face are common, benign growths. Draining a cyst brings temporary relief, but the cyst reliably comes back, because the sac that produces it is still there. Excision removes the entire cyst wall along with its contents, which is the only approach that actually resolves it for good. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists perform cyst excision as a straightforward, same-visit procedure.

Why Excision, Not Just Drainage

A cyst is more than the fluid or keratin inside it. Key considerations include:

  • The cyst wall, or sac, is what continues to produce material and cause recurrence if left behind
  • Draining alone empties the cyst but leaves the sac intact
  • Inflamed or infected cysts are sometimes drained first to calm the area before definitive excision
  • Complete excision offers the only permanent resolution

What to Expect

Cyst excision is performed under local anesthesia in the office. The procedure includes:

  • A small incision to access and remove the entire cyst sac
  • Sutures to close the incision, typically removed within one to two weeks
  • Straightforward aftercare with minimal downtime

Timing Matters

An inflamed or actively infected cyst often heals more cleanly if it’s calmed down first, sometimes with a short course of antibiotics or a drainage procedure, before the sac is fully excised. Our physicians will let you know whether your cyst is ready for definitive removal now or whether a short interim step will give you a better cosmetic result.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with a cyst that keeps recurring, has become bothersome, or has been drained before without lasting resolution is a candidate for excision. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to have it removed for good.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Nail Fungus Treatment in Beverly Hills

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Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, causes nails to become thickened, discolored, brittle, and sometimes painful. It is a persistent condition that rarely resolves without treatment and can be difficult to fully eliminate without an expert approach. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists offer advanced treatment options to clear infection and restore healthy nails.

What Causes Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus develops when fungal organisms infect the nail bed. Contributing factors include:

  • Warm, moist environments such as pools, gyms, and locker rooms
  • Minor trauma or microtrauma to the nail
  • Reduced circulation, common with age
  • Prolonged moisture exposure
  • A weakened immune system

Toenails are affected far more often than fingernails, largely because shoes create exactly the warm, dark, damp environment fungus needs to thrive.

Treatment Options

Our physicians select a treatment approach based on the severity of infection. Options include:

  • Topical antifungal lacquers for mild to moderate cases
  • Oral antifungal medication for more extensive infection
  • Professional nail debridement to reduce thickness and improve treatment penetration

Why Patience Matters

Because nails grow slowly, full clearance often takes several months regardless of the method used, a fingernail may take four to six months to grow out completely, and a toenail can take up to a year. Our physicians set realistic expectations from the start and track visible improvement at the base of the nail as the earliest sign that treatment is working.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient with thickened, discolored, or crumbling nails is a candidate for evaluation and treatment. Earlier treatment leads to better outcomes and faster clearance, since less damaged nail has to grow out before you see normal nail again. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to get started.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Hives Treatment in Beverly Hills

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Hives, or urticaria, are raised, itchy welts that can appear suddenly anywhere on the body. They may resolve within hours or persist for weeks or months in chronic cases. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists provide thorough evaluation and effective treatment to identify triggers and control symptoms.

What Causes Hives?

Hives can result from a wide range of triggers, including:

  • Allergic reactions to foods, medications, or insect stings
  • Physical triggers such as heat, cold, pressure, or exercise
  • Viral or other infections
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Chronic idiopathic urticaria, in which no specific trigger is identified

For roughly half of patients with hives lasting more than six weeks, no single trigger is ever found, which is exactly when a specialist’s approach matters most.

Treatment Options

Treatment is tailored to the frequency and severity of symptoms. Options include:

  • First- and second-generation antihistamines
  • Other oral or injectable biologic medications
  • Trigger identification, allergy testing, and specialist referral when appropriate

When Hives Become Chronic

Hives lasting more than six weeks are classified as chronic and often require a different treatment strategy than a short-lived reaction. Our physicians take a systematic approach to these harder cases, layering antihistamines, adjusting doses beyond standard recommendations when needed, and introducing biologic therapy for patients who haven’t responded to conventional treatment.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient experiencing recurrent or persistent hives is a candidate for evaluation. Identifying the underlying trigger, or confirming that none can be found, is key to effective long-term management. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice today.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Folliculitis Treatment in Beverly Hills

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Folliculitis is an inflammation or infection of the hair follicles that presents as small, red, sometimes itchy or tender bumps, often resembling acne. While frequently mild, folliculitis can become recurrent or uncomfortable without proper treatment. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists provide precise diagnosis and effective treatment to resolve outbreaks and prevent recurrence.

What Causes Folliculitis?

Folliculitis can develop from several causes, including:

  • Bacterial infection, most commonly staphylococcus
  • Fungal or yeast overgrowth
  • Ingrown hairs and friction from shaving or waxing
  • Exposure to hot tubs or pools (pseudomonas folliculitis)
  • Occlusive clothing and excessive sweating

Hot tub folliculitis in particular tends to appear as an itchy rash within a day or two of soaking, and often clears on its own, but recurrent cases in other settings usually need targeted treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Options include:

  • Topical or oral antibiotics for bacterial folliculitis
  • Antifungal treatment when a fungal cause is identified
  • Laser hair removal for patients with chronic, recurrent folliculitis
  • Guidance on shaving technique and skin hygiene to prevent flares

Preventing Recurrence

Folliculitis has a strong tendency to return in the same areas, particularly for patients who shave frequently. Our physicians provide specific guidance on shaving direction, blade hygiene, and product choice, and for patients with chronic recurrence in the same spots, laser hair removal often provides a more permanent solution than repeated treatment of each new outbreak.

Are You a Candidate?

If bumps keep coming back in the same spot no matter what you try, it’s worth having it properly diagnosed rather than treated as ordinary acne. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to identify the cause and find lasting relief.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Dry Skin Treatment in Beverly Hills

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Dry skin, or xerosis, is one of the most common skin concerns we see, ranging from mild flaking to significant roughness, tightness, and discomfort. Left untreated, chronic dry skin can lead to irritation, cracking, and increased sensitivity. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists offer comprehensive treatment to restore comfort, softness, and a healthy skin barrier.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin can result from a variety of factors, including:

  • Natural aging and declining oil production
  • Cold weather and low humidity
  • Frequent hot showers and harsh soaps
  • Underlying skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
  • Certain medications

Two patients with identical symptoms can have entirely different underlying causes, which is exactly why the same over-the-counter lotion works for one and not the other.

Treatment Options

Our physicians design a treatment plan based on the severity and underlying cause of dryness. Options include:

  • Prescription-strength emollients and barrier-repair creams
  • Medical-grade skincare formulated to restore moisture and lipids
  • Identification and management of underlying skin conditions
  • Personalized guidance on skincare routines and habits

Building Habits That Last

Most patients feel a real difference within one to two weeks of consistent use of the right regimen, but the habits around bathing, product choice, and humidity matter just as much as any single cream. Our physicians walk through your daily routine in detail, since small changes, shorter showers, a humidifier in dry months, the right order of products, often make the difference between temporary relief and lasting comfort.

Are You a Candidate?

If your skin feels tight, rough, or uncomfortable no matter how much lotion you go through, it’s worth finding out why. Our Beverly Hills physicians will help identify the underlying cause and design a plan for lasting relief, not just another moisturizer to add to the pile. Schedule a consultation to learn more.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Dandruff Treatment in Beverly Hills

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Dandruff is easy to dismiss as a nuisance, until you’re avoiding dark shirts and constantly brushing flakes off your shoulders. It’s a scalp condition rooted in yeast overgrowth, dryness, or an underlying inflammatory condition, and the right diagnosis usually clears it faster than another round of drugstore shampoo. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists look past the flakes to find out what’s actually driving them.

What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff has several potential causes, including:

  • Overgrowth of Malassezia, a yeast that naturally lives on the scalp
  • Seborrheic dermatitis, a more inflamed cousin of ordinary dandruff
  • Dry skin
  • Sensitivity to hair care products
  • Underlying skin conditions such as psoriasis

The right shampoo aisle purchase depends entirely on which of these is actually at play, which is why so many patients cycle through products without lasting relief.

Treatment Options

Our physicians recommend treatment based on the underlying cause. Options include:

  • Medicated shampoos
  • Topical corticosteroids for inflamed or irritated scalp
  • Prescription-strength antifungal treatments
  • Personalized scalp care regimens to prevent recurrence

Long-Term Scalp Care

Dandruff tends to return once treatment stops, particularly for patients whose underlying cause is Malassezia overgrowth or seborrheic dermatitis. Our physicians typically recommend a maintenance shampoo schedule once the scalp has cleared, so patients can stay ahead of flares rather than starting treatment over from scratch every few months.

Are You a Candidate?

If you’ve cycled through several dandruff shampoos with little to show for it, the cause is likely something over-the-counter products aren’t built to address. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice and get an actual diagnosis, along with a maintenance plan that keeps it from returning.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice

Vitiligo Treatment in Beverly Hills

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Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigment, resulting in patches of depigmented skin. It can affect any area of the body and progress unpredictably over time. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists offer thorough evaluation and evidence-based treatment to help restore pigment and manage progression.

What Causes Vitiligo?

Vitiligo develops when the immune system targets pigment-producing cells. Contributing factors include:

  • Autoimmune activity directed against melanocytes
  • Genetics and a family history of vitiligo or other autoimmune conditions
  • Triggers such as significant stress or skin trauma
  • Coexisting autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease

Vitiligo can appear at any age, though it most often begins before age 30, and it affects people of every skin tone, though the contrast is simply more visible on darker skin.

Treatment Options

Treatment is tailored to the extent and location of depigmentation. Options include:

  • Topical medications
  • Oral medications
  • Procedures such as punch grafting or fractional lasers to stimulate pigment productions

A Condition, Not a Flaw

Progress with vitiligo is rarely linear, and repigmentation, when it happens, is usually measured in months rather than weeks. Our physicians stay engaged with patients over the long haul, adjusting treatment as the condition evolves and offering practical camouflage guidance for the moments, an event, a photo, a beach day, when patients want it, without ever treating the condition itself as something that needs to be hidden.

Are You a Candidate?

Any patient noticing new or spreading patches of depigmented skin should seek prompt evaluation. While vitiligo cannot always be fully reversed, many patients see meaningful repigmentation with consistent treatment. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice for a thorough assessment.

Schedule Your Consultation at Our Beverly Hills Practice