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Injectable fillers are widely-used to address a number of cosmetic issues – they provide a way to increase the volume and resiliency of the skin in cases where the skin has become loose or wrinkled. They can also be used to recontour parts of the face caused by injury, scarring, or just cosmetic preference.

Lip recontouring is an especially popular use for injectable fillers. Specially formulated injectable fillers are typically used on the lips – these fillers have a smooth texture and can be readily molded to allow lips to be plumped up or to increase the definition of the lips.

Minimizing Lump Development

It’s possible for the filler to migrate after application, and it’s possible for lumps to develop after treatment. They can also be caused by swelling or bruising following treatment, as well as blood pooling in extreme cases.

Fortunately, these cases are rare, and in most cases, the problem will disappear after a few days. You can help to accelerate the healing process by cooling the affected area using a cold compress or an ice pack.

Correcting Persistent Lumps

In cases where the lumps do not resolve themselves, you should contact your practitioner. They will be able to determine the cause and supply appropriate corrective measures. In most cases, careful massaging can be used to redistribute the filler and smooth out most lumps that occur. In more extreme cases, the practitioner may opt to use another injectable product to correct the problem.

Correcting Fillers Overuse

Most injectable fillers use hyaluronic acid, and in cases where excess filler has been applied, your practitioner can correct the situation by using a different product that actually breaks down the previously injected filler. Obviously, this would only be done in extreme cases, but it does allow the overuse of fillers to be easily corrected.

Treating Painful Side Effects

You should contact your practitioner if you experience pain or extreme discomfort after treatment – there are rare cases when allergic reactions to the injectable filler develop. These situations can be treated using a number of products, including oral or injectable steroids.

Choosing the Right Practitioner

Injectable fillers are widely available, but you should select your practitioner with care. Applying the right amount of filler is crucial to creating an attractive and natural look, and over-application of lip fillers is very common. Choosing a practitioner who combines medical qualifications with extensive experience in applying injectable fillers will maximize your chance of achieving the best results and minimize your chance of developing unwanted side effects.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in applying injectable fillers. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Microneedling is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that stimulates the body’s natural processes to rejuvenate the skin. It can be effective at combating a wide range of cosmetic issues.

How Does Microneedling Work?

Ultra-fine, very short sterilized needles are used to create large numbers of microscopic channels into the skin. This triggers the body’s natural healing processes and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. The microneedles essentially injure the skin cells being treated in a microscopic and controlled fashion, in such a way that the skin structure is strengthened as the skin cells heal naturally in the days following the procedure.

Depending on your skin type and complexion, the procedure may be performed over a number of sessions. This is often recommended for those with darker skin color as a way of minimizing unwanted side effects.

Collagen is the key component of the skin’s connective tissue – triggering collagen production strengthens the connective tissue within the skin, leading to improved elasticity and resilience, as well as enhancing overall skin tone and texture. By using an array of microscopic needles, collagen production is boosted evenly across the entire area being treated, leading to benefits distributed across a wide area.

Micro-needling can be used on any part of the body but is most effective on the face, neck, and chest areas.

Microneedling Benefits

The procedure will improve general skin tone and resiliency; it can also help reduce acne, scars, stretch marks, fine lines and wrinkles, and some kinds of sun damage. It can also combat uneven skin pigmentation.

Microneedling is especially useful for those with darker complexions, as these patients can be more sensitive to cosmetic procedures that can heat the skin, such as laser or IPL based treatments. Microneedling does not raise the skin temperature during treatment and is therefore often a safer choice in these cases.

Post-Treatment Recovery

The procedure can result in temporary redness, light bruising, and occasional itching or peeling. These are the normal consequences of triggering the skin’s healing mechanisms and typically only last a day or two after treatment. Full healing from the procedure (and developing all benefits) can take several days or longer. It’s best to minimize your chance of infecting the skin as it heals by avoiding swimming and the use of any unnecessary lotions or skincare products.

Special Precautions

Microneedling can be a powerful tool and an extremely effective way to revitalize and improve skin tone. However, there are several ways in which the procedure can be misused, leading to negative results.

The main way that the procedure is misused is by over-use. There are a number of negative side-effects that can be caused by using the procedure too frequently or by using needles that are not properly sterilized. Professional practitioners will be well aware of these side effects and will avoid triggering them. However, we come across patients who have tried to perform the procedure themselves at home and who do so far too often for their own good. A range of negative results can be caused by too-frequent or too-aggressive use of the technique, including hyperpigmentation, scarring, blemishes, and even nerve damage in extreme cases.

Choosing a medically qualified and experienced practitioner is the best way to avoid any chance of developing these side effects and will allow you to safely benefit from the procedure. An experienced practitioner will be able to adjust the degree and frequency of treatment to correspond with your complexion and skin type, avoiding any chance of causing unnecessary skin irritation.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing cosmetic procedures, including microneedling. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Types of Problems Addressed

Safe and Effective

Immediate and Long-Lasting Results

Natural-Looking Results

Your Laser Skin Care

Botox is a highly popular and effective way to reduce or eliminate unwanted facial lines and wrinkles. Botox injections work by preventing muscles from contracting – it does this by preventing nerves from transmitting the signals that cause muscles to contract. Botox injections are not a permanent solution – they remain effective for several months but will eventually need to be re-applied.

Botox can be applied year-round, but there are actually several advantages to having the procedure performed during the winter months.

Low Moisture Levels Can Accentuate Wrinkles

Low temperatures and more windy weather can result in your skin becoming more prone to drying out in the winter, which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles becoming more visible. Although sun levels are higher in the summer, lower sun elevations in the winter can result in us squinting more than in summer, which also tends to exacerbate crow’s feet lines around the eyes.

Lower Temperatures Lead to Longer Periods Between Procedures

Botox injections last anywhere from three to six months before they have to be refreshed. Higher body temperature or high-intensity exercise may increase the rate at which Botox is metabolized, while colder winter temperatures can actually increase the time before your Botox starts to wear off – allowing you to delay repeating the procedure for several more months.

Lower Sun Levels Minimize Sweating and Swelling

It’s recommended to avoid excess sun exposure after Botox treatments – lower temperatures not only prolong the effects of a Botox treatment they also reduce the chance that you’ll develop swelling or bruising afterward. Most practitioners recommend avoiding elevated temperatures for at least a day or two after treatment – cold and dry winter conditions make this much easier to achieve.

Easier to Schedule Procedures

Many people have lighter schedules during the winter months, making it easier for them to find the time for cosmetic procedures and also allowing them more time to recover afterward. Most practitioners also see lower numbers of patients during the winter, making it even easier to schedule appointments at your convenience.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing Botox. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

We find that many people start thinking about hair removal as summer approaches, as they start to prepare to wear lighter clothing, and spend more time outdoors, perhaps on a beach or swimming.

Laser hair removal can be performed at any time of the year, but there are actually compelling reasons why you might want to have the procedure done during the winter months. Most of the reasons revolve around limiting one’s exposure to direct sunlight before and after having the procedure, but there are a surprising number of factors involved.

Also, bear in mind that several laser hair removal procedures will normally be required, with individual treatments separated by several weeks. Starting the process in the winter allows you time to complete the process by the time summer rolls around.

Sun Exposure Complicates the Procedure

The Laser hair removal procedure works best when there’s the greatest possible contrast between the color of your skin and that of your hair. Laser hair removal works by focusing high-intensity light energy onto the melanin pigment found inside individual hair follicles while avoiding damage to the surrounding skin cells. This is easier to achieve when your skin is as pale as possible.

Exposure to intense sunlight will result both in your skin becoming darker and your hair becoming lighter, both of which complicate the task of focusing the maximum amount of light energy onto the hair follicles and the minimum amount into the adjacent skin. We spend less time exposed to sunlight during the winter, both as a result of wearing more protective clothing but also because sunlight is generally much less intense during this time of the year. UV radiation is particularly damaging to the skin and occurs at its greatest levels in the summer.

Easier Preparation

Your practitioner will advise you to avoid direct sunlight for several weeks before a laser hair removal appointment, which can be quite hard for many people to do. You’ll have a much easier time avoiding the sun if it’s not shining as much!

Minimize Side Effects Afterwards

Your practitioner will also recommend avoiding strong heat and sunlight for several weeks after treatment. There’s a greater chance of side effects like blisters or even burns if you’re exposed to intense sunlight immediately after a laser hair removal procedure – especially as the laser treatments render your skin more easily damaged by sunlight until it’s had a chance to recover from the procedure. Obviously, it’s far easier to avoid this problem during the winter months, when sunlight is generally lower intensity.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing laser hair removal. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Broken capillaries are very small blood vessels located very close to the surface of the skin. They’re closely related to spider veins but cause extended skin discoloration and are often long-lasting and distressingly visible. Spider veins are often found on the legs or face – where they tend to be concentrated on the nose and cheeks. They can start to develop at relatively young ages, although they’re found far more common among the aged.

Although they’re not indicative of any particular health problem, they are certainly regarded as undesirable by most men and women.

Typical Causes of Broken Facial Capillaries

Broken blood vessels can actually have their origin in a relatively large number of different causes, including excessive sun exposure, rosacea, frequent alcohol consumption, and physical injury. They can be caused by environmental factors, including prolonged exposure to cold or windy conditions. Hormonal changes, including those that occur during pregnancies, can result in broken blood vessels, although these are often temporary. Finally, some people are simply more prone to developing these problems than others are, either due to genetic factors or unusually thin and/or pale skin.

Available Treatments

Several treatment options exist, including Retinoid creams. These creams are based on Vitamin A and work by stimulating collagen production. They may sometimes result in dry or itchy skin.

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure that can be used to reduce visible spider veins – the treatment involves injecting a solution into the problematic veins that causes them to wither and eventually be absorbed into the surrounding tissue. Sclerotherapy can be effective but has several possible undesirable side effects, including inflammation and rare allergic reactions.

Laser therapy uses pulses of high-intensity light energy focused onto the unwanted blood vessels. The light energy damages the blood vessels, resulting in their eventually being absorbed. A similar technique uses pulses of several different light frequencies to achieve a similar effect – this technique is known as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photofacial treatment. IPL also stimulates collagen production and hence can also improve overall skin tone and condition.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in both Laser vein therapy and the use of IPL Photofacials for general skin rejuvenation and spider vein treatment. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Botox is one of the most well-known and widely-used cosmetic procedures, for a good reason. It’s fast-acting and highly effective. But it’s best known as a way to reduce or eliminate lines and wrinkles after they’ve already formed. Recently we’ve seen more and more younger people using Botox to prevent the formation of lines and wrinkles instead of treating them after the fact.

How Do Facial Lines and Wrinkles Form?

Many facial lines and wrinkles are actually caused when our facial muscles contract – some of these lines might only become visible when we smile, for example, and be perfectly acceptable. Other lines and wrinkles might form as a result of repeated frowning or squinting and be regarded as cosmetically undesirable. Over time even minor lines can develop into more profound flaws, and some people develop permanent frowns that can be quite distressing.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is a naturally occurring neurotoxin, which, when diluted and injected into facial muscles, prevents nerves from transmitting signals that cause the muscles to contract.

Botox is applied very carefully to the specific areas where the practitioner has determined that weakening the muscles will have the desired effect. The effects of Botox develop fairly rapidly after treatment but are not permanent. Under normal circumstances, a Botox treatment will last several months but will eventually need to be repeated.

How Can Botox Be Used to Prevent Problems from Developing?

Just as Botox can be used to treat existing lines and wrinkles, it can also be used so as to prevent many lines and wrinkles from forming in the first place. Naturally, it’s easier to identify and locate the muscles causing lines and wrinkles once they’ve formed – anticipating the development of these cosmetic problems in advance does require more skill and experience on the part of the practitioner applying Botox.

One advantage of preventative Botox is that deep lines and wrinkles will not have a chance to develop – well-established facial lines often leave a lasting trace on the skin, even after Botox has stopped them from developing further. By using Botox judiciously, in advance of developing these cosmetic flaws, you have the ability to maintain your youthful appearance indefinitely.

At What Age Should You Consider Botox?

Although there’s some disagreement as to the optimum age to start treatment, we believe that it’s appropriate to consider preventative Botox when one reaches one’s early 30’s. Of course, the decision when to start depends heavily on the condition of one’s skin, the patient’s lifestyle and general health, and not least on the patient’s expectations and desires. It’s very important to choose a Botox practitioner who is not only medically trained but also highly experienced – Botox is only safe and effective when it’s skillfully applied. Botox can easily lead to unnatural and artificial-looking results when misused by inadequately experienced practitioners.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in using Botox for cosmetic purposes, including preventatively. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.