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Various kinds of chemical peels are available, but they all perform the same primary function – to remove (“exfoliate”) dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). The different types of chemical peels allow a wide range of different skin problems to be addressed, including facial lines and wrinkles, irregular skin pigmentation, age spots and freckles, and uneven skin texture.

The skin is a complex organ that consists of two primary layers.  The outer layer, or epidermis, is a thin layer of cells that provides the main barrier between the body and the outside world. It protects the body from infection, as well as containing cells responsible for skin pigmentation.  The middle layer, or dermis, makes up most of the skin’s thickness, and contains nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat glands. It also holds cells responsible for the skin’s strength and elasticity. Beneath the dermis is the hypodermis, which contains mostly fat cells, serving as insulation and padding.

Chemical peels consist primarily of caustic chemicals that accelerate the natural process by which dead skin cells in the epidermis are replaced by new ones.  As similar effects can be achieved using mechanical means such as microdermabrasion, it’s worthwhile examining the various ways that chemical peels can benefit your skin.

Benefits of Chemical Peels Include:

• Removing dead cells has several benefits, in addition to obvious improvements to skin texture. Production of new skin cells is stimulated, along with collagen, which together result in improved skin tone and a healthier appearance. A side benefit is that skin care products become more effective as dead cells (which can block their absorption) are removed.
• As the precise chemical recipe can be tuned to match an individual’s needs, peels can be used on any skin color or type, with variations especially suitable for use on sensitive skin.
• Acne-causing blocked pores can be unclogged, while acne scars and other skin marks can be lessened or removed by abrading the skin. Some of the anti-acne chemicals remain after treatment, which lessens the chance that acne returns.
• Unlike laser treatments that can result in a reoccurrence of hormonally-caused dark skin patches (melasma), chemical peels are an effective way to combat this condition, as well as stopping it from coming back.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal, vein therapy, chemical peels and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.

Latisse is the FDA-approved treatment to darken, thicken, and lengthen eyelashes.
We put together the following tips to help you get the most out of your Latisse treatments.

1. As Latisse must be used every night, and must be applied to a clean surface, it’s best to apply it as part of your normal bedtime routine, after you’ve removed your makeup and contacts, washed your face, and applied any other skin care products.

2. It’s important not to forget to apply it, so keep it near your other skin care products or toothbrush as a reminder.

3. If you do forget to apply it one time, don’t try to compensate by using a double dose the next night – just apply the normal amount the next evening, and then try to stick to the daily schedule.

4. Be careful to avoid germs and infections – apply Latisse using the sterile applicators that are supplied with the product, and especially avoid touching the bottle tip or applicator with your fingers (or anything else). Don’t try to apply Latisse using cotton swabs.

5. Remember to apply Latisse only to the base of your upper eyelashes, and NOT to your lower eyelids.

6. Take close-up photos of your face before you start treatment, mark your calendar, and repeat every 4 weeks (for example). This will allow you to monitor your progress, and clearly see changes as they take place.

You should see changes by week 8, and the full effects of using Latisse should become apparent by week 16.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal, vein therapy, chemical peels and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments use a high-power computer-controlled flashgun to create powerful flashes of light that can be used for various therapeutic and aesthetic purposes. An IPL Photofacial is simply the use of this technique to resolve problems occurring on and around the face. IPL treatments are not the same as using a laser – IPL uses a broad range of light frequencies, and can penetrate further into the skin than a laser can. It turns out that IPL can be used to treat an extremely wide range of problems.

The principal benefits of IPL Photofacials are listed below – this is not an exhaustive list:

Treating Acne

IPL therapy can be used to target the bacteria that cause acne.  These bacteria can be found on the skin surface, in the first skin layer (the epidermis), but mostly in the second skin layer (the dermis).

High-intensity IPL can reach through the skin and into the dermis, and efficiently kills bacteria while also reducing inflammation.

Reducing Skin Pigmentation Issues

IPL is perhaps best-known for reducing hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and sun spots caused by excess sun exposure. As with acne treatments, IPL reaches through to the dermis, where it is used to target areas of darker pigmentation. IPL acts to even out skin tone, which results in clearer, younger looking skin.

Skin Rejuvenation

A side-effect of IPL therapy is that production of collagen and connective tissue is stimulated. IPL also heats the skin, causing blood vessels to expand. This increases blood flow to the treated areas, which also tends to help the production of collagen. Boosting collagen has the effect of reducing wrinkles, and can mitigate the effects of aging. The result is firmer, smoother, and more youthful looking skin.

In addition to these benefits, IPL can also be used to treat spider veins, wrinkles as well as helping to reduce the size of skin pores.  And if that isn’t enough, it can also be used to help prevent the typical effects of aging before they occur.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal, vein therapy, chemical peels and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.

It’s a good idea to be cautious before embarking on any course of treatment, but there several tips that apply especially to patients who are considering injectable-based therapies.

Before Treatment:

The most important decision you’ll make before deciding on any injectable-based treatment is not which product to use, but who is to perform the treatment. Injectable treatments are available from practitioners with a very wide range of qualifications. But there can be a huge difference between the lowest and highest qualified person, and choosing the most experienced and skillful doctor to perform your treatment is the best way to go. Always make sure to schedule a face-to-face meeting with them before your treatment.

During Treatment:

Being able to gauge the correct amount of injectable to use and the precise location of each injection is where the skill of your doctor will become evident. An experienced practitioner will tailor each treatment to match the particular characteristics of each patient – they’ll carefully check how your facial muscles move when you smile, frown, and raise your eyebrows. The primary aim of a treatment is to avoid creating any unnatural-looking facial expressions, while still treating the problems that you want to address. A prudent doctor will also avoid making large-scale changes in a single treatment, preferring instead to provide gradual improvements over time. This is not only a cautious way to proceed, but it also makes improvements to your looks seem to be a naturally-occurring process.

After Treatment:

Whatever questions or concerns you may have after a treatment, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. They may be able to reassure you that changes are proceeding as planned, but they may also recommend use of certain creams or ointments to alleviate any side-effects that you may experience.

Your experience after a treatment can also be used to modify any future treatments that you have scheduled – not all patients react the same way to every treatment, and your doctor will want to ensure that you get the very best results from every visit. And of course, once you’ve found a doctor who knows how best to treat your problem areas, any future visits will be correspondingly more effective.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal, vein therapy, chemical peels and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.

Eyelash extensions are a popular way to enhance the length and thickness of natural eyelashes, however they come with some significant drawbacks. These can include allergic reactions caused by the glue used to attach artificial eyelashes, infections caused by bacteria trapped by the artificial extensions, and even loss of remaining eyelashes as the extensions pull on individual eyelash hairs.

Fortunately there is an FDA-approved treatment that is proven to be effective at darkening, thickening, and lengthening one’s natural eyelashes. This treatment is marketed under the name Latisse – it’s available as a liquid that is applied to the upper eyelids at nighttime. Results start to show after around 2 months – the best results are achieved after 3 to 4 months of daily use. Latisse does not produce permanent benefits, but you can switch to a lower dose after 4 months to maintain results for as long as desired.

You can also continue to use mascara to further enhance your eyelashes when using Latisse, the combination will produce very noticeable improvements. Latisse has also been used to treat eyelash loss caused by chemotherapy.

Occasional side effects are caused by using Latisse, so we strongly recommend consulting with a doctor before starting treatment. Latisse cannot be used by patients suffering from certain medical conditions, or by pregnant or nursing mothers. And as in all treatments, contact the doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms or discomfort.

We are highly experienced in prescribing and supervising the use of Latisse, and can help you evaluate whether Latisse is a good choice to treat your thinning eyelashes, as well as showing you the proper way to apply the medication.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal, vein therapy, chemical peels and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.

We offer three SkinMedica chemical peel treatments, depending on your skin type and condition, and the degree of improvement you’re looking to achieve. Illuminize Peel is a gentle treatment that enhances skin appearance and texture, Vitalize Peel combats the effects of aging and sun damage, while Rejuvenize Peel is a more aggressive treatment that targets moderate to severe skin imperfections.

We put these notes together to help you understand what happens before, during, and after a chemical peel treatment, noting any differences corresponding to the different peel treatments.

Pre-Treatment

It’s wise to avoid anything that might increase skin sensitivity leading up to a treatment. This includes other chemical treatments, microdermabrasion, hair removal, and sun exposure (including artificial tanning).

We may also recommend avoiding certain medications that might increase light sensitivity or cause skin inflammation, as well as recommending use of moisturizing lotions before treatment, to help speed up recovery afterwards.

Preparation consists of cleansing the skin by removing any oils or makeup from the area to be treated, and (depending on the area being treated) applying protection to any adjacent sensitive areas like the eyes, nose and mouth.

Treatment

The peel chemicals are applied to the skin for a period of between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on the type of peel. Your skin will feel warm, and there will be some degree of burning sensation. Cold compresses may be used to reduce any discomfort.

Mild peel chemicals are simply washed off after a treatment, while more aggressive peels may first require that a neutralizing agent is applied to the skin.

The effect of a peel is to dissolve or irritate the outer layers of dead skin, leading to skin regeneration. More aggressive peels simply affect deeper layers of the skin.

Post-Treatment

The degree and length of redness and peeling experienced after a procedure depends on the type of procedure. Illuminize Peel produces little to no redness and peeling, Vitalize peel produces moderate redness and peeling, while Rejuvenize Peel can produce more pronounced effects. Redness and peeling last anywhere from 3 to 5 days.

We may recommend use of skin cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens after a treatment, to speed your recovery and protect your skin while it remains extra sensitive.

You should avoid sun exposure for at least a week after treatment and use broad spectrum sunscreens to allow your skin to complete its recovery.

A chemical skin peel is the least invasive option for treating skin imperfections, as it only affects the outer layers of the skin. In all cases the new skin that regrows will be smoother and less wrinkled than the original skin.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal, vein therapy, chemical peels and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.

We’ve compiled a list of some lesser-known facts about laser hair removal that you should know before starting treatment:

• Laser treatment sessions are quite short – often taking less time than preparing for the treatment.
• Bursts of laser light are absorbed by hair follicles, which damages each follicle and stops new hair growth. Treated hairs remain for several weeks after a treatment, until they are shed naturally.
• Laser hair removal is effective anywhere on the body.
• Each individual hair follicle has its own life cycle, alternating between periods of growth, and periods of dormancy.
• Laser hair removal is only effective on hair that’s actively growing, so laser hair removal sessions must be repeated several times before all hair in a given area has been treated.  Even so, laser hair removal is the most effective way to remove unwanted hair. Each laser hair removal session typically reduces hair by anywhere from 70% to 90%, and any hair that does re-grow will be finer. Repeated treatments can achieve permanent hair reduction.
• While it’s generally easier to treat patients with dark hair and light skin tone (where the contrast between hair and skin color is the highest), the Nd:YAG laser now also allows effective treatment for those having darker skin tone.
• The laser treatment is not painless, but is considered less painful than either waxing or electrolysis. Subsequent laser treatments are also progressively less painful, as the hair becomes finer.
• The most popular region for laser hair removal in the US is the West Coast.
• Laser hair removal is growing in popularity – over 1 million procedures were performed last year in the US.
• Laser hair removal is more cost-effective than shaving or waxing, both of which have to be repeated regularly. The lifetime cost of removing hair by shaving has been estimated at over $10,000, while the lifetime cost of waxing procedures can be more than $23,000!  Not counting the time spent having to regularly repeating these treatments.
• Laser treatment may increase your sensitivity to direct sunlight, which should be avoided for several weeks before and after each treatment. As several visits are typically required, and the complete course of treatment could take up to six months, it may make sense to try to avoid the summer months when scheduling treatments.
• Laser hair removal is also particularly beneficial for those who suffer from ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal avoids situations where the hair follicle becomes infected, when antibiotics might have to be prescribed.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal, vein therapy, chemical peels and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.