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Beauty laser technician performing a cosmetic skin resurfacing session on a female patient, also called a photofacial

IPL Photofacials: What to Expect

Posted on September 30, 2022 by 
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light – in this case not from a fine-tuned laser, but from a broader range of light frequencies. These high-intensity light pulses pass deep into the skin layers and are able to treat a range of cosmetic problems, including fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, and rosacea.
The IPL energy is absorbed by red blood cells, and by melatonin, which is responsible for the skin’s pigmentation. The intense light energy causes damage to the blood cells and unwanted blood vessels, as well as breaking up melatonin cells, thereby smoothing out uneven skin pigmentation. IPL is also reported to stimulate collagen production.

The Treatment

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Your practitioner will first apply a cooling gel to the areas being treated, and will also provide eye protection.
The light pulses are generated by a handheld device that is applied to the skin. You will probably feel the pulses as they occur, often described as feeling like a rubber band flicking the skin. Some light applicators also cool the skin at the same time, which can further reduce discomfort.

Side-Effects

It’s common to experience side effects after IPL treatment – generally, the treated area experiences mild redness and swelling. Your skin’s pigmentation may also become discolored. The redness generally only lasts a few hours, while pigmentation changes may take a week or longer to completely dissipate. Pigmentation spots will typically first darken after treatment before they eventually fade away.

After Treatment

Most patients don’t experience any downtime after treatment, although they may decide to cover up any redness with makeup after a day or so.
Your practitioner will recommend avoiding sun exposure immediately afterward – this is especially important as the procedure will make your skin more sensitive (and easily damaged) than normal. Using sunscreen is also very highly recommended.

Results

Most patients see all IPL Photofacial benefits a week or so after treatment. It’s generally necessary to perform anywhere from three to three to five monthly treatments (depending on the severity of your skin damage) before maximum benefits can be achieved.
The results of a full course of treatment can be expected to last for a year or longer. This assumes that you limit sun exposure, apply sunscreen regularly, and don’t allow your skin to become damaged again.
Research indicates that IPL Photofacials can actually provide a general rejuvenating effect to your skin – repeating the procedure annually has been shown to create ongoing long-term positive effects.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and experienced in providing IPL Photofacial treatments. We can provide expert advice on the best ways to address your particular situation. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other 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.
Lip Augmentation. Woman Getting Beauty Injection For Lips

First Time Lip Filler Patient Expectations

Posted on September 23, 2022 by 
If you have thin lips and want a quick, safe, and easy way to enhance them, then lip fillers are what you’re looking for. The procedure involves injecting a dermal filer product into the lip area. Quite understandably many first-time patients are nervous about the procedure, so we’ve put together some answers to the typical questions that we get asked.

Is the Procedure Painful?

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In general, no. The needles used are extremely thin. Your practitioner will apply a numbing cream beforehand and some ice afterward; together these will greatly reduce any pain or discomfort. Your lips are a particularly sensitive part of the body, so it’s normal that you’ll feel some sensation during the procedure. Let your practitioner know if you have particular concerns about this. In most cases, anticipation is the worst part.

How Quickly Are Changes Seen?

Dermal fillers don’t always provide instant results – it may be necessary to have more than one procedure to achieve the final results you want. It also pays to have reasonable expectations. Some patients have expectations that may not be achievable. Lips can be modified to be plumper, but fundamental changes to their shape may not be achievable. Again, this is an area that your practitioner should spend time discussing with you beforehand.

Can Natural Results be Achieved, and How Long do They Last?

This depends greatly on the experience and skill of your practitioner. There are a large number of different dermal filler products available, including several specifically formulated to provide the smooth, natural texture that is a hallmark of the lips. Your practitioner will probably steer you towards Restylane Kiss or Volbella for lips filler.
The results of dermal fillers are not permanent; they normally last for anywhere between a year to 18 months, depending on your metabolism and lifestyle. You may need periodic touch-ups to maintain the best results.

What Side-Effects Should One Expect?

It’s quite normal to experience minor bruising after the procedure. Sometimes some bruising can develop a day or two afterward; typically it lasts at most five to seven days.
Minor swelling is also a common result. This side effect is normally gone in a few days, but can also sometimes last for as long as two weeks after treatment.
You may notice that your lips feel strange after treatment – this is quite common, and you should definitely factor this into your expectations. Generally allow a week or two for the full results of your treatment to become apparent and for this feeling to dissipate.
Given the likelihood of some side effects developing, it’s prudent to take this into account when scheduling your procedure.

Pay Attention to Preparation and Post-Procedure Instructions

Your practitioner will advise you to avoid several medications and vitamins prior to treatment; it’s important to follow this advice to avoid unnecessary complications and achieve the best results. Similarly, they will advise you to avoid situations where your new lips could be damaged afterward, such as exposure to hot liquids or strenuous physical exercise.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and experienced in providing a large range of dermal filler products. We can provide expert advice on the best ways to address your particular situation. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other 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.
woman receiving cosmetic anti aging procedures at beauty salon. aesthetic treatment. injection vials

How Your Metabolism Can Affect Your Botox or Filler

Posted on September 2, 2022 by 
When researching the effects of various cosmetic injectable products on the body, it’s unusual to see any mention of the fact that injectable treatments (including dermal fillers and Botox) do not necessarily have identical effects when used on different people. This is one reason why an experienced practitioner will approach new patients cautiously, applying products judiciously until they’ve established exactly how each patient reacts to different products and dosages.
The term metabolism refers to the various complex processes that together determine how effectively the body digests and converts the food and liquids that we consume. Our metabolism converts the calories we eat and the oxygen we breathe into energy, this energy in turn fuels all the body’s functions and processes. This includes everything that we need to stay alive, including breathing, maintaining blood circulation, growing and replacing damaged cells, and regulating the myriad of chemical and physical processes, such as maintaining hormone levels and body temperature. Everyone’s metabolism is different; they reflect our genetic history, medical history, the diet we consume, and lifestyle that we follow. Needless to say, this is a very complex subject!
With respect to today’s blog, however, metabolism plays a key role in how our body reacts to injectable products introduced into the body, and how effectively (and quickly) our body breaks down and eventually disposes of these products.

Metabolic Rate and Absorption of Injectables

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The effects of Botox and the various injectable dermal filler products are not permanent – they only last for a certain period, after which they gradually disappear as the product is absorbed into the body and eventually eliminated. Our metabolic rate governs how slowly or quickly this happens.
It’s not generally possible to predict with certainty how long injectable results will last, but as a general rule people who have active lifestyles, and especially those that exercise regularly will have faster metabolic rates, and will consequently need to repeat their cosmetic procedures more often than those who are sedentary. Muscular individuals also tend to have faster metabolisms than slender people. Bear in mind that these are observations drawn from looking at large numbers of patients – there are always exceptions, such as some unusually fit people for whom Botox injections last much longer than we might estimate.
There is one recommendation, however – avoid strenuous exercise for a few days after any procedure involving injectable products. This gives the product time to spread and start to take effect. After about three days it’s generally considered safe to resume regular exercise.

Effects of Product Formulation

While the Botox formula is standardized, there are large variations in the formulation of the various dermal filler products that are available. Some include ingredients that provide more long-lasting results than others, especially those products designed to add a more rigid large-scale structure. Your practitioner will take all these variables into account when recommending when you should return for another session.

Estimating When to Repeat a Procedure

Even something as simple as determining how often a procedure needs to be repeated can be far from straightforward. For cosmetic issues there is often no objective way to measure the benefits – there are psychological factors that lead some patients to continue to experience the benefits of a procedure even after the physical effects have disappeared. Here at least a professional medically trained practitioner should be able to provide an impartial viewpoint and offer suggestions based on their particular experience.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and experienced in providing both Botox and dermal filler procedures. We can provide expert advice on the best ways to address your particular situation. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other 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.
man getting botox after weighing the options of botox and dysport

What is the Difference Between Botox and Dysport?

Posted on August 19, 2022 by 
Although Botox is widely used as an effective, non-invasive way to reduce or eliminate facial wrinkles by preventing the muscle contractions that cause the wrinkles, it is not the only commercially available injectable product that can be used to achieve this effect.
Dysport is, like Botox, based on modified versions of the botulinum toxin. Both products work by blocking the passage of the nerve signals that cause facial muscles to contract, and both products provide temporary and not permanent effects.
The primary differences between Botox and Dysport are summarized below.

Primary Differences

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Dysport is a more dilute and lower viscosity product than Botox. As a result, Dysport injections spread out more than Botox does, and potentially affect larger areas. Botox injections can be used to precisely target facial nerves, while Dysport may be preferred when treating larger areas, such as the forehead.
Dysport should not be used by lactose-intolerant patients due to potential side effects.

Which Product is More Effective?

Glabella refers to the general area between the eyebrows. Dysport is recognized as particularly effective when used to treat prominent lines and wrinkles in this area; if this is your main concern then Dysport may offer a more cost-effective solution. Botox may also be used to address problems in this and other facial areas, including on the forehead, and around the eyes and mouth.

Duration of Effects

Botox and Dysport are very similar in application and present the same possibility for minor pain, discomfort, or numbness during treatment. They do differ in one respect – Dysport results develop quickly after treatment and can last for anywhere between 3 and 6 six months. Botox results may take slightly longer to become apparent and can last about 3-4 months.
As Dysport diffuses further than Botox does, it can be more effective at creating subtle effects over larger areas. In some situations, it may allow more natural-looking results to be achieved, although this is very dependent on individual circumstances. As both products are used in somewhat different ways you should choose a practitioner who has in-depth experience using the product that you decide to use.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and experienced in providing Botox and Dysport treatments. We can provide expert advice on the best ways to address your particular situation. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other 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.
woman discussing botox with her doctor to treat TMJ

How Does Botox Help with TMJ?

Posted on August 10, 2022 by 
We previously wrote about the possible use of Botox to treat jaw pain. The sliding hinges that connect each side of your jawbone to your skull are known as the temporomandibular joints, TMJ for short. The powerful masseter muscles surrounding the jaw are responsible for moving the jaw, but most particularly they are used when chewing food.
TMJ joints can become inflamed via trauma to the jaw or neck, but the most common cause is long-term repeated clenching or grinding of the teeth while sleeping. You may never be aware that you suffer from this unless your partner complains about your nocturnal teeth grinding, or your dentist starts to notice premature teeth wear.
Untreated TMJ pain can cause various other problems: most typically ear pain or tinnitus, but it can also lead to migraine headaches, depression, and even eating disorders.

Consequences of Large Masseters

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Large masseter muscles may simply be part of your genetic makeup, but they may be due to teeth grinding, or possibly due to your eating (and chewing) habits. Regular use of chewing gum can contribute to the problem. Having well-developed masseter muscles does not in itself indicate that you have or will develop TMJ inflammation, but they can also have undesired cosmetic effects.
As the masseter muscles around the jaw become larger they can modify the shape of the lower face, creating a wider and more square-looking jaw line.

Treatment Using Botox

As Botox works by selectively blocking the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract, judiciously placed Botox injections can provide an effective way to reduce the intensity of the masseter muscle contractions. Over time this can lead to a reduction in the size of the muscles, as well as significantly relieving TMJ pain symptoms.
Botox provides effective but temporary relief – you should expect to have to re-apply Botox after some period, typically between six months and a year. You may find that the need for re-application lessens as your muscles reduce in size, and/or your TMJ inflammation reduces.
Using Botox to address TMJ and masseter problems requires far greater medical knowledge and experience than using it for typical cosmetic wrinkle control purposes. You should be sure to carefully question the credentials and experience of any practitioner before committing to a course of Botox treatment for these problems.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and experienced in providing Botox treatments. We can provide expert advice on the best ways to address your particular situation. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other 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.
woman in the sun after botox

Can Sun Exposure Affect Botox?

Posted on July 18, 2022 by 
When considering if you should avoid exposure to direct sunlight after a Botox treatment, there are actually several factors that should be considered.

Does Sunlight Increase Botox Side-Effects?

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Botox treatment can result in short-lived side effects – including bruising, swelling, increased sensitivity, itching, and more rarely temporary pigmentation changes at the points of injections.
These symptoms typically subside within 24 hours, although they can persist for a week or so in some people. If you are prone to developing any of the above after treatment, be aware that excess sunlight exposure can exacerbate these side effects. We think it’s prudent to minimize your exposure to sunlight after Botox treatments, this will minimize your recovery time afterward.

Does Sunlight Stop Botox From Working?

The good news is that sun exposure does not seem to have any long-term negative effect on how effective Botox treatments are. The mechanism that Botox uses to block nerve impulses and relax facial muscles is not affected by sun exposure.

Long-Term Sunlight Exposure

Sunlight does not seem to affect how long the effects of Botox treatments last. However, long-term exposure to sunlight will definitely accelerate the aging of your skin and can lead to the connective tissue in the skin breaking down. This leads to wrinkles, and ultimately loss of skin tone. Even if sunlight does not directly affect Botox’s ability to smooth your skin, it is strongly recommended to use moisturizing sunscreen on a daily basis and to limit your exposure to direct and indirect sunlight.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and experienced in providing Botox treatments. We can provide expert advice on the best ways to address your particular situation. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other 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.
woman getting laser hair removal in los angeles

Laser Hair Removal vs Electrolysis

Posted on June 17, 2022 by 
Laser hair removal and Electrolysis are two widely-available ways to remove hair from various parts of the body. They’re both useful for long-term thinning and removal of hair; however, there are some pros and cons associated with each technique, summarized below.

Laser Hair Removal

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This technique uses focused high-energy light energy pulses from a laser to target individual hair follicles. The light energy damages and ultimately kills the follicle, and any attached hair will eventually fall out. The technique cannot target 100% of hair in any given area during a single session, it only damages hair follicles that are in their active growth phase – about 30% of hair is in this phase at any given time. Any hair that regrows will be lighter and thinner than the original. Over time repeated sessions can effectively remove all hair from the treated area; minimal touch-up treatments may eventually be needed to remove any residual regrowth.
Treatments do not require significant recovery time and are also very unlikely to lead to significant side effects. Typical side effects can include short-term redness, irritation, and swelling.
For effective use of the technique, we do recommend administration by a medically qualified and experienced practitioner. Use by less-qualified personnel is strongly discouraged.

Electrolysis

This technique uses ultra-thin needles to pass an electric current through each individual hair follicle to damage the hair follicle. The damage is typically permanent, and treated hair follicles are permanently affected. Following treatment attached hair will fall out. The technique is also only effective on hair follicles in their active growth phases, and therefore also requires multiple sessions to effectively remove hair from a given area.
Recovery time is minimal; common short-term side effects include redness and skin irritation, while swelling is less common. Rare side effects can include infection and even scarring, although these are far less likely when administered by a medically trained and experienced practitioner.
Unlike laser hair removal, some do-it-yourself kits are available for at-home electrolysis treatments. The use of such kits is strongly discouraged due to their limited effectiveness and the risk of serious side effects.

Comparison

The use of laser hair removal is growing quite quickly; it may be easier to find experienced practitioners than for electrolysis. Laser hair removal sessions are typically much quicker than corresponding electrolysis treatments, even though laser hair removal sessions can target larger areas during each treatment than can electrolysis. Electrolysis also requires many more sessions than Laser hair removal to effectively remove all hair from a large area, especially when the hair is thicker.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and experienced in providing laser hair removal. We can provide expert advice on the best technique to address your particular situation. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other 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.
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Meet Dr. Fedonenko

Dr. Fedonenko is a member of the American College of Physicians and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.

She completed her Residency at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1998 and has since specialized in Cosmetic Dermatology.

She obtained additional training in aesthetic medicine procedures soon thereafter, and the results of her extensive training and experience show in each and every patient’s face. She’s a doctor that can truly been trusted with your skin care and anti-aging needs.

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