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There are many locations in Southern California that offer skin tightening, fillers or Botox, so it’s important to know what to look for when choosing a skin care center. In Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, laser hair removal and other treatments help you look and feel your best – that’s why you need to select the center that offers you the best care and highly qualified doctors to perform your desired treatment. Here are a few tips in choosing a doctor for any skin care procedure:

• Ask friends or family. Seeing the results firsthand and hearing feedback will help narrow down the options when looking for an office or doctor in the area. Alternatively, ask to see ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos during a consultation to get an idea of the doctor’s work.
• Choose a doctor based on experience, certification, education or training. While it’s tempting to save money on Botox or laser hair removal, it’s not worth the risk if the doctor doesn’t seem as qualified as other options.
• Check the doctor’s reviews on Yelp to see how other people’s experiences have been at their facility.

Using fillers or skin tightening procedures has the potential to take years off your appearance if they are administered correctly – and whether they are invasive or not, you should be aware of the condition of the facilities. Depending on the type of treatment you would like done, procedures may take place in a doctor’s office or surgical center. Make sure any surgical facilities are accredited to ensure they meet all safety standards set out by the state or medical organization.

Always be ready to ask the doctor any questions so you are fully prepared before the procedure takes place. Topics to discuss include treatment options – there are varieties of solutions for aging skin, so your doctor will be able to provide you with the best procedure to meet your needs. You also need to make sure your expectations are realistic – go over exactly what you expect and the doctor will let you know if it’s possible or not. Finally, be aware of those trying to “sell” you on inexpensive fillers or receiving treatment from individuals not qualified to administer such products – the risk is too great to be worth the savings.

These skin care options transform your looks in a short amount of time, and millions of procedures take place each year – especially in major cities such as Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Incorporate these tips into your search to ensure you get the safest, highest quality treatment.

Skin tightening comes in all forms, depending on the amount of skin you want to improve. For those who have extra skin because of drastic weight loss, or decreased elasticity due to the aging process, skin tightening is a perfect solution to help you look and feel amazing at any age. Why does the skin lose its shape in the first place? The skin is constantly growing and shrinking, but over time, the elastic components in the skin begin to wear down, making it harder to ‘snap’ back the way supple, tight skin naturally does. If you have recently lost a substantial amount of weight, or lost it too quickly, you might find that the skin doesn’t shrink back fully right away.

Aging also causes the skin to loosen, as the production of elastin and collagen decreases, causing the connective tissue in the skin to sag. While we all know the harmful effects of too much sun on the skin, constant sun exposure can also lead to sagging skin! Sun breaks down the elastin and collagen, leaving it loosened over time. Skin tightening techniques are ideal, whether you need an injectable filler like Juvederm or Restylane to give your face a youthful glow, or a procedure such as a neck lift or tummy tuck.

There are two factors to look at when considering a form of skin tightening: non-surgical or surgical. Non-surgical treatments include:

• Fillers – Radiesse, Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are all commonly used fillers, injected into specific areas of the face or hands to restore fullness to the skin and reduce the appearance of lines or creases.
• Devices – Infrared light or unipolar radio-frequency energy is used to tighten the skin over a range of medical visits
• Resurfacing – Laser resurfacing minimizes the appearance of line and wrinkles, and helps promote the production of collagen to tighten sagging skin.

Surgical options include:

• Tummy tuck – Removes excess skin and tightens the muscle underneath the skin for a taut stomach.
• Lift – A skin lift may be done on any area of the body, and usually includes the removal of fat around the muscle fibers before tightening the skin for a youthful look.

These are two options to discuss with your doctor before deciding what the best treatment is for your needs. Non-surgical options are often ideal for those with minimal skin sagging, and can be completed in the medical office within a short period of time.

For more information on fillers, laser skin tightening procedures, and Botox in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, please contact Your Laser Skin Care at 323.525.1516.

One of the leading ways to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is through a non-surgical approach – injectable wrinkle fillers. In Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, Juvederm and Restylane are just two of the most common wrinkle fillers used to smooth out imperfections on the face. Many new to the idea of using non-surgical enhancements often confuse the treatment with other facial injections, such as Botox. Restylane and Juvederm differ from Botox in that there is a filler substance injected directly into a location with fine lines or wrinkles – and the filler plumps up the area to diminish the lines or creases.

While fillers are traditionally used to plump up creases in the face, they are also used to enhance volume in the cheeks, lips and even hands. The thin, delicate skin on the top of the hands is highly susceptible to symptoms of aging, and fillers give hands that youthful, supple appearance. The substances used in fillers range, depending on your doctor or preferences. Injectable fillers can be derived from the fat or substances found in your own body, to synthetic options, such as Sculptra or PMMA microspheres.

Juvederm and Restylane are both considered hyaluronic acids, which are produced by the body to give your skin the full, supple look. The injections are placed between the collagen and elastin layers in the skin to create the appearance of fullness and give you back the look of youthful skin, which is lost during the aging process. Both of these injectable fillers are ideal for those with moderate to severe wrinkles and the effects last between six months to a year. Research indicates repeated injections begin to encourage the natural production of collagen in the skin to help decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Additionally, evidence also shows that because of the natural production of collagen, you will likely need less filler during a yearly appointment.

As with any enhancement, whether it is surgical or non-surgical, there are some factors you need to be aware of before getting the treatment. The saying, ‘you get what you pay for’ is very sound advice, especially when it comes to injectable fillers. Filler treatments at a significantly lower price tag might indicate lower quality – in either the product or the work by the physician. It’s important to always have your fillers completed in a professional, medical setting with sterilized equipment to reduce any complications – never compromise your safety or skin to save money!

Botox is one of the leading procedures in the world of cosmetic surgery – and for good reason! There are plenty of benefits associated with a Botox procedure, and it can transform your entire look in just a short amount of time. For those living in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, Botox is available at dozens of locations around the area, but you need to be sure you find a reputable physician to administer the injection to reduce side effects and complications. Here are some of the benefits of using Botox:

• Dramatically improve your appearance. If you don’t want to undergo cosmetic surgery, Botox is the perfect solution to diminish the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles around the mouth, eyes and forehead. Many find a Botox treatment appealing because it’s a non-invasive procedure.

• Botox is a very simple procedure. When you want to be in and out of the doctor’s office in just a few minutes, Botox is an ideal option. There is no anesthesia involved, so you can receive treatment and be out of the office in a short amount of time.

Botox doesn’t just improve your appearance, either. It is commonly used to relive tension in the neck, forehead and shoulder muscles to prevent migraine headaches and decrease sweat production.

Effects resulting from a Botox injection last anywhere from three to five months, and it should be administered every four months after the initial treatment to maintain results. While fine lines may appear as the Botox wears off, results tend to last longer after several treatments – meaning you can go longer between appointments.

Botox can also be used in the prevention of wrinkles. Over time, repeated facial expressions cause creases or wrinkles in the skin, and by relaxing the muscles with Botox, the occurrence of wrinkles is reduced. Before obtaining a Botox treatment, speak with a doctor during the consultation to determine if Botox is right for you. Never compromise the quality of Botox used to save money – the old saying is true; you get what you pay for! While a little redness and swelling is normal in the injection areas, make sure you follow all of the doctor’s instructions after receiving a Botox treatment so you have the best results possible.

If you are looking to reduce fine lines and wrinkles without the invasive procedure of other cosmetic surgeries, Botox is the ideal treatment for you!

The decision to get Botox is an important one. Because Botox it is a medical procedure, it is important for you to be well-informed before you make that decision. Additionally, you want to be confident in your choice of provider. This is a delicate procedure and should only be performed by someone you trust. The following three questions will help you decide if Botox is right for you:

1. Who will be performing the injection?

It is absolutely crucial that the person who is actually performing the injection is well-trained and experienced in the procedure. When unqualified people inject Botox, the results can be unpleasant and potentially dangerous. The procedure should be performed by a doctor or a registered nurse who has been trained in the procedure. Be especially careful of people who market themselves as “injection specialists,” as this is not a title that requires any sort of certification or training.

2. Is Botox a good choice for me?

Botox is, first and foremost, a medical procedure. This means that while it may be a good choice for many people, it may not be a good choice for everyone. Some health conditions and medications may interact with Botox. You should discuss your health conditions with your doctor and let your Botox provider know which medications you take so that your doctor can inform you of any potential risks or safety issues.

3. How is your Botox stored and when is it reconstituted?

Botox should be carefully stored to meet the conditions on the package. Once Botox has been reconstituted, it begins to lose potency. Reconstituted Botox must be used within six hours. Ideally, your Botox dose will be prepared shortly before your appointment.

Once these questions have been answered satisfactorily, the decision to get Botox should be much easier.

For more information on Botox costs at info@yourlaserskincare.com or call us at 323.525.1516.

We are delighted to announce that we now have available a wonderful range of skin products called VIVITÉ®. Using the VIVITÉ® range of products will restore your skin’s youthful radiance, leading to younger, clearer looking skin.

A scientific advancement in skin care, VIVITÉ® has been clinically proven to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The VIVITÉ® range protects and revitalizes skin to reduce the signs of aging. The many antioxidants in VIVITÉ® help protect skin from the harmful effects of environmental stress factors known as free radicals, which can attack and prematurely age skin.

The two main differences between traditional skin care products and products in the VIVITÉ™ skin care range, are that VIVITÉ® products have glycolic compound concentrations of up to 20 percent, whereas most over-the-counter skin care products have only a 3-10 percent glycolic acid concentration. In addition, VIVITÉ® has GLX Technology™ , an ultra-charged formula matrix that helps infuse the skin with antioxidants and a glycolic compound to help optimize skin rejuvenation. This fusion of a glycolic compound with natural antioxidants helps promote the body’s production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and epidermal growth factor, all of which are essential to the integrity and health of skin.

In a clinical study of 22 women with mild to moderate photodamage, after just three weeks of use, the following results were observed:

• 22% reduction in fine lines and wrinkles;
• 36% increase in skin moisture;
• 54% improvement in skin smoothness; and
• 65% reduction in skin dryness.

The glycolic compound in GLX Technology™ is the most effective exfoliant available. Glycolics have the smallest molecules of all the alpha hydroxy acids. It’s their small molecule size that enables greater skin penetration. In addition, a process called partial neutralization allows for a high delivery of glycolic compound to the skin with minimal skin irritation. Partial neutralization also extends the duration of action of the compound in the skin, so that skin receives a secondary glycolic effect.

Looking for ways to rejuvenate your appearance? Our resident medical expert at Your Laser Skin Care Center in Los Angeles can help.

If you have ever wanted the plump lips of the movie stars on the big screen or just want your lips to be a little fuller, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm or Radiesse may be your solution.

We use the latest dermal fillers to reduce wrinkles and facial folds, reduce acne scars and plump up lips.

The advantages of dermal fillers

• Smooth out wrinkles
• Fill in depressed areas such as at the corners of the mouth
• Fill in prominent smile line folds
• Redefine lip borders and eliminate small grooves that cause your lipstick to “bleed”
• Plump up lips
• Quick and instant solutions with very little down time!

Restylane®, Perlane®, Juvederm® and Radiesse® are four different dermal fillers we use to accomplish this.

Restylane® and Perlane® are essentially the same product – the only difference being that Perlane® uses a thicker material which is used for deeper lines and grooves in the face. Juvederm® is similar to Restylane® and Perlane®, but has a longer lasting effect.

Restylane®

Restylane® is a natural product from Sweden. Restylane® consists of a gel containing hyaluronic acid, which is used primarily to smooth out wrinkles and to provide a fuller lip. Dermal fillers can also be used at the corners of the mouth and above the lips to smooth out smile lines. Because hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body, it dissolves naturally over time, with effects lasting about 6 months. Contact Your Laser Skin Care to experience Restylane in Los Angeles.

Perlane®

Perlane® is similar to Restylane®, but is used for wrinkles that need deeper injections into the skin such as moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles. Perlane® also contains hyaluronic acid and is non allergenic. It dissolves naturally over time and the effect lasts about 6 months.

Juvederm®

Juvederm® is another injectable dermal filler containing hyaluronic acid. However, Juvederm® is a longer-lasting treatment than Restylane® and Perlane®, with results lasting up to a year. Our resident Los Angeles expert Dr Ella Fedonenko administers Juvederm.

Radiesse®

Radiesse® is the latest of the dermal filler treatments to be developed. As the body ages collagen production slows down, causing signs of aging. Rather than simply being a dermal filler, Radiesse® works by stimulating the body’s own natural collagen production to plump up skin and rejuvenate the face naturally.

Radiesse® can be used to reduce lines, wrinkles and scars. It contains calcium hydroxylapatite which is the main component of our bones, so it is unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction. Radiesse® has a longer duration than Restylane® and Perlane®, with results lasting for around a year.