Testimonials

CoolSculpting Infographic

Comprehensive Dermatology Center of Pasadena created a CoolSculpting infographic to help patients easily understand the basics of CoolScupting.

CoolSculpting is the #1 non-invasive fat reduction procedure in the world. Three million treatments have been performed worldwide and 83% of users rated that the treatment was worth it on RealSelf.

The CoolSculpting fat-freezing procedure is the only FDA-cleared, non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise. The best part is that it requires no downtime.

Find out more about the areas CoolSculpting can treat and how it works in this infographic.

For more details, contact Comprehensive Dermatology Center of Pasadena for a CoolSculpting consultation.

Acne: A Secret Anti-Aging Weapon?

Acne has never been the silver lining in anyone’s cloud. Whether it’s the long, slow burn that turns adolescence into an exercise in avoiding mirrors, or the adult flare that strikes on the day of the big presentation, none of us has ever been heard to gush, “Thank you, acne!” Until now, that is.

A new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology may indicate the reason that typical signs of aging, such as thinning skin and the emergence of wrinkles, appear later in life for those who have acne-prone skin than for those who never suffered outbreaks of blemishes.

The connection between acne and delayed aging is not a new finding. “For many years dermatologists have identified that the skin of acne sufferers appears to age more slowly than in those who have not experienced any acne in their lifetime. Whilst this has been observed in clinical settings, the cause of this was previously unclear,” said Dr. Simone Ribero, a dermatologist from the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College in London. Researchers once thought acne-prone skin continued to produce skin oils longer than non-acne-prone skin, thus postponing the thinning and wrinkling of dry, aging skin.

The latest study looks deeper, and poses a genetic solution to the riddle. There’s a strong correlation, researchers found, between acne and the presence of what are known as long telomeres — the protective coating on the ends of white blood cell chromosomes. (Think of telomeres like the reinforcing caps on the ends of shoelaces.) These protective coatings break down over time as a natural part of aging, but some people start with longer telomeres from the beginning. Geneticists have already shown a connection between the length of these telomeres and a person’s longevity; people with long telomeres live longer and show age more slowly. No one yet knows whether telomere length actually regulates the tempo of aging, or is just another measurement of it, like gray hair.

In studies with twins, those who had dealt with the severest acne had the longest telomeres — and tended to retain youthful looking skin and facial contours longer than their siblings who’d had smooth adolescent skin.

So the next time you’re tempted to curse that pimple in the mirror, remember the silver lining: acne just might be the fountain of youth!

Here’s more good news: Treating your active acne and reducing the appearance of acne scars won’t affect the genetic anti-aging advantage of long telomeres one bit. Contact us today for proven acne fighting solutions, and you’ll have clear, smooth skin now and for decades to come!

Permanent Makeup: Not Just for (Literal) Rock Stars

Permanent makeup is an idea whose time has come, and not just for rock stars and models. By permanent makeup, of course, we don’t mean that buildup of mascara that comes from falling asleep before cleansing. Nor do we mean theatrical flights of fancy that would be completely out of place in the office, the gym, or the preschool pick-up line.

Today’s permanent makeup is safe, understated, and hugely popular with women of all ages and lifestyles who want to look their best, effortlessly, 24/7. Here are the facts:

Permanent makeup is not really makeup. Instead of a topical product applied every day to the brows, lids, and lips, permanent makeup — technically known as micropigmentation — is a permanent application of color to the top layer of the skin where you might normally use a brow pencil, eyeliner, or lip liner. The color is chosen especially to suit your complexion and style, in the form of cosmetic ink. And the application process is a gentle form of tattooing.

Permanent makeup is safe and painless — as long as you have the process done by a licensed, experienced aesthetician or doctor. Your practitioner will evaluate you for suitability; permanent makeup is not recommended for those with allergies to the ink ingredients or to the numbing solution used to reduce discomfort during tattooing. If your skin has a tendency to form keloids or your immune system is compromised, you will also be cautioned against the procedure. Otherwise, discomfort is minimal and side effects or complications rare. Never get permanent makeup done by an amateur or under unsafe conditions — that’s asking for trouble.

Permanent makeup looks like you, if you had an extra hour to get ready every morning or your own in-home makeup artist. The coloration is natural and understated, but gives you that “put together” look. You can go out as is after your normal daily routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen, or build on the base by adding base, eye shadow, and lipstick to whatever degree you wish.

One satisfied user described it this way in an article in Shape magazine:

Anne Klein of Aspen, CO, says she highly recommends the procedure. Not very skilled with cosmetics, Klein spent years attempting to apply eyeliner while she was working as a model. On her own, she says she’d wind up with a “circus clown” look. “Now, I love it,” she says. “I can shower and be out the door in the morning, or have the option to add more if I want.”

Permanent makeup is for you, if you’ve ever found yourself . . . racing to get ready for a big day after oversleeping . . . kicking yourself for not putting on makeup when photos from that family party or girlfriends’ lunch are shared online . . . redrawing and smudging and redrawing over and over to get your eyeliner even (darn that left eye!) . . . wishing you looked a little more romantic in the middle of the night (or while swimming, or after a long run) . . . tired of carting around a bag of makeup products bigger than your purse . . . well, you get the idea.

You don’t have to be a rock star to rock your look (and save your time) with permanent makeup. For more information, or to set up your consultation for permanent makeup by our licensed aesthetician Sandra, put down that eyeliner wand and contact us today

Pregnant Skin: Your Guide to the Changes and Challenges

Pregnant skin glows — or so the cliche goes. And indeed, for many women, being pregnant does make the skin look healthier, rosier, and more glowing. Doctors don’t know for sure what causes that pregnancy glow — or why some women have it and others don’t — but they suspect it has to do with the physiological changes that accompany being pregnant.

Hormonal changes in pregnancy produce more skin oils, which reflect the light and make skin look brighter. A pregnant woman’s blood circulation rate increases by 50%, which can make the skin look rosy and flushed.

But the physiology of pregnant skin isn’t all glow. Here’s a quick guide to some of the changes and challenges pregnant skin can face:

Acne. Unfortunately, the same hormonal changes that cause pregnant skin to glow can also trigger acne flares. On the other hand, some women with stubborn adult acne find that pregnancy actual clears the skin. That’s a good thing for people who use medications like Accutane to control acne, as these can’t be used by women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant because of risks to fetal health.

Stretch marks. As the skin of your abdomen and breasts stretches during pregnancy, you may see pink or red lines of stress develop. Many over-the-counter topical remedies claim to prevent or erase stretch marks, but none has been shown to be medically effective. Moisturizers may make you feel more comfortable as your skin stretches.

Pigmentation changes. You may notice that the central line of skin below your navel darkens during pregnancy. In some women, especially those with darker skin tones, pregnancy causes melasma, a darkening of the facial skin across the nose and cheekbones in a mask-like pattern (thus melasma’s common name, “the mask of pregnancy”). Pigmentation changes during pregnancy are also linked to hormonal fluctuations. Your skin will also be more vulnerable overall to UV damage, so be sure to use a full-spectrum sunscreen and avoid sun exposure.

Itching and rashes. If you have sensitive skin, pregnancy may make you more — or less — susceptible to irritation. Ongoing or pre-existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis may get worse, get better, or stay the same during pregnancy. (The interactions among the body’s complex systems are subtle and complicated; everyone is different.) Two itchy issues can affect pregnant skin in particular. Itchy, red palms and soles of the feet can be a sign of chlolestasis — a potentially serious complication that requires immediate medical attention. You may also develop an itchy, raised rash that begins in stretch marks on your lower abdomen. Called PUPPS (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques), this condition usually develops in the third trimester and is most common in first or multiple pregnancies. PUPPS is not dangerous, but the itching is severe; a dermatologist or your OB can help you find relief.

Allergies. Existing skin allergies may be made worse or, paradoxically, alleviated by pregnancy. Because pregnant skin can develop sensitivities and allergies to products you had no problem with in the past, choose hypoallergenic and fragrance-free skin care products, soaps, and shampoos.

The good news is that all of these challenges to pregnant skin can be addressed with help from your doctor. Most usually resolve with delivery, or very soon after. For stubborn melasma, acne, stretch marks or other pregnancy-related conditions like spider veins or skin tags, your dermatologist has a wide range of treatments available.

If you’re pregnant, congratulations! Contact us at Comprehensive Dermatology Center of Pasadena and we’ll help you guard your glow!

KYBELLA for Men: Helping Guys Loosen Their Ties

KYBELLA, the FDA-approved nonsurgical treatment that reduces the underjaw fullness known as the double chin, has been wildly popular since it became available a little over a year ago. As with many cosmetic treatments, women love KYBELLA because it subtracts years from the profile and allows low necklines and jeweled chokers. The treatment also removes the one stubborn accumulation of fat that has little to do with weight, and lots to do with heredity. If your parents’ and grandparents’ portraits feature double chins (or high collars to hide them), yours probably do, too.

But cosmetic dermatologists have been a little surprised at how quickly KYBELLA treatments have taken off with men. Interest in cosmetic treatments and products has grown sharply among men in recent years, though male patients still make up only about 10% of cosmetic dermatology patients. Some providers, however, have noted that the percentage is much higher — up to 40% — when it comes to KYBELLA treatments.

Stealth cosmetics

There are a couple of important reasons for KYBELLA’s popularity among men. For one thing, men generally prefer nonsurgical cosmetic treatments to cosmetic surgery, with its long recovery time and higher risk and expense. Today’s nonsurgical rejuvenation — BOTOX, injectable fillers, spa treatments, and fat reduction treatments like CoolSculpting — can generally offer natural, noticeable results with little or no downtime, allowing men to schedule treatment during lunch breaks and attract little attention. KYBELLA, which uses a series of injections to destroy the fat cells under the chin, fits this profile perfectly.