Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer annually. Many skin cancers develop from precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses, and here at Torrey Pines Dermatology we perform procedures and prescribe medications that “search and destroy” these lesions before they turn into cancer. One of our most powerful preventative procedures is a fractional resurfacing laser called Active FX.

Fractional lasers work on the top 2 layers of skin, the epidermis and dermis, in effect “erasing” precancerous cells. The use of resurfacing procedures to treat skin pre-cancers (actinic keratoses) and prevent skin cancer has produced promising results — and fewer recurrences than treatment with the topical chemotherapy drugs. More recently, treatment with fractional lasers, which permit a very careful and controlled delivery of light, has also reduced the number of actinic keratoses from developing further into Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Clinical Study of Laser Resurfacing and Skin Cancer Prevention

“Basil M. Hantash, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University Medical Center, California, evaluated three alternative treatments for actinic keratoses in 24 patients with a history of lesions or of carcinoma. The participants had an average age of 73 years and were randomly assigned to undergo skin resurfacing with either a carbon dioxide laser, a chemical peel using 30 percent trichloroacetic acid or a cream with 5 percent fluorouracil, a medication used in chemotherapy, applied twice daily for three weeks. Dermatologists charted patients’ actinic keratoses on a diagram of the head at the beginning of the study and again every three months for a
period of at least 24 months. Five patients who were eligible for the study but declined treatment were used as controls. After three months, the number of actinic keratoses had decreased significantly in all three treatment groups: 83 percent in the fluorouracil group, 89 percent in the acid group and 92 percent in the laser group. None of the participants experienced adverse effects from treatment. The risk of cancer was also lower in all three treatment groups than in the control group.
At Torrey Pines Dermatology Dr. Richards highly recommends having an Active FX resurfacing procedure to eliminate the build up of years of sun damage and to lessen the possibility of developing many more skin cancers in the future. It is best performed 2-4 weeks following your skin cancer surgery and is also used to remodel scar tissue that can occur after skin cancer surgery. It is wonderful we now have such an effective tool to wipe the slate clean of past sun damage and to ensure healthier skin for a lifetime.

In health,
Kristen A. Richards, MD

Imagine a new born baby….flawless, beautiful baby skin.  Fast forward 40 years: too much sun and too little protection equates to fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots, little red vessels and a sallow complexion.  20 years ago we had no answers and no way to turn back time.  Today…. we do!!

Our most popular procedure is called Active FX.  It is a laser that literally turns back the hands of time and helps you to recreate your baby fresh skin.  Active FX is a resurfacing procedure we do in the office that gets rid of brown spots, small red vessels and tightens fine lines in wrinkles.  In addition to all that it eliminates the little brown “barnacles” that grow on the skin after years of sun exposure.  Most important of all, Active FX gets rid of the sun damage deep in the skin that can cause precancer and skin-cancer later.

For patients that want even deeper treatment, we add on another component called the Deep FX.  The Deep FX is incorporated into the Active FX treatment and targets areas with deep folds or difficult to treat areas such as around the mouth or eyes. The best part of this procedure is that only topical numbing cream is needed and patients are extremely comfortable throughout the treatment.  The skin peels for about 5-7 days after the laser is performed and at one week post-laser, patients are ready to go back to work with brand new, beautiful skin.  The other amazing thing about Active and Deep FX is that these procedures are long-lasting.  On average results last about 3 years.

What about safety?  Both Active and Deep FX are extremely safe to use on all skin types.  Because of the precise focus of the laser and the advanced technology, it is virtually impossible to cause side effects or damage to the skin.  Mild redness with peeling is typical and expected.  Our post-laser skin care regimen ensures that patients have optimal results with minimal side effects.

Following the laser, we at Torrey Pines Dermatology, work as a team to ensure that we develop a custom skin care regimen for each patient so that optimal results are achieved and maintained for several years.

We would love to help you turn back the clock and regain your beautiful, flawless baby-fresh skin.  Call us for a consultation- we look forward to helping you achieve your goals!

 

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that a fabulous new technology is now available that can produce the same rejuvenating results as years of cosmetic fillers.  It’s Ultherapy, a non-surgical treatment that uses ultrasound to actually tighten muscle and the skin attached to it — on the brow, on the neck, around the eyes and under the chin — without any downtime.   And, it’s offered here in San Diego at Torrey Pines Dermatology.

Ultherapy has been featured on national television shows such as Rachael Ray, The View and The Doctors. It’s been touted by big-name beauty editors from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Shape and more. It is the Only Procedure FDA-Cleared for a Non-invasive Neck, Brow and Under-Chin Lift.

FACT: Ultherapy Uses Ultrasound

That’s right! Ultherapy is the only cosmetic procedure to use ultrasound imaging, which allows us to actually see the layers of tissue we target during the treatment, to ensure that the energy is being delivered to where it will be most optimal.

Leveraging this tried-and-true technology, we can specifically target the deep foundation below the skin – the one typically addressed in cosmetic surgery – without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin. That means after a 60- to 90-minute non-invasive treatment, you’ll be able to return to your everyday life without interruptions…and, without hiding behind those “post-treatment” glasses or scarves.

FACT: Ultherapy Naturally Creates Collagen and Elastin

Ultherapy is unique because it refreshes your collagen by jumpstarting a repair process. It relies on the body’s own regenerative process to stimulate the natural creation of new collagen and elastin – yes, new collagen and elastin. This results in an actual lift of skin overtime. In fact, the ultimate lifting takes place over 2-3 months, as tired collagen is replaced with new, stronger collagen. And, as this collagen-building process continues, further improvements can even appear up to 6 months following a procedure!

FACT: Ultherapy – an Uplift not a Facelift

Ultherapy is a non-surgical option for people with mild to moderate skin laxity – those who want some lifting for skin that has lost elasticity, but are not ready for surgery, either mentally, financially or logistically. It’s also a great option for those who want to “stay ahead of the game” as well as those looking to prolong the effects of cosmetic surgery.

Ask us if Ultherapy is right for you! If you’re looking for a lift to counter the effects that gravity takes over time, it may be just the treatment you’ve been looking for.

Tretinoin or Retin-A cream is considered to be the gold standard in topical anti-aging products for its proven ability to stimulate the reproduction of collagen.  It is one of many different forms of “retinoids” on the market today.  Other familiar versions of topical retinoids include Retinol, Differin and Adapalene.

Chemically speaking, all retinoids are related to Vitamin A.  As an anti-aging treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, the retinoids are considered to be “wonder drugs.”  They can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, assist in diminishing pore size, address hyper-pigmentation and acne and generally speed up cell turnover. In addition to all of that, retinoids slow down the development of skin cancer.  There are also several different strengths of topical retinoids on the market.  Sometimes the stronger versions can cause mild irritation of the skin.  It is important to have Dr. Richards or Todd, our Physician Assistant, evaluate your skin to determine which of the many subclasses and strengths would be most appropriate for you.  Our esthetician, Gina, also carries a wonderful line of Retinol creams especially formulated for our office.

In order to achieve optimal results from your tretinoin topical, make sure to wait at least ten minutes after washing your face at night before applying.  Try to use only a small pea-sized amount.  Sometimes less is more especially in the world of tretinoin where irritation can occur.  Studies have shown that using a tretinoin topical three times a week is equivalent to using it daily.  So if you find your skin is getting irritated from every day use, it is fine to go down to three times a week.  You can gradually work back up to daily use if you want even more benefit.  Night time use is best as the tretinoin product can break down in the sun and be ineffective if used during the day.   In addition, to reversing sun damage on the face, all forms of tretinoin can work just as well on the neck, chest and hands.

Tretinoin is truly a wonder drug.  If at all possible make sure to incorporate this amazing anti-aging topical into your regimen at night.  Your skin will thank you now and later!

Excess facial or body hair can be troublesome for both men and women. Although common, removal methods such as shaving and waxing are temporary, time consuming, painful and often yield poor results. It’s no wonder more and more people are opting for long lasting, convenient hair reduction via laser hair removal.

With the use of advanced laser technology, most areas of unwanted hair can be treated successfully, conveniently and with fewer complications than other methods. Professional laser treatment is a non-invasive approach to permanent reduction of hair, which can easily treat large areas of hair growth in a short period of time.

At Torrey Pines Dermatology, our highly trained practitioners perform all laser hair removal treatments personally. Laser hair removal works by penetrating the skin with controlled pulses of light that are absorbed by the hair follicles. Without damaging the skin and with minimal patient discomfort, the laser energy destroys the hair follicles and significantly impedes their ability to re-grow. Following treatment, patients enjoy smooth, soft skin and long lasting reduction in unwanted hair.

Since hair grows in cycles, the total number of required treatment sessions varies by patient skin type, hair color and hair coarseness and for that reason we recommend a series of 6 treatments. Common areas treated with laser hair removal include legs, arms, back, shoulders, underarms, upper lip and bikini area. Darker-colored hair is typically more responsive to laser treatment than light colored hair.

Summer is almost here and we at Torrey Pines Dermatology want to help you get ready by offering 20% off a 6-pack of laser hair removal treatments, if purchased by April 30, 2015. Call us today and say good-bye to unwanted hair!

The word is new and the concept is revolutionary, but it evolved from two very familiar ideas. Prevention is an action taken to stop something from happening. Rejuvenation describes steps that reverse signs of aging. At Torrey Pines Dermatology, we expertly combine those philosophies into a new vision for aesthetic dermatology called prejuvenation. Through this process we aren’t just helping patients throughout the La Jolla area turn back the hands of time; we are actually slowing and stopping the clock with prejuvenation!

Understanding Prejuvenation

Historically cosmetic procedures focused on making an aging face and body appear younger – or “rejuvenation”. We apply advanced training and techniques to prevent signs of aging from occurring. You might think of prejuvenation in terms of your favorite formal wear. It’s easier and more effective to keep that delicate fabric clean and smooth, than to try to remove spots and wrinkles after they’ve had a chance to set in.

Important Components of Prejuvenation

I recommend a multi-phase approach to prejuvenation. Based on a thorough analysis of your age, lifestyle, skin condition, body type, medical situation, and aesthetic goals I design a customized program that may include:

Skin care. A daily regimen with the right products for your skin type and environment helps to keep the complexion firm and supple, hydrated and blemish-free. Regular professional facial treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion maintain refined, youthful skin.

Sun prevention. Protection from UV exposure is vital to prejuvenation. Daily use of broad spectrum sunscreen beginning at childhood prevents the formation of many lines and wrinkles and pigmentation spots. It also reduces risk of all types of skin cancers.

Neuromodulators. Botox and Dysport are popular tools to soften the appearance of established wrinkles in those over the age of 40. However, beginning regular use much earlier – in your 20s and 30s – can preclude those repetitive muscle contracture lines from ever becoming etched into skin.

Soft tissue fillers. Replacing facial volume as it is lost avoids hollows and bags under the eyes. It also keeps jowls and loose neck skin at bay much longer.

Skin tightening. It’s smart to start a treatment like Ultherapy and ActiveFX before the first signs of sagging and droops.

From the moment you are born, you are constantly using your face to convey your emotions. Over time this can lead to volume loss, fine lines and wrinkles. It’s never too late to incorporate prejuvenation into your life. Don’t let time hold you back from looking your absolute best. Come in for a free consultation today!