Skin Rejuvenation Aided by Cosmetic Dermatologist

It has often been said that there are only two sure things in a person’s lifetime; death and taxes, but aging skin could come in a close third if it weren’t for the efforts of a cosmetic dermatologist, who is able to help in many ways overcome the harm you may have caused yourself. Sun exposure is one of the main causes of certain issues like age spots, sagging skin and uneven pigmentation and following the advice, as well as any needed procedures provided by a cosmetic dermatologist may help rejuvenate your outward appearance.

As people age they will experience a reduction in collagen, which is the skin’s underlying structure, causing the skin to sag. Coupled with overexposure to ultraviolet light, whether from the sun or from indoor tanning beds, can cause uneven pigmentation and contribute to the skin wrinkling. It is not unusual for aging adults to seek a cosmetic dermatologist who can help them rejuvenate their skin to retain, or even regain, their youthful appearance.

Procedures such as those used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and to eliminate or at least lighten sun spots are only a few of the goals patients have when seeking a cosmetic dermatologist for skin rejuvenation. Improving skin tone and color as well as removing damaging and visible blood vessels can also be treatment options for those wanting to maintain their youth.

The advantage of rejuvenation procedures is that many of them can be performed by a cosmetic dermatologist, usually in their office or clinic, allowing you to return to work with no recovery time. There may also be some procedures you choose that may be slightly more invasive performed by the cosmetic dermatologist but will require a longer recovery period. When researching the type of rejuvenation procedures available there are a few factors any cosmetic dermatologist will consider.

Some of the factors include the age of the patient, the overall condition of the skin as well as how much time the patient is willing to devote to recovery. Some of the procedures used by the cosmetic dermatologist can include chemical peels and dermabrasion as well as dermal fillers and Botox, which help replace lost collagen. There are many weapons in the cosmetic dermatologist arsenal to help fight off the effects of aging and the patient’s physical condition and overall general health will play a role in the type of procedure recommended.

Following the initial consultation, all of the options available to a specific patient will be discussed with the patient and a schedule for performing the procedures will be determined. It could be that more than one procedure will be required for the patient to receive the level of change they desire. It will be up to them and the cosmetic dermatologist to devise a plan to reach the finished look with the least amount of discomfort and loss of time to the patient. Whether you choose topical treatments, surgical procedures or laser treatments you will want to be assured the doctor you choose has the appropriate credentials and experience to bring back your youthful appearance with minimal potential for harm.

Finding the Right Type of Skin Care for Individual Needs

The time to practice appropriate skin care is when you are young, but age is not the only enemy that can affect the condition of your skin. As you grow older your skin often shows the affects of your lifestyle, especially if you have spent a lot of time in the sun. Ultraviolet rays from the sun  can dry out the skin, and, in addition to increasing your odds of contracting melanoma, can speed up wrinkling skin and age spots, and without the proper skin care can actually make you look older than you really are.

Maintaining skin moisture is a positive action required if you want to retain youthful appearing skin, but in some instances that may not be near enough. As you age collagen, a layer of material under the skin acting as a foundation for your skin and keeping it looking tight, will begin to slowly disappear causing your skin to sag and deepen any wrinkles in the affected area. Most often the loss of collagen is noticeable in the cheeks resulting in sagging jowls, but with the proper skin care this can often be cared for.

Dermatologists can also help provide tips and tricks to help with your personal needs for skin care and in the event when it is needed, they can also recommend procedures that can restore your youthful appearance.  Procedures such as chemical peels and dermabrasion can help remove the outer layer of skin instantly resulting in a more youthful appearance. Laser and ultraviolet light therapy can also help remove age spots or areas of the skin that have darkened over the years. With the proper skin care and treatment, in most instances, your skin can be restored without invasive procedures.

Dermatology is a unique branch of medicine that deals with the skin and its diseases with both medical and surgical means reviewed. Over the years dermatologists have developed and refined procedures to help patients overcome years of self-abuse during which they lacked the proper skin care. Many of the available treatments for skin care only require a few minutes in the doctor’s office and are available through many choices depending on the type of procedure being used.

Improving skin tone, most times removing dark patches caused by excessive sun exposure as well as tightening loose skin due mostly to collagen loss can typically be performed in the office. These two simple procedures almost instantly show improved skin tone and color and provide the right type of skin care to take a few years off of your appearance.

While many skin care procedures can be done in minutes in the office, other more extensive procedures can be more invasive but for the most part, skin care to erase years off of a person’s appearance can be done without the need for surgery. Resurfacing the skin through the use of laser light, photodynamic therapy and with the use of radio frequency technology, allows patients to view a more youthful appearance without any need for an extended recovery period.

What you need to know about treating your Acne ?

Acne is the term for pimples and complexion problems that occur in many young people and some adults. Approximately 90% of all people will have acne at some point in their lives. Pimples usually occur on the face, but may extend to the neck, chest, upper arms, back and legs. Acne is only a skin problem and does not affect your general health. 

Acne usually begins at puberty and may continue for many years. Teenagers get acne as the body matures and produces hormones that stimulate the sebaceous (oil producing) skin glands to make more sebum, or oil. Sebum lubricates the skin. Sebaceous glands within the hair follicles, or pores, become plugged when oil secretion occurs faster than the oil and skin cells can exit the pores. Sometimes the plug causes the wall of the pore to rupture causing redness, swelling, and pus - in other words a pimple. Plugged oil glands may form blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are not caused by dirt; rather there is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin and thrives on the sebum produced by oil glands. Sometimes, this bacteria multiplies and causes inflammation and acne.

Some facts about acne:

• Acne is built into your genes; it runs in families. 
• In women, acne frequently worsens at the time of menstruation. 
• Your cosmetics should be labeled "oil-free," or "noncomedogenic". 

Adult women often have trouble with acne through middle age. The reason is unknown although hormones play some role. 

Treatment: Oral & Topical Antibiotics Accutane

What Can Be Done? Acne cannot be completely prevented. Although, a careful skin care regimen can help to lessen its severity and the formation of new pimples. Helpful tips: Wash your face twice daily with a gentle skin cleanser to prevent oil build-up. Do not scrub your face with a harsh washcloth or sponge. Scrubbing may actually make it worse by irritating the skin.  Try gentle cleansing with your hands. Topical astringents can be used to remove excess oil after cleansing.  Don't squeeze, scratch, or pick the lesions. This can leave tiny, permanent scars on your face. Prescription treatments are recommended and may take one to two months to see improvement. Medications include Topical Antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin A derivatives. Topical medications are sometimes used in combination with antibiotics for optimal results. Accutane, an oral vitamin A derivative, is a strong, effective acne treatment which "cures" many people. There are numerous side effects to Accutane therapy and proper counseling and monitoring is essential. Acne programs are personally formulated by Dr. Sexton for your particular case of acne. Since most cases do vary and the degree of involvement does change, your program will be modified from time to time. Continued progress depends on making regular evaluations and changes when necessary. Control of acne is an ongoing day-to-day process, and an effective program requires good communication between you and Dr. Sexton.

If you have skin concerns, visit Dr. Sexton's office at 15825 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 203, in Irvine. 

The phone number is 949-679-6900, and he can be seen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. His Web site is www.drsexton.net

IS BOTOX RIGHT FOR YOU?

A Botox® Cosmetic treatment is a simple, non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows that developed over time. One ten-minute treatment - a few tiny injections - relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for up to four months. Botox® Cosmetic has been widely tested. Now, it is approved by the FDA.

The results are dramatic and apparent within days. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of the men and women surveyed rated the improvement in their brow lines as moderate to better. For many, Botox® Cosmetic virtually "erases" these lines.

Unlike surgery, Botox® Cosmetic is fast, simple and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following treatment. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed. With Botox® Cosmetic, other people will know you've done something, but they just won't know what.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BOTOX® COSMETIC

Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer several tiny injections to achieve the best results. No anesthesia is required, although he or she may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting. The entire procedure takes approximately ten minutes. Discomfort is minimal and brief - most patients compare the sensation to bug bite. It is unlikely you will develop significant side effects, although some people develop slight temporary bruising at the injection site, which can easily be covered by makeup. You may resume normal activity immediately.

Within days, you'll see a marked improvement which may continue to improve for as long as a week and should last up to four months.

Botox® Cosmetic relaxes the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause the lines between your brows to form. So you can frown, smile or look surprised - without the furrows, creases and wrinkles.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BOTOX® COSMETIC?

Any image-conscious man or woman who is concerned about the appearance of their frown lines can consider treatment. Botox Cosmetic can be used by people from age 18 to 65.

WHAT EXACTLY IS BOTOX® COSMETIC?

Botox® is a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Very low doses of Botox® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the overactive muscles. The effects of Botox® Cosmetic are usually confined to the injected region; it does not travel throughout the body.

ARE BOTOX® COSMETIC TREATMENTS PAINFUL?

Botox® Cosmetic discomfort is minimal and brief. Your physician may choose to use a local anesthetic cream or ice to minimize this. Once the injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort.

HOW LONG DOES BOTOX® COSMETIC LAST?

Botox® Cosmetic lasts up to four months.

If you are interested in Botox Treatments, please visit Dr. Sexton's office at 15825 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 203, in Irvine.

The phone number is 949-679-6900, and he can be seen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. His Web site is www.drsexton.net.

Skin Diseases Require Skilled Diagnosis

Each year, countless visits are made to the doctor's office in order to diagnose and treat skin diseases. The past decade has seen a shortage of dermatologists develop at a time when information regarding skin disorders has skyrocketed, making it a challenge for even a specialist to keep abreast of the field.

"I can recall that before formal training in my specialty, I received only two weeks of lectures on diseases of the skin in medical school," said Dr. Charles Sexton, a Board Certified dermatologist working in Irvine.

"I also believe that it was on average one of the poorest attended lecture series in the program."

Since that time, however, numerous influences have changed the relationship between skin diseases, the patients they afflict, and the caregivers who treat them. What hasn't changed is the need for patients with skin diseases to get the best care available and for continued effort to minimize suffering that accompanies skin disorders.

"There are relatively few diseases that make up the bulk of dermatology visits to caregivers, but even mastering those requires a great deal of knowledge and information," Dr. Sexton said.

"For example, psoriasis, a hereditary disorder that affects an estimated 2 to 5 percent of the population, can actually be triggered for the first time, or occultly perpetuated by choice of medications for blood pressure, eye diseases and even vaccinations.

"I have seen numerous cases of disease flares in patients whose skin was stable, but then developed hypertension, the subsequent treatment of which triggered a downward spiral of their psoriasis. The same process will occur rather predictably if one elects to utilize certain systemic antiinflammatory medications to control psoriasis, and their use should be avoided in patients with this disease."

Acne is another disease that is often inadequately treated due to concerns about systemic treatments and possible side effects of the medications available. Even topical medications are often ineffectively used due to over emphasis of potential side effects that can theoretically occur, but which rarely do.

"I have seen practicioners recommend use of agents that worsen the acne itself in order to avoid side effects that haven't even occurred," Dr. Sexton said. "Unfortunately, it is easier to prevent acne scarring than to treat it, and it is urgent that patients who are unresponsive to one regimen be closely monitored and switched in time to prevent this unfortunate consequence.

"This monitoring requires knowledge of timing of expected results and intimate detail in the correct application as well as minimization of side effects predictable with each agent.

"Above all, it requires constant monitoring at regular intervals until the disease process is under control."
Along similar lines, Dr. Sexton has noted a large number of patients with chronic rashes affecting their feet and groin which are frequently diagnosed as "athlete's foot" and "'jock itch."

"If athletes foot is present, then a simple in-office test can confirm this in under five minutes," Dr. Sexton said.
Accurate diagnosis is essential, as it can avoid months of inappropriate usage of medicines that can actually worsen the condition and even cause irreversible damage to the skin.

"Some forms of treatment attempt to combine active ingredients so that accurate diagnosis seems unnecessary, similar to using anti-histamines and decongestants in combination for cold preparations," Dr. Sexton said.

"I have found that the antifungal agents have little effect on the growth of the fungus in these diseases, and what is worse is that use of these agents for jock itch commonly causes permanent stretch marks and rashes from the presence of higher strength steroids in the preparation," Dr. Sexton said. "The bottom line, if you have been given combo (more than one active ingredient listed) therapy for a disorder in these locations, and they are still present after several weeks' use, it would be best to discontinue them and re-evaluate the condition.

From these examples, Dr. Sexton points out that the care of your skin, while often marginalized for more pressing medical problems, requires expertise and knowledge. This general principle is simply demonstrated with these few examples.

If you have a skin disease or desire cosmetic treatments for your skin, contact Dr. Sexton from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an appointment. His office is at 15825 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 203, Irvine. The phone number is 949-679-6900. His Web site is www.drsexton.net.

Irvine Dermatology Facility at Cutting Edge of Skin Care

Dr. Charles R. Sexton, M.D. is very enthusiastic about the recent opening of his state-of-the-art dermatology facility in the newly constructed Spectrum Medical Plaza near Irvine Regional Hospital.

"I am having a fantastic time seeing my patients in a comfortable, stress-free environment. It allows me to address all of their dermatology concerns without the restrictions of managed care."

Dr. Sexton, a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, has been treating patients in the Southern California area for the past 12 years.

He arrived in the San Diego area after finishing his residency at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, where the dermatology program offered a broad array of training in his field. This included cutting-edge cosmetic technologies, as well as subspecialty training in the surgical and pathology disciplines.

"As a tertiary referral center, I was exposed to interesting and diverse patients from all over the region, country, and even the world," Dr. Sexton said.

It wasn't unusual for his patient list to include United States senators, professional athletes or foreign diplomats on any given day.

"I think the best part of my training was that, in addition to the common diseases, I was exposed to many skin disorders that most people only get to read about due to their extremely rare incidence."

He further honed his cosmetic skills by associating with a wellestablished cosmetic dermatology practice his first year after residency.

"The past decade has seen this aspect of dermatology explode with new choices for reversing sun- and age-related skin damage.

"My patients want to know what is new, available, safe and, most of all, effective. They also keep the emphasis on ease of recovery, so that they can achieve these results during their usual busy routines."

Currently, Dr. Sexton's most popular procedure is the Pro-lite facial, a form of intense pulsedlight therapy, or IPL.

"The IPL is a good example of patient-demand-driven technology. It is a quick and relatively painless procedure that is so minimally invasive that patients can re-apply their makeup in my office after the session is over. As a result, they can return to work the same day."

Dr. Sexton has found this treatment effective for the most common complaint in the areas of the face, neck, chest and hands - namely, that of red and brown discolorations.

Rosacea and sun damage top the list of causes of these imperfections. However, Dr. Sexton has also had success with related disorders such as stretch marks, enlarged pores, acne scarring and wrinkles.

"Further studies are needed to verify the extent of this and other pending technologies' effectiveness, but there seems to be no end in sight for the demand for skin rejuvenation," Dr. Sexton said.

A large portion of his practice is devoted to general dermatology, and Dr. Sexton estimates that he has had more than 50,000 patient encounters, with people afflicted by problems from the routine to the exotic.

"I enjoy the detective work associated with skin disorders because, in reality, the skin can only manifest disease in a finite number of ways," Dr. Sexton said.

"It is my privilege to collect the important historical data from the patient and then order the appropriate tests in order to distinguish one from the other, as there are literally thousands of different skin diseases.

"Helping people with these problems is truly a rewarding experience.

"It is nice to be involved with a specialty that allows me to see a 2-month-old in one room followed by an octogenarian in the next. Naturally, the problems and challenges will be different, and this allows me to keep my clinical skills sharp."

Dr. Sexton also enjoys academic pursuits and has contributed numerous articles to the peerreviewed scientific literature as well as book chapters for a plastic-surgery text.

He has trained residents from the University of California at San Diego and at Irvine, and he currently is on staff at Hoag and Irvine Regional hospitals.

"At the Spectrum Medical Plaza, I have created a longsought personal and professional goal, and I look forward to helping people in the area for many years to come."

If you have skin concerns, visit Dr. Sexton's office at 15825 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 203, in Irvine.

The phone number is 949-679-6900, and he can be seen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. His Web site is www.drsexton.net.

How to Eliminate Wrinkles Without Painful Surgeries

Are you concerned about your appearance and planning to undergo a skin treatment or surgery to remove wrinkles or puffiness under eyes that make you appear old and tired? Instead of a barrage of procedures why not try Restylane?

Even though there are numerous skin care companies that claim to eliminate wrinkles with miraclous creams and ointments, the reality is that many of them are simply a waste of money. Restylane is a safe, FDA-Approved skin treatment, widely considered as THE alternative to an invasive surgical procedure such as Blepharoplasty.

Hyaluronic acid is a compound in our bodies that lubricates and hydrates the skin. Wrinkles occur due to a diminished supply of Hyaluronic acid in our body.Restylane, a hyaluronic acid dermal filter, is recommended by many plastic surgeons and dermatologists for treating the fine lines caused by heredity and age.

Why should I try Restylane?

The main benefit of Restylane is, it does not cause lumps and swelling often associated with invasive surgical procedures. The filtered material will eventually get absorbed into your body causing little to no side effects. Restylane skin treatment results generally last from six months up to one year. Unlike skin surgeries, you won’t have to go for any additional treatment for at least one year in order to maintain the rejuvenation.

The Restylane gel-injection procedure is quick and virtually painless. After the injection, your dermatologist will massage the under eye tissues to make sure that the gel is evenly distributed in throughout the area of injection.

Are there any side effects?

Though every individual’s body chemistry is different and there is no way of guaranteeing results, there are little to no known side effects associated with Restylane. Don’t be alarmed if you experience swelling, redness or inflammation around the treated areas, it usually disappears within 24 -48 hours. Since Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in our bodies, the chances of severe allergic reaction is very rare. As with ANY treatments, it is strongly advised that you consult your dermatologist prior to treatment if you have ANY allergies from medications.