Are you noticing excess or loose skin around your eyes? When it comes to lifting and tightening the skin in this area, we have two approaches, one surgical and one done with a laser. Often our recommendation for optimal results is to combine the two.
 

SURGICAL APPROACH: BLEPHAROPLASTY

Blepharoplasty is intended to enhance the upper and/or lower lids, to create a more refreshed, youthful look. For the upper lid, the procedure involves making an incision in the natural crease of the eyelid, and then removing and reshaping the skin, muscle, and fat that deflate and droop with age and sun exposure.

Blepharoplasty can also be performed on the lower eyelid. As people age, the tissue that holds the fat in place can loosen and the fat can protrude, giving the appearance of bags under the eyes. These bags can be repositioned and reshaped.

THE MAGIC OF CO2 LASER RESURFACING

CO2 laser resurfacing is an excellent way to tighten skin and reduce discoloration of the skin around the eyes.

This laser tightens minor excess skin on the eyelids, reduces of signs of aging in the eye area, and the completely renews the skin. And with the CO2 laser we can tailor treatment according to the nature and extent of photodamage, wrinkling, skin type and individual requirements for recovery time.

When considering a fractional CO2 laser for the eyes, remember that the effects can take up to 8-12 weeks to see, so plan accordingly!
This procedure can be done on its own or in conjunction with eyelid surgery.

Neurotoxins—like Botox and Dysport—are a nonsurgical form of wrinkle treatment that have minimal discomfort and quick recovery rates.

Most of us know that these injections can improve forehead lines, crows feet, and the vertical lines between the eyebrows. But did you know that these injections can also benefit the lower face, including the chin and overall face shape?

This graphic shows both cosmetic and therapeutic uses for neurotoxins:

● GUMMY SMILE: Some people’s upper lip elevates too far above their upper teeth when they smile, exposing a large portion of their gums. Botox can lower the upper lip to reduce the visibility of the gums.

● LIP FLIP: A lip flip is a popular procedure that makes your lips look fuller without increasing the volume of your lips.

● CHIN DIMPLING: Sometimes the chin can appear dimpled or bumpy. Neurotoxins can relax the muscles in the chin area to smooth out its appearance.

● DOWTURNED SMILE: Injecting neurotoxins can weaken the muscles that pull down the mouth causing a downwards looking smile, or scowl.

● MASSETER PAIN RELIEF: Neurotoxins can be used to provide relief from the painful and uncomfortable symptoms of Bruxism. This condition causes involuntary teeth clenching, jaw pain, headaches, and tooth damage. Neurotoxin injections can reduce or eliminate these symptoms by relaxing the overactive masseter muscles. Additionally, when the masseter muscle is injected it can slim the overall look of the lower face.

Our team of expert injectors has extensive experience with facial injectables. 

We are pleased to be offering the VI Peel, a chemical peel that is a blend of acids, retinol, and vitamins that goes beyond a general resurfacing peel to treat specific conditions, including:

• Acne and acne scarring
• Hyperpigmentation
• Fine lines and wrinkles

Benefits of the VI Peel include:

• Restoring a more even skin tone
• Smoothing away rough skin
• Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

This peel is applied in the office onto clean skin. It is left on for four hours, and the patient reapplies a solution later that evening, and peeling usually happens day three through day five. It is safe for all skin types, and is considered a medium-depth peel. Results are enjoyed in about seven days, and maximum results are achieved by doing multiple peels.

We are currently offering a special!

The price of one VI Peel is $425, but if you purchase a package of three VI Peels you get a third for free. That’s three peels for $850! Purchase by the end of the month, but service can be scheduled at a later date.

Non-Surgical Option: Are You a Fan of Fillers?

Do you wish your lips could be plumper or more balanced? Thanks to dermal fillers, this wish is easily granted. We offer products specifically formulated to enhance and augment the lips to your desired size and shape, or to correct asymmetry.

Juvederm: For Silkier, Smoother, Natural-Looking Lips

Juvederm products utilize hyaluronic acid to create instant volume in the exact way that your lips need it most. Juvederm Vollure is specially formulated with a balance of gel firmness and low cohesivity, which subtly adds volume. This means that it is firm enough to hold its shape, but malleable enough to move, making the results noticeable yet natural. It lasts up to 18 months.

Juvederm Ultra adds fullness to the lips, while Juvederm Volbella adds subtle volume and even softens the appearance of vertical lip lines. Both of these products last between six and 12 months.

You only need around 30 minutes for your dermal filler lip treatment.

A Surgical Option for Fuller, Lifted Lips

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the space between the nose and the top of the lip. This increases the amount of pink lip tissue that’s visible, which makes the lips look fuller and more pronounced. It can also increase how much your upper center teeth show when your lips are resting. It leaves a small scar at the base of the nostrils, but it is usually undetectable after a few weeks.

It’s a good option for people who want to add height instead of volume to their lips. Younger people who haven’t achieved the look they want from fillers, or if they find that fillers make their lips look unnaturally plump or duck-like, may prefer a lip lift.

And a lip lift is a good option for reducing the space between the lips and the nose. With age, this space can increase and can make the upper lip look thinner.

Gary McKnight is the head basketball coach at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. At his time there he has become the winningest high school basketball coach in California history. See a video about his story HERE.

Coach McKnight has led Mater Dei to more than 1250 victories, including a National Championship and 11 California State Titles. He has coached nine players who have gone on to play in the NBA.

More recently, he has faced a different battle. “At a regular checkup, my doctor saw a spot on my face and said, we’ve got to get you to the best, and referred me to the SCARS Center. I went in there and they said it required Mohs surgery. Two Mohs surgeries and big reconstructions on my face.”

McKnight had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on his cheek, neck and ear.

Dr. Adam Aronson and Dr. Matthew Goodman performed the Mohs surgery, followed by Dr. Simon Madorsky reconstructing the defects. “They all took good care of me. There is no guesswork. They get you in right on time, they explain what they need to do. I went in the morning and I walked out in the afternoon, cancer free and reconstructed.”

“I had four skin cancers­—the first two didn’t require plastic surgery, the last two did. It was major surgery. Dr. Madorsky was really caring and I’ve still got my good looks.”

At first, his students were worried about him, but his current students don’t even know it happened because he healed so well.

Coach McKnight is now an advocate for skin health and getting regular skin checks. “I really encourage people to go and get checked and stay on top of it. Especially here in Southern California where the sun is beating down. Probably being a basketball coach instead of a baseball coach saved my life, because I wasn’t out in the sun all the time. 

He is in charge of 86 young men and consistently reminds them about protecting their skin. 

“I talk to the kids all the time about wearing sunscreen when they go to the beach and surf. I say ‘put it on your ears, your nose, your forehead. Wear a baseball cap. You all know what happened to me.”

We are offering a new product that is the first of its kind. SkinVive is often referred to as a “skin booster” rather than a filler since its job isn’t to rebuild volume like other fillers, but rather to hydrate your skin and give you a glowy look.SkinVive, developed by Juvederm and approved by the FDA in May, is now available to our patients. This new treatment can add long-term hydration to the skin and smoothness of the cheeks. These injections also stimulate collagen production, helping to correct lines and wrinkles while improving skin elasticity. Following treatment, skin quality is vastly improved with patients reporting skin that feels and appears more radiant and refreshed.

SkinVive is a minimally invasive treatment with little to no downtime. It works synergistically with other cosmetic treatments like Botox, lasers, and dermal fillers. SkinVive can easily be added to your Botox treatment and it takes only about 10-15 minutes.

How is SkinVive Unique?

Unlike traditional dermal fillers that replace lost volume or define facial features, SkinVive’s tiny microdroplets are injected near the skin’s surface, enhancing skin hydration and smoothness.

What are the Benefits of SkinVive?

• Improves skin smoothness
• Increases skin hydration from within
• Reduces lines and wrinkles
• Stimulates collagen production
• No downtime following treatment

What Facial Areas can be Treated with SkinVive?

SkinVive is currently FDA approved to improve skin smoothness of the cheeks.

How Does SkinVive Work?

Aging leads to a loss of collagen, elastin, and hydration, resulting in lines and wrinkles. SkinVive’s hyaluronic acid replenishes hydration and combats aging effects, leaving the skin plump and hydrated.

How Long Does SkinVive Last?

Most patients experience improved skin hydration and smoothness for up to six months. Individual results may vary based on skincare routines, genetics, and other treatments.

Is SkinVive Right for Me?

During your consultation, your provider will assess your aesthetic goals. If you suffer from dry skin, fine lines, or loss of elasticity, SkinVive could be an excellent choice.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW?

We are also a Center for Skin Cancer. The Appearance Center is under the same roof and the same leadership as the Skin Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery Center. Our Appearance Center physicians also treat skin cancer patients, performing complex cancer reconstructions, and addressing post-cancer cosmetic issues.

We want ALL of our patients to know about an exciting new technology to help with the diagnosis of melanoma. We are excited to provide Nevisense, a novel tool for detection of melanoma. This FDA-approved, non-invasive, and highly accurate device allows for early detection of potential melanomas without the need for skin biopsies.

 

Nevisense: A Groundbreaking Approach to Early Detection

Nevisense is a cutting-edge technology designed to address the limitations of traditional melanoma detection methods. Developed by SciBase, a Swedish medical technology company, Nevisense employs Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to non-invasively analyze the electrical properties of skin lesions. This innovative approach allows for a more accurate and objective assessment of melanoma risk.

 

How Nevisense Works

Nevisense works by measuring the electrical impedance of the skin at different frequencies. The device sends a painless, low-frequency electrical signal into the skin, and the resulting impedance data is analyzed by an AI algorithm. The impedance patterns produces by melanomas are different from those of benign moles. 

 

Key Advantages of Nevisense

1. Non-Invasive and Painless: Nevisense is a non-invasive procedure that does not require the removal of tissue for analysis. This makes it a more comfortable experience for patients compared to traditional biopsy methods.
2. Objective and Quantifiable: The electrical impedance measurements provide an objective and quantifiable assessment of skin lesions, reducing the subjectivity associated with visual inspections.
3. Early Detection: Nevisense has demonstrated a high sensitivity for detecting melanoma at its earliest stages, allowing for prompt intervention and improved treatment outcomes.
4. Complementary to Visual Inspection: Nevisense is designed to complement traditional visual inspection methods, offering a comprehensive approach to melanoma detection.

Schedule a skin check at the SCARS Center to see if you are a candidate for this groundbreaking diagnostic tool.

We often hear tips for getting brides ready for the big day, but what about the moms? How can they look their absolute best for the wedding?

Similar to the bride, the mother of the bride (or groom) is front and center at this big event. As she gets ready to celebrate, it’s important for her to take some time to focus on herself.

This 64-year-old patient came to Dr. Simon Madorsky hoping to freshen up her features in anticipation of her daughter’s wedding, which was six months away. Despite feeling youthful and energetic, she thought her appearance didn’t quite match. This was an ideal time to embark on surgical procedures, as she needed about three months for total healing, and results would continue to improve over time.

Six months before the big day, she underwent a lower face and neck lift, along with an endoscopic brow lift. The facelift worked its magic by repositioning deep tissues and getting rid of extra skin, diminishing jowls, while adding a nice contour to the neck. The brow lift raised the forehead, and enhanced the brow and eye area.

 

After the wedding, this patient came back to our office for a check-in with Dr. Madorsky. Besides being amazed by how great she looked, we were excited to hear about the wedding.

“Being the mother of the bride, I had to look my absolute best. I was ready for the big day because I felt like I was beaming with joy and confidence.”

Our patient with her handsome husband on their daughter’s wedding day.

 

Whether you’re looking to reduce wrinkles, minimize scars, or improve overall skin texture, CO2 laser treatment could be the answer.

What Does Fractional CO2 Laser Do?

Fractional CO2 laser is a cosmetic procedure that improves skin texture, tone, and overall appearance. The laser ablates the top layer of skin removing sun damage as well as creates microscopic channels in the skin, known as microthermal zones. These processes stimulate the body’s natural healing response, which promotes collagen production and triggers the replacement of damaged skin with new, healthier tissue.

Key Benefits of Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment

• Wrinkle Reduction: especially of lower face
• Scar Improvement: acne scars and surgical scars
• Pigmentation Correction: uneven pigmentation, sunspots, and age spots
• Treats superficial sun damage

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Fractional CO2 laser is a versatile treatment suitable for patients of various ages and skin concerns. Ideal candidates include those looking to improve fine lines/wrinkles, scarring, and/or dark spots. It is safest for patients with lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick I-III).

The Procedure

A fractional CO2 laser procedure can be performed in the clinic or operating room. Here’s what you can expect during the treatment:

• Consultation: Before the procedure, you will have a consultation with a qualified practitioner to discuss your concerns, assess your skin, and determine if fractional CO2 laser is the right option for you.
• Day of Treatment: Topical Anesthesia: a topical anesthetic is applied to the treatment area to minimize discomfort
• Pre-Medication: Your clinician may prescribe some medications to make the process more relaxing and comfortable. 
• Nerve Blocks: You may receive lidocaine injections to further numb the sensitive areas of treatment 

The laser treatment is customized based on skin, treatment areas, and goals. The laser can also be performed in the OR setting and combined with additional facial rejuvenation procedures such as eyelid surgery or facelift surgery.

Recovery Process

• Immediate Recovery: The treated area will likely be red and swollen after the procedure. It may feel similar to a bad sunburn.
• Peeling and Flaking: Over the next few days, the skin will begin to peel and flake as the damaged outer layers are replaced with fresh, new skin. It’s important to avoid picking at the skin to prevent scarring.
• Sun Protection: Protecting your skin from sun exposure is crucial during the recovery period. Sun exposure may lead to increased hyperpigmentation.
• Total recovery time depends on intensity of treatment 

Please contact the Appearance Center to consult with a qualified practitioner.

Not only are we wrapping up the summer, but September is Skin Care Awareness Month. We of course remind you to remain vigilant about sunscreen, but we also want to help you to start taking even better care of your skin with some of our in-office procedures.
 

Here are our three favorite ways to improve skin texture and appearance, from least to most invasive:

PEEL

Indications: Pigmentation, active acne, sun-damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

How it works: Chemicals penetrate layers of the skin and promote rapid cell turnover and collagen synthesis. It also clears dead skin cells and oils. This helps create brighter, more even, and smoother skin. Select ingredients also work to reduce dark spots or treat active acne lesions. Best results are achieved with a series of peels. 

Recovery: You will likely have significant peeling, especially 3-4 days after the peel. Most peeling resolves by about a week. 

Cost: Varies by area, $

MICRONEEDLING

Indications: Acne scarring, surgical scars, loss of collagen from aging.

How it works: Small needles puncture the superficial layers of the skin, inducing collagen and elastin production. This results in brighter, tighter, and younger looking skin. A growth factor serum is simultaneously infused into the skin punctures, enhancing collagen production.

Recovery: For the first week you will experience redness. Avoid sun exposure for one week after treatment. 

Cost: Varies by area, $

 

FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER

Indications: Sun-damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, lighter skin tones.

How it works: Fractional CO2 laser creates micro punctures in the skin while also delivering thermal energy. This removes damaged tissue and stimulates tissue shrinkage while inducing collagen production. Collagen remodeling continues for 3-6 months. Best for lighter skin types not prone to dark spots.

Recovery: This will depend on how aggressive your treatment is. You could have redness for up to a month during healing. Depending on your healing, you may be able to wear makeup after 1 week. 

Cost: Varies by area, $$ – $$$