Keloid scars can occur after ear piercings. They are typically large raised, firm nodules that occur at the site of the piercing. They can become painful and physically disfiguring.

The cause is thought to be epithelial (skin) entrapment along the piercing tract. This can occur if the piercing gets inflamed or is allowed to seal. Trapped skin proliferates uncontrollably and causes inflammatory scar reaction. Cartilage piercing is particularly sensitive to this complication. 

Initial treatment involves injection of steroids into the keloid. If that does not help, injection with a chemotherapy drug such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is done. If that does not work, then surgical removal of the keloid is needed. Re-piercing of the ear can be performed approximately one month after surgery. After re-piercing the ear, it is important to keep the area clean, by cleaning with hydrogen peroxide. Frequent twisting of the earring also keeps the hole open. Most patients do very well after removal and re-piercing of the ear. Rarely, recurrence of the keloid scar may occur. With close follow-up keloids can be prevented with steroid injections.

Eyelid surgery, or “blepharoplasty,” has become incredibly popular since the pandemic thanks to the “Zoom Boom,” and to increased mask requirements, which make the upper face and eyes a focal point during everyday conversation.

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.

Does insurance cover cosmetic eye procedures?

Generally, cosmetic services are not covered by medical insurance. But in some cases, like the patient shown below, if an eyelid’s drooping is severe and affecting vision, upper eyelid surgery may be covered. Simple tests can determine whether the condition warrants insurance coverage.

Diagnosis: Ptosis

This patient presented with droopy eyelids, also called ptosis (toh-sis), that may occur due to trauma, age, or various medical disorders. Ptosis can affect one or both eyes, and can be present at birth or develop later in life.

Depending on the severity of the condition, droopy upper eyelids can block or greatly reduce vision depending on how much it obstructs the pupil. This patient had ptosis repair (covered by insurance) at the same time as an upper blepharoplasty. This was followed by a CO2 laser treatment to the eye area.

Dr. Karlin, Dr. Daines, and Dr. Madorsky perform eyelid surgery. Please call our office to schedule an appointment, or use the in our website.

Dr. Adam Aronson has joined our team! He is a Board Certified Dermatologist with an interest in cosmetic treatments that can compliment and enhance healthy skin.

Dr. Aronson specializes in injectable treatments, dermal fillers, advanced skin care, laser treatments and chemical peels.

Dark circles under the lower eyelidsare common in men and women. Often accompanied by bags, dark circles can make you appear older and tired. Fortunately, there are options to improve the appearance of the undereyes.

 What causes dark circles?
There are a number of contributing factors, including

What can be done to address dark circles?

• Injectables/fillers to help replace lost volume and reduce dark shadowing under the eyes (see below).
• Skin care products such as SkinCeuticals A.G.E Eye Complex or the ZO Growth Factor Eye Serum to smooth and  brighten the under eye skin. (Available at the Appearance Center.)
• CO2 laser resurfacing to tighten skin and reduce discoloration.
• You may be a candidate for eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty. Speak with one of our surgeons to learn more.

All of our providers are available for injectables. Additionally, our PAs are available for free consultations on skin care, injectables and lasers. 

Dr. Steven Daines and Dr. Simon Madorsky were just named among America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2021 by Newsweek magazine.

Both physicians were recognized in the categories of Facelift and Rhinoplasty.

Special bragging rights go to Dr. Madorsky, who was named #17 in the country for Rhinoplasty. Only two Newport Beach surgeons are listed in the top 30 in this category.

Both of these physicians, who are consistently named Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association, are Double Board Certified facial plastic surgeons. Both see patients and perform procedures in our offices and at our adjacent surgery center.

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 for $1,050. This is a savings of $225, or $75 per peel. Maximum results are achieved by doing multiple peels.

Vbeam is a classic laser treatment that uses pulsed dye laser (PDL) to treat a wide range of skin conditions. It is often referred to as a vascular laser because it is primarily used to treat skin issues related to blood vessels, including:

• Rosacea
• Broken Capillaries
• Scars
• Age Spots
• Inflammatory Acne

It delivers an intense but painless burst of light to the skin and the light selectively damages the blood vessels. These blood vessels are reabsorbed by the body, allowing for a cleaner, more refreshed appearance.

Safe, Quick and Visible Results

Eyes are protected with goggles during the procedure. Vbeam treatments are quick and feel like a warm blast hitting the skin. Downtime is minimal, with maybe a few hours of redness and mild pain, and makeup can be applied immediately after treatment.

Some conditions can be treated with one appointment, others may require multiple treatments. The number of sessions for maximum results is determined by a specialist