Skin Care in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach
At Appearance Center of Newport Beach, we offer a comprehensive range of skin care treatments designed to restore clarity, improve texture, and promote long-term skin health. Our physician-led team provides medically informed solutions—from targeted exfoliation to collagen-stimulating therapies—tailored to your skin’s unique needs. Whether you’re addressing aging, sun damage, acne, or overall complexion maintenance, our specialists create personalized treatment plans rooted in advanced dermatologic care. Explore our full selection of facial treatment options on our skin and face services page to discover how professional, results-driven skincare can elevate your natural radiance.
Alyssa Flanders specializes in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Many of you have already met her, whether for a skin check, acne treatment, or Botox and.CO₂ laser resurfacing. We are excited to celebrate her five year anniversary with us!
She is a graduate of Chapman University’s PA program, and is a nationally board-certified physician assistant. Outside of clinical practice, she continues her involvement with Chapman’s PA program. She assists in interviews, dermatology lectures, and precepting students.
During her time at the Appearance Center and SCARS Center, she has been mentored by facial plastic surgeons, an oculoplastic surgeon, and both cosmetic and skin cancer dermatologists. She has confidently created her own unique practice by blending the expertise and mentorship of each specialty.
Alyssa is passionate about aesthetic medicine, primarily because it helps patients boost their self-confidence. She emphasizes foundational skin care and resurfacing that improves the overall skin quality and protects against both aging and skin cancers. She loves developing long-term relationships with her patients and helping them to look and feel their best.
Just like any valuable investment, your skin deserves regular care to stay beautiful and natural for years to come. That’s where we come in. Brooke McGuckin is our Aesthetic Nurse with a lifelong passion for skin health and aesthetics. She has spent over six years in the field of dermatology, where her love for skin health and patient care truly flourished.
With a unique blend of clinical experience and artistic eye, Brooke specializes in both aesthetic treatments and surgical nursing.
What sets Brooke apart is her passion for being a part of her patients’ full skin journey. From the very first consultation to surgery and follow-up appointments, Brooke is there every step of the way. She finds immense fulfillment in managing patient care and helping them maintain healthy, radiant skin.
BROOKE SPECIALIZES IN
- Injectables (Botox & Filler, Facial Balancing)
- CO2 Laser Resurfacing
- Microneedling
- Vbeam Laser Treatment
- Chemical Peels – VI Peel & TCA Peel
- Hydrafacial
- Skincare / Product Recommendations
All of these procedures are performed in the office, with minimal or no pain, and a quick recovery.
How do you achieve a more youthful face if you are not ready for or interested in a facelift? Can you get great results without a facelift? We say, “Absolutely.” Short of a facelift, we recommend three effective procedures for a more youthful, refreshed look.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of your eyelids. It helps reduce the look of tired eyes from your lower lids and removes drooping skin from your upper lids. You can focus on just the upper or lower lids, or address both at the same time.
CO2 Laser Resurfacing
CO2 laser treatment aims to improve the appearance of the skin by removing the top layer and stimulating the formation of new skin cells. CO2 Laser Resurfacing is used to tighten the skin and to treat fine lines. It also treats wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and scarring.
Fat Transfer
Facial fat transfer uses a person’s own existing body fat to restore volume to and plump sunken or sagging areas of the face. This procedure is used to treat deep creases on the forehead or between the eyebrows as well as hollow areas under the cheeks and eyes. It can also aid with contouring around the nose, temples, upper lip and the jaw.
Each of these procedures requires confirmation that you are a candidate, as well as some downtime.
This patient had all three of these procedures: lower eyelid surgery with fat grafting and CO2 laser resurfacing of the skin around the eyelids.
When Should You Choose a Facelift?
While we have described some effective procedures for facial rejuvenation, sometimes these methods don’t do the trick.
Maybe you have tried injectables and chemical peels for a while, and they do not provide the long-term results you want. Or perhaps laser or radio frequency treatments just are not achieving what you want.
Whatever the reason, facelift surgery can achieve results that non-surgical results cannot match. Facelift surgery can reposition and lift facial tissues, which is something non-surgical options cannot replicate. It can also remove excess skin, which can roll back the clock on the face by years.
We are excited to announce that The Appearance Center now offers Sylfirm X, a minimally-invasive radiofrequency (RF) treatment that is safe and effective on all skin types.
What is Sylfirm X?
Sylfirm X improves both skin texture (fine lines, scarring) and skin tone (brown spots and redness).
It is the first and only FDA approved RF microneedling device featuring dual wave settings. One setting increases collagen production treating skin wrinkles or acne scarring. Another setting evens out redness and dark spots associated with sun damage.
Amazingly, it does all this with minimal pain and downtime. Downtime typically involves 1 day of redness.
Sylfirm X is effective in treating a variety of skin issues, including:
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Skin laxity
- Acne scars and other types of scarring
- Stretch marks
- Hyperpigmentation
- Enlarged pores
- Mild to moderate sagging skin
- Skin redness
- Vascular issues like rosacea
How it Works
Sylfirm X uses microneedles and radiofrequency technology to transmit thermal energy deep into the skin. This system administers an accurate amount of energy at a specific depth during the treatment. Unlike other devices, Sylfirm X reacts ONLY to abnormal blood vessels and tissue to selectively treat increased pigmentation and vascular lesions. It is the only RF microneedling device approved for hard-to-treat conditions like rosacea and melasma.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Sylfirm X is safe on all skin types, including darker skin tones. The best candidates are healthy patients with mild to moderate skin laxity, fine lines, stretch marks, acne scars, and/or pigmentation concerns.
How Long Do Results Last?
You can see significant improvement with three sessions. Because it is a collagen producing treatment, the results do not “wear off” after any amount of time.
Obvious results are normally seen after just one treatment. However, to help achieve the maximum benefit, a three-treatment series is suggested, with each treatment four to six weeks apart.
As we age, our temple areas lose fat, leading to a “hollow” look with a decrease in natural volume. Injectables such as hyaluronic acid dermal fillers or Sculptra can help fill in these areas and restore volume to the temple and brow area.
Injectables in the temple provide immediate results with little to no recovery time. It is a relatively quick, in-office treatment and does not require anesthesia. A topical or injectable anesthetic may be used to reduce pain from the injection.
Injectables are temporary but typically last 1-2 years in the temples before needing to be redone. These procedures are largely considered safe when administered by a skilled injector.
Dermal fillers we offer include Voluma, Restylane Contour, and Restylane Lyft. We also offer Sculptra, which is a biostimulatory injectable that stimulates collagen production. Each product has its own benefits. Consulting with a provider allows us to select the best product based on your goals and anatomy.
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.”
SkinVive
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
- 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.
- Objective and Quantifiable: The electrical impedance measurements provide an objective and quantifiable assessment of skin lesions, reducing the subjectivity associated with visual inspections.
- Early Detection: Nevisense has demonstrated a high sensitivity for detecting melanoma at its earliest stages, allowing for prompt intervention and improved treatment outcomes.
- 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.
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, $$ – $$$
Please schedule a consultation so we can assess the best procedures for you!
Why Choose Appearance Center of Newport Beach?
Choosing the Appearance Center of Newport Beach means receiving skin care guided by board-certified dermatologists, facial surgeons, and advanced aesthetic providers dedicated to delivering healthy, beautiful skin. Our Joint Commission–accredited medical environment ensures that every treatment—whether gentle or corrective—is performed with the highest standards of safety and expertise. Through tailored plans, medical-grade products, and advanced technologies, our team focuses on creating visible, natural improvements while supporting long-term skin vitality. Here, patient comfort, clinical precision, and exceptional results are at the heart of every skincare experience.
Schedule a Consultation
Discover the path to your most confident self at the Appearance Center of Newport Beach, where our team of Board Certified Surgeons combines expertise in surgical and non-surgical procedures to create beautiful, natural results.