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5 Benefits of Brightening Your Undereyes with Restylane Eyelight

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Are your under eyes plagued by dark circles, bagginess, and fine lines that betray your age or make you appear perpetually tired? Through the expert hands of Dr. Annie Chiu and her skilled team at The Derm Institute, you can unlock many benefits beyond conventional cosmetic procedures.

Restylane Eyelight is a filler that can help address some of these common concerns. The hyaluronic acid-based gel filler is injected beneath the skin to address the volume loss and shadows that contribute to dark circles. As the filler integrates into the skin, it adds subtle volume and triggers collagen production, a critical factor in maintaining youthful skin. This dual-action approach ensures not only immediate improvement but also long-term rejuvenation.

What Is Restylane Eyelight?

Restylane Eyelight is a cutting-edge solution for brightening the under eyes, offering benefits ranging from diminishing dark circles to replacing lost volume. With its non-invasive nature and long-lasting results, this treatment is a game-changer for those seeking to rejuvenate their appearance without surgery.

Unlike other dermal fillers, Restylane Eyelight is carefully crafted to target the specific issues that commonly affect the undereye region, making it a highly effective and specialized option.

One of the distinguishing features of Restylane Eyelight is its unique composition, which includes hyaluronic acid and carefully selected ingredients that target pigmentation concerns. By explicitly addressing the pigmentation that contributes to dark circles, Restylane Eyelight achieves a dual-action effect that adds volume and reduces discoloration. This combination produces a brighter, smoother undereye area that radiates a youthful glow.

Below, Dr. Chiu explores five remarkable benefits of using Restylane Eyelight for brightening your under eyes and how The Derm Institute helps its patients achieve a refreshed and youthful appearance.

1. Diminishes Dark Circles

Dark circles are a common concern stemming from genetics, lack of sleep, and age-related skin thinning. Restylane Eyelight is a specialized dermal filler formulated to address these issues. The treatment involves injecting a hyaluronic acid-based filler under the skin, which adds volume to the area resulting in a visibly brighter, less shadowed, and more smooth undereye area.

2. Reduces Puffiness

Puffy under eyes can make you appear tired and older than you are. Restylane Eyelight contains a unique blend of hyaluronic acid and other skin-loving ingredients that work to hydrate and plump the skin, reducing the appearance of puffiness. The treatment provides a refreshed and more awake look by targeting the underlying causes of puffiness, such as fluid retention and weakened skin structure.

3. Smooths Fine Lines

As we age, the delicate skin around the eyes becomes more prone to fine lines and wrinkles due to decreased collagen production and repetitive facial expressions. Restylane Eyelight not only adds volume to hollow areas but helps to smooth fine lines and restore a smoother, more radiant appearance to the undereye region.

4. Quick and Non-Invasive

One of the significant advantages of Restylane Eyelight treatment is its non-invasive nature. Unlike surgical procedures, this treatment requires no downtime, allowing you to immediately return to most daily activities. The process typically takes around 15 to 30 minutes, making it a convenient option for individuals with busy lifestyles.

5. Long-Lasting Results

Restylane Eyelight offers long-lasting results, extending for up to a year or more. This benefit allows you to enjoy your brighter and more youthful undereye area without the hassle of frequent touch-up appointments. The gradual breakdown of the hyaluronic acid filler allows for a natural fade, ensuring the transformation remains subtle and beautiful.

Discover a Brighter You at The Derm Institute with Dr. Annie Chiu

If you’re ready to experience the transformative benefits of Restylane Eyelight for yourself, look no further than The Derm Institute, led by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Chiu. With a wealth of experience and dedication to providing personalized care, Dr. Chiu and her team will help you achieve your aesthetic goals in a safe and comfortable environment.

Dr. Chiu’s expertise ensures you receive a tailored approach that delivers the most natural-looking and beautiful results possible. Whether you’re looking to diminish dark circles, reduce puffiness, smooth fine lines, or all of the above, Restylane Eyelight at The Derm Institute can provide the solution you’ve been searching for.

Your journey to a revitalized undereye area and renewed confidence starts here. Book your consultation today and embark on the path to radiance and beauty.

Daxxify: 5 Things to Know About the New Botox Alternative

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In late 2022, the FDA approved Daxxify, a Botox-like injectable for facial wrinkle and line reduction in adult women and men. It is in a family of aesthetic injectables known as neuromodulators, which include Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. However, the impact these established injectables typically have are similar but slightly different due to unique formulations. With the very recent FDA approval, Daxxify or “Daxi”, is only currently available in limited select markets and offices. The Derm Institute and Dr. Annie Chiu is proud to be one of the exclusive offices with early access for patients who are looking to be treated with Daxxify.

What is Daxxify?

Daxxify, also referred to as “Daxi,” is a similar neuromodulator to those brands on the market that we are already familiar with, like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin. The critical difference is that a peptide is attached to the neurotoxin, which allows muscles to absorb and uptake more of the active ingredient.

Daxxify is used to treat frown lines (the “11s”), forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, neck bands, and any other dynamic wrinkle  just like the established neurotoxins we’ve used for years. It can also decrease sweating in your palms and armpits and help reduce grinding or TMJ symptoms, just like its predecessors.

So, what’s different about Daxi? In clinical trials submitted to the FDA for approval, eighty percent of participants using Daxxify had benefits for up to 6 months, which is almost double the duration of current neuromodulators on the market, such as Botox and Dysport, which on average last 3-4 months. Daxxify allows patients to have more flexibility in choosing the best wrinkle treatment specifically to their lifestyle its increased duration of results. This is ideal for patients who have busy lifestyles and easier maintenance. Here is more information we think you should know about Daxi.

1: Botox Comparison

All neurotoxins need proteins to help penetrate targeted muscles and wrinkles, and Botox and Dysport use certain accessory proteins for that job. However, Daxxify is the first neuromodulator to use a unique peptide to make Daxxify longer-lasting. Formulated without albumin, Daxxify is also the first and only vegan neurotoxin on the market today.

Daxi or Daxxify was originally developed as a topical alternative medication to offer Botox benefits–scientists attached a peptide to the neurotoxin to help increase the product absorption into the skin and muscle. While this topical variant did not achieve enough penetration through the skin, scientists discovered that their new formulation offered superior wrinkle-reducing benefits when injected into the targeted muscle.

2: Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Daxi?

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Chiu says almost anyone who has used  Botox or Dysport or is looking for dynamic wrinkle reduction (most commonly in areas like the glabella, crow’s feet, or forehead, will be suitable candidates for Daxxify. In addition, she points to patients who have short-term Botox duration of benefits because of a higher metabolism as being particularly good candidates. Also, some patients have particularly longstanding or stubborn etched lines, especially in the glabella or “11s” of frown lines between the brows, Daxxify can be used for not only better results, but the longer duration will lead to a retraining of these muscles and produce a more softened relaxed effect at baseline. But, of course, this is a conversation longtime Botox users would need to have with Dr. Chiu during a consultation to see what neuromodulators are best for them. At The Derm Institute, Dr. Annie Chiu uniquely customizes different brands of neuromodulators in different areas of the face, offering a bespoke treatment with the best combination of results and duration that is best for your unique features and lifestyle. 

3: Daxxify Treatment Sites

Dr. Chiu recommends Daxi to her patients who are looking for longer-lasting with outcome duration compared to their current Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, or Xeomin regimen. Daxxify can be used for any area with dynamic wrinkles, most commonly it is the glabella aka frown lines, forehead horizontal lines, and crow’s feet, but like all neuromodulators, Daxi can be artfully used to balance the entire face, including treatment of masseters or TMJ, neck bands, neck tightening, downturned mouth, gummy smiles, to induce a lip flip or brow lift, decrease bunny lines, and chin peppling. Dr. Chiu’s unique style is full face and neck evaluation and treatment for true harmony and optimization, not just the basic areas that most injectors are limited to treating.

Daxxify’s potential is specifically promising for women and men looking to sustain a relaxed forehead with fewer visits to the office. Daxxify is currently only being offered in a select group of offices in the United States, and as a key opinion leader in aesthetics, Dr. Chiu is pioneering the use of longer-lasting Daxxify. With multiple neuromodulators now on the market, treating wrinkles in a natural way has become a complex treatment to perfect, and it takes a well-trained and artistic injector who understands skin structure and facial anatomy.

4: Alternative Uses For Daxi

Like Botox, Daxxify has alternative uses that help our patients deal with medical issues and aesthetics. These treatments are designed to help adults with their quality of life. They include:

Grinding or Clenching of the Jaw (TMJ) 

Treatment of the jaw muscles can help with aching, soreness, or headaches associated with teeth grinding. Daxxify treatment in masseters can be used both symptomatically and to create a more slender, heart-shaped lower face. 

Eyelid Spasms

With its benefits for blocking nerve endings, it also stops muscle spasms that may cause eyelid twitching. So patients with uncontrolled blinking and narrowed eyelids were the first to see benefits from neuromodulator injections.

Excess Sweating

Neuromodulators are excellent treatments to help patients who experience excessive sweating. If antiperspirant products don’t help much, then Daxxify can reduce this issue of excessive underarm sweating.

5: No Downtime

Daxi involves no downtime or significant recovery. You can return to your usual routine once we complete the treatment. Bruising is very uncommon. 

The Bottom Line

So the question is simple: Is Daxxify the new Botox?

Daxi is not a Botox replacement, but it will be another neuromodulator option to offer our patients a more customized approach to wrinkle and fine-line reduction. Now that Daxxify has FDA approval and works so well, it will allow our patients to have an additional option regarding dynamic wrinkles and fine lines. If you are looking for a longer-lasting alternative to botox with perhaps only twice-a-year treatments for maintenance, or you have found your current Botox duration to be unsatisfactory, Daxxify may be an option for you.

Taking the Next Step With Dr. Chiu

Neuromodulator treatments are an easy yet effective way for men and women to maintain their youthful complexion well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. For more information, contact Dr. Annie Chiu at The Derm Institute in Redondo Beach, California, by calling (310) 939-9800 or contacting us online to schedule a consultation.

What Is Brotox, and Why Is It Becoming So Popular?

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Older man with beard on beach

Often referred to as “Brotox,” more men are seeking regular Botox treatments than ever. In fact, the number of men seeking Botox has risen by a surprising 355% percent over the past 15 years. Despite its appealing name, Brotox is precisely the same procedure as the Botox injections received by women to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles and create a more youthful appearance that will help boost the patient’s self-confidence. Those men who have undergone this treatment will attest to how much misperception is around this procedure.

No, men do not need to look frozen. No men do not need to look lineless. Subtle treatment differences between genders needs an expertise like Dr. Annie Chiu to guide. The goal is a rested refreshed appearance, and a preventative plan towards slowing down looking tired or aged. The goal is impactful improvement that is so natural no one will notice. It almost just appears like healthier skin.

Since this treatment is generally quick and easy to administer, it’s often referred to as a “lunchtime procedure,” since it can be scheduled during one’s lunch break. It typically requires only 15- to 20-minutes with no discomfort and no downtime afterward.

Men and women of all ages choose Botox treatment to help treat dynamic movement lines like the expression lines on the forehead, the “11 lines” between the eyes, and fine lines or crow’s feet at the corner of the eyes when they smile. And the best part is that the results are readily apparent within 2-7 days following treatment and last anywhere from 3-6 months.

As an expert injector, board-certified Dr. Annie Chiu of The Derm Institute in Manhattan Beach, CA, has mastered the art of Botox injections. She can help patients achieve natural-looking facial rejuvenation that turns back time without ever looking “frozen” or “done.” Having participated in numerous studies on Botox and as an Allergan Black Diamond level and Galderma Presidential injector, she has the knowledge and skill to produce results that will have you radiating confidence in no time.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is a neuromodulator capable of binding the receptors in the muscles. It is administered via tiny injections that soften the appearance of movement-related facial wrinkles.

By blocking neurotransmitters that trigger the muscle’s ability to contract, Botox reduces the activity of the muscles in the area targeted, which stops wrinkles from being able to form. Usually requiring less than 15 minutes to perform, Botox injections make it the perfect treatment for even the busiest schedules.

Why Is Brotox Becoming So Popular?

While men choose Botox treatment for similar reasons to women, there are three common reasons among men considering or who have already had this injectable treatment.

Men aren’t immune to the aging process

With changing social norms and a shifting focus on our online presence, men increasingly want to undo the effects of time and look a little younger, more rested, and energized. This trend explains the increasing emphasis on physical appearance for both men and women and why cosmetic procedures like Botox or “Brotox” are becoming highly sought after.

Growing need to remain competitive in today’s job market.

The job market is constantly becoming more competitive, with a perceived direct link between one’s physical appearance and career success. Many men who want to stay competitive in their careers decide to take advantage of Botox to maintain that virile, energized look displayed by younger colleagues.

Improve self-esteem and quality of life

As for women, men can also benefit from the confidence-boosting younger profile provided by Botox. When you know you look your best on the outside, you tend to also feel better about yourself inside, with a positive effect on your overall sense of happiness, wellness, and quality of life.

Taking the Next Step with a Brotox Treatment With Dr. Chiu

There is no need to feel awkward, Brotox treatments are an easy yet effective way for men to maintain their youthful complexion well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. For more information on Brotox with Dr. Annie Chiu at her practice in Redondo Beach, California, call us at (310) 939-9800 or contact us online to schedule a personalized consultation.

Myth: Drinking Extra Water Will Give You Better Skin

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Why do people think that drinking extra water will improve their skin?

While drinking water is important for overall health, there is a lack of evidence to suggest that drinking extra, EXTRA water will impact skin hydration and appearance in healthy, adequately hydrated people.

It’s more that when you are dehydrated (from not drinking fluids, too much caffeine or alcohol, flying, or just not moisturizing), the skin does appear more lackluster, dull, and sallow. Overall, both due to factors we can control and those we don’t (like aging or previous sun damage), the skin will lose elasticity and plumpness if the epidermis (the outer most of the three layers that make up your skin) doesn’t contain enough water—resulting in a less “glowy” appearance.

What’s the science behind skin and the amount of water someone drinks?

Water helps your body work properly; it impacts blood flow and helps nutrients reach all the cells in your body, but it doesn’t automatically get carried to your skin. Drinking water affects your body at the cellular level.

What actually improves skin hydration?

Here are some tips we recommend for improving skin hydration:

  • Use a gentle and moisturizing cleanser.
  • Avoid any product that contains alcohol.
  • Use a moisturizing serum to help rebuild your skin’s natural protective barrier.
  • Look for products that contain:
    • hyaluronic acid, it can hold up to 1000 tunes its weight in hydration
    • AHAs
    • Lactic acid
    • Glycolic acid
    • Glycerin
  • Moisturize immediately after showering or washing your hands.
  • Do not use very hot water in the shower or sink.
  • Use a humidifier if you live in very dry climates or in winter when heaters are turned on.
  • Protect your hands from the elements, meaning wear gloves when outside in the cold or when washing dishes.
  • Use an overnight hydrating mask.
  • Avoid perfumed products.
  • If your skin is especially dry, avoid salicylic acid, tea tree oil, charcoal, and kaolin as they can strip the epidermis of natural oils.

Is there anything else you think readers should know about this myth or about skin hydration?

Make sure your moisturizing regimen contains an emollient like natural oils, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter to smooth out skin cells, a humectant like urea, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, honey aloe, rice proteins to pull hydration the outer layers of your skin, and an occlusive to prevent water loss and lock it all in with a protective seal on skin. These could include beeswax, olive oil, lanolin, or dimethicone.

Interested in learning more about proper skincare or how to hydrate your skin? Dr. Annie Chiu, Board-Certified Dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in North Redondo Beach, welcomes you to visit her practice to see how you can achieve healthy, beautiful skin. To get started, simply call (310) 939-9800 or contact us online today.

Lip Masks for a Plump, Hydrated Pout

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Lip masks are beneficial to smooth, soothe and plump delicate lip skin, which tends to dry out and is thinner and more sensitive to ingredients we may apply elsewhere on the face. This becomes more apparent in dry conditions like on plane rides, or even seasons like dry winter months when cold, windy weather can increase transepidermal water loss and thus, dehydration of the lips. Lip masks can be used throughout the day, but are most commonly used on long plane rides, in dry high altitudes, or nightly to seal in moisture overnight. When we sleep, our core body temperature actually rises causing an increase in transepidermal water loss, especially through mucosal surfaces like the lips, so a nightly lip mask is a great way to combat that dehydration. Everyone can benefit from a lip mask because even low-grade dryness can lead to chronic inflammation, which can irritate or cause the lips to have a crinkly, aged appearance.

Almost everyone uses lip balms, which are typically formulated a bit lighter for multiple applications throughout the day and can often be layered with lipsticks. A lip mask is more for when your lips feel particularly dry, or for nightly use as it is typically characterized by more occlusive ingredients, with actives that are more concentrated for specific benefits like exfoliating or anti-aging. Lip masks are generally a more intense version of regular lip balms and are meant to sit on the lips for hours without the messiness of eating or talking a lot.

Ingredients to look out for:

  • Look for deeply moisturizing ingredients such as sunflower oil, sesame oil, vitamin E, omega fatty acids, linoleum acids, and coconut oil to moisturize, soften, and soothe dry lips.
  • Occlusive ingredients like petrolatum and shea butter seal in moisture to help even deeper penetration of other ingredients.
  • Exfoliating ingredients like pumpkin extract and sugar molecules rid the dry dead cells so other ingredients can better penetrate the lip skin and the lips look smooth and plumped.
  • Hyaluronic acid and honey are humectants with slight anti-inflammatory activity to help hydrate and maintain moisture.
  • A good lip mask typically will have antioxidants to reverse the oxidative damage lips can encounter during the day from UV light, pollution, or smoke and help against premature aging.

Dr. Chiu’s Lip Mask Recommendations

1. Ilia Lip Wrap Treatment Mask: this product pretty much hits all the ingredient categories you look for in a lip mask. Exfoliating papaya enzymes are formulated elegantly with hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidants like Vitamin E, along with deep moisturizing skin occlusives like Shea Butter and other plant oils without feeling too sticky or heavy.
Price $26

2. Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask: One of the most lightweight masks on the market, this gel texture mask is great for sensitive lips as it is formulated without any fragrance. This mask contains primary ingredients like squalene which is a natural occlusive and a precursor to the skin’s naturally made fatty acids in the lip.  Peach extracts soften and heal the lips without any stickiness.
Price $28

3. Burt’s Bee’s Moisturizing Lip Mask: These single-use, ultra sanitary (think no re-dipping into a jar) lip masks are perfect for plane travel or your winter ski trip. Simple natural ingredients including sweet almond oil and sunflower seed oil deeply moisturize and penetrate the lip quickly.
Price $5.03 

The Complete Guide to Thread Lifts for the Face and Neck

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Living in a world obsessed with youth and attractiveness – especially in the current era of Instagram, FaceTime, and Zoom – you may find yourself wishing your face was a little more lifted and younger-looking each time you glance in the mirror. While there’s nothing wrong with experiencing the natural aging process or your inherited facial characteristics, you might also realize you want to do something about it. That’s why facial cosmetic treatments like our no-downtime, non-surgical absorbable thread lift using injectable threads are becoming increasingly popular.

What Is a Thread Lift?

Dr. Annie Chiu at The Derm Institute at North Redondo Beach, California, proudly offers a cosmetic procedure designed to lift and sculpt the shape of your face, neck or other areas of your body. Using temporary, medical-grade barbed suture material, thread lifts are a completely nonsurgical way to give the skin a lift without adding extra volume, lifting loose skin via sutures injected under the skin.  Common areas to use threadlifts address lower facial laxity, jowling, heaviness of the lower face and jawline area, and neck laxity.  But that’s not all — inserting threads triggers your body’s healing response and induces new collagen production. Results of the lift can be seen immediately, although continued collagen production makes for even more peak results around 1 month post treatment. New collagen stimulated by threads can help continue to tighten your sagging skin and restore youthful elasticity and lift.  

What Are Injectable Threads?

The injectable threads technology employed by Dr. Chiu are absorbable PDO flexible sutures that have molded tiny “barbs” or hooks (almost invisible to the human eye) that grabs onto the under surface of the skin to produce an instant lift in areas with laxity or to address loose skin or heavy skin on the lower face. Dr. Chiu delivers the treatment during a quick, zero-downtime 30 minute procedure.

Benefits of a Thread Lift

While you might be wondering about choosing a thread lift, it’s helpful to remember that injectable thread lifts provide an immediate improvement and a regenerative effect for progressive and natural results. Some of the typical outcomes include:

  • Instant lifted results
  • A boost to the body’s natural collagen production
  • Typically no downtime

Patients who can’t or are not ready to have a surgical facelift due to medical conditions may consider a thread lift as a safer alternative. Thread lifts are low risk, mainly due to how non-invasive they are. There is virtually no risk of bruising, bleeding, scarring, or other complications after having a thread lift.

While no procedure can halt the natural aging process, facelift surgery will usually produce longer-lasting results than a thread lift, typically up to a decade. In contrast, a thread lift will generally last about a year. However, because thread lift procedures are low-risk, patients can opt to have a fresh set of threads placed once the body absorbs the previous set.

What Are the Most Common Areas Treated With a Thread Face Lift?

Patients typically choose thread lifts for facial areas that sag or droop, looking lax over time. These areas include:

  • Jowls and jawline
  • Brow line and forehead
  • Droopy or heavy cheeks
  • Lax or crepey neck

Thread lifts can also present excellent results in other areas of the body, including the knees, buttocks, abdomen, and legs.

Who Is the Best Candidate for a Thread Face Lift?

Ideal candidates for a thread face lift are patients who are just starting to notice some collagen loss in the mid- or lower third of their faces, would like to boost their skin’s structure, and are:

  • In their late 30s to early 50s
  • Have moderately loose skin

Already have volume and do not want to lift with fillers

What Are the Risks and Side Effects From a Thread Face Lift?

A thread lift procedure is generally low-risk, but patients may experience side effects such as:

  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Bleeding
  • Slight discomfort at the injection site

There’s also a 15 to 20% chance of complications such as dimpling, but these are generally minor and easily correctable.

Ready to Schedule a Consultation?

To find out more about your thread face lift, call us at (310) 939-9800 or contact us online to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Annie Chiu.

Botox vs. Fillers, What’s the Difference? | The Derm Institute

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Almost everyone has heard of Botox, but few people understand the differences between Botox and the vast range of injectables known as fillers.

Botox and fillers are two common but very different aesthetic skin treatments. Both are designed primarily to restore youthfulness to your facial features, which is essential in today’s online world.

Here we talk about the similarities, differences, and benefits of Botox vs. fillers so that you are better prepared for when you contact The Derm Institute in North Redondo Beach, California. At her boutique practice, Dr. Annie Chiu will create an individualized plan for you by carefully selecting the best combination of injectables that will help you regain your youthful appearance without surgery.

What Are the Differences Between Botox and Fillers?

The aging process leads us to start looking older than our years, and as it undermines our self-confidence, many of us become determined to find a solution. That solution could well be in the form of either Botox, injectable fillers, or even both.

You may have been lead to believe that Botox and fillers are the same. However, this is far from the truth. So how do you choose between Botox and other aesthetic injectables for your face, especially with all the different brand names on the market?

Both Botox and dermal fillers are delivered via injection and used to treat wrinkles on the face. But this is where the similarities end.

Botox®

Botox (together with Jeuveau, Dysport, and Xeomin) is a botulinum toxin type A neuromodulator that best treats facial expression areas such as crow’s feet, frown lines, and the ‘11s’ between the eyebrows. It is also used to treat neurological disorders that cause muscle weakness and treat migraines and other medical conditions.

As a wrinkle treatment, these neuromodulators are primarily used to treat “dynamic” wrinkles naturally occurring around the eyes and mouth and between the eyebrows, which become more pronounced with age. These injections, which take just a few minutes, relax the muscles near these wrinkles. By preventing the muscles from moving, the appearance of dynamic wrinkles is reduced.

Dermal fillers

Dr. Chiu expertly administers dermal fillers to treat wrinkles on the face and plump up the lips or cheeks that have to begin to sag due to aging. Whereas Botox relaxes the muscles underneath the skin, fillers add subtle volume to restore a more natural look to the face. A variety of fillers having a unique composition are also on offer, including Juvederm, Voluma, Vollure, Volbella, and Restylane, to name just a small selection. Dr. Chiu will help you determine which filler will benefit you the most when you come in for your personalized consultation.

Find Out About Botox Versus Fillers with Dr. Annie Chiu

Explore the differences between Botox and dermal fillers and how they can help restore your youthful appearance by contacting Dr. Annie Chiu at her practice in Redondo Beach, California. She offers you the most advanced age-defying rejuvenation solutions, including injectable neuromodulators such as Botox, Jeuveau, Dysport, and Xeomin, and her expertly administered range of dermal fillers.

Call (310) 939-9800 or contact us online today to schedule your personalized consultation!

Botox & Filler During COVID: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

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You already know that the demand for Botox and dermal fillers has increased considerably over the past few months. Stay-at-home orders have led to delays in continuing our treatments, and our feelings of stress and anxiety are worsened when we see our tense, wrinkled, and furrowed faces reflected back at us during those nonstop Zoom video calls. Now more than ever, we don’t want to look tired or old or angry.

To maintain the results of your earlier visits to The Derm Institute, you may already have enjoyed products with crosslinked hyaluronic acids like SkinMedica’s HA5 rejuvenating hydrator from our Online Skincare Store. Products like these help your skin maintain its plump and hydrated appearance and are great additions to boost your filler treatments as you plan to schedule your next visit.

Your next visit to Dr. Annie Chiu will look a lot different from the last time, even before you walk in the door. You have already noticed from our website that we have additional safety precautions to protect you, our staff, and other patients from contracting the coronavirus.

Is It Safe To Get Botox and Fillers Again?

We are all about keeping you and others safe

When scheduling your appointment, please pay special attention to our website’s pop-up checklist with our new COVID office protocol. It highlights our safety precautions: On your arrival, wait to be called to enter the office, wear a mask or face covering, use the hand sanitizer provided, let us take your temperature, and be sure to let us know if you have any worrying health symptoms or if you’ve been in contact with anyone who has tested positive with COVID.

What Happens During the Treatment?

After you have checked in and as you’re escorted to the treatment room, you’ll notice our office may seem emptier than the last time you visited. When your doctor comes into the room to discuss and provide treatment, she’ll be wearing two masks (N95 and face mask) over her nose and mouth, as well as a clear protective shield covering her face.

What’s Your Next Rejuvenation Treatment Going to Be at North Redondo Beach, CA?

Dr. Chiu’s boutique practice offers the most advanced rejuvenation approaches, including injectables such as Botox® and  Dermal Fillers. Be sure to ask about her newer generation of hyaluronic acid fillers known as Resilient Hyaluronic Acid (RHA) Fillers. Manufactured to closely resemble the natural hyaluronic acids found in your own body, they allow your skin to stretch and integrate beautifully even in areas of high movement or expression. You’ll enjoy some of the most natural but transformative results, giving you smooth contours and a youthful, soft, and rested look for up to 15 months. Perfect for those Zoom calls!

You can feel reassured in our safety precautions and the superior care you’ll receive by renowned physician Dr. Annie Chiu and our amazing office staff. Call us today at (310) 939-9800 or contact us online to schedule your personalized consultation!

Top Tips for Dealing with Maskne | The Derm Institute

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To slow the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic, wearing a face mask has become part of your daily routine. It’s now required in many public places, from grocery stores to restaurants, as it is an effective barrier against the COVID-19 virus that spreads through respiratory droplets.

However, wearing a mask may lead to acne breakouts. You are not alone! Known as “maskne” (mask acne), these breakouts are a common side effect of wearing a face mask, especially for extended periods.

Maskne doesn’t merely cause pimples but may also result in skin issues, including redness, bumpiness, and irritation.

What Exactly Is Maskne and Why Does It Happen?

As the name suggests, maskne is a skin breakout resulting from friction, pressure, rubbing, stretching by the mask. You can see maskne where the mask covers and where the mask and face shields touch the skin.

Face masks and coverings trap moisture, sweat, oil, and dirt close to our skin, causing blemishes and various skin conditions:

  • Acne when pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and dirt, resulting in pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads.
  • Rosacea can flare up due to the wearing of a mask, leading to pimples and redness.
  • Contact dermatitis results from being allergic or sensitive to your mask’s material, leading to a red rash, along with irritation and blisters.

If you already suffer from one or more of these conditions, you may be more prone to developing maskne.

Why Do Masks Cause Irritation?

In most cases, maskne results from clogged pores caused by a buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria on your skin, made worse by wearing a mask for hours on end. Add humidity caused by your breathing and sweating inside the mask, and you may increase the risk of acne.

Some masks and face coverings are pretreated with chemicals or feel rough on the skin, leading to sensitivity or an allergic reaction to your mask’s material. Washing a reusable mask in a scented detergent may also cause irritation.

How Can You Clear up and Prevent Your Maskne Breakout?

The key to managing your maskne breakout is preventing it in the first place, as these tips suggest:

Wear a Clean Mask Each Day

Avoid the temptation to throw the same mask on every day. Mask cleanliness affects your maskne breakouts, making it vital to starting every day with a clean mask. It might be better for a long day at work to put on a new mask at least halfway through your day rather than wear just one all day long.

For a reusable mask, make sure you’re washing it every day because of the bacteria it harbors.

Wash Your Face Regularly

During the COVID-19 pandemic, continue with your regular skincare routine to keep your skin healthy.

Make sure you wash your face:

  • Once every morning.
  • Once every night, before going to bed.
  • After sweating while wearing a mask.

After washing your face with lukewarm water, pat your skin dry with a clean towel, being sure not to rub your skin and cause irritation.

Use Gentle Organic and Daily Skin Care Products

Use a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil, sweat, and bacteria. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol or perfume as these can cause irritation and slow the healing of your symptoms.

Since every person has a unique skin type, take the time to undergo a clinical consultation by physician Dr. Annie Chiu and obtain an individualized treatment plan so that you can bring your maskne under control.

Take a Break From Makeup

Even if your makeup is hypoallergenic, wearing a restrictive face covering may smother your skin and exacerbate the clogging of your pores.

At the very least, use the highest quality products possible and keep your makeup very light.

How Can You Prevent Maskne in North Redondo Beach, CA?

Since you’ll probably need to continue wearing a face mask or covering in public for the foreseeable future, here are some maskne prevention tips you can follow:

Wash Fabric Masks After Every Use

Using unscented hypoallergenic laundry detergent, wash reusable cloth masks after every use.

Apply a Topical Antibiotic Cream

Prevent acne-causing bacteria from building up under your mask by applying an antibiotic cream or gel directly on your skin before putting on your mask.

Remove your mask every 4 hours

If possible, every four hours, after washing your hands, remove your face mask for 15 minutes, giving your skin a break from being tightly covered.

Apply Moisturizer Before Wearing a Mask

If your skin tends to be dry, a mask may cause irritation. Applying a noncomedogenic moisturizer can help hydrate your skin and serve as a barrier between your skin and the mask.

Choose the Right Mask

Avoid skin issues by following these tips for choosing the right mask:

  • Snug-fitting, but not too tight.
  • Two or more layers of fabric.
  • Made from natural, soft fabric.

Should I See Dr. Annie Chiu About my Maskne at North Redondo Beach, CA?

Healthy skin is part of your overall good health. With maskne being an uncomfortable sign of the times, if you’re struggling with unsightly, uncomfortable maskne, you can feel reassured of the skilled treatment offered by renowned physician Dr. Annie Chiu. Call us today at (310) 939-9800 or contact us online to schedule your personalized consultation!

 

Help! My Botox and Fillers are Wearing Off!

Posted on by The Derm Institute
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We are now deep into California’s Safer at Home order, and our manicures, hair dyes, and omg—botox and fillers maybe starting to wear off. Here’s the good news—if you have getting these procedures regularly, research shows that your results may last longer than you expect. The bad news? Nothing over the counter really replaces the effects of botox and fillers.

So what can you do to maintain the results as long possible?

  • Self-care and trying to control stress (during stressful times) keeps your immune system strong and inflammation down.
  • Up your skincare game! Fillers look much better with hydrated skin, and products with crosslinked hyaluronic acids like SkinMedica’s HA5 help the skin maintain plump and hydrated, and is a great adjunct to boost filler treatments.
  • Smile. Overuse of frown muscles, or squinting at a computer or phone can make your dynamic wrinkles between the brows and crow’s feet stronger.
  • Some small studies have shown zinc supplementation possibly can increase the duration of botox effects. Since zinc also boosts the immune system, this may be the time to incorporate into your supplements.
  • Limit sun exposure and wear sunscreen. Even if you are indoors more, UVA rays penetrate windows, and blue light from increased digital exposure all contribute to breakdown of collagen.
  • Exercise to keep healthy, but prolonged or extreme exercise and diet does lead to an increased metabolic effect on these products and their benefits can wear off faster.

Most importantly, stay safe and socially distance, because that means we can all reunite and do these treatments all the sooner!