Winter Skincare Must Dos

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Winter season is a time where cooler weather means dry skin and the weather can take a toll on our skin. The best way to avoid total damage to your complexion is to have these 5 winter essentials at home. They are a sure fix to keep your skin hydrated and radiant during the winter.

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1. Moisturize
–  Changing to a more hydrating moisturizer with ingredients like Vitamin E, Vitamin c, and sodium hyaluronate can help keep your skin looking quenched. Our favorites are  SkinCeutials’ Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 , SkinMedica’s Dermal Repair Cream, and even Medimetriks’ Niseko Hydrating Moisturizer.

2. Use a Serum – Hyaluronic acid serums help draw water to the skin, keeping skin hydrated and not flakey. For an added anti-aging benefit hyaluronic acid serums, like Alphaeon’s Teoxane RHA Serum or Skinlab’s Dew Drops help boost collagen and minimize fine lines.

3. Drink Plenty of Water – Keep your skin healthy and refreshed by drinking plenty of H2O Staying hydrated keeps your skin glowing and less parched.

4. Exfoliate – Winter exfoliation is a must do! Polish and refresh your skin this winter. Exfoliating in the winter is key to allowing cell renewal and decongest the skin. Be careful to avoid over exfoliating, you don’t want to dry out your skin. Using products like Skinlab’s Weekly Peel Pads, Medicated Glow Pads, and Exfoliating Glycolic Cleanser can keep you on the right track.

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5. Treat Your Lips – Primp your pout! Your lips need love too. Using products like Coola’s Liplux balm can keep them looking hydrated and fresh.

 

 

lotion_application_16. Hydrate your Body – Keep the dry skin away by using products like Avene’s Xeracalm Moisturizing Lotion to quench and smooth your dry winter skin. Skinceuticals’ Body Tightening Concentrate has some great skin tightening benefits too!

Keeping a good regimen that hydrates your skin is key to winter skin survival. Do not hesitate to stop by the office and discuss you skincare concerns and needs with one of our product experts here at The Derm Institute!

…Shared by Your TDI Team

 

Volbella | The Perfect Pout

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The Derm Institute is proud to be offering the newest FDA-approved filler, Volbella. Vobella comes from the makers of Botox and is made of cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid. It’s an ideal filler for lines around the mouth and natural lip rejuvenation.

Dr. Chiu has created this helpful infographic to help her patients understand what Volbella is and how it works. If you would like to learn more or if you have any questions about Volbella, please contact The Derm Institute to schedule your consultation.

 

What’s HOT in Skin Rejuvenation? Radiofrequency Energy

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Radiofrequency is the HOT treatment of choice in anti-aging, fighting dreaded sagging, increasing skin tightening, and boosting new collagen production little to no down time.

What radiofrequency procedures does The Derm Institute offer?

protege during treatmentExilis Protégé Elite: This system uses radio frequency (RF) waves to tighten skin, smooth fine lines, and improve texture of areas like the neck, décolleté, upper and lower eye lids, and jawline.  If you noticed increased laxity, or crepy skin in these areas, Protégé will help!

Vanquish ME: This innovative body conturing device uses RF to heat targeted fat tissue and kill fat cells all with no downtime or discomfort.  There is virtually no down time and treatments can address those bothersome areas like abdomen, love handles, thighs, and even the dreaded bra bulge. Treatment with Vanquish ME only takes 1 month. Yes, that’s smoother, slimmer, and contoured areas in just 30 days.

Infini: Our newest system is becoming one of our most popular and effective treatments to tighten the skin, reduce pore size, and contour a sagging jawline or tighten loosening neck skin. Pinpoint microinvasive needles direct heat to induce collagen contraction in areas like the face, neck, and even on the body.

Before & After

How do these RF procedures compare to other treatments like C02 laser or other devices on the market?

No real downtime. In a world where you are always on the go it’s hard to have that “me” time without taking away from work or home activities. RF technology devices allow for you to not only keep your schedule, but also receive effective treatment with little down time.

Minimal to no discomfort. It is always ideal to have little to no pain and treatments like Vanquish and Protégé, and, provide true alternatives to surgical procedures without the pain or risk of going under the knife.  Patients sometimes find these treatments are relaxing while they are turning back the clock on aging!

Effective Results. Each RF device at The Derm Institute offers results that can be seen within 30-60 days. Infini can actually still have results even just 6-8 weeks after the first treatment! Can you believe that? Results get better over time as the body builds more collagen.  Our patients have been thrilled.

Infini_Weiner_neckpt2_34_beforeandafter-01-0-2

How to I learn which treatment is the right one for me?

Schedule an appointment at The Derm Institute with Dr. Annie Chiu, she will provide you an indepth consultation on each device and determine, based off your needs and concerns, what treatment or combination of treatments will optimize your results.

…Shared by Your TDI Team

Introducing the Newest Filler on the Block: Juvederm Volbella

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Frequently Asked Questions…

1. When is Volbella available?

Now!  Juvederm Volbella is now FDA-Approved and available early at The Derm Institute.  As an Allergan Medical Facial Aesthetic Speaker Trainer, Dr. Annie Chiu is among the first physicians to be offering this fine line lip filler in the United States.   As a premier injectable expert in the Southbay, Dr. Chiu also had advanced training in Volbella.

2. What is Juvederm Volbella used for?

image1Volbella is a “fine line” hyaluronic acid filler used to soften small etched lines, especially around the mouth.  It is not meant to give “big” or “full” lips, it is for the most subtle of lip enhancements or to attack pesky vertical lip lines that are aging in appearance.

  • To make vertical lip “smoker’s lines” or “lipstick lines” disappear
  • To give crinkly lips a glossed appearance so they look rehydrated
  • To better define the cupid’s bow, or M portion of the lip
  • Define the lip borders
  • Upturn the corners of a downturning mouth

3. Where else can Volbella be used?

Volbella is a durable, extra smooth gel that can be used for any fine, etched line or a thin-skinned area that needs softening of hollows.  Examples include:

  • Undereye hollows
  • Etched horizontal forehead lines
  • Etched crow’s feet
  • Deep etched frown lines that do not completely improve with Botox

4. What makes Volbella different?

Volbella is in the Juvederm Voluma  family.  The special VYCROSS technique allows this injectable filler to be administered with virtually no swelling or downtime while still giving long lasting duration.  The ultra smooth gel also allows it to be completely natural looking.

volbella before and after

 

5. How long does Volbella filler last?

Volbella typically lasts about 1 year in duration.

6. Does it hurt?

Volbella is pre-mixed with anesthetic, and we always use topical numbing to ensure a comfortable experience for our patients at The Derm Institute.

7. Is there downtime?

Volbella filler for the lip, etched lines, or undereye is unique in its formulation in that there is virtually no swelling or bruising, making this a true lunch time procedure.

Come experience Juvederm Volbella today by contacting our clinic and get a little magic courtesy of Dr. Annie Chiu

…Shared by the TDI team

5 Places You Didn’t Know You Could Use Injectables ••To Fix!

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1. Botox in your scalp aka “BLOW-TOX”. Wish your blow out would last longer? There’s help! Botox in the scalp decreases oil and sweat production on the scalp, which are the pesky things reverts your hair to its pre-blowout frizz. Now get longer lasting smooth blowouts with BLOW-TOX!

2. Fillers in the earlobes. Have you noticed droopier earrings when you wear them? Or the pierced earlobe looking elongated? With time, collagen loss occurs in the earlobes and they flatten, and the weight of earrings can make the lobes look saggy and draggy. A smidge of filler in the earlobes can correct this instantly and get those diamond earrings to frame your face beautifully again.earlobe correction

 

3. Kybella in the armpit pooch. Summer is here, and strapless dresses reveal that little pooch of fatty skin under the arms no matter how thin you are! Consider Kybella, the first FDA • Approved injectable that dissolves fat. In a single session you can get PERMANENT fat reduction in this area!

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4. Voluma for a non-surgical rhinoplasty. Annoyed by a flattened profile, a slightly not straight nose, or a bump on the nose? Juvederm Voluma when used in expert hands like Dr. Chiu and yield AMAZING non-surgical instant results. She can straighten a crooked nose, build height to a flat bridge, refine and tilt up the tip. Our patients think the results are truly magical. Lasts up to 2 years!Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Sculptra for vertical boob lines. Notice when you wake up in the AM, there are creases on your chest and especially on between your breasts? This gives the chest a saggy, aged appearance. Sculptra, typically in 2 sessions, rejuvenates this area beautifully, improving both the skin texture, correcting the lines and giving the breasts a subtle lift. A must treatment for those who like V or plunging necklines!

Advanced techniques of injectables can be used to correct all sorts of problem areas you never thought there was a solution for. Feel free to call our office (link) for any additional information. We are experts at keeping you looking and feeling confident and beautiful in your skin.

Get The SKIN•NY On The Newest FDA•Approved Filler: VOLBELLA

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Want glossy pillowy lips without the dreaded “trout pout”?  Now is the time to put your fears away—Vobella is here!

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Before & After

Volbella is the newest filler approved by the FDA.  Like its cousin, Voluma, Volbella comes from the makers of Botox, and is comprised of cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid, but its defining characteristic is its ultra smooth, ultra fine, and ultra soft consistency, making it an ideal filler for pesky lines around the mouth, aka “smoker’s lines” (although these occur in non-smokers too!), and for those who want a very natural lip rejuvenation.

 

There are so many fillers on the market–what makes Volbella different?

Volbella is part of the Juvederm Voluma family, uniquely characterized by VYCROSS technology, which through special efficient crosslinking, allows longer lasting results with minimal swelling.

  • Minimal swelling effect, unlike other lip fillers on the market where you have a few days of swelling before the lips settle down.
  • Not for building enlarged lips, more for a glossing, slight plumping effect, like wearing the best lip gloss you can imagine 24-7.
  • Ideal for fine etched lines around the mouth, including vertical, “smoker appearing” lip lines.
  • Can be used for etched fine wrinkles other than the lip area as well.

VolbellaBlog

 

How long does it last?  What kind of results can I expect?

Dr. Chiu has perfected her TDI “Lip Glossing” technique with lip fillers.  Her technique with Volbella, as well as other lip fillers is to achieved a “just kissed” look—where the lip is slightly plumped, has a glowing sheen, and a dewy appearance.  Just a touch of sexy . . . and with Volbella, the results are so natural no one will know!   Let’s say your secret will be sealed with a kiss . . . And it’s long lasting—up to a year!

When will it be available in the United States?

Because Dr. Chiu is a nationally recognized master injector and physician trainer, The Derm Institute will be among the first clinics in Los Angeles to offer Volbella, this revolutionary new filler which is slated for wider release in October.  Contact the office to get on the waitlist today!

Then, stay tuned for Vol-Lift . . .  in the TRIAD of VYCROSS fillers. . . also coming this year.

Volbella-Loveyourlips-6-2016… Shared by the TDI Team

Frequently Asked Questions: Kybella

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The Derm Institute is designated by Allergan as a Kybella Center of Excellence

 

1. What is Kybella?Kybella

Kybella is an injectable formulation of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule I the body that aids in the breakdown and absorptions of fat.  When injected into areas of unwanted fat, Kybella causes the destruction of fat cells.  In 2015, the FDA approved the use of Kybella to treat submental fat, otherwise known as a double chin.  At The Derm Institute, we call it mini-liposuction in a syringe, and we have been designated by Allergan as a Kybella Center of Excellence due to Dr. Chiu’s extensive experience and pioneering techniques.

2. What areas can be treated with Kybella?

Kybella is most commonly used for the removal of fat underneath the chin.  At the Derm Institute, we are the South Bay and Los Angeles’ Kybella Center of Excellence.  This means Dr. Chiu has extensive experience in contouring the lower jawline, double chin, and also uses Kybella for other areas of body contouring, such as the armpit fat, bra bulges, and lower buttock fatty folds.

3. Are there any off-label uses for Kybella? If so, are they safe?

Off label, Kybella can be used for other smaller areas of unwanted fat on the body.  Dr. Chiu has used it with great results in patients for:

  • Armpit pooches
  • Back fat
  • Bra bulge
  • Inner knee fat
  • Lower buttock fatty folds

4. Kybella vs. liposuction for double chin? Which would you recommend and what is the difference?

If you have a double chin or other small area of stubborn fat where you want more contour and definition, then consider Kybella a safe alternative to liposuction and surgery.  Only you and Dr. Chiu can decide if Kybella is the right treatment.  Typically, Kybella treatment requires 2-4 sessions.  Liposuction typically requires 1-2 sessions, but some patients do not like to undergo surgery, or have scars from liposuction.  Kybella treatment does not leave any scars as it is injected through a very small syringe.

5. What is recovery like for Kybella injections?

There is some swelling right after Kybella treatment, which typically is most prominent in the first 2-3 days and is typically completely resolved in a week.  After day 3, most swelling is not noticeable to others, although a scarf or a mock turtleneck can help camouflage.  Dr. Chiu recommends scheduling Kybella treatments on Thursdays or Fridays to allow healing to occur over the weekend.  Over the following month, you may feel (but not see) some bump under the skin of the treated area.  This firmness signifies Kybella is working to dissolve the fat.  Once the fat is dissolved, your body will naturally absorb the fat cells.

6. How long do results from Kybella injections last?

The results gained with Kybella are considered long term and the fat will not return once dissolved if the weight of the patient remains stable.  FDA studies show maintenance of improvement at 5 years after treatment when patients maintained a stable weight.

7. What do I do if I gain weight after using Kybella?

Because double chin fat, or any area treated with Kybella is composed of fat cells, with significant weight gain, the fat area can possibly but not always return.

8. Are Kybella injections painful?

There is little pain during the Kybella procedure.   There is a slight burning sensation when the product is administered, but at The Derm Institute, we use topical numbing and ice to ensure comfort for our patients.  Two to four sessions are recommended with a follow up of 6 – 8 weeks between each treatment.  Dr. Chiu and staff try to make each treatment as comfortable as possible.  Before treatment begins, Dr. Chiu’s medical assistant will ice and numb the area with a numbing cream. This helps with any discomfort during the Kybella procedure.  there is some pain associated with the reaction that causes the fat breakdown.  This is not severe but may cause the area to become tender.  Dr. Chiu has a post-care plan for Kybella patients:

  • After the treatment, DO hold ice packs on the areas that are treated with Kybella gently for a few times that day.
  • Treated areas may be red, inflamed, swollen, and bruised for the first 2-7 days.
  • DO resume all normal activities include exercise as long as it is comfortable for you.
  • DO take ibuprofen, motrin, or advil if needed for discomfort after the treatment.
  • If bruising occurs, apply topical Arnica gel, drink fresh pineapple juice, and/or take Bromelain supplements to help bruising resolve faster.
  • Bruising can be covered with makeup.

9. How long is a Kybella treatment?

Kybella is an incredibly quick and easy “lunchtime” procedure.  Most patients are in and out within 30 minutes, most of the time is used to allow topical numbing to work.

10. How many Kybella treatments do I need to see results?

Every patient is different.  As an expert injector for Kybella, Dr. Chiu will help you evaluate what areas are bothersome.  Most patients need 2-4 sessions spaced 6-8 weeks or more apart.  Dr. Chiu’s extensive experience and expert technique with Kybella allows for contouring of the jawline and faster noticeable results, even after one session.

Tighten up…With INFINI

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Lift Sagging Skin with INFINI Microfocused Radiofrequency

Patient being treated.“I can’t stand to look at my neck”.  These words are uttered by countless women every day.  As a dermatologist, I hear it—day in and day out.  In a lot of ways, I have felt a little helpless because thus far technology for skin tightening has been inconsistent, costly, and unreliable.

Things are changing in 2016, as we introduce Lutronic’s INFINI High Intensity Focused Radiofrequency to tighten skin, lift jowls, address radial smile lines, reduce pore size, and soften acne scarring.  INFINI combines deep microneedling technology with radiofrequency heat to induce neocollagenesis or new collagen production.  I often describe the process to be similar to taking a pair of wet jeans and throwing them in the dryer—thermal radiofrequency literally encourages new collagen fibers to tighten and shrink, resulting in a less tired, more youthful appearance.

So what makes INFINI groundbreaking?  Predictable results.  Other tightening devices on the market, including thermage, titan, exilis, ulthera are completely non-invasive.  Meaning an applicator is applied externally to the skin, hoping to lift or tighten its target collagen layers deeper in the skin.  Because the source of the energy is so far from its target (dermal collagen) when it’s applied outside the skin, some people get results, others are frustrated with no noticeable improvement.  INFINI for the first time utilizes microneedles to penetrate past the outer layers of the skin, and predictably brings thermal radiofrequency energy to the exact target depth of the deeper skin layers for optimal new collagen stimulation, tightening, and improvement.

InfiniBefAfts_More all in a row

We are super excited about this bringing yet another state-of-the-art next level technology to our TDI patients.  Call to chat with us more about it!  Here’s the quick 4-1-1 . . .

What does INFINI treat?

  • Neck and jawline laxity and sagging.
  • Treat accordion-like cheek smile lines.
  • Tighten and rejuvenate the face to give a firmer, smoother appearance with diminished fine lines.
  • Acne scarring. We have seen results comparable and sometimes even better than fractional laser resurfacing.

Infini graphic flow chart.

How many treatments do I need?

  • INFINI procedures take approximately 30 minutes
  • Although some patients see results with 1 session, we recommend optimal sessions of at least 2-4 depending on your individual condition.

What is the downtime?

  • Minimal.
  • Most commonly, redness and swelling occurs for 1-3 days

Vanquish ME And TDI’s Shrink Wrap Technique

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Vanquish ME and TDI’s Shrink Wrap Technique • Taking Non-Invasive Fat Elimination to the Next Level

What can give you visible fat reduction in just 2 weeks? Vanquish ME –Now available at TDI!

VanquishME2016_newsletterv2So what’s the buzz on this service? Vanquish ME is the new and re-vamped technology in the next generation of non-invasive fat reduction. The ME in Vanquish ME stands for Maximum Energy. This means that compare to traditional Vanquish, there is improved tuning capabilities on the machine which allow for much higher thermal energies to be more focused and concentrated in the fat layer. This results in a more even heating treatment and higher treatment temperature, resulting in faster, and more dramatic results.

The Vanquish ME can reduce fat on the whole abdomen, back, and flank to flank areas. This is a great way to treat that stubborn belly fat and to eliminate those pesky love handles without the need for surgery. The Vanquish ME also utilizes radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin given it a smoother appearance.

The Vanquish ME fat loss system utilizes non-invasive, non-surgical radiofrequency energy to target the fat layer by gently heating fat cells. Previously, Vanquish results were seen with four weekly sessions, now with the Vanquish ME  you can see results as early as two sessions and the even more optimal results with the recommended 4-6 sessions to the treatment areas.

TDI also offers the unique “Shrink Wrap” technique that tightens and targets the back and abdomen sections effectively treating both sides in one treatment by tightening and “corseting” the entire midsection. With Vanquish ME Shrink Wrap patients are seeing slimming results in sometimes just 2 weeks!

Want to Kick off 2016 with a great treatment plan to non-invasively contour your body and eliminate fat? Vanquish ME is perfect for you this year! Say goodbye to that dreaded “muffin top”, “love handles”, or “bra-bulge”. Vanquish ME is also a great way for soon to be brides, grooms, or even tropical vacationers to prepare for their special event or trip.

The Derm Institute is currently the only location in the South Bay area where you can get your upgraded Vanquish ME treatment, so don’t forget to contact us today to schedule a treatment!

…Shared by TDI Team

What’s The Secret Behind Chemical Peels?

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chemical-peels thumbnail and blog Skin is the largest organ on the human body. It also happens to be the most exposed, and that means it takes a beating day in and day out. Every time we step outside, we expose our skin to harmful ultraviolent rays, changes in climmate, pollutants and other elements that do damage. All of this can result in hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture and skin impurities that make us look older. Luckily, we have natural repair processes in our skins, and chemical peels give us the ability to use those processes to our advantages.

Here’s what you need to know. We are constantly shedding our skin. In fact, we shed our entire skin about once a month, and as fast as we shed those cells, our body makes new ones to replace them. Often when we develop imperfections such as sunspots or scars, they only affect the top few layers of skin. So removing those layers of skin would help remove or improve those imperfections. That’s where a chemical peel can help. It literally removes layers of skin so that newer, healthier skin cells can surface. Bottom line: the purpose of a chemical peel is to erase imperfections and improve skin tone and texture by removing outer layers of damaged skin. Read on to learn what’s involved in different types of chemical peels and which might be best for you.

There are three basic types of peels:

  • Alpha Hydroxy Acid Peels– alpha hydroxy acid, also known as AHAs, are one of the most popular ingredients in a mild chemical peel. Glycolic acid is the most common AHA used for this purpose. These peel are typically used to reduce the appearance of fine lines, smooth rough skin and produced a more even skin tone. Because this is a mild chemical peel, a series of treatment may be required to achieve desire results and certain formulations, like our SkinLab Weekly Peel Pads can be used as an at home treatment.chemical-life-cycle.psd_1-e1418425811605-1024x878
  • Beta Hydroxy Acid Peels– the most common beta hydroxy acid used in chemical peel is salicylic acid. This substance is also frequently used in acne products, which is why salicylic chemical peels are often used to treat acne-prone skin. Salicylic Acid is more active on reduction of oil, so it is a very common, and effective peel for acne. These peels are typically repeated periodically to maintain softer, smoother skin.
  • Jessner’s Peels– A Jessner’s peel is actually a combination of ingredients mixed into a single formula. It is considered a light-medium chemical peel that is slightly stronger than both the alpha and beta hydroxy formulas. Complete recovery from Jessner’s peels about a week, and like other light peels, a series of treatments spaced a month apart is optimal.

More aggressive peels to target severely damaged skin:

  • TCA peels- Trichloroacetic acid is the most common ingredients found in medium depth chemical peels layered with other agents. This substance can successfully treat a host of skin imperfections, including sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, and acne scarring. The procedure offers effective results with minimum risk. TCA chemical peels usually take about a week to recover from, and the results are much more dramatic than lighter peels can offer.
  • Phenol Peels- Peel effectsPhenol is the substance of choice for deep chemical peels that provide the greatest and most dramatic results. In addition to treating skin imperfections, this type of chemical peel may be used to remove precancerous growths or completely diminish deep wrinkles. Phenol peels can take up to a month to recover from completely, but the results are impressively smoother skin that will last much longer than treated with other types of peels.

The right type of chemical peel for you will depend on the skin imperfection you are treating and the results you are hoping for. At the Derm Institute Dr. Annie Chiu expertly customizes these ingredients and layers different peels with retinols, peptides and vitamin c to produce the depth of peel uniquely formulated for you and your skin concerns.

Specialized peels can also be used on the eyelid and around the mouth area. Winter is a great time for a deeper resurfacing peel! Come see us soon and schedule your peel today.

 

 

…Shared by TDI Team

 

 

 

Let It Glow With AquaGold Booster

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IMG_4430

Want to get glowing for the holidays? Looking for another way to reduce fine lines, improve texture, shrink pore size, and bring dewy moisture to the skin? Introducing the newest treatment to be brought to The Derm Institute, The AquaGold Skin Booster Treatment.

IMG_4427What is AquaGold? Consider this an uber scientific mega facial treatment with no downtime. Using 24 carat gold hollow point needles thinner than the width of your hair, TDI uses the AquaGold system to deliver a proprietary mix of Botox, hyaluronic acid droplets, and antioxidants to deeper skin layers.

The beauty of this new treatment is its ability to improve skin texture and overall glow, which we all want! Applying anti-aging products, such as antioxidants and growth factors, directly underneath the skin allows these products to be absorbed more effectively and with a longer duration of effectiveness for each patient. AquaGold allows you to show your skin at its best. Superficial amounts of neuromodulators tighten pores and reduce oiliness. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid fillers are delivered in a micro-droplet form to boost hydration levels deep within the skin and to increase firmness. The result is smooth, fresh, and invigorated skin.

AquaGold Skin Booster treatment is also virtually pain-free. Our proprietary mix of glow boosting ingredients is customized to the patient then products are placed in the device and AquaGold is pressed into the skin using an overlapping pattern across the treatment areas. This technique ensures that the anti-aging products penetrate the layers of the skin, leaving it looking beautiful, dewy, and glowing in a matter of minutes.

IMG_4429So why is the AquaGold Skin Booster Treatment perfect for you? By targeting superficial wrinkles and fine lines, the procedures uses its small needles to give you a natural, and smoother appearance with no downtime.

Watch the magic of AquaGold, for yourself, in this short video.

. . . Shared by TDI team.

TDI Effortless Lift Infographic

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The TDI Effortless Lift is The Derm Institute’s Patented Liquid Lift Procedure. An exclusive, essential package dedicated to the natural lift and glow everyone desires and can achieve by catering to individual skin beauty needs.

Chiu - TDI Effortless Lift FINAL

Are your hands giving away your age? TDI’s Radiesse “Hand•Lift” to the rescue!

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As we become more expert and advanced at rejuvenation of the face and neck, more and more patients are noticing the changes that occur over time on the hands. This is one of the most age-telling areas on the body, as it is almost always exposed.

Chronic sun exposure and time thins the skin and collagen, and the skin becomes lax and discolored with sun or age spots. The hands lose plumpness and firmness, becoming more “bony” appearing, with veins and a skeletal appearance.

Treating these changes is an incredibly easy set of non-invasive, non-surgical procedures that result in extremely high satisfaction and duration of improvement (1-2 years!).

 

RadiesseHandsBA

Step 1: Replenish Volume

The FDA recently approved Radiesse as the first and only injectable filler to correct for thinning, bony, skeletal appearing hands that have more bone and vein show. Radiesse instantly restores and replumps to give a more youthful appearance. Radiesse is a filler made of microspheres of natural calcium hydroxylapatite, which provides a scaffold to stimulate your own body’s production of collagen. The product has been used safely for facial rejuvenation for many years, and is eventually metabolized out of the body.

Placed beneath the skin on the back of the hands, Radiesse provides instant smoothing of wrinkles and long lasting results up to 1-2 years in a 15 minute treatment session! The result is smooth, beautiful, and natural.

 

Step 2: Brown Spot Removal

In an easy treatment with either a V-beam or IPL laser, 1-2 sessions can clear brown spots on the hands with very minimal downtime. These lasers target the discolorations on the hands so the skin appears even toned and not “spotty.”

Step 3: Maintenance and Nourish

The texture of the skin is important to maintain. Keeping the hands sun protected, nourished, and moisturized is important to discourage the return of brown spots, reduce fine lines and crepiness, and also give the appearance of healthy thickened skin.

  • Daily sunscreens for your hands should be reapplied throughout the day. We powder them up with Sunforgettable SPF 50 Powder for quick reapplication in the car.
  • Nightly treatment with a product like Revision’s Lumiquin hand cream with licorice root extract, Vitamin C, and peptides brighten and reduce fine lines. This keeps the hands smooth and soft. Dr. Chiu loves this product. She keeps a tube on her bedstand and puts just a pea-size on the back of the hands nightly.
  • Light Peels can maintain the suppleness for hand holding . . . Try SkinLab’s Boost Weekly Power Peel Pads.

Extra tips:

  • If you drive a lot, use fingerless sunprotective gloves, available on amazon
  • If you get gel manicures, request a LED light for curing, NOT a UV lamp

All these procedures and products are available at The Derm Institute. Our hands do so much for us every day, isn’t it time they got a bit of pampering?

 

Call The Derm Institute today for specials celebrating FDA’s recent approval of Radiesse for hands at 310-939-9800.

…Shared by The Derm Institute Team

Giving Superhero Makeovers for the Surgically Averse Man

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We all know the look of a masculine, virile man . . . Modeled after superheroes as we know them, the chiseled jawline–no double chins, no slackening of skin– gives the sense of confidence, strength, being in shape and of course youth.

More and more men are seeking non-invasive cosmetic procedures to give them not just a competitive edge on aging, but in the workplace as well. A well defined jawline, without saggy double chins, portends strength and success, yet was previously determined mostly genetically. Nowadays, subtle and completely natural appearing enhancement can occur in about 30 minutes at a dermatologist’s office.

Look at profile pictures of CEO’s and you will see the chosen LinkedIn shots tend to be angled to highlight a sharp, masculine, superhero like jawline. Maybe it is our obsession with superman and batman (who prominently only shows his jawline), but this feature somehow conveys to the human eye a sense of control, power, and intensity–characteristics that often define success.

Weight loss, getting fit, and skincare do not address the jawline laxity that starts occurring as early as 30s in both men and women. That is because bony remodeling and the resorption of jawbone occurs over time, causing the skin to appear more lax over the weakened underlining scaffold of bone. As the skin loses laxity, the under chin fat pad (aka the dreaded double chin) becomes more prominent, and that border between the neck and jaw somehow starts to blur. Some men are under the misbelief that working out can improve this–but it can often worsen the condition, as stronger neck muscles can pull down the jawline skin even further.

Most men who come to The Derm Institute or seek a dermatologist’s help can’t identify this exact issue. But they do notice a slackening and tiredness of the face, a sense of weight gain that shows around the jaw, and of course the double chin. There’s a reason men in their mid thirties suddenly sport some sort of facial hair–as this often masks the lack of sharpness in the jawline and gives a shadowing to give an impression of definition.Malejawline

 

For all you superhero, CEO, and success inspired men out there– don’t fear, nowadays there are numerous options and methods to re sculpt the masculine jawline:

 

1. Botox/Dysport.

Advanced techniques can be utilized to reduce the downward pull of muscle fibers in the neck, known as platysmal bands, on the jawline to give the face better contour. This is an easy, painless 15 min procedure.

2. Kybella.

For those with a prominent fat pad under the chin, a newly FDA approved series of injections can be used to essentially destroy the fat cells that give you the dreaded double chin appearance. Non-invasive and with minimal downtime, this is an exciting new development in jawline rejuvenation.

3. Fillers.

Some patients are born with a “weak chin”, or the bony remodeling over time makes the chin appear smaller, losing the strength of a sharp jawline. With products like RadiesseVoluma, Restylane Lyft, and Sculptra, advanced cosmetic injectors such as Dr. Chiu can resculpt, relift, and redefine the entire chin and jawline area in less than 45 minutes. Results are immediate for those who love instant gratification with minimal downtime.

4. Radiofrequency tightening.

Breakdown of collagen with age, sun exposure, smoking, and genetics causes thinning and loss of elasticity in the skin. Radiofrequency can heat the collagen, stimulating new collagen production and tightening of collagen fibers to redefine the jawline.

A lot of these procedures can be combined for the best results depending on each individual’s needs. The Derm Institute is committed to a comfortable low pressure environment for every patient to discuss their concerns. See someone with extensive experience in treating men, such as Dr. Annie Chiu, as specific techniques are important not to feminize the male face. Instead we can help you work towards a chiseled, non-jowly, confident you.

You are all superheroes at TDI 🙂

…Shared by The Derm Institute Team

Get Lyfted! FDA Approves Restylane Lyft

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Restylane LyftIt’s here! The FDA has approved Restylane Lyft! This is a dermal filler with a history of longstanding safety. It is a unique product that has over 15 years of proven safety data, and is a hyaluronic acid product previously known as Perlane.

 

What’s New?

This is the First and only FDA approved filler that is indicated to address multiple areas of the face. This includes the cheeks and smile line areas. These are the areas that have a more pronounced appearance as we age because this is where we lose the most volume in our face.

Its WOW Factor

TDI refers to Restylane Lyft as the “one syringe wonder”. We can use it to safely and effectively lift the cheeks, soften the smile lines, turn up the corners of the mouth, and soften under eye circles. It is a great choice for someone who may be looking for a product that can target a large area for volume enhancement, achieving a natural and beautiful lift.

Why should you use it?

With age we lose collagen and this causes volume loss in the face. This leads to sagging or droopy areas of the face. This can lead to heavy folds near the mouth and feathering of the central part of the face. Restylane Lyft is specifically targeted to provide top tier results when it comes to restoring volume and lifting the face in these areas.

Schedule an appointment by clicking here. Let TDI help get you Lyfted!

…Shared by The Derm Institute Team