Although all current research indicates that laser treatments for stretch marks are safe for those that are pregnant or breastfeeding, most concerned, cautious practitioners will not perform lasers treatments on pregnant or lactating women.  We agree with this standard of practice and always err on the side of safety and caution.

The Celibre Medical Los Angeles Stretch Mark Removal program, www.celibre.com/stretch.aspx.  Schedule a free consultation for Laser Stretch Mark removal Los Angeles at www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Laser stretch mark treatments by Celibre Medical, Los Angeles and Orange County, CA.  More Celibre Medical Los Angeles Stretch Mark removal photos at www.celibre.com/stretch.aspx.

Acne rosacea is a combination of acne and the skin condition Rosacea, which causes facial redness.

Acne rosacea usually appears as very small to medium sized red papules (pimples, blemishes, lesions) with much facial redness, dryness and/or irritation in the same areas where the red papules are.  Acne Rosacea patients usually are light-skinned and have a history of very “sensitive” skin.  It is not unusual for those with Acne Rosacea to be self-diagnosed with just acne.

The Celibre Rosacea treatment program, www.celibre.com/rosacea.aspx.  To schedule a FREE consultation regarding Los Angeles Rosacea treatments, visit www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.  

Although keloid scars are easily to diagnose, there is no clear understanding of why one person’s body forms keloid scarring vs. an individual who does not.  What is common knowledge is that this predisposition to keloids is genetic and usually more common in dark-skinned individuals than those that are light-skinned.

Los Angeles keloid scar removal program by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/scars.aspx.  To schedule a FREE Scar removal Los Angeles consultation, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Keloid Scar Removal by Celibre Medical, Los Angeles and Orange County, California.  More Los Angeles scar removal before and after photos by Celibre Medical at www.celibre.com/scarsba.aspx. 

Because keloid scars have a very dense, tough, and fibrous texture, treatments are aimed at improvement rather than complete removal.  If a person’s body has a tendency to form keloid scars, aggressive treatments should be avoided as this can make the situation worse.

Current laser technology allows us to fade or completely resolve the color of some keloids.  For those that are red in color, pulsed dye lasers work well to decrease the bulk of the scar as well as fade the red color.  Brown keloids can be treated with Q-Switched laser technology which specifically targets the brown pigmentation but does not cause any changes to the size or texture of the scar.

Find out more about the keloid scar removal treatments by Celibre Medical - www.celibre.com/scars.aspx.  Schedule your free consultation for keloid scar treatments at www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Keloid scar removal by Celibre Medical, Los Angeles and Orange County, California.   More Los Angeles scar removal before and after photos by Celibre Medical at www.celibre.com/scarsba.aspx. 

Some keloid scar patients are able to accelerate and improve the result using steroid injections into the scars while alternating in between with laser treatments.  Although steroid injections can sometimes help with the size of the keloid scar, they will not affect the color.

Although skin type (how much pigment there is in the skin) is extremely important when determining if and which laser treatment would be appropriate for a patient, there are many lasers and laser treatments that are safe and effective treatments for darker skin types.

Generally, lasers that utilize a longer wavelength fit best with darker skin types.  At Celibre, because we pride ourselves on being able to treat many skin types for many different conditions we have several lasers that treat dark skin for acne, stretch marks, hair removal, tattoos, spider veins, etc.  These lasers are several of over 20 lasers we use at our facilities.

Los Angeles laser treatments for dark skin, www.celibre.com/skinrejoverview.aspx.  Schedule a FREE consultation for dark skin Los Angeles laser treatments, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Acne laser treatment for African American patient, Los Angeles.  More before and after photos for los angeles acne laser treatments, www.celibre.com/acneba.aspx.

We encourage all of our patients to understand that it is equally important to use the right laser technology and to find the most experienced practitioners for those lasers.  Choosing the correct laser is half the issue, whereas using it correctly is the other half.  Find a practitioner that is competent and knowledgeable in choosing the appropriate settings for your laser treatments.  Do your research, talk to others that have had procedures and go to more than one consultation.

If you have darker skin and are considering laser treatments, be certain to ask which technology the practitioner uses and what their personal experience is with your skin type and condition.  Once you get those answers, do a little independent research of your own on the web to make sure that the lasers being used for your condition are commonly used with your skin type.

A keloid scar is a type of scar that is most commonly found in darker-skinned people but may be seen in all skin types.  It appears as a fibrous, dense scar tissue that usually extends far beyond the borders of the initial injury or area of trauma.  Keloids may be pink, red, brown and come in many shapes and sizes.  What sets keloids apart from other scars (ex: hypertrophic) is that the size of the scar is out of proportion to the initial injury.  Although challenging, keloids may be treated with lasers for good improvement.

Los Angeles keloid scar removal program by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/scars.aspx.  To schedule a FREE Scar removal Los Angeles consultation, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Keloid Acne Scar.  Los Angeles keloid scar treatment by Celibre Medical.

As we age, our facial structure changes.  Sometimes we know what's changed, aren’t certain how or why this is occurring or, more importantly, what may be done to address the concerns.  One of the main issues for our patients is a loss of facial volume due to thinning of the skin.  When this happens, not only do we lose volume, but the skin we do have shifts which then affects the structure and shape of the face.  We also lose muscle and skeletal mass as bone gets reabsorbed by the body.  The face becomes elongated and the heart shape or upside down triangular shape of a more youthful face becomes the opposite.  We often hear that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and women often complain that their eyes are testimony to the aging process.  We’d like to suggest that it isn’t the windows that have necessarily changed but the frame of the windows.  The “frame” being the midface. A young face appears rounded with soft contours.  Whereas, the aging face displays a more angular appearance where there is more defined borders and hollow areas.

Los Angeles Restylane injections, Perlane, Botox and Juvederm, www.celibre.com/wrinkles.aspx.  Schedule a FREE consultation for Los Angeles Restylane injections as well as Juvederm, Perlane and Botox, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Los Angeles Restylane Injections before and after photos for mid face filling.  More Celibre Medical Restylane Los Angeles Before and after photos, www.celibre.com/restylaneba.aspx.

Because of gravity and age facial muscles begin to contract which leads to a downward and inward pull.  This is represented by drooping of the eyelids combined with a constant contraction of the frown lines (between eyes) and crow's feet (sides of the eyes).  The mouth begins to contract in a purse string effect.  This then leads to the fine lines so annoyingly known as “smoker’s lines.”

As the volume of tissue in our faces change, jowls along the jaw line appear and pockets of volume loss below the corners of the mouth also known as marionette lines show.  The mouth may become thin with a loss of definition and fullness.  We begin to see a flattening and enlarging the surface area between the bottom of the nose and the upper lip. In contrast, consider the youthful mouth that has a defined border and full body to the lips.

What are the options for those interested in slowing down the aging process with Botox and injectable fillers?  Or, more importantly, how can we look like we used to without an unnatural appearance?  The traditional face lift may not be the most appropriate solution because of the loss of volume.  If we understand that the factors involved in aging are volume loss as much as gravity, the ideal treatment is to restore the volume before deciding if surgical intervention will be beneficial.  This is where Botox cosmetic and cosmetic dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane play a valuable role. 

By relaxing hyperactive facial muscles with FDA-approved Botox Cosmetic and adding volume with FDA-approved cosmetic fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane), we can restore a more refreshed appearance - a natural, more youthful and appealing look.  The many techniques and products offered in accomplishing this goal is considered “shaping” of the face, and there is an artistry involved in these injectable treatments.  Be certain to choose a practitioner that has an aesthetic eye and appreciates the individual canvas that they see before them.

Although it is not known what exactly causes or contributes to the skin condition Rosacea, one issue that can be agreed on is that there is no cure.  The condition is considered chronic and presents with periods of remission and flares.  Besides being proactive in treatments – preventative measures and avoidance of triggers goes a long way in controlling this skin disorder.

Many of our Rosacea patients come to us after they have tried numerous medications that can be effective but are usually meant to be used long-term and can lead to skin irritation and dryness.  The most effective of these topical products are prescription strength.  At Celibre, we treat Rosacea not with medications, but with pulsed dye lasers and/or Aminolevulinic Acid and Photodynamic Therapy.  Both methods have a proven track record for efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction.

Rosacea laser Los Angeles treatments by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/rosacea.aspx.  To schedule a FREE consultation for Los Angeles Rosacea laser treatments, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Rosacea treatment with lasers by Celibre Medical, Los Angeles.  More before and after photos for Los Angeles Rosacea treatment patients at www.celibre.com/rosaceaba.aspx.  

In addition to laser treatments or photdynamic therapy, we recommend diligent sun protection and avoiding specific triggers will help control the symptoms of Rosacea such as flushing and textural skin changes.  Some of the common Rosacea triggers are eating spicy foods, drinking alcohol or coffee and exposure to heat.  This indicates that there are certain activities or situations wherein the capillaries in the face are dilated, leading to increase blood flow to the area and a Rosacea flare.

Although there is no cure for Rosacea, there are many effective treatment plans that can be tailored to a patient’s condition, goals, and lifestyle.

Rosacea is a skin condition that is considered chronic – meaning that there is no cure - although there are treatments to control it.  Most people know that the Rosacea is associated with facial redness, but many are not familiar with the cause of this frustrating condition.  Although there are a few theories, most practitioners subscribe to the opinion that there is an inflammatory process involved that has a genetic predispostion and becomes more visible with age.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Laser Rosacea treatments, www.celibre.com/rosacea.aspx.  Schedule a free consultation for Rosacea Laser treatments Los Angeles - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Los Angeles Rosacea treatment before and after photos.  More Rosacea laser before and after photos at www.celibre.com/rosaceaba.aspx. 

Rosacea causes too many small blood vessels (capillaries, telangiectasias) to develop on the face near the surface of the skin.  Because these vessels are superficial, they can be seen at the surface and contribute to the facial redness most commonly associated with Rosacea.  The capillaries that cause the redness may be so small that the redness appears matted and diffuse without any defined blood vessels.  When the face becomes too vascular (too much blood flow to the area) it may lead to permanent changes in the skin's texture and color.  A thickening and roughness of the epidermis can occur.  When rosacea affects the nose like this, it is referred to as rhinophyma and looks like an enlarged or swollen nose.

Sun damage is a contributing factor to Rosacea as well as certain skin types and ethnic groups.  Despite an individual being predisposed to this condition, preventative measures combined with effective treatments can prove beneficial and satisfying to those patients that struggle with Rosacea.

Although there is no cure for the chronic Rosacea, treatment with lasers can offers an effective, and sometimes long-term, solution for this skin disorder.

The gold standard for laser Rosacea treatment is the pulsed dye laser.  These type class IV medical laser works to treat Rosacea because the targtet of the laser energy is the hemoglobin in the blood vessels that are cause the facial redness.  Because these vessels are superficial and unnecessary for blood flow, the goal is to treat the Rosacea by using thermal/heat energy to close the walls of the blood vessels.  The body then absorbs the small collapsed blood vessels which results in progressive fading of the Rosacea with each successive laser treatment.  Treatments are usually spaced at 4 to 6 week apart in order to allow for sufficient time for the body to heal after each treatment.

Los Angeles Rosacea treatment program by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/rosacea.aspx.  FREE Rosacea treatment Los Angeles consultation, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.  

Before and after photos of Laser Rosacea Treatment Los Angeles.  More Rosacea Laser Los Angeles before and after photos at www.celibre.com/rosaceaba.aspx.

An added benefit of laser treatments for Rosacea is an overall improvement in the texture of the skin.  When the face has too many blood vessels near the skin's surface, it takes on a rough, thickened texture.  By resolving the superficial vascularity, the texture improves.  Pulsed dye lasers also stimulate collagen remodeling and production which also improves skin texture and tone.

Treatments with the pulsed dye lasers for Rosacea can take anywhere from 6 to 8 visits.  The skin type of the patient combined with their goals and lifestyle will determine whether or not they are appropriate for lasers or an alternative treatment plan.  Our patients find much value in Rosacea laser treatments because they offer a variety of benefits vs. prolonged topical prescriptions and/or oral medications.

Poikiloderma is a fancy sounding term that refers to discoloration to the neck and chest area related to sun damage.  This skin condition is not uncommon in sunny Southern California and affects men and women alike.

Most of us have been taught to protect our faces from UV exposure; however, we often forget that the neck and chest areas require the same diligent protection (hands, arms, etc).  It isn’t until we reach our thirties or forties that we start to become aware of the textural and pigmented changes to these areas.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles laser treatments for sun damage and poikiloderma, www.celibre.com/poik.aspx.  Schedule a FREE Los Angeles poikiloderma consultation - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

What does poikiloderma look like?

Poikiloderm photo (courtsey of eMedicine).  Poikiloderma treatment Los Angeles.

Sun damage to the neck area usually occurs on the sides of the neck.  The color changes from poikiloderma may look brown, red, or a combination of both.  For the chest area, it is usually a mixture of red and brown.  The reddish discoloration is related to superficial vascularity (blood vessels) that develop in response to sun damage.  If you notice that these areas blanche (the skin whitens when you push on it) very easily even without recent sun exposure, then your situation more than likely involves poikiloderma.  The brown discoloration may appear splotchy and can occur despite diligent sun protection and avoidance.  It is not uncommon to also have changes in the texture of the skin.  Women will often complain of a “leathery” look and feel that does not respond to moisturizing or exfoliants.

What does Celibre Medical do for poikiloderma treatment? 

Poikiloderma may be safely treated with a combination of lasers that involve no downtime.  Class IV medical lasers can improve or resolve this condition.  Of course, diligent sunscreen and sun avoidance helps maintain results and prevent further damage.  When applying your sunscreen, don’t forget the neck and chest!

It is not uncommon for men and women to confuse sun damage with melasma as both conditions involve pigmentation on the face.  Despite the similarities in pigmentation, melasma and sun damage are actually quite different.  The source of the discoloration is the major difference between the two melasma and sun damage.  For example, melasma is caused by pigmentation (melanocytes) that is generated in response to hormonal fluctuations.  Because it is related to hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, oral contraceptives, etc.) it is considered chronic and has no cure.  The idea behind melasma treatment is to control and suppress the formation of new pigmented cells thereby minimizing the appearance of melasma.  One of the challenges in treating melasma is that is can occur in the dermis (deep skin layer).  Because the condition can be rooted deep in the skin, the condition can be sometimes be resistant to treatment.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles sun spots treatment, www.celibre.com/sunspots.aspx.  Melasma Los Angeles treatment, www.celibre.com/melasma.aspx.  Schedule a FREE Los Angeles sun damage or melasma consultation - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.   

Los Angeles Melasma Treatment before and after photos by Celibre medical.  Los Angeles sun spots and Sun damage laser treatments before and after pictures by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/sunspotsba.aspx.

In contrast, the pigment associated with sun damage (solar lentigines, seborrheic keratosis, freckles, sun spots, liver spots) lies closer to the surface of the skin and is much less challenging to treat.  Existing sun damage is effectively treated with class IV medical lasers whereas melasma may be better addressed with topical preparations.  Q-switched (very short pulsed and high powered) laser technology is very effective at breaking down the pigment associated with sun damage in several treatments.  This technology also has the benefit of completely destroying the cells associated with the pigment.  This means that new cells replace the old ones and do not contain the same pigment that was present previously.   With q-switched laser technology, we are able to completely remove most age spots and sun damage.

The following descriptions highlight the differences between melasma and sun damage. 

Melasma:

Light to dark brown patches usually seen on the forehead, cheeks, chin, upper lip.

Very symmetrical in appearance on both sides of the face.

Discoloration may be dense pigment and may lie on the epidermis (upper layer of skin), dermis (lower layer of skin), or combination of both.

Linked to hormonal changes and considered a chronic, recurring condition. 

Sun exposure, heat and humidity may exacerbate condition.

Sun Damage (Sun Spots, Age Spots, Freckles, etc.):

Appears randomly on all areas of the face.

Usually not symmetrical, may be patchy or scattered.

May be associated with textural changes to the skin also known as photodamaged skin (lines, wrinkles, etc.)

Not related to hormonal changes but directly linked to sun exposure.

Responds well to lasers.

Not considered a chronic condition.

Scarring from ingrown hairs appears as dark, circular spots that surround the hair follicles. This dark discoloration is also known as traumatic hyperpigmentation.  A more serious form of scarring often associated with a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae appears as deep crevices or depressions in the skin with sharp edges surrounding the area.  This condition is less common but can lead to more severe scarring that looks similar to textured acne scarring as opposed to the pigmented scarring highlighted above.

Los Angeles laser hair removal treatments by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/hairremoval.aspx.  Schedule a FREE laser hair removal Los Angeles consultation, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Before and after photos of Los Angeles ingrown hairs Laser Hair removal by Celibre Medical.  More laser hair removal Los Angeles before and after photos, www.celibre.com/bas.aspx.  

Because shaving usually aggravates and causes more ingrown hairs, laser hair removal is an excellent treatment choice.  Removing the hair permanently is the only way known to prevent future ingrown hairs.  With laser hair removal treatments, the goal is to destroy the hair.  The benefits include the resolution of the “bumps”, scarring, and discoloration caused by the ingrown hairs.

At Celibre, we are often asked about why we do not provide cellulite and fat reduction treatments.  There are two primary reasons.  The first and foremost is that we question the efficacy of these treatments since they are always administered with a diet and exercise program simultaneously.  We question whether the results seen in any before and after photos (which are few and far between) are the results of the treatment itself or the result of the diet and exercise.  Because we question the efficacy of these treatments, we are concerned that offering them in our practice will lead to lower patient satisfaction and less referrals.  We like to underpromise and overdeliver with our procedures and we feel that it would be difficult to do this with these types of procedures.  It is important to note that we are not questioning the validity of these treatments on our own.  It is only after doing our own research, and speaking with many, many patients and practitioners that we have choosen to avoid cellulite reduction and fat reduction treatments and injections.

Click for a complete list of Celibre Medical laser and injection services, www.celibre.com/skinrejoverview.aspx.  

The second reason we do not provide the treatments is that most of them do not involve lasers.  We try to focus almost exclusively on laser procedures because it is what we know best.  The few procedures that do use lasers for liposuction are too invasive for our office setting and require a surgical setting.  There is no shortage of treatments that are designed (or claim) to treat fat and cellulite.  Trying to understand the various programs and technologies can be quite overwhelming for the average consumer.

Common treatments for cellulite and fat reduction use laser-assisted melting of the fat - heating and manipulating it - to smooth out the tissue, radiofrequency for tightening of the skin, and injections of  off-label, non-FDA approved “cocktails” into the fatty tissue for dissolving fat.  Marketing of these services focuses on body shaping with proclamations of less downtime and discomfort than traditional liposuction.  Keep in mind that treatments that claim to remove fat are not the same as those designed to treat cellulite, although the two methods are often combined for improved outcomes.

The various treatments offered include Mesotherapy, LipoZap, LipoDissolve, Cool Lipo,VelaSmooth, and many more.  Some of these are non-FDA approved and have serious concerns associated with the treatment.  Others are not supported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), while others have demonstrated effective outcomes combined with safety.

No doubt, the market and consumer demand is the driving force behind the proliferation of cellulite and fat reduction treatments.  Although we are concerned with long-term outcomes, efficacy vs. risks, and affordability – simply put, we are concerned about the effectiveness of these procedures and are focused and committed to what we know and do best…laser skin care. 

FOCUS…IT’S A BEAUTIFUL THING.