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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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. 

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Read About All Celibre's Facial Shaping Techniques

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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!

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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/ba.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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

This is a question we hear frequently among our melasma patients.  The question is often accompanied by extreme disappointment and frustration as melasma is a very emotional condition.  If one understands what causes melasma – they usually are relieved to discover there is nothing they did or did not do that caused this brown pigmentation that usually affects the face.  At the same time, knowing this can lead to more frustration.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Melasma treatment program - www.celibre.com/melasma.aspx. 

Schedule a free Melasma Los Angeles consultation - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx (Orange County too).

Los Angeles Melasma treatment before and after photos by Celibre Medical.  More Melasma Los Angeles before and after photos - www.celibre.com/melasmaba.aspx.

Melasma is a product of overproduction of melanocytes (cells that hold color), and it may occur at different levels in the skin such as the epidermis (upper layer), dermis (lower layer) or a combination of both.  Melasma appears as brown patches to the skin on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and sometimes chin.  It is caused by hormonal changes such as the use of oral contraceptives, menopause, and pregnancy.  It is not known how or why these hormonal changes cause melasma in some women and not in others, but the condition does appear more frequently in those with olive skin types like asians and hispanics.  Sun exposure has a dramatic affect on melasma and is the number one trigger that brings forth or exacerbates this condition.  Heat and humidity can also make the condition worse.

The goal in melasma treatment is to improve and control the condition.  What a melasma patient does in their daily routine will have a direct impact on this stubborn skin condition.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Despite melasma being a very common skin condition, there is no cure.  Because the brown pigmentation associated with melasma is hormonally-generated, the condition does not respond or resolve in the same manner that other pigmented conditions such as freckles, sun spots, brown acne scars, and moles do.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Melasma treatment program - www.celibre.com/melasma.aspx. 

Schedule a free Melasma Los Angeles consultation - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx (Orange County too).

Los Angeles Melasma treatment before and after photos by Celibre Medical. 

More Melasma Los Angeles before and after photos - www.celibre.com/melasmaba.aspx.

Although it may be discouraging to learn that there is no cure for melasma, there are definitely treatments to controll and suppress it.  The majority of effective melasma treatments are topical products (used on the surface of the skin) that use a combination of ingredients designed to fade and/or suppress the formation of new melanocytes – the cells that hold color.  Most melasma patients have tried a variety of disappointing treatments before finding the one that they respond to.

At Celibre, we offer two melasma treatment plans.  Although it is impossible to determine which plan a patient may respond to best, it is encouraging for our patients to know that there are options.  Melasma patients must realize that their condition is considered chronic in nature.  The goal is improvement and control through the use of effective products/treatments and diligent sun avoidance.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Melasma is a common skin disorder that involves brown discoloration to areas of the face.  It is distinctive in its appearance by being symmetrical such as large patches of brown pigment to the cheeks or to the forehead and upper lip.

Los Angeles Melasma treatment program by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/melasma.aspx. 

Schedule a FREE Melasma Los Angeles consultation - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Cosmelan Melasma Los Angeles before and after photos by Celibre Medical. 

More Los Angeles Melasma Cosmelan before and after photos  - www.celibre.com/melasmaba.aspx.

Although there are many theories as to what makes melasma worse, it is primarily caused by hormonal changes.  This could be attributed to oral contraceptives, pregnancy (pregnancy mask), menopause, etc.  Because it is a hormonally-generated condition, there is no “cure”, so to speak and the goal of treatment is control and suppression.

Sun exposure, heat, and humidity are all proven factors that either bring forth melasma or exacerbate the condition.

Melasma is a very frustrating, stubborn, and emotional skin condition for both men and women alike although it generally affects females much more so than men.  Most of those that struggle from this condition have spent much time and money in an attempt to find a solution for a condition that cannot be cured but may be treated.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Many don’t realize that the shape and size of a woman’s mouth and lips may dramatically change her appearance (in a positive or negative way).  For instance, augmenting the volume too much with fillers (hyaluronic acid:  Juvederm, Restylane) may give a very unnatural look and draw too much attention to this area of the face.  On the other hand, as we age, the area between  the base of the nose and the top of the lip becomes flatter and longer as the muscle around the mouth contracts inward and downward.  This is what causes fine lines (smoker’s lines) and thinner lips.

Read About All Celibre's Facial Shaping Techniques

Learn more about Los Angeles Restylane and Juvederm injections by Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/wrinkles.aspx. 

Schedule a free Los Angeles Restylane or Juvederm consultation with Celibre Medical, www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

By using a small amount of Botox Cosmetic to the muscle that encircles the mouth, it is possible to soften any lines and create a natural, subtle eversion (upward or downward rolling) of the upper lip.  This technique is not creating an unnatural look but rather providing an appearance of how this area used to be before the aging process became visible.  Using hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane helps to restore volume and shape to the lips and mouth.  This can be done to the vermillion border which is the outline of the mouth and also enhances the corners of the mouth that tend to dimple in or pull down with age.    These fillers also help to restore volume to the body of the mouth or the in pink part of the lips also known as the mucosa.

Using all or a combination of the above mentioned techniques is an excellent way to enhance the lips and mouth with Botox, Juvederm and Restylane.  At Celibre, we believe that a natural, subtle technique is an appealing, aesthetic look.  Always make certain that your injector/practitioner understands your goals and individualizes your treatments.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Birthmarks come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and found in different areas of the face and body.  Although most birthmarks are benign and may be treated with lasers – it is prudent to have them evaluated by a licensed, medical professional before proceeding with treatments. 

Although laser birthmark removal is great option to fade or completely remove birthmarks, they can be quite stubborn to remove.  It is difficult to predict upon initial evaluation how many treatments will be required for optimal results inasmuch as the pigment in the birthmark may be at different levels within the skin.  The expectation for patients is one of improvement and fading if not complete resolution.  Although it may be possible to achieve 100% removal with laser birthmark removal, it is not possible to predict this because results vary from patient to patient.  Experience indicates that some birthmarks may return within the first few years after being removed with lasers.  The most common factor attributable to this phenomenon is sun exposure.

Los Angeles birthmark removal by Celibre Medical - www.celibre.com/birthmarks.aspx. 

Schedule a free Los Angeles laser birthmark removal consultation - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Los Angeles Birthmark Removal before and after photos by Celibre Medical. 

More Los Angeles laser birthmark removal before and after photos - www.celibre.com/birthmarksba.aspx.

The only effective lasers for laser birthmark removal are known as Q-Switched lasers.  Q-switched laser technology allows for the very high energy that is required to safely break up the pigment in the birthmarks and treat all skin types.  There is no downtime for laser birthmark removal, and most treatments take less than ten minutes with minimal discomfort.   Birthmarks are usually treated every four weeks for optimal results, and diligent use of sunscreen is necessary during treatment.

For those that are concerned with the cosmetic impact of birthmarks, laser birthmark removal is a good option for those that understand that a good result involves fading OR complete removal of the mark.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

When fielding questions from our patients, we are often asked why we have so many lasers or what the difference is between Laser A and Laser B?  While this is not a simple question to answer, let's start with a small bit of laser physics.  The visible light spectrum (or rainbow as we know it) is comprised of different colors of visible light.  In contrast laser light (sometimes visible and sometimes invisible depending on the type of laser) is comprised of only one color (or wavelength).  The fact that dermatology lasers use only one type (or color) of light makes them very precise and powerful compared to visible light.  The fact that all the light energy from a laser is the same also allows us to use lasers for many different types of dermatology conditions.  For example, a particular type of orange light (with a wavelength of 590 billionths of a meter) is very much attracted to hemoglobin, which is part of the blood.  For this reason, this laser is particularly useful for treating small blood vessels, Rosacea and Vascular birthmarks, like Port Wine Stains while not harming or affecting the surrounding tissue.

A complete list of Los Angeles Laser treatments by Celibre Medical - www.celibre.com/skinrejoverview.aspx. 

Schedule a free Los Angeles laser treatments consultation - www.celibre.com/contactlist.aspx.

Los Angeles Laser treatments.  Different Lasers for Different skin conditions.

This idea of treating only that portion of the skin that we hope to change is called "selective photothermolysis" and it is the central reason why lasers are effective in treating many different types of skin conditions.  Because each different type of laser is attracted to a different component of the skin, each one is best at treating one or two different types of conditions.  This is the reason that we have over 20 lasers at Celibre Medical.  We treat lots of different skin conditions and to treat each of them with the most effective laser device, we need to have many different machines.

To learn more about the lasers Celibre uses, please visit http://www.celibre.com/equipment.aspx.  To learn about the dermatologic conditions we treat, visit http://www.celibre.com/skinrejoverview.aspx.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer