Blog

Damage Control

By Bernard I Raskin, M.D.

By now we all know how important it is to protect our skin from the suns damaging rays. But did you know that photodamage begins when the first UV ray strikes the skin? Freckles may seem cute on a toddler, but they are in fact the first signs of sun damage, and all sun exposure is cumulative. Though photodamage may not be apparent on a younger person, special UV cameras are able to detect UV damage and can document progressive damage through the years.

There are ways to possibly reverse or reduce sun-induced photodamage including IPL or intense pulsed light. IPL reduces both red and brown signs of aging as well as improving the collagen degradation associated with photodamaged skin. The IPL hand piece delivers high intensity pulses of broadband light (different wavelengths and energies) that is different from the narrow band light of lasers. Because it is broadband, it can treat several problems at once. IPL is non-ablative meaning that is does not damage the surface of the skin. The intense light is delivered to the deeper parts of the skin (dermis) and leaves the superficial aspect of the skin (epidermis) untouched. For the IPL to be effective, it must be used at high settings best performed under physician supervision.

PDT photorejuvenation is another technique used to improve photodamage. PDT is a procedure where a photosensitizer cream is applied to the area followed by a light treatment such as IPL or V Beam. The photosensitizer commonly used in this procedure is called aminolevulinic acid. The substance is applied and absorbed by the sun-damaged skin and magnifies the impact of IPL
or V Beam light energy creating even more improvement than IPL or V Beam alone. PDT also destroys pre cancer cells, so beauty and cancer prevention occur at the same time!

Alternatives to laser/light treatments for the treatment of sun-damaged skin include microdermabrasion and/or chemical peels. Microdermabrasion is a superficial exfoliation. Most patients treated with microdermabrasion report improvement in acne, uneven skin color, and skin texture, however multiple sessions are needed. Chemical peels are used for the treatment of photoaging, wrinkles, scarring, acne, and discoloration. Different strengths of peels produce controlled injury to the skin promoting the growth of new skin with an improved appearance. Peels can be used with microdermabrasion. The beauty of peels is that many strengths and types are available providing your physician with a range of options to maximize improvement or combine with other methods for detailed facial enhancements.

Though there are many ways to treat photodamage, the best way to keep your skin looking young is with photoaging prevention. Careful sun protection begins with using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 everyday, wearing protective clothing when in the sun, and trying to avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm when the suns rays are the strongest.

For more information contact Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at 661.254.3686 or visit www.CreatingBeauty.com

PDT with Levulan®

By Bernard I Raskin, MD

PDT stands for photodynamic therapy and is a combination of a light sensitizing topical drug called Levulan® and a light/laser. This method can produce outstanding results in the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions or AK’s, acne, sun damage, or as a great skin rejuvenating treatment.
First Levulan® is applied shortly before the treatment; this provides deeper and more complete light penetration. After PDT patients usually experience a couple of days of swelling and crusting. Often 2 or 3 PDT treatments take the place of 5 or 6 IPL/Photofacials. Your provider will choose the treatment that is most suitable for you.

The beauty of this treatment is the reduction of breakouts, broken capillaries, redness, flushing, brown spots, and pigmentation, also many signs of Rosacea may be improved. Most people with discoloration, blood vessels, or aging skin also may benefit. This revved up version of the Photofacial gives faster results with the added benefit of shrinking pores and reducing acne breakouts.

Photodynamic therapy with Levulan® is also a great treatment for Actinic Keratosis or AK’s. Actinic Keratosis , is also known as Solar Keratosis because it is the result of prolonged exposure to sunlight. AK’s are small crusty, scaly or crumbly bumps or horns that arise on the skin. The base of the AK might be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these, or the same color as your skin. The scale or crust on these is horny, dry, and rough and it is usually recognized by touch. Occasionally the AK may itch or produce a pricking or tender sensation. It can also become inflamed and surrounded by redness. PDT treatment selectively destroys Actinic Keratosis, causing little damage to surrounding normal skin, although some swelling and redness often occurs. Most insurance carriers will cover PDT for the treatment of Actinic Keratosis.

Finally, patients should avoid exposure of the photosensitive treatment sites to sunlight or bright indoor light prior to and at least 48 hours after photodynamic therapy. Exposure may result in a stinging and/or burning sensation and may cause erythema (redness) or edema (swelling) of the lesions. Sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.
There are many effective methods to eliminate AK’s, sun damage, acne, and redness, you and your doctor should decide together the best course of treatment.
For more information regarding PDT with Levulan® please contact Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at 661.254.3686 or visit www.CreatingBeauty.com.

Optimizing Results

By Bernard I. Raskin, M.D.

While cosmetic treatments can yield phenomenal results on their own, combining a proper post care routine can insure optimal results. Lasers have the ability to take off years of sun damage. They can reduce pigmentation, roughness, fine lines and wrinkles, scars and pore size. Lasers range in price from inexpensive to pricey so using the right products is a way to protect your investment. For patients having Laser Resurfacing treatments that are at the higher end of pricing, post skincare kits are included. For those treatments that do not include a kit, we have different kits available as well as a la carte products to fit every budget. Using the right skincare is the difference between eating fast food and eating a healthy diet of fruits, veggies, and whole grains; our bodies can get by on fast food, but to live life to the fullest we need to eat properly. Some proper post care products would include a gentle cleanser so as to not cause any undue irritation that could lead to irregular pigmentation. A great sunscreen is a must and it should contain Zinc. Adding in a growth factor such as TNS recovery complex will help the skin to repair and recover more quickly. At Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care, we have different post procedure kits available depending on the type of laser, peel, or microdermabrasion performed. We are all about results. We want happy patients with great results and one way to get the best result is to use the right skincare.

For more information please contact Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at 661.254.3686 or visit www.CreatingBeauty.com.

Finding a Dermatologist in Los Angeles County

Choosing a dermatologist is a challenging task, but with organization and preparation it can be an easy first step to taking care of your skin’s health and appearance. You can be assured that you’re in good hands with Los Angeles County dermatologist Dr. Raskin because he uses the latest techniques and advances in the field of dermatology. He caters to patients in Santa Clarita and following areas:

• Granada Hills
• Sylmar
• Mission Hills
• Valencia
• Newhall
• Canyon Country
• Stevenson Ranch
• Castaic
• Canyon country
• Agua Dolce
• Val Verde
• Filmore
• Camarillo
• Ventura
• Oxnard
• Quartz hill
• Acton
• Piru
• Santa Paula

Visit our new Santa Clarita Dermatology Facility

We have moved to a brand new location. Our address is:

Kelly Johnson Pkwy
Suite 245
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

We look forward to seeing you. If you’re interested in setting up a consultation, please click here to contact Dr. Raskin and the team at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care

How Tattoo Removal Works

In most cases tattoo removal is done by using the Yag laser. Over time your body naturally breaks down the particles in tattoos. This is what causes tattoos to fade over time. The yag laser accelerates the process for the tattoo. The laser breaks up the particles in a tattoo. The smaller particles are then naturally removed by the body. Each time the tattoo is lasered more and more particles are broken apart and the body will continue to remove the smaller particles.

Not all tattoos are created equal. Some will come out easier than others will. Tattoos that were done using low quality ink will usually be removed easier. A simple rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the darker the tattoo is the easier it will be to be removed. Colors such as red and pink will often time remain in the skin and cannot be removed. Black or dark color tattoos are most likely to be removed by the Yag Laser. It is important remember that everyone’s skin is different. A black tattoo on one person might come out after just 4 or 5 treatments. The same tattoo on someone else might take 8 or 10 treatments. It all depends on how well that person’s skin washes out the broken particles.

Tattoo removal should only be done by a trained professional, which is usually a dermatologist.

Featured Tattoo Removal Specialist on www.tattooremoval411.com

The Best Cure for Skin Cancer

Featured in The Magazine of Santa Clarita

Preventing skin cancer is becoming a bigger issue in today’s world. Worries about the depleting Ozone layer in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and the resulting increase in Ultraviolet (UV) exposure has made skin protection an even higher priority for people than ever before. But what happens when you already have skin cancer? There needs to be more information provided about skin cancer treatments such as Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized, highly effective and most advanced technique for the removal of skin cancer. Mohs surgery differs from other skin cancer treatments in that it permits the immediate and complete microscopic examination of the removed cancerous tissue, so that all “roots” and extensions of the skin cancer can be eliminated. Due to the methodical manner in which tissue is removed and examined, Mohs surgery has been recognized as the skin cancer treatment with the highest reported cure rate.

Mohs micrographic surgery has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for certain types of skin cancer, with a cure rate of up to 99% for certain tumors. Due to the fact that the Mohs micrographic surgery procedure is micrographically controlled, it provides the most precise method for removal of the cancerous tissue, while sparing the greatest amount of healthy tissue. For this reason, Mohs micrographic surgery may result in a significantly smaller surgical defect and less noticeable scarring, as compared to other methods of skin cancer treatment. The Mohs micrographic surgery procedure is recommended for skin cancer removal in anatomic areas where maximum preservation of healthy tissue is desirable for cosmetic and functional purposes. It may also be indicated for lesions that have recurred following prior treatment, or for lesions which have the greatest likelihood of recurrence.

Most insurance policies cover the costs of Mohs micrographic surgery and the reconstruction of the resultant surgical area. You should contact your insurance carrier directly for the most current payment information relative to this surgery.

As with all forms of surgery, a scar will remain after the skin cancer is removed and the surgical area has completely healed. Mohs micrographic surgery, however, will leave one of the smallest possible surgical defects and resultant scars. Often, wounds allowed to heal on their own result in scars that are barely noticeable. Even following extensive surgery, results are frequently quite acceptable. In addition, scars do have the ability, through the body’s own natural healing properties, to remodel and improve in appearance for a six to twelve month period. There are also many other techniques available to the patient for enhancement of the surgical area following skin cancer surgery. Depressed or indented scars may be elevated and raised scars can be smoothed using laser resurfacing or chemical peeling techniques. This surgery may only be performed by a Board Certified Dermatologist.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery Center of America was founded by Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Bernard Raskin. Dr. Raskin has performed Mohs micrographic surgery on patients with skin cancer for over 20 years and is considered an expert in dermatology and cosmetic surgery. For more information about skin cancer or Mohs micrographic surgery, please call Dr. Bernard Raskin at 661.254.8636 or visit our website at www.MohsSurgeryCenter.org.

Recent Advancements in Customized Skin Care

Featured in SCV Magazine

Skin analysis tools recently introduced to the marketplace are allowing dermatologists to develop customized programs to help you improve the condition of your skin, maximize the effectiveness of your diet and help prevent diseases.

Programs such as the Étude Skin Counseling software work with other devices to conduct a thorough analysis of your skin type and condition in order to compare it against people in your same age group to see how well your skin is ageing. The analysis is performed by taking extreme close up pictures of your skin with a special microscope, and then using a scanner to measure the moisture level, sebum (oil) level, and elasticity of your skin. After the analysis, your data is compared against a national database of information to help your skin care specialist recommend products and procedures that are right for you. The information can then be stored in a computer for future comparisons.

To enhance the skin analysis performed above, a dermatologist can also utilize the Bio-Photonic Scanner – the world’s first measuring tool that gives an immediate reading of carotenoid antioxidant activity. This scanner measures the anti-oxidant level on the inside of your body. This comes from a healthy lifestyle of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. When your body has high levels of carotenoids it has a greater ability to help prevent and/or fight cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Not only are carotenoids in high levels good for your body, but they are also good for your skin. They work on the inside helping the deeper layers of your skin. You still need to use a topical (cream or serum) anti-oxidant to help the upper layers of your skin fight against free radicals, but working on both the inside and outside is the best thing for your health & beauty.

So make sure that your dermatologist or cosmetic care professional are familiar with these new tools and is properly trained in their use. To find out more about these skin analysis programs and your carotenoid level, call Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at (661) 254-3686 or visit our website at www.CreatingBeauty.com.

Six Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer

Featured in SCV Magazine

As a dermatologist with over 20 years of experience working with sun damaged skin, I have heard many “wives tales” about how to prevent the skin cancer known as Melanoma. With sunny spring and hot summer days just around the corner, it is important for the people of Marina Del Rey to properly prepare for increased exposure to the sun.

How can you enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle and still minimize your risks of developing skin cancer? Here are six tips:

Tip #1: Avoid sunburns. This is even more important for people who have a history of sunburns from their adolescence; when precautions were not take as seriously as they are today.

Tip #2: Don’t “sunbathe” between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Even if it reaches 100 degrees at 9:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m., there is very little cancer causing rays occurring at these times.

Tip #3: Wear lots of sunscreen and re-apply every two hours. This is critical as it has been shown in studies that re-applying every two and one-half hours results in five times more sunburns!

Tip #4: Wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats with at least 3 ½” brims all around. This dramatically reduces sun exposure. Remember, there are harmful U.V. rays during cloudy “June Gloom” days, as well!

Tip #5: Avoid sun exposure near beaches, lakes and large, open playing fields. There are no vertical structures to absorb the sun’s rays.

Tip #6: It’s never too late to start preventing Melanoma! If you already have it, if it is only at the surface of the skin, it can be 100% curable. Have a dermatologist examine you.

Melanoma is the “silent killer”. Its rates have doubled in just the last few years! The highest risk is with light-complected blondes and redheads and people who live in sunny environments. This is what makes preparing now for the upcoming summer days in Marina Del Rey all the more important!

Longer-Lasting Wrinkle Smoother Arrives from Europe!

Featured in SCV Magazine

Since its introduction in 1981, Collagen has been the standard in injectible fillers for smoothing out wrinkles. Unfortunately, its effectiveness was short in duration as its natural ingredients became resorbed by the body. During this time, alternative synthetic fillers were available but lacked significant longevity.

Now there is an injectible filler coming to America by way of Europe that combines the effectiveness of Collagen with the long-lasting properties of synthetic fillers: Artefill. Originally know as Artecoll, this injectible filler will be available in the United States in early 2007. Introduced in 1994 in Germany, this filler has been used in over 200,000 patients throughout Europe with research indicating only 0.01% complications! In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug’s General and Plastic Surgery Devices Advisory Panel approved the sale of Artecoll in the United States, with certain conditions. Subsequent studies conducted by prominent physicians such as Steven R. Cohen and Ralph E. Holmes clearly indicated that Artefill is more effective than Collagen in smoothing out wrinkles over at least a three-six month period. In fact, there has been a subsequent report submitted that shows patients at 4-5 years after treatment with results still visible (FDA approval is pending for the 4-5 year claim).

The reason Artefill is longer-lasting is because it is non-resorbable, therefore it is a permanent support matrix; in other words, it never breaks down in the body – ever! However, because of this it is extremely important who does the injections. Even more so than other fillers, success with the use of Artefill is heavily reliant on the technique of the person injecting the filler. Thus, when selecting a provider, you will get what you pay for. Make sure you look for a dermatologist with many years of experience introducing new cosmetic procedures to the marketplace and a solid reputation for safety.

For more information about Artefill, please call Dr. Bernard Raskin, founder of Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care, at 661.254.3686.