Since the first injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) was FDA approved in 2003, there have been new HA formulations and expanded indications. Physicians can now select from a large portfolio of HA fillers with different features including HA molecular weight and concentration and degree of crosslinking (also referred to as degree of modification). Physicians using these devices must be familiar not only with anatomical age-related volume loss, but the different rheological properties of each HA filler.

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By now, you’ve probably heard about the “vampire facial” that is attracting gobs of attention on Instagram, especially among celebrities such as the Kardashian sisters. This method relies on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments plus microneedling to achieve beautiful, transformative results. PRP facials have earned the nickname “vampire facial” because they use the patient’s blood to stimulate facial rejuvenation.

If covering your face with blood sounds like little more than a gruesome gimmick to you, rest easy knowing that the PRP facial is a highly advanced technique based on scientific research into how your body regenerates itself after an injury. The PRP comes from the serum portion of your blood, which is rich in platelets – tiny cells that play a role in your body’s natural healing process. The platelets contain high levels of growth factors that stimulate cellular regeneration when applied to your skin.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is an exceptional treatment for promoting cell turnover. We create thousands of micro-channels by gently guiding a pen-like device across your skin. These minuscule injuries trigger your skin’s natural healing response, which stimulates the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin – the three building blocks of a healthy, youthful glow.

New cell growth due to microneedling creates plumper, firmer, smoother, and younger-looking skin. In other words, the technique improves both the quality and the texture of skin, providing the following benefits:

• Reduces pore size, fine lines, and wrinkles
• Improves uneven skin tone, such as dark spots from sun damage
• Minimizes the appearance of scars from surgery, accidents, or acne

The Microneedling and PRP Process

The PRP treatment begins with drawing your blood, then spinning it through a centrifuge to isolate the platelets and plasma. Next comes the microneedling, followed by spreading the PRP across your face. The tiny punctures created during the microneedling process help the healing components of your PRP absorb more fully into your skin.

Microneedling with PRP is a highly effective skin care treatment that acts as an energy boost for your skin. The platelets help your skin function optimally, increasing collagen and elastin growth while simultaneously bringing anti-aging and hydrating properties. It’s a win-win!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Microneedling With PRP?

People with premature wrinkles, sun damage, uneven skin tone, or anyone who wants a dewy, refreshed appearance is an ideal candidate for the procedure. Microneedling is effective on patients of all ages, skin types, and skin tones. However, if you have a history of blood diseases, including clotting or bleeding disorders, PRP treatment is probably not right for you.

Aside from the minor pinprick sensation of having your blood drawn and minimal bruising that may develop, the vampire facial is extremely safe, as it uses blood taken from your body. Because we perform the procedure under controlled, clinical conditions, the likelihood of infection or injury is extremely low.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Microneedling is an in-office treatment. Before we begin, we will cleanse your skin and then apply a topical numbing cream to your face to minimize discomfort during the procedure.

We’ll then draw and spin your blood, and use the Eclipse MicroPen – a small, handheld device featuring a sterile tip with 12 tiny needles – to create microscopic pinholes in your skin. Following the microneedling, we will spread the PRPs on your face.

Patients will see the most benefit by receiving a series of three to four treatments, with touch-up appointments every few months to keep your skin in ideal condition. The number of treatments you will need will vary, depending on your aesthetic concerns.

What to Look Forward to After a PRP Facial

Most patients take a day or two of downtime after receiving a PRP facial. You’ll emerge from treatment looking a bit pink, almost like a sunburn. You may also experience slight swelling, which should lessen within the first two to three days after treatment.

For the week following your procedure, you will need to protect your skin with sunscreen and use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. While your skin is healing, it may feel tight, dry, or flaky as it turns over damaged cells and revitalizes your complexion.

Within several weeks after your treatment, you will notice a smoother, brighter, and more radiant appearance; however, your anti-aging results will continue to improve for months, as your skin increases its collagen production.

Learn More About PRP Facials

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Matarasso today, or call 415-362-2238.

You’ve finally taken the plunge into the world of Botox® injections, fulfilling the goals you’ve been dreaming about for so long. While Botox can be an amazingly effective way to combat wrinkles, as you have probably learned by now, you will require touch-up treatments every so often if you hope to maintain your smooth, wrinkle-free eye and eyebrow region.

If your goal is to look younger for as long as possible, you may be wondering if it’s possible to make the results of your Botox injections last longer, and, if so, how you can do this. Read on to learn all about Botox and ideas for prolonging your refreshed complexion.

How Does Botox Work?

Before we provide advice on how to make the effects of Botox persist further, it may be helpful for you to review a primer on what Botox is and how it works. Though Botox is an injectable anti-aging product, it performs a different function than hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers like Restylane® and Juvederm®, which minimize wrinkles by providing an intensive moisture boost that fills in hollows in the skin. Instead, the goal of Botox is to create temporary muscle paralysis.

When you make repetitive facial expressions such as frowning or smiling, you eventually develop characteristic, permanent grooves as your skin loses the collagen and elastin that make it resilient and full. Botox works by preventing a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine from sending signals to the small muscles around the eye and eyebrow area, which prevents them from contracting.

The product derives from a purified version of the botulinum toxin and has received FDA approval, proving its safety as a treatment method. That’s because the dosage used for cosmetic treatments never has any chance of reaching the bloodstream, and is a tiny fraction of the amount that it would take to be dangerous to humans.

How Long Does Botox Last?

First-time Botox users can usually expect their results to last around four months. If you continue to keep up with your maintenance appointments, you can look forward to longer-lasting effects as your muscles and nerve endings become conditioned to your regimen over time.

Botox prevents muscle contractions, which means it can only reduce and prevent the dynamic wrinkles that form from frowning and smiling. Botox does not provide volume, elasticity, or skin firmness, which is why you can see even more dramatic anti-aging results by combining your regular Botox injections with fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane, or by choosing to combine your injections with other minimally-invasive treatments like Fraxel laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion, Ultherapy®, and intense pulsed light treatments.

Enjoy Your Wrinkle-Free Skin for Longer

After you get Botox injections, your full results will reveal themselves five to seven days later. Though the injections can last several months, you may notice that your wrinkles begin to reappear as the treatment “wears off.” If you want to make the time between your treatments last as long as possible, here are three tips you can follow.

1. Go to an Experienced Injector 

Effective, natural-looking Botox injections require the correct dosage and strategically appropriate injection sites for the best results. A qualified, expert injector can not only explain all the specifics of what to expect before, during, and after getting Botox, but will also create a personalized treatment regimen that ultimately results in longer-lasting Botox effects.

2. Flex Those Muscles

After your injections, do a mini facial workout by moving the muscles around the injection sites. Making a range of different expressions such as raising your eyebrows can help distribute the Botox more efficiently throughout your upper face, causing your results to take effect more quickly. Once the Botox kicks in, these expressions won’t make any lasting impact on your skin.

3. Shun the Sun

This note of advice applies to all people who wish to avoid the effects of aging, whether you decide to get Botox or not. Sun damage is the top reason we experience the signs of early aging, and Botox doesn’t turn back the clock on these wrinkles, since they do not involve the underlying muscles. It’s a best practice to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on your face and any other exposed body parts every day, even if it’s cloudy.

Enjoy Long-Lasting Anti-Aging Effects

If you are interested in Botox injections or other transformative anti-aging procedures in San Francisco, Dr. Seth Matarasso and his talented team are eager to help you. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of Botox and how to achieve long-lasting results through expert injections.

Celebrities live their lives in the spotlight – a glamorous lifestyle we’ve all daydreamed about having at least once. They get to jet-set around the world and wear clothes and jewelry from famous designers. Whether you see them on a talk show or rocking the red carpet at an awards ceremony, they always look like they just stepped out of the glossy pages of a magazine.

What can you do to mimic that refreshed, ready-for-anything look in your life? Read on for five simple celebrity skincare essentials.

1. Hyaluronic Acid

This naturally occurring molecule is nature’s perfect humectant. It has an incredible capacity to attract and retain skin-plumping moisture. If your skin is losing volume or beginning to show wrinkles and fine lines, hyaluronic acid might be the key skincare ingredient you’ve been looking for.

Many topical moisturizers and serums feature hyaluronic acid as a main ingredient, so if you’re seeking more of this miraculous substance, ask us for a product recommendation. For the most advanced anti-aging benefits consider having hyaluronic acid injected into your skin in the form of a product such as Juvéderm.

Dermal fillers like Juvéderm can provide volume to areas of your face where it is lacking, like your cheeks and the tear troughs below your eyes. They can also smooth out fine lines and make you look subtly younger and more refreshed.

2. Sunscreen

The existence of sunscreen isn’t exactly a secret to anyone, but many people don’t apply the correct amount of coverage or a high enough SPF. And let’s face it, you’ve probably been a bit lax in your sunscreen usage at times. Celebrities who want a healthy glow know there’s no safe or healthy way to tan, and that sun damage puts you on the fast track to looking older.

Embrace your inner celeb by applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more anytime you plan to go outdoors, even if it’s just a short walk to the mailbox. Put it not only on your face but any part of your body that will get exposed to the sun’s damaging UV rays. Don’t forget your neck, chest, and the backs of your hands – all areas that age just as rapidly as your face when exposed to excessive sun damage. By practicing healthy sunscreen habits, you will also help lower your risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

3. Regular Exfoliation

Factors like makeup and environmental pollution can clog your pores, making you more prone to breakouts and causing your skin to look dull and tired. If you haven’t already done so, add exfoliation to your self-care regimen of cleansing and moisturizing your skin. You can find exfoliating products at the drugstore, or you can take your exfoliation a step further with a procedure like microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is a spa-quality treatment that safely removes the top layers of dead skin cells for excellent improvements to the overall tone and texture of the skin. It also stimulates collagen production for continuing results. The procedure is safe, painless, non-surgical, and requires no downtime for healing.

4. Hydration

We all know about the health benefits of staying hydrated, but many people don’t drink enough water throughout the day. Relying solely on sugary, caffeine-filled beverages for your hydration isn’t a smart strategy if your goal is to look younger for longer. The real fountain of youth is full of good old H2O.

If you have trouble remembering to drink water, there are plenty of smartphone apps you can download to keep you on track with your hydration goals. You can also get hydration from water-rich foods such as cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, celery, oranges, and grapefruit.

5. Exercise

Exercise is good for every facet of your mental and physical health, including your skin. You may not be able to afford a celebrity fitness trainer, but you can still carve out time from your daily routine to work up a sweat. As little as 30 minutes of physical activity, such as running, walking, biking, or dancing, can leave you with a healthy glow, improve your mood, and help you feel mentally sharper, as well.

Get the Look Without the Lifestyle

You don’t have to be famous to have beautiful skin that leaves other people enviously wondering what your secret is. You can take these top tips from celebrities and apply them to your regular routine to boost your appearance. To learn more about ways to keep your skin in tip-top condition, schedule your consultation with Dr. Seth Matarasso, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Matarasso by contacting us at 415-362-2238.

The holiday season means plenty of food, festivities, and family traditions. However, if you find yourself dreading annual family photos that always seem to take place around the holidays because you’re self-conscious about having a double chin, you’ll be thrilled to learn about Ultherapy – a groundbreaking procedure that produces outstanding skin-tightening results without the need for surgery.

What Causes a Double Chin?

A double chin, which is also called submental fat, occurs when excess soft tissue under accumulates the chin and jawline. It can blur the distinction between your chin and your neck, making you look overweight and older than you really are. Unfortunately, submental fat is often hereditary, which means it is difficult to lose through diet and exercise alone. After all, there are no toning exercises for your chin and neck area.

How Does Ultherapy Help?

Ultherapy is an ideal procedure for patients who are frustrated by their double chin, but who do not want to undergo invasive surgery, like liposuction. As implied in its name, Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to tighten sagging skin. The FDA approved Ultherapy in 2007, and since then, it has become the gold standard of non-invasive skin tightening treatments.

Ultherapy treatment delivers focused ultrasound waves just beneath the surface of your skin, where they gradually kickstart your natural collagen production, producing cumulative results over the course of several months. Ultherapy improves your skin’s overall health, causing it to lift and tighten, reducing any jowls or turkey neck, and smoothing away any fine lines.

Who Is Ultherapy for?

The results of Ultherapy are most effective for patients who would like to correct mildly sagging skin or tighten and firm areas where they’re starting to notice lines and wrinkles. For best results, your skin should not be excessively sun-damaged.

Ultherapy has become a favorite of patients who are seeing early signs of aging and are looking for preventive ways to look younger without the pain and healing time associated with surgery. Ultherapy for the chin and neck area is also a smart choice for patients who prefer a subtler improvement, so nobody will be able to tell they’ve had work done.

When you schedule your consultation with Dr. Matarasso, he will assess the current condition and laxity of your skin to determine whether Ultherapy is right for you. Depending on the quality of your skin, your ability to produce new collagen, and the results you’d like to achieve, he may suggest other treatments to try in combination with Ultherapy to make your skin look its absolute best.

What Else Should You Know About Ultherapy?

Ultherapy is a quick, gentle, in-office procedure. There are no downtime, stitches, or anesthetic required with an Ultherapy treatment. After you leave our office, you’ll be free to return to work and resume any other normal daily activities. The most common side effects are temporary redness, swelling, and tenderness, but those should resolve themselves soon after treatment.

Ultherapy maintenance treatments one to three years can help you fend off your skin’s natural aging process; however, most patients only need one treatment to achieve outstanding results. After your Ultherapy session, be careful to protect your skin from damage by being a nonsmoker and always avoiding excessive sun exposure.

Explore Ultherapy in San Francisco

With Ultherapy, there’s no need to try to minimize the appearance of your double chin and sagging skin with scarves or turtleneck sweaters. You can feel more confident in yourself and prepare to celebrate the holiday season with your new look. If you’re ready to take the next step, contact our office to make an appointment with Dr. Matarasso. He can answer all your questions about Ultherapy and help determine if it is the best choice for you.

An ounce of prevention, as the old saying goes, is worth a pound of cure—But can getting Botox at a young age, before wrinkles have a chance to set in, really make a difference later in life? Many leading experts say “Yes, it can.” Just how early you should start, however, is a matter of some debate.

Botox Treatments: Should I Start In My 20s, 30s, or 40s?

While it may seem crazy to go from college directly to Botox, plastic surgeons have widely reported a sudden increase in the number of people in their 20s who are seeking out Botox treatments. Why? They believe that by doing so, they can get the jump on wrinkles: After all, if you relax the muscles responsible for creating wrinkles early enough, they might never fully form, right?

This logic is sound at base, but plastic surgery experts like Karan Dhir, M.D., generally feel that starting before the age of 30 makes little real difference over the long run. “Botox can help prevent the deep imprinted lines that we call wrinkles because of the effect of relaxing the muscles that can crease the skin,” he explains. However, “Patients in their twenties have sufficient volume and thickness of the facial skin. It can withstand the folding and creasing forces of the underlying muscle. The skin begins to lose volume and thins notably between the ages of 30 to 40. This, in my opinion, is the time to begin Botox treatments—right before the creases have an opportunity to become deeply imprinted.”

There are, of course, some exceptions to the above rule. Some people actually do begin to lose skin tone and develop fine lines as early as their late 20s, and these people absolutely will benefit from Botox injections. In general, people who smoke and fair-skinned people who have been exposed to a lot of sunlight (or tanning beds) should consider starting Botox treatments in their mid-late 20s. Additionally, if you have a family history of premature aging, early Botox may be right for you.

Regardless of when you choose to start getting Botox injections, it’s important to understand that Botox at any age is harmless and will not cause permanent damage to your face or make you look older. If you want to experiment with Botox as early as your 20s, you can rest assured that the treatment is completely temporary and will wear off in about 6 months’ time.

For more information on Botox treatments, contact Dr. Seth L. Matarasso today!

Your mom is gorgeous both inside and out, but even the most beautiful moms appreciate a pampering cosmetic treatment every now and again. This Mother’s Day, skip the chocolates and flowers and give your mom the gift of beauty instead. A cosmetic treatment is a gift she’ll enjoy every time she looks in the mirror.

Botox – Smooth Mom’s Wrinkles Away

If your mom has wrinkles (and what mom doesn’t have a few?), give her the gift of Botox to help her fade them away. Botox works by relaxing muscles that cause certain types of wrinkles (wrinkles caused by muscle activity—crow’s feet, smile lines, etc.). The treatment takes just a few minutes, and results show up in 2-3 days. With a single Botox treatment, Mom can enjoy fewer wrinkles for 4-8 months. This FDA approved treatment is a safe choice for most patients. Dr. Matarasso is a highly skilled injector—well known for his stunning, natural looking results.

CoolSculpting – Give Mom the Body She’s Always Wanted

The mother of your children has sacrificed a lot to bring her babies into the world. After pregnancy, women often find that stubborn fat pockets remain, even years or decades later. CoolSculpting could help your favorite mom to shed this unwanted fat and rediscover her best body. This treatment uses cold to freeze and destroy unwanted fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissues or skin. A completely non-surgical treatment, CoolSculpting requires no downtime after treatment.

IPL – Clear, Smooth, Beautiful Skin for Mom

If your mom has sun damage, spider veins, aging skin, or uneven pigmentation, IPL can help. This treatment uses powerful light energy to fight skin problems. Unlike a laser, which uses a single frequency of light, IPL utilizes multiple frequencies for exceptional results. Treatment typically takes less than an hour (approximately 15-30 minutes) with no downtime. Doesn’t your mom deserve beautiful skin?

Injectable Fillers – Rejuvenation for Mom in Minutes

Even busy moms have time for injectable dermal fillers. These fillers can restore lost volume to the skin, fill in line and wrinkles, and even plump up the lips. Filler treatments are often completed in less than 30 minutes with no downtime. We offer a wide variety of fillers to ensure success for your specific areas of concern.

If you’re still searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the many wonderful moms in your life, call and ask us about giving Mom the gift of beauty. Call today!

As much as Dr. Matarasso loves visiting with his patients in beautiful San Francisco, he also likes to get away. Fortunately for him, one of his most recent trips combined business and pleasure, as he had the opportunity to be a speaker at the Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference 2016 in Koloa, Hawaii.

A Prestigious Event Attended by Dermatologists from Around the Country

The Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference is one of the most important annual events for dermatologists in the country. Attended by more than 400 dermatologists this year, the conference featured discussions and presentations by 42 industry experts. During the conference, the visiting dermatologists were able to enjoy training, live patient workshops, panels, Q & A sessions, and lectures. This year’s event was held from January 15-20 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Dr. Matarasso’s Presentation

A highlight of the event was Dr. Matarasso’s presentation on injectable neurotoxin treatments. He discussed Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport, highlighting differences in cost and usage for these powerful treatments. These neurotoxins have valuable uses for treating fine lines and wrinkles (including crow’s feet, bunny lines, and frown lines), chin dimpling, and other cosmetic concerns. They can also treat medical conditions, including hyperhidrosis, migraine headaches, and masseter hypertrophy.

After advising physicians of the latest research regarding neurotoxins, he reminded them to treat the aging face not just with Botox, but to also utilize polytherapy. Dr. Matarasso recommends combining neurotoxin treatments with injectable fillers for the best results. As an experienced and well-practiced provider of injectable treatments, he is well aware of the synergistic effects that cosmetic treatments can have when properly used together.

Although we’re sure Dr. Matarasso enjoyed his time away teaching, learning, and hopefully spending time on the beach, we’re certainly glad he’s back. Call today and book your appointment with him.

What do you really want for Valentine’s Day this year? Do you really need a giant box chocolates? Ask for the gift of gorgeous skin instead. An IPL treatment can help you clear up hyperpigmentation and redness, leaving you with the glowing skin you desire. IPL is a gift you’ll enjoy long after that last chocolate has been eaten.

How Can IPL Help Me?

IPL (short for intense pulsed light) is a cosmetic skin treatment that uses intense light to target and treat damaged skin. It is an excellent treatment option for a variety of skin conditions, including:

• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun Damage
• Age Spots
• Freckles
• Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Scars
• Excess Hair
• Spider Veins
• Enlarged Pores

IPL can be used on the face or the body with great results. If you have any of the above skin problems, ask Dr. Matarasso about this highly effective treatment option. IPL is safe for all skin types and can be customized to your skin’s condition.

I’m Very Busy—How Long Does IPL Take?

IPL is an excellent treatment option for busy men and women who want to improve their skin. We start by applying an anesthetic cream and cooling gel and then use the IPL handpiece to treat the skin. The treatment itself takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on the area treated. You can apply makeup immediately afterwards, and many patients go right back to work with no downtime. This treatment is the perfect choice for lunchtime rejuvenation. If you do experience mild discomfort, you can take an ibuprofen or use an ice pack. IPL can be repeated every 30-60 days as needed.

Ask for IPL this Valentine’s Day, and fall in love with your skin again.