When women get pregnant, they expect a few stretch marks or weight gain, but many are surprised when they develop visible facial veins that remain long after baby has been delivered. If you have post-baby facial veins, come see Dr. Matarasso. Get rid of the redness and reclaim beautiful, clear skin again.

Facial Veins and Pregnancy – What’s the Link?

Women have an increased blood volume during pregnancy. This can place more pressure on your blood vessels, leading to broken capillaries and spider veins. These often occur on the legs, but can also occur on the face. The problem may clear up on its own shortly after delivery but, if it doesn’t, come see Dr. Matarasso. Treatment options are available.

What Are My Treatment Options for Unsightly Facial Veins?

Dr. Matarasso uses a few different techniques for treating facial veins. Let’s explore each option below.

• IPL- Short for intense pulsed light, IPL is a powerful light treatment that can clear up spider veins and broken capillaries. It works similarly to a laser treatment but, unlike a laser, IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light.
• Laser Treatments- We use the Candela V-beam laser, which targets damaged blood vessels without harming the surrounding, healthy skin.

Both of these treatments work by sealing off the veins and cutting off blood flow. This allows the veins to be reabsorbed by the body and the blood to redirect through healthier pathways. If you have spider veins elsewhere (such as on the legs), Dr. Matarasso may recommend sclerotherapy.

Is Facial Vein Treatment Painful?

Most patients describe the sensation experienced during facial vein treatment as a gentle snapping, similar to a rubber band being snapped across the skin. You can immediately resume your daily activities after treatment, with no downtime or recovery period. Any redness can be covered with makeup. You may feel like you have a slight sunburn for a few days after treatment.

Get rid of embarrassing facial veins. Come see Dr. Matarasso today!

2016 is the year you’ve decided to tackle your wrinkles, but now you need to know which wrinkle treatment to choose. Fortunately, we’ve got several. Come in for your personalized recommendation for your skin and trouble areas. Dr. Matarasso can help you rediscover smooth, wrinkle-free skin. We offer wrinkle treatments for every age and every stage of life.

What Wrinkle Treatments Should I Try?

Crow’s feet and nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the mouth) are both wrinkles, but they aren’t the same. Crow’s feet are caused by muscle movement while nasolabial folds develop due to loss of facial volume. When it comes to wrinkles, there are many different types and each one is best targeted by a different treatment. To help keep your skin at its best, Dr. Matarasso offers a variety of wrinkle treatments. Ask him for advice about which treatment (or treatments) is best for you.

• Botox- For expression wrinkles (like crow’s feet, lines between the brows, frown lines, etc.), nothing beats Botox. This treatment temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause these types of wrinkles. As the muscles relax, the skin smoothes and the wrinkles fade away. No downtime is needed. Dysport is a similar treatment option.
• Dermal Fillers- If your wrinkles are caused by a loss of facial volume (like nasolabial folds), opt for a dermal filler. These injectable fillers restore volume and fill in wrinkles. Dr. Matarasso is a highly skilled injector known for his smooth, natural-looking results. We carry a wide range of fillers (including Juvederm and Restylane) and will choose the right product for your problem areas. Dermal fillers can even be used to add volume to the lips. Dermal fillers and Botox are often used in combination, and the result is nothing short of amazing.
• IPL- Rejuvenate your skin and improve the appearance of your wrinkles with IPL (also known as intense pulsed light or photofacial). This treatment uses intense light to treat and improve damaged skin. This treatment is great for wrinkles, but that isn’t all it can do. It also treats sun damage, brown spots, enlarged pores, and spider veins. IPL requires no downtime and most patients see good results in just a few treatments.
• Microdermabrasion- By exfoliating the outermost layers of skin we can treat wrinkles and brighten dull skin. Microdermabrasion smoothes and rejuvenates skin and boosts collagen production. Downtime is not required, although you may have redness for a few days.
• Fraxel- A laser skin rejuvenation treatment, the Fraxel laser is a great choice for smoothing wrinkles and rejuvenating skin. This treatment may require a minimal recovery period. Fraxel can treat wrinkles, uneven skin tone, roughness, and a variety of other skin problems.

Which option is right for you? Dr. Matarasso can help you find the right treatment for your wrinkles. Call today and schedule your appointment.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Rosacea Patients?

No two rosacea patients are the same, and Dr. Matarasso focuses on providing individualized care for each of his patients. He utilizes a variety of treatment options and will work with you to find the best combination of treatments for your skin type and condition. Some common treatments for rosacea include:

• Lifestyle Changes– Research suggests that lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on rosacea. Using the right skin care products, staying out of the sun, limiting alcohol and spicy foods, and reducing stress are a few of the changes you can make that may result in fewer rosacea symptoms. According to one study, 57% of those that made lifestyle changes noticed improvement in their rosacea symptoms. In addition to medications and laser therapies, Dr. Matarasso can help you pinpoint useful lifestyle changes for treating your rosacea.
• Antibiotics– Low dose antibiotics can be helpful in treating rosacea. These low dose treatments aren’t used to kill bacteria, but rather to reduce overall inflammation of the skin. They may also reduce acne or pimples, which commonly occur with rosacea. Patients with mild rosacea may benefit from a cream while patients with more advanced symptoms may benefit from an oral treatment.
• Prescription Skin Creams– Prescription skin creams can have a dramatic effect on rosacea symptoms. These creams are typically applied at home on a daily or 2x daily basis, depending on the cream.
• IPL– IPL and laser treatments can be beneficial in treating redness and broken capillaries in the face. Dr. Matarasso can recommend the right laser or light treatment for your rosacea.
• Skin Care Advice– Gentleness is key when you have rosacea. Dr. Matarasso can help you find the right skin care products for your skin and can help you learn how to take care of your skin. If you have rosacea, you need personalized skin care advice from a skilled dermatologist.

If you have rosacea, get treatment. Come see Dr. Matarasso today. Although rosacea isn’t curable, it is highly treatable. Look better and feel better with the right treatment.

What Does This Mean for You?

The stigma around cosmetic enhancement is fading and that gives men and women more options than ever to look their best. Take a good, long look at yourself in the mirror. What do you love? What do you want to enhance? Many cosmetic treatments can be performed without surgery for a subtle improvement in your looks without weeks of recovery. Let’s take a look at some great minimally invasive enhancements:

• Botox/Dysport: Crow’s feet and forehead lines are no match for Botox and Dysport, botulinum toxin treatments that halt muscle movements that cause wrinkles. When applied by a skilled hand the results can be very natural looking, not frozen or overdone. Last year, treatments like these were the most popular cosmetic treatments in the U.S. with a record-setting 6.7 million procedures performed.
• Injectable Fillers: Wrinkles that aren’t caused by muscle movement respond better to dermal fillers. These injectable fillers restore lost volume, smoothing out wrinkles for a flawless look. Treatment takes just a few minutes with results that can last for years (depending on the filler used). We offer a wide range of fillers including Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Juvederm Voluma. Dr. Matarasso will choose the most appropriate filler (or combination of fillers) for your face.
• Laser Skin Rejuvenation: Even out skin tone, improve the appearance of wrinkles, fade brown spots, etc. with a laser skin rejuvenation treatment. The Fraxel laser is a fractional laser that treats small area of skin for accelerated healing. In addition to the Fraxel laser, we offer other, non-laser skin rejuvenating treatments like IPL and microdermabrasion.

The vast array of minimally invasive cosmetic treatments available may in part contribute to the increasing popularity of plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement. These treatments are often more affordable than surgical options, require less recovery time, and provide the subtle, natural looking results that patients love. The Time article reminds readers that U.S. doctors perform five times as many minimally invasive treatments as they do surgeries.

Plastic Surgery is for Everyone

The public perception of plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement has transformed over the last decade or two. What once was only enjoyed by the rich and famous, is now available to almost everyone. The Time article says, “In 2005, more than two-thirds of cosmetic-surgery patients in the U.S. made $60,000 or less. Most people getting nonsurgical procedures probably made less.” You don’t have to be rich to enjoy looking your best.

Are you considering a little pick-me-up for your appearance? Call us today and schedule your appointment.

What Can a Cosmetic Dermatologist Do for You?

We all want smooth, beautiful skin, but unfortunately, few of us are blessed with it naturally. From acne to brown spots to wrinkles and more, we all have those little imperfections that get in the way of our perfect skin. A cosmetic dermatologist helps to treat these problems so you can have the skin and hair you’ve always wanted. Some even offer cosmetic treatments like liposuction.

In addition to cosmetic treatments, cosmetic dermatologists can also do everything a standard dermatologist might do. They can check moles for skin cancer (and remove them if necessary) and treat skin problems like eczema. A cosmetic dermatologist acts as your skin care advisor, providing you with in-office treatments and giving advice for proper at-home care.

Quick Cosmetic Treatments to Try Today

One of the best ways to see the benefits that a cosmetic dermatologist can provide is to visit one yourself. Call us today at 415-362-2238 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Matarasso. He’ll work with you closely to find the best treatment options for your skin conditions and concerns. For quick beauty boost, consider one of these popular treatments.

• Botox– If you’ve got 15 minutes to spare, you’ve got time for Botox. This treatment temporarily relaxes facial muscles that cause wrinkling. Botox is especially effective on wrinkles in the upper half of the face (lines between the brows, forehead lines, crow’s feet). You can head right back to your regular activities after treatment and you’ll see the results in just a couple of days.
• Dermal Fillers– Fill in stubborn wrinkles, camouflage acne scars, and more with dermal fillers. These versatile injectable treatments can even be used to provide a “liquid facelift”.
• Laser Skin Rejuvenation– For smoother, younger looking skin try laser skin rejuvenation. These treatments use powerful laser energy to penetrate the skin and target damaged cells. Dr. Matarasso can use lasers to do everything from boosting collagen production to improving the appearance of scars and evening skin tone.

If you want to look better this year, enlist the help of a cosmetic dermatologist. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

What Can a Laser Skin Rejuvenation Procedure Improve?

The Fraxel laser can transform your skin, making you look younger and more vibrant in just a few treatments. You can start to see results almost immediately, with continued improvement over time. A Fraxel laser treatment can improve:

• Skin Tone- Evens out skin tone, reducing the appearance of sun spots, age spots and melasma (mask of pregnancy).
• Fine Lines and Wrinkles- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while smoothing skin.
• Skin Texture- Helps to soften and smooth skin.
• Overall Skin Appearance- Stimulates collagen production for younger looking skin.
• Scars- Can fade scars including acne scars
• Pore Size- Reduces the appearance of enlarged pores.

Why the Fraxel Laser?

The Fraxel laser works on a microscopic level, treating small fractions of tissue at a time (hence the name). Since it only treats a portion of tissue, the surrounding tissues remain undamaged, promoting better healing. Old damaged skin is replaced with fresh, new glowing skin. Soon after treatment your skin will start feeling softer and appear more even. Over time the results will continue to improve as new collagen is formed. The results are long lasting and will vary based on your skin and lifestyle. Dr. Matarasso will help you determine what results you might expect and how many treatments will be needed to meet your goals.

What’s Recovery Like?

If you’re considering a laser skin rejuvenation procedure, you might be wondering about recovery times. We custom tailor this treatment to your needs; depending on the level of treatment you may experience some redness or swelling. This will diminish over the next several days (sometimes as soon as the next day). From redness your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two. Dead skin cells will flake off naturally revealing refreshed and rejuvenated skin.

Dr. Matarasso may recommend addition treatments like microdermabrasion or IPL to complement a Fraxel treatment and to achieve optimal results. He’ll carefully discuss your options when you come in for your next visit.

Refresh your skin and reveal a younger, more beautiful you. What are you waiting for? Call us today!