To some degree, cellulite affects up to 80% of post-pubertal women of all ages and ethnicities. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is composed of two purified collagenases derived from bacteria that hydrolyze type I and II collagen causing an enzymatic metabolization of the fibrous septae. Disrupting these septae can create a skin-smoothing effect.

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For months during the pandemic, Bay Area professionals have been working from home, connecting over Zoom, and deciding they don’t like what they see.

It’s not their colleagues they’re objecting to, but their own faces — double chins, brow furrows, and hooded eyelids. And they’re doing something about it, in droves.

“I’ve never seen so many people want to have facial surgery at the same time, and so urgently, in my 20 years in practice,” said Dr. Carolyn Chang, a San Francisco cosmetic plastic surgeon who specializes in faces and breasts.

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Botox is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the U.S.

Choose Your Injector Carefully

These days it seems like everyone is offering Botox, but you want to choose your injector carefully. Botox can create smooth, stunning, natural looking results, but only when used correctly. You need an injector with a deep understanding of facial anatomy and with experience placing injections and using the right amount. Dr. Matarasso has been using Botox for many years and knows how to expertly use this powerful treatment to turn back the clock for a younger looking you.

Botox Only Works on Specif
ic Types of Wrinkles

Botox works by halting nerve impulses to muscles that cause wrinkling. It is very effective for wrinkles like crow’s feet, lines between the brows, forehead wrinkles, and other lines/wrinkles caused by muscle movement, but it won’t work on other signs of aging. Be aware that Botox isn’t always the solution for lines and wrinkles, although it often is.

Stick to Your Treatment Schedule

When you love the results of your Botox treatment (and we’re certain you will), you will need to come in for maintenance injections to maintain your results. Botox treatments typically last 4-8 months. Dr. Matarasso will create a treatment schedule with you so you can always look your best.

Don’t Worry If You Don’t See Results Right Away

First time Botox patients are often surprised when they don’t see their Botox results immediately. It can a week or two for your wrinkles to soften… be patient. The results are coming; it just takes time.

Post Treatment Care

What do you need to do after Botox to ensure the best results? Nothing at all. Botox injections are a no downtime treatment. You can come in, get injected, and head back to home or work immediately. You may want to apply a little makeup to the injection sites as you may have a bit of redness or swelling. Dr. Matarasso will give you specific instructions for aftercare when you come in for your treatment.

Botox Is Great Alone, But Pairs Beautifully with Other Treatments

Botox provides stunning results on its own, but Dr. Matarasso may recommend some other cosmetic treatments to complement your results. Botox pairs beautifully with dermal fillers (like Juvederm), laser skin rejuvenation treatments (like Fraxel), and a variety of other cosmetic treatments. Ask Dr. Matarasso which procedures he would recommend for you.

Call us at 415-362-2238 today and give Botox a try.

Juvederm

Juvederm

Juvederm is an ideal dermal filler for filling in wrinkles, restoring lost volume and plumping up the lips. This filler is injected under the skin. This is a great filler for general signs of aging like crow’s feet, lines between the brows, thinning lips, loose skin, etc. Results last 6-9 months per treatment, longer with a quick follow-up treatment a few weeks after your initial injections.

Juvederm Voluma

Juvederm Voluma is a unique dermal filler that lifts and volumizes the cheek area. It can restore contours in the cheek for up to two years with a single treatment. Voluma is injected deeply into the skin. It provides natural looking lift and restores youthful volume. This filler can be used on its own, but also pairs beautifully with other fillers (like Juvederm) or treatments like Botox.

Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma: What’s the Same?

Although there are important differences, there are also many similarities between Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma including:

• Both Made from Hyaluronic Acid: Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma both contain hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the skin. It is highly biocompatible which means no pre-treatment is needed.
• Instant Results: Come in, get treatment and look great. You’ll see results instantly after treatment. You may experience a bit of redness or swelling initially, but this fades quickly and can be covered with makeup.
• Natural-Looking Results: Dr. Matarasso is a skilled injector and can create natural-looking results using both Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma.
• No Downtime: We know you’re busy and don’t have time for downtime. With these injectable treatments, you can get treatment and get right back to life with no downtime.

What are you waiting for? Come in today and learn more about Juvederm and Juvederm Voluma.

Stick with the Sunscreen

Summer isn’t the only time for sunscreen. Regular sunscreen use should be a year-round habit. Use at least SPF 15 on a daily basis. Many of the common skin conditions we associate with aging are actually caused by UV exposure. Using sunscreen can also help lower your skin cancer risk (if it’s been more than a year since your last skin cancer check with a doctor, call for an appointment).

Skip the Hot Showers

As the weather gets cooler, warm up with a sweater, not a hot shower. Overly hot showers and baths can dry out the skin by stripping away your body’s natural oils. This can leave the skin red, itchy, dry and irritated. Opt for a more temperate shower and enjoy happier, more beautiful skin this fall.

Come In for a Cosmetic Pick Me Up

Now that the chaos of summer is winding down, you might have a little more time to devote to your skin. Come in for a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment and give your skin a quick pick me up. Botox or Juvederm are great options for wrinkles. The Fraxel laser can improve the appearance of brown spots and stimulate collagen production. If you have loose, sagging skin, try Ultherapy, a non-surgical tightening procedure. Each of these treatments can be performed in office with no downtime. Fall is a great time to make your skin look better.

Evaluate Your Products

Changes in weather and temperature can have a big impact on the effectiveness of your skin care products. Is your skin feeling dry this fall? Consider switching your moisturizer or trying a new cleanser. As the seasons change, so do your skin care needs. It is a great time to evaluate which products are working and which are not.

Don’t Forget Your Lips

When we think about skin care, we typically focus on facial skin (cheeks, chip, forehead, etc.), but don’t forget, your lips are skin too and may need extra attention as the weather cools down. Start using a good quality lip balm now to avoid cracked, sore lips this winter.

Great fall skin starts now. Call us today and schedule your appointment with Dr. Matarasso.

What Are My Options for Treating Thinning Lips?

Dermal fillers are one of the easiest options for treating thinning lips. With just a few carefully placed injections, we can plump up the lips instantly. The procedure just takes a few minutes and the results last for months.

We can use several different dermal fillers for non-surgical lip augmentation. Dr. Matarasso will help you decide which option is best for your lips. Let’s take a look!

Juvederm

Juvederm is a great option for use in the lip area. It is a hyaluronic acid filler (hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the skin) and requires no pre-testing. The results can be very natural-looking and last for 6-9 months. Best of all, Juvederm is a no-downtime treatment so you can get right back to life after treatment. No need to sit around recovering.

Restylane

Restylane is another great product we can use in the lip area. It is made from hyaluronic acid and can create fuller lips for up to six months. Although many different fillers are used in the lip area, Restylane fillers are the first and only FDA-approved for lip enhancement in patients over 21. Restylane is very versatile and can help Dr. Matarasso to achieve your ideal pout.

What Other Uses Are There for Dermal Fillers?

Dr. Matarasso often uses dermal fillers for lip augmentation, but that isn’t the only use for them. They are also a great option for smoothing out wrinkles, for restoring lost facial volume and rejuvenating your look. When you come in for your lip treatment, we can easily use the dermal fillers in other areas too for a more dramatic transformation. Last year, dermal fillers were one of the most popular cosmetic treatments with 2.3 million treatments performed in the U.S.

Call us today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Matarasso.

What Is a Mole?

Moles are very common in adults. Most adults have at least a few, but many have more. Some are present at birth (called congenital nevi), but often they develop during childhood and adolescence. Moles can darken during pregnancy or from sun exposure. New moles as an adult are not common.

Moles occur when a type of cell known as a melanocyte grows in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. Melanocytes are a type of cell that produce the pigment in the skin. They are also the type of cell that can develop melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer. Melanoma isn’t exclusive to moles however; it can develop anywhere on the skin and even in the eyes, digestive tract, etc. Most moles will never develop cancer.

At Home Mole Checks: What You Need to Know

You are more familiar with your skin than anyone else which puts you in a good position to watch for melanoma. You should perform regular checks on your skin. Look for changes (new moles, changes to existing ones, etc.) and come see Dr. Matarasso if you spot anything concerning. Many melanomas have irregular characteristics. To remember what to look for, use the ABCDE rule.

1. Asymmetry: Look for moles where one side doesn’t match the other.
2. Border: Ragged edges, notches, and blurred outlines need a second look by a doctor.
3. Color: Moles can be many colors (black, brown, tan, gray, white, red, blue, etc.), but they are typically only one single color. Uneven or multiple colors warrant a visit to Dr. Matarasso.
4. Diameter: Most melanomas are larger than 6 mm (about ¼ inch wide).
5. Evolving: If you spot changes, come on in.

Melanomas can vary greatly in their appearance. Some have all the characteristics of a problem mole, while others have only a feature or two on the list. Other things to watch for include bleeding or itching. If you’re concerned, come see us. Dr. Matarasso can help you determine if a mole needs removal and testing. Melanoma is curable if caught early.

Professional Skin Cancer Checks

At home checks are important, but so are regular checks by a dermatologist. Come see Dr. Matarasso at least once a year for a skin cancer detection appointment, sooner if you find anything concerning during your home checks.

If Dr. Matarasso is concerned, he can remove a problem mole using Mohs surgery, a special type of skin cancer removal surgery that carefully removes all traces of cancer in a single surgery.

Sunscreen: Why You Need It and How to Use It

Sunscreen should be a must-do part of your skin care routine year round. For daily use, a good SPF 15 is usually sufficient, but make sure you’re using it correctly. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your sunscreen use.

• Use Plenty: Are you using enough sunscreen? You need a nickel-sized dollop for your face alone. If you’re applying to the whole body, you’ll need a lot more (about a shot glass worth).
• Reapply Often: Sunscreen isn’t a “apply once and forget about it” kind of product. You need to reapply every couple of hours for maximum effectiveness. Reapply more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.
• Don’t Forget the Ears: Sunscreen can only work where it is applied. Don’t forget these commonly forgotten areas.

I Already Have Sun Damage… What Can I Do?

If your sun habits haven’t been the best in the past, don’t despair. You can make positive changes today and come see Dr. Matarasso to correct some of the damage. The following treatments are a good choice for patients with sun damage.

• Fraxel: The Fraxel laser is a skin rejuvenation treatment that targets and treats damaged skin while leaving the surrounding tissues intact. This promotes faster healing. You’ll start to see results immediately after treatment with continued improvement as the body heals and boosts collagen production. This is a great option for sun damage.
• IPL: IPL (short for intense pulsed light) is a non-surgical, non-invasive option for treating problem skin. It is a great option for treating sun spots, hyperpigmentation and freckles, all signs of sun damage.
• Skin Cancer Detection: Skin cancer is something most of us want to think about, but early detection can be a lifesaver. A skin cancer detection appointment with Dr. Matarasso is an excellent addition to your own personal cancer checks. We recommend this screening regularly for all patients, even those with optimal sun practices.

Be sun smart! Call us today and book your appointment with Dr. Matarasso.