Innovation is a process of change or transformation. It can be subtle, obvious, or disruptive, or all 3 in the ever-evolving field of cosmetic dermatology.

The Dermatology Digest asked 2 recognized experts in cosmetic dermatology to share what they believe the most innovative aesthetic treatments are today, how they’ve affected their treatment approaches, and what advice they have for others interested in adding such treatment options to their practice.

Click here to read more about what Dr. Seth L.Matarasso has to say about what he believes to be some of the most high-impact cosmetic innovations today!

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

If you’re thinking about trying Botox for the first time, you might have some questions about whether this treatment is right for you. As San Francisco’s leading dermatologists, we’re happy to provide answers.

How Does Botox Work?

First, it’s helpful for you to understand how this product can make such a significant impact on your appearance and self-confidence. Repetitive motions like frowning, squinting, and smiling create what we call dynamic wrinkles. When you’re younger, your skin can bounce back from these, but eventually, these lines will start permanently etching themselves onto your face.

Botox consists of a highly purified form of the botulinum toxin. When we strategically inject it into the muscles around your forehead, eyes, and eyebrows, it blocks the nerve signals that cause those muscles to contract. Once the Botox takes effect, you’ll notice those wrinkles gradually softening and becoming less distinct.

How to Maintain Your Long-Term Botox Results

While Botox can temporarily block muscle contractions, the effects are not permanent. You’ll probably start to notice wrinkles beginning to return around three to four months after your treatment, depending on factors like your lifestyle choices and how many units of Botox your injector used.

After you have a reasonable idea of how long Botox lasts for you, we can help you create a maintenance plan that includes when to return to our San Francisco office for touch-up treatments. Our goal is to ensure your anti-aging results are consistently natural-looking.

However, you should also know that over time, Botox use will help “train” your muscles not to make wrinkle-forming facial expressions. As the product gradually wears off, you’ll be more conscious of habitual movements that create unwanted lines. When that happens, you might be able to wait a little bit longer between maintenance appointments.

What Else Should You Know About Botox Injections?

Botox results don’t immediately appear. If you still see troublesome wrinkles a couple of days after your appointment, that doesn’t mean you need a touch-up right away. Your full results might not be visible until a week or so after your treatment, so we recommend scheduling your appointment strategically if you’re getting Botox in preparation for a specific occasion like a wedding or a class reunion.

When choosing where to get Botox injections, you should understand that your choice in provider matters. This treatment’s enduring popularity has led many underqualified people to advertise their services as Botox injectors, even if they have not specifically trained in facial anatomy and skin health. Therefore, while Botox treatments at a salon or day spa might seem convenient, that doesn’t mean they are safe.

For the best results, only trust a board-certified dermatologist to provide your Botox injections. At Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco, our physicians perform all injectable treatments. Allergan, which manufactures Botox, has also trained all the dermatologists on our team to understand how the product works to smooth wrinkles by preventing muscle contractions. For your personalized Botox consultation, contact us today.

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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All safe and effective, the four neuromodulators with cosmetic indications have nuanced differences worth considering. Seth Matarasso, M.D., explains the benefits of these cosmetic neuromodulators, and reveals how to know when to choose the right one.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many Americans to the idea of wearing a face covering in public settings. If you’re an essential worker who has had to mask up for eight hours a day or more, you may be discovering the phenomenon nicknamed “maskne” – or breakouts associated with wearing a face mask for long periods. As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Seth Matarasso is here to answer all your questions about skincare in this new era, and what steps you should take to ensure healthy skin while preventing the spread of germs.

How to Wear a Face Mask

We still have a lot to learn about the novel coronavirus and how it gets transmitted from person to person. However, infectious disease experts have pinpointed that – as with colds and the flu – the primary source of the spread is through the airborne droplets we emit when we talk, laugh, sing, cough, or sneeze. That means we can take the simple step of wearing a face covering to minimize the transmission of viruses and protect vulnerable members of our community.

If you’re new to wearing a mask, you need to know that for maximum efficacy, your face covering should fully cover the lower two-thirds of your face, from the bridge of your nose to just under your chin. And, while the mask should fit securely, you must ensure it’s not tighter than necessary. If you notice redness, abrasions, rosacea, eczema, irritation, or breakouts after removing your mask, wash the area with water and a gentle cleanser, and follow with a protective ointment to help the skin heal.

Preventing Mask-Related Breakouts

Besides irritating the skin, a mask can trap oil, dirt, and sweat in the pores – especially in warmer weather. If you’re already susceptible to skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema, you might notice your mask exacerbating these issues. To help restore the balance of your skin, wash and moisturize whenever you take off your face mask, and gently exfoliate once a week.

If your current skin care regimen is already working well for you, you don’t need to go crazy experimenting with a lot of new products, as shaking things up too much can lead to imbalanced skin and irritation. Choose facial cleansers that remove oil, dirt, and other impurities without compromising your skin’s protective barrier. If you have oily, breakout-prone skin, look for a face wash that has salicylic acid as one of the main ingredients. Salicylic acid can help prevent blemishes by clearing clogged pores. After washing your skin, apply a lightweight moisturizer or serum for anti-aging benefits.

Can You Wear Makeup Under a Face Mask?

It isn’t necessary to apply makeup to an area that will be underneath a face mask all day. Indeed, makeup can clog your pores and become trapped on your skin by your mask, causing breakouts. It’s better to focus on keeping your skin moist and free of irritation while wearing a face covering. However, wearing a mask doesn’t let you off the hook from applying sunscreen every time you leave the house. UV rays can penetrate window glass and cause premature aging, even if you’re inside.

Beautiful Skin Year-Round

Your skin’s health is an essential part of your overall well-being. To learn more about our non-surgical cosmetic treatments in San Francisco, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Matarasso today.

A divorce is a significant decision that signals a new phase of your life. It’s understandable you would want to improve your appearance after ending your marriage – not only because you want to feel like you’re making a fresh start, but also because you’re planning on reentering the dating world and want to put your best face forward. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular minimally invasive procedures that Dr. Matarasso’s newly single clients request.

1. Liquid Facelift

If you are concerned about mild to moderate signs of facial aging, but aren’t willing to undergo an invasive surgery such as a facelift, you have another option. The term “liquid facelift” refers to using neuromodulators such as Botox® in conjunction with dermal fillers like Juvéderm to remove wrinkles and improve facial volume.

Botox creates temporary paralysis in the muscles around the eyes and eyebrow area, improving crow’s feet, brow furrows, and the “11 lines” between the eyebrows. It relaxes existing wrinkles and helps prevent new ones from forming. Fillers can also add subtle volume and contour to the cheeks and lips while erasing the fine lines around the mouth.

There’s no downtime, stitches, or anesthesia involved with a liquid facelift, and you don’t have to take time away from work or other regular activities. It’s easy to maintain your long-term results by returning to our office for periodic touch-up treatments a couple of times a year.

2. PRP Facial

The PRP facial, commonly nicknamed the “vampire facial” on social media, combines the healing factors present in your plasma with the collagen-inducing benefits of microneedling for incredible results.

First, we perform the microneedling procedure to create thousands of microscopic puncture wounds in your face. Then, we spread platelet-rich plasma drawn from your blood over the skin. The platelets are rich in nutrients that penetrate deeply into the dermis, where they provide anti-aging benefits and improve your skin’s quality from within. The result will be a brighter, softer, smoother complexion.

3. CoolSculpting®

We’d all like to attain a slimmer silhouette, but often, your efforts in the gym aren’t enough to banish the bulges of unwanted fat from problem areas such as your belly, buttocks, thighs, and upper arms. CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved procedure that uses controlled cooling to freeze fat cells and cause them to die off. After your body naturally flushes out the dead cells, they’ll be gone for good, leaving you with a leaner and more toned physique.

4. Hair Restoration

Society puts tremendous pressure on people to look young and vital at any age. Unfortunately, many men and women experience hair thinning and premature hair loss that makes them appear older and less vibrant. A hair transplant can help you regrow a thicker, fuller head of hair so you can stop hiding your degree of hair loss with hats, scarves, and wigs.

Using an advanced technique called follicular unit extraction, Dr. Matarasso takes tiny bundles of one to four hairs from a “donor” area where you have plenty of hair – such as the back or sides of your head – and carefully inserts them into the balding areas. Once the transplanted hair takes root and enters the normal hair growth cycle, you can expect to see more hair density within a year after your procedure.

5. Ultherapy®

Ultherapy is an FDA-cleared technique that can tighten loose skin from your forehead to your décolletage, with no need for surgery. This revolutionary procedure stimulates new collagen growth with ultrasound energy, which helps kick your healing process into high gear. Over the next two to three months, you’ll notice the firming and tightening of sagging skin.

Where to Seek Post-Divorce Treatments in San Francisco

Ending a marriage is always a difficult decision, but when you close one chapter in your life, you have the chance to open another. Whatever your reasons for seeking post-divorce treatments, Dr. Matarasso is here for you. Contact us today or call 415-362-2238 to schedule your consultation.

As a clinical professor of dermatology, Dr. Seth Matarasso has assembled some top tips on how you can use this extra time to keep up with your beauty routine and emerge from isolation ready to face the world.

Establish a Skin Care Standard

For people who habitually get cosmetic treatments such as laser skin resurfacing or microdermabrasion, take advantage of this opportunity to get into a regular home skin care routine. Contrary to what you might think, taking good care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated or involve multiple products. Cleanse your skin every morning and evening, and follow it up with a gentle, lightweight moisturizer. If you’re going outside or sitting near a window, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen if your moisturizer doesn’t already include it. Also, don’t over-exfoliate, as micro-tears in your skin will cause irritation.

Get Plenty of Sleep

There’s a good reason we call it “beauty sleep.” While you’re asleep, your body uses that time to repair damaged cells and replenish your energy. Give yourself the rest you deserve and help eliminate puffiness and dark undereye circles by getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Don’t Forget to Hydrate

Your skin needs moisture to retain its elasticity and help prevent the signs of premature aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to your daily application of moisturizer, drink plenty of water. If you’re thirsty, that means you’re already dehydrated, so always keep a glass of water within reach. You can also get water from moisture-rich foods such as cucumber, lettuce, strawberries, and melons. As a bonus, you’ll be eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables with this approach.

Go Makeup-Free

If you aren’t leaving the house, choose the bare-faced route and give your skin a break from pore-clogging makeup. Not only will this allow your skin a chance to breathe and reduce the potential for breakouts, but it will also reduce the number of potentially hazardous chemicals you expose yourself to.

Make a DIY Face Mask

For an anti-aging DIY face mask, combine yogurt with honey to gently remove dead skin cells and make your complexion look softer and smoother. Mix one tablespoon of honey with two tablespoons of plain, unflavored Greek yogurt. Smooth onto your face and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

San Francisco’s Skin Care Expert

Whether your dermatological needs are cosmetic or clinical in nature, Dr. Matarasso is here to help you achieve your healthiest glow. If you live in the greater San Francisco area, schedule your consultation today by calling us at 415-362-2238.

Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvéderm have given us a new ally in the pursuit of a perfect pout. If you’re planning to get your lips enhanced with filler, what should you know about this procedure? As a clinical professor of dermatology, Dr. Seth Matarasso can provide a closer look at the top five things to expect after lip fillers.

1. Results Aren’t Permanent

Filler results don’t last forever because your body will metabolize the hyaluronic acid over time. Still, you can expect to enjoy your new look for six to nine months, and you can return for a quick touch-up treatment whenever you’re ready. Lip injections are an in-office procedure that’s minimally invasive and takes only a few minutes to perform.

2. Side Effects Are Minimal

You’ll see immediate results with lip fillers, but you may also have swelling, redness, and bruising around the injection sites. To help manage these side effects, wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth and apply it to your lips at 10-minute intervals. If you feel any pain, you can use an over-the-counter painkiller like Tylenol to manage it. However, avoid ibuprofen, which thins the blood.

3. Observe Activity Restrictions 

If you choose, you can return to work and other daily responsibilities after treatment. However, there are specific things you’ll need to avoid to minimize your chances of complications.

• Don’t do strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours after you get lip fillers. Elevated heart rate from exercise may make swelling or bruising worse. It’s OK to engage in light activities like walking.
• Steer clear of high-heat environments like saunas, Jacuzzis, or hot yoga classes for 48 hours after getting your injections. Heat can make swelling appear more pronounced. 
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol before or after getting lip fillers. Smoking increases the risk of infection, while alcohol thins the blood and makes you more susceptible to bruising and swelling.
• You shouldn’t put makeup on your lips for 24 hours afterward.

4. Timing Is Essential

If you’re getting fillers in the lead-up to an event where you want to look your best, such as a wedding, vacation, or class reunion, you’ll want to give the fillers enough time to settle in and provide your desired look. This process can take up to four weeks, so be mindful of that when you schedule your appointment.

5. Choose Your Provider Wisely

The popularity of fillers has led many salons and medspas to offer them as a beauty treatment, even if the person performing the injections is not medically qualified to do so. Even for a treatment that seems relatively straightforward, you should be selective about who does your injections. A medical professional with skill at administering lip filler can make the process quick and nearly painless, while injecting precise amounts of filler into strategic areas to achieve the best – and safest – results.

The Best Place to Get Lip Fillers in San Francisco

If you’re looking for a provider of lip fillers in the greater Bay Area, Dr. Matarasso is here to meet with you for an in-person consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals. Please reach out to us today to learn more.