Active FX is a high energy fractional laser that interacts with the skin’s surface causing the upper layer to peel off and regenerate a layer of new, healthy skin. The laser beam uses a fractional pattern technique making the healing process much faster, enabling you to get back to normal activities sooner. This laser targets fine lines, sun damage and improves tone and texture.

Deep FX uses fractional CO2 laser microbeams to precisely target the deep dermal layers of the skin. The deep laser pulses lead to tissue regeneration and new collagen formation throughout the entire treatment area, ultimately resulting in long-term collagen remodeling. Deep FX targets deeper wrinkles and scarring and provides remarkable results with minimal downtime.

The Total FX laser treatment is a combination of Deep FX and Active FX. When used together they are capable of offering the full range of fractional resurfacing: Deep FX offers a deeper micro-ablative treatment to target deeper wrinkles and scarring, while Active FX offers a large superficial spot treatment targeting sun damage as well as, tone and texture. With Total FX we are able to achieve maximum results in collagen production and skin resurfacing in one single treatment.

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IPL (PhotoFacial)

An IPL®, or intense pulsed light, Photofacial is a milder alternative to other skin renewal options, such as the Fraxel® system. Utilizing intense pulses of light, the IPL® photofacial treats areas of red, blotchy skin, can help patients achieve a smoother, more attractive complexion. IPL® Photofacials can even treat wrinkles and fine lines caused by sun damage or aging.

Click here to view video about IPL® Photofacials.

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Laser Hair Removal

We perform laser hair removal treatments to reduce the appearance of excessive or unwanted hair on most areas of the face and body. Laser hair removal offers our patients the chance to achieve dramatically reduced hair growth that lasts, often eliminating the need for shaving, waxing, and other temporary hair removal techniques.

Laser hair removal is a relatively quick and non-invasive procedure. For the best results, it is important to shave the area being treated a few days before the visit. Your skin care expert at our La Jolla clinic near Del Mar will apply an anesthetic cream before beginning the laser hair removal treatment to ensure that there is no discomfort.

During the laser hair removal procedure, your skin care professional will use a handheld device to focus laser energy on hair follicles in the area being treated. A series of these treatments is often required to remove the hair as thoroughly as possible, because hair grows in cycles.

Click here to view video about laser hair removal.

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For decades doctors have known that Vitamin D is essential for normal bone growth and maintenance. In infants and children, for example, Vit D deficiency may cause rickets, a deformity of the long bones, and, in adults, Vit D deficiency may increase risks for osteoporosis (decreased bone density) and hip fracture.  More recently, studies have documented much broader risks for Vit D deficiency.  Low levels of Vit D are associated with increases in cancer – especially colon, breast, and prostate – as well as increases in juvenile diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.  Evidence suggests Vit D supplementation reduces the incidence of these diseases, but to date, it has not been clinically proven.

Vit D is formed by the action of Ultraviolet B (UVB) on precursor molecules in the skin.  From skin, these molecules travel via the bloodstream to the liver and kidneys, where they are metabolized into active Vit D.  There are two major forms of Vit D – Vit D2, formed mostly in fungi, plants, and invertebrates, and Vit D3, formed in vertebrates.  Vit D3 is more active in humans. In addition to the synthesis of Vit D by the action of UVB on skin, there are some natural dietary sources such as oily fish – mackerel, salmon, sardines.  For vegetarians, mushrooms provide a small amount of Vit D.  Several foods are fortified with Vit D, including  milk, cereal, and bread.

Recent data document an “epidemic” of Vitamin D deficiency in some populations, especially breast-fed infants, housebound seniors, and darker-skinned individuals who form less Vit D in response to sunlight.  For dermatologists, a serious concern is whether recommended sun protection may result in Vit D deficiency.  While there is some controversy, most studies have concluded that sunscreen use is not associated with Vit D deficiency. 

Current recommendations for Vit D supplementation are generally considered to be too low, and are scheduled to be revised this year.  These earlier recommendations are as follows:

200 IU (international units) daily       Up to 50 years old

400 IU (international units) daily       Ages 51-70

600 IU (international units) daily       Age 71 and older

In advance of the publication of newer guidelines, many doctors are recommending 1000 IU of Vit D supplementation daily for most adult patients. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get adequate supplementation with foods alone – an egg provides only 20 IU, a glass of milk 100 IU, and a serving of salmon 360 IU.  Concerns regarding overdosing with supplemental Vit D, a fat-soluble vitamin, have been raised, but are generally unfounded with doses of 1000 IU per day.  There are select circumstances, however, that require precaution: Parents of infants and small children should check with their pediatrician.  Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their obstetrician before taking vitamin supplements.  Patients with hypercalcemia or kidney disease should check with their internists before taking Vit D. 

While sun exposure increases Vit D, ultraviolet rays in sunlight are a known carcinogen and the principal cause of photoaging – dry, mottled, wrinkled, old-looking skin.  So the best advice in 2010 for most of us is this: use sun protection and take oral Vit D supplementation.

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Cosmetic dermatology offers powerful, non-surgical skin care treatment. Injectables and fillers, laser skin renewal, and laser hair removal all provide pain-free solutions for skin imperfections. Here are some cosmetic dermatology services we offer at Torrey Pines Dermatology to help manage your skin.

Dermal fillers and other injectable products, including BOTOX® Cosmetic and Restylane®, offer cosmetic dermatology patients a convenient solution to wrinkles, fine lines, scars, sun spots, and a host of other skin imperfections.

Laser skin renewal, also known as laser skin resurfacing, is an exciting cosmetic dermatology treatment that allows our patients to achieve smoother, younger skin without relying on chemicals or surgery. During laser skin renewal, light energy is used to remove damaged and weathered skin. New, healthy skin cells subsequently grow and which generates collagen, resulting in vibrant, glowing skin. The cosmetic dermatology professionals at Torrey Pines Dermatology in the San Diego area use the ActiveFX™ laser system because it offers excellent results with fewer complications than competing laser systems. The ActiveFX™ system employs “fractionated” resurfacing, similar to the Fraxel® system, treating only small portions of the skin at a time, leaving areas that do not need treatment unaffected. We also offer skin renewal treatments using the IPL® photofacial, Vbeam™ laser, and laser tattoo removal.

Our cosmetic dermatology professionals perform laser hair removal treatments to reduce the appearance of excessive or unwanted hair on most areas of the face and body. Laser hair removal offers our patients the chance to achieve dramatically reduced hair growth that lasts, often eliminating the need for shaving, waxing, and other temporary hair removal techniques. For most, laser hair removal is not painful. Some describe the sensation as stinging or tingling. It is generally accepted as being far less painful than electrolysis or waxing.

Our team of board-certified dermatology experts is committed to providing exceptional care with maximum comfort. For example, the Zimmer cooling system was specifically designed for superficial cosmetic, laser and medical procedures. Unlike other methods of cooling such as cryogen spray and use of ice packs during your treatment, the Zimmer cools the skin without interfering with your procedure and is controlled by the patient for total pain management.

Learn more about our cosmetic dermatology services for residents in the San Diego area.

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Introducing our newest beautifying product: Torrey Pines Dermatology Intense Eye Repair Cream. Custom designed for our specifications, this restoring cream contains the appropriate concentration of All-trans-Retinol for daily use on the sensitive areas around the eyes. Effectively remove troubling dark circles under your eyes without irritation, flaking, or peeling.

Our Intense Eye Repair Cream contains:

• 90% Green Tea Polyphenols to provide protection against free radicals as well as anti-inflammatory benefits
• Arnica and Vitamin K to aid in discoloration reduction
• Retinol to firm the lines without irritation

Remember that no single ingredient reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The precise combination of the ingredients of our Intense Eye Repair Cream delivers the results you desire.

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With summer right around the corner I thought I would share some quick and easy tips to achieve healthier looking skin.

• Cleanse – cleansing the skin of dirt, oil and toxins allows the skin to repair itself.
• Vitamin C – using a Vit C serum every morning protects the skin from environmental damage.
• Water – drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day will help to hydrate the skin from the inside out.
• Healthy Diet – eating a diet rich in antioxidants (fruits and veggies) and lean protein (fish, nuts and seeds) produces plumper and radiant looking skin.
• Retinol – using a retinol serum in the evening helps to regenerate skin cells, targeting fine lines and pigmentation, leaving the skin looking smoother.
• Moisturize – moisturizing daily with an appropriate hydrator for your skin type protects and repairs the skin.
• Sunscreen – using an SPF of 30 or higher that is zinc oxide based daily, protects the skin from sun damage, aging and skin cancer.

All of these tips will ensure healthy looking skin all year long!

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Latisse by Allergan, has become a very popular product in our office. It is the only FDA approved prescription treatment for thin or inadequate eyelashes. By applying the solution nightly, you will notice longer, thicker, and darker lashes within weeks, greatly improving your appearance and increasing your confidence. We have received amazing feedback from patients and staff members who have used Latisse. Beginning this month, when you purchase your 30 day kit you will receive a promo card and stamp for each kit purchased. After purchasing 3 kits, your 4^th kit is FREE – a $130 value!! Come by our office soon for full details about Latisse, as this offer is available now and for a limited time. Also, become a fan of Torrey Pines Dermatology on Facebook and see our Featured Product for more savings!

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 We’d like to thank everyone for reading our blog and interacting with such positive comments! To keep you even more up to date with news, facts, and tips for healthy skin, become a fan of our new Facebook page   or Follow us on Twitter   using the links throughout the website. On these popular sites you’ll find bios of our renown doctors, interesting notes about skincare, as well as photos and descriptions of many of our great products. We’ll be keeping the notes section supplied with discounts on featured products so be sure to take advantage! Once on the page, click  to allow Facebook to update your feed with all of our most recent posts. It also allows loyal fans like you to post a comment about how Torrey Pines Dermatology has helped you!

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We are so excited to announce that Dr. Kristen Richards has had a brand new baby boy!! Dr. Richards and her new baby are both doing well and are home resting and bonding. All of us here would like to wish her and her family many wonderful memories in the future. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

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With skin cancer on the rise, we work hard in our office to educate our patients on how to protect their skin. Many people think that if they are not directly exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, they don’t need to wear sun protection. This is very untrue. It is extremely important to wear sun protection on all areas of the skin that will be exposed to the sun at all. This includes driving or even going for a short walk. In addition to sun protection, having a skin exam once a year by a Dermatologist is always recommended. Prevention is the best way to avoid skin cancer. To find out about our full line of sun protection that we offer here in our office or to schedule a skin exam, please contact our La Jolla office. (858)362-8800.

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 Torrey Pines Dermatology in San Diego would like to wish everyone all the best in 2010! I have already been asked numerous times since the 1^st of January, by many patients, what they can do to improve their skin. There is always one product that comes to mind each time I am asked that question. That product is Retinol Serum. Of course there are many other things that can help to improve the skin as well, (like other products & medical grade treatments) but I think using Retinol in your skin care routine is absolutely necessary to achieve healthy, radiant skin. Most people are unaware of what Retinol does for the skin. Retinol is essentially a pure form of Vitamin A. It easily penetrates through the top layer of the skin and moves down to the elastin and collagen layers. The ingredients work to stimulate collagen production, increase cell turnover, decrease pore size and leave a much smoother, more radiant complexion. Because of it’s ability to get the cells to turnover it is also often used to treat acne because it can help loosen clogged pores.

We have a Retinol Serum formulated for us by a Pharmaceutical company that produces amazing results. In addition to the benefits of the Vitamin A, we have also added green tea and hyaluronic acid to the formula  to help calm and hydrate the skin so that is well tolerated. We are offering a 10% discount on our Retinol Serum for the month of January when it is purchased in our La Jolla office. Just mention the Torrey Pines Dermatology blog when you come in. Also, check us out and become a fan of Torrey Pines Dermatology on Facebook and Twitter for more information and additional discounts.