There is a myriad of reasons why our faces change as we age. Two important ones are lost volume and wrinkling, and frankly, time works against us with both. But, your board-certified dermatologists at Santa Barbara Skin Care provide adults with the tools they need to attain a refreshed and youthful look. Let's look at dermal fillers and BOTOX injectables in Santa Barbara, CA. Dr. Gary Novatt, Dr. Corey Frucht and Dr. Robert Sheffield use them on qualified patients with beautiful results.

Dermal fillers

Sun exposure, heredity, tobacco usage and passage of time thins and creates lines on our skin. This is especially noticeable around the eyes, nose, forehead and lips as the fat which plumped out our faces when we were very young shifts and disappears.

What's the solution? Is a face lift the only way? The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that the gentler method to smooth fine lines and wrinkles is through use of dermal fillers. Your dermatologist uses dermal fillers in his Santa Barbara practice as a natural way to refresh facial appearance.

"Natural?" you say. What can be natural about injected medications? Well, today's popular dermal fillers are derived from substances either already present in our bodies or highly compatible with them. So the body accepts them readily, and the fillers do their jobs exceptionally well. Fillers actually add volume to aging skin.

If you're a candidate for dermal fillers, the doctors at Santa Barbara Skin Care may treat you with:

• Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) This long-lasting, viscous filler works well around the eyes, lips and backs of the hands--areas which lose their volume and elasticity.
• Juvederm (hyaluronic acid) This very popular product works very well on fine lines on many areas of the face and neck.
• Bellafill (polymethyl-methacrylate) Lasting up to an amazing 10 years, Bellafill specifically smoothes smile lines and acne scars.
• Sculptra (poly-l-lactic acid) Given in a series of injections, this popular choice actually stimulates the body's own elastic collagen. Sculptra increases volume and tightens sagging skin.

Your skin doctor will assist you in determining which filler is right for you.

BOTOX

This FDA-approved injectable stops the movement of facial muscles which cause wrinkles and fine lines. Specifically, it targets the dynamic lines, formed from smiling and frowning, around the mouth, under the lower lip, between the eyebrows and around the eyes (crow's feet). While results last just three to four months, this derivative of the botulinum toxin gives patients time to learn how to frown less. So your face actually wrinkles more slowly over time.

What treatment is right for you?

Why not contact Santa Barbara Skin Care to find out more about dermal fillers and BOTOX? Dr. Novatt, Dr. Frucht or Dr. Sheffield love helping patients make the best decisions for their skin health and personal appearance. Call today, won't you: (805) 569-1164.

There are many reasons to choose Botox for achieving more youthful looking skin. Botox injections can smooth the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet and frown lines without surgery. There is no recovery time so you’ll immediately look refreshed following treatment with results only improving over time. Botox injections are available through many dermatologists. At Santa Barbara Skin Care, Dr. Gary Novatt, Dr. Corey Frucht, and Dr. Robert Sheffield are your Santa Barbara, CA, dermatologists.

Botox Injections

Your Santa Barbara dermatologist injects the Botox directly into the facial muscles where wrinkles or fine lines already exist. The Botox relaxes the muscles, which gives the skin a smoother appearance. Fine lines and wrinkles smooth out and become less pronounced. Beyond smoothing out existing lines and wrinkles, Botox also prevents additional lines and wrinkles from developing for as long as the facial muscles remain relaxed. While skin appears immediately smoother after treatment, maximum results are achieved within 14 days.

Benefits of Botox in Santa Barbara

Botox injections offer multiple benefits. The procedure is really quite simple and noninvasive, requiring no incisions or surgery. Botox can be used to smooth the skin on the face. Botox injections can be used to achieve a more youthful look by softening the appearance of all of the following:

• Frown lines between the eyes
• Crow’s feet around the eyes
• Forehead lines
• Wrinkles around the mouth
• Chronic appearance of being tired, worried or angry due to age

There are so many excellent reasons to choose Botox. It can smooth the appearance of frown lines, crow’s feet, fine lines, and wrinkles. You’ll enjoy smoother skin and a more youthful appearance. For Botox injections, see Dr. Novatt, Dr. Frucht or Dr. Sheffield, your dermatologists in Santa Barbara, CA. To schedule an appointment, contact Santa Barbara Skin Care by calling (805) 569-1164.

Learning you have skin cancer can be disheartening. Finding out that you need surgery to remove it can feel even more daunting. At

Santa Barbara Skin Care in Santa Barbara and Solvang, CA, we pride ourselves on using the least invasive and most technologically advanced methods for effectively treating skin cancer, which is why we perform Mohs surgery on a variety of skin cancers. You can learn more about this revolutionary procedure here.

What is Mohs surgery?

Instead of removing skin cancer in one large section, Mohs surgery employs the use of a microscope as a guide during the surgery to remove one layer of the cancer at a time and examine it carefully before proceeding. This not only ensures that 100 percent of the cancer is successfully removed, it also helps your Santa Barbara and Solvang dermatology surgeon prevent the unnecessary removal of healthy tissue.

Do all skin cancers need Mohs surgery?

In a word: no. If your dermatologist has recommended Mohs surgery after a skin biopsy, it could be for a number of reasons. Aggressive skin cancers, especially those with poorly defined margins, need the fast and accurate results that Mohs surgery provides. This type of treatment is also indicated for skin cancers that are recurrent or located in a place on the body where cosmetic integrity needs to be considered.

How accurate is Mohs surgery?

According to the American College of Mohs Surgery, 99 percent of primary skin cancers and 94 percent of recurrent cancers are cured with one Mohs micrographic procedure. This means Mohs surgery is highly effective and helps to keep the cost of cancer treatment lower for patients.

For this highly specialized surgery, it's important to choose an experienced provider. You can trust our dermatologists at Santa Barbara Skin Care, who have had extensive training in the techniques needed to perform Mohs surgery. Contact our offices in Santa Barbara and Solvang, CA with any further questions or to schedule an appointment!

The telltale signs of aging skin—wrinkles, puffy eyes, age spots—may start to appear as we grow older. We can’t fight the aging process, but we can take steps now to help reduce and prevent wrinkles from appearing prematurely.  

Many factors can contribute to the onset of wrinkles, which are frequently produced by years of unprotected sun exposure in combination with each person’s unique genetic predisposition. Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, is less capable of retaining moisture and is slower to heal.  All of these contribute to the development of wrinkles and sagging skin.

How Can I Slow the Progression of Wrinkles?

Daily skincare and proper sun protection are important factors in slowing the aging process, diminishing fine lines and minimizing wrinkles.   

• Take your vitamins.  Many vitamins are good for the skin. Vitamin C, a natural antioxidant found in citrus fruits and dark green leafy vegetables, can help reduce the appearance of sun damage.
• Apply sunscreen.  Protecting yourself from sun exposure can help prevent the progression of fine lines. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 to protect against harmful UV rays.  
• Moisturize.  Dry skin causes the skin to look dull and aged. To prevent dry skin, apply moisturizer every day.   
• Get your beauty sleep.  When your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it produces excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. Keep your skin looking and feeling young by getting at least seven hours of sleep every night.
• Avoid tanning beds. Tanning beds emit harmful UVA rays and are never 'safe' alternatives to the sun.
• Take care of your hands. Our hands are often the first part of our body to reveal signs of aging, as they are the most used and exposed parts of the body. Protect the hands by wearing gloves, moisturizing and applying sunscreen.
• Quit smoking.  Smoking may damage more than your lungs—it causes skin aging and wrinkles around the mouth.

Like it or not, wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Even the most diligent skincare regimen or the most expensive wrinkle cream won’t totally eliminate your fine lines. You can significantly reduce the appearance of your wrinkles, however. Start taking care of your skin now, embrace your age and love the skin you’re in!

Acne is by far the most common skin complaint among teenagers, affecting nearly all of those between the ages of 12 and 17 at least occasionally, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In most cases, hormones released during puberty are responsible for the appearance of blemishes during the teen years. These hormones stimulate the skin's sebaceous (oil) glands, producing oily skin that is more prone to breakouts. Because teens are extremely conscious of their image and appearance, an acne outbreak can be emotionally devastating.

While hormonal changes during puberty cause many types of acne to be unavoidable, with a diligent skincare regimen, many teens can help control breakouts from becoming severe, minimize the appearance of blemishes and prevent scarring.

• Keep skin clean. Teens produce more oil, so it's important to wash your face every day with warm water and a mild cleanser to remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells. Always remove makeup before going to bed to avoid clogging pores.
• Avoid over washing. Harsh scrubbing can lead to dry, irritated skin, which can actually increase inflammation and trigger glands to produce more oil.
• Don't pick. Squeezing and picking at acne can make breakouts worse. Picking at blemishes can also lead to greater inflammation and infection, increasing the risk for scarring.
• Keep hands off. Avoid touching your face throughout the day, as your hands carry bacteria.
• Use oil-free products. Avoid oil-based makeup. Instead, look for products that are noncomedogenic or non-acnegenic.
• Shower after sports or physical activities. Sweat and oil can settle on the skin's surface, trapping dirt and bacteria in the pores.
• Visit your dermatologist. Most cases of mild acne can be controlled and improved with a good skincare routine at home. If your skin problems persist, visit your dermatologist for professional treatment.

Being a teenager is tough enough without having to worry about breakouts. The good news is that effective treatments are available for acne - and the earlier treatment is started, the lower a teen's risk of lasting physical and emotional damage. When home care is not helping, talk to a dermatologist about treatment options. Your dermatologist can help tailor a treatment plan that is best for a teen's unique skin type and needs.