Before you book an appointment with our friendly Beverly Hills dermatologists, make sure to check their credentials and ask these eight important questions at your first appointment.

1. How Frequently Should I Exfoliate?
2. Is There Anything You Would Recommend for My Skin Type?
3. Do You Think Injectable Treatments Are a Good Idea?
4. Are There Any Treatments I Should Avoid?
5. What Is Causing My Acne?
6. Which Foods Should I Eat?
7. What Foods Should I Avoid?
8. What Is the Best Moisturizer to Use?

1. How Frequently Should I Exfoliate?

Exfoliation is a resurfacing process that removes surface dirt and dead skin cells from the upper layer of the skin. While the process is often used to refresh the skin’s appearance, it can yield impressive results when done properly. Exfoliating too much can become problematic for the skin and damage the skin’s protective barrier. A good rule of thumb to use when exfoliating is to do it no more than two to three times a week if you have normal or combination skin, or once a week if you have dry or sensitive skin.

2. Is There Anything You Would Recommend for My Skin Type?

Skin type is important and plays a critical factor in the kind of skin care products and cosmetic and dermatological treatments that are most beneficial for the skin. To learn your skin type, consider the following information.

Wash your face and wait for it to dry. After approximately 30 mins, inspect your skin. If you notice shiny, slick spots on your face, your skin type is oily. If your skin appears or feels dry to the touch or looks flaky and feels tight, your skin type is dry. Sensitive skin has a reddish and irritated appearance that may be sore to the touch. You may have combination skin if your face shows both dry and oily areas.

If you’re unsure of your skin type, simply schedule an appointment at the Dermatology Institute of Southern California for a skin health assessment. Once you know your skin type, you can choose beauty products and treatments to improve its health and appearance.

Products for oily skin types: Product and treatment recommendations for oily skin include chemical peels and exfoliating products to remove old skin cells and dirt to reduce oil production to reveal healthy, vibrant skin. People with oily skin should avoid heavy ointments, creams, and lotions. These products can clog the pores and cause the skin to become slicker and oilier. Oil-free and non-comedogenic products are safe for people with oily skin to use.

Products for dry skin types: Skin that lacks moisture often feels itchy and painful and may even look flaky and cracked. It’s important to apply a good moisturizer right while the skin is damp and clean to maximize hydration. Additional recommendations include making lifestyle, skin care, diet, and health improvements. Dr. Behroozan encourages patients to avoid dry indoor environments and to use a humidifier to maintain proper humidity levels to keep the skin moisturized.

Treat the skin gently and avoid harsh materials, and products. Gently rub the skin instead of scrubbing to prevent damage, irritation, flaking, and scratches. Avoid using hot water on the skin to keep its protective moisture barrier intact.

3. Do You Think Injectable Treatments Are a Good Idea?

There are two main types of injectable skincare treatments on the market that correct minor to severe aesthetic imperfections on the face and skin: neuromodulators and dermal fillers. Individual results vary. Dr. Behroozan offers the following injectable cosmetic treatments at the Dermatology Institute of Southern California.

• The Juvéderm Collection: Juvéderm Ultra, Voluma, Volbella, and Vollure
• The Restylane Collection: Restylane, Refyne, Defyne, Lyft, and Silk
• Sculptra Aesthetic
• Radiesse

Neuromodulator Dermal Injectables

Neuromodulators are injectables that relax muscular contractions underneath the skin to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Results show up shortly after treatment and are temporary, lasting up to three months. Maintenance appointments are recommended.

Botox is a popular cosmetic FDA injectable filler approved for treating wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Results appear shortly after injection and last for months at a time. Treatment sessions take less than 30 minutes to complete.

Dysport is an injectable treatment that helps erase wrinkles and lines between the forehead and eyebrows that takes under 30 minutes to administer. A mild anesthetic is provided to desensitize the glabellar area before administering the injection. Results show up within several hours to days and last up to four months.

Jeuveau is an FDA-approved injectable that effectively addresses aesthetic concerns involving mild to severe lines and wrinkles on the forehead, in between the eyebrows, nasal lines, and on the neck. Jeuveau also gets rid of chin dimpling, necklines, and smile lines, shapes the eyes, lifts the eyebrows, and contours the jawline. Initial results become noticeable within 24 to 48 hours after treatment and continue to develop over the next week or two.

Daxxify is the newest injectable filler approved by the FDA to treat deep frown lines and wrinkles in between the eyebrows. Daxxify utilizes a special peptide to prevent mild to severe lines from forming between the brows for six to nine months or longer, making it a great alternative to Botox, Dysport, and other alternative neuromodulator fillers that contain human serum albumin (HSA) and animal proteins. Daxxify is human and animal-byproduct-free and provides longer-lasting results.

The Juvéderm Collection: Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid fillers are painless and rejuvenate the skin from the inside out. They work by enhancing collagen production and hydration to reduce deep lines, wrinkles, and creases. New collagen continues to form as the effects of the treatment wear off, providing a longer-lasting rejuvenation than alternative dermal fillers.

Juvéderm Ultra fillers hydrate the skin to improve its elasticity. They restore volume to contour and smooth fine lines, creases, and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth and plump the lips. Results often last 10 months or longer.

Voluma fillers are injected deep into the skin of the cheeks to prevent sagging and restore volume loss. Voluma treatments typically last one year or longer.

Volbella is FDA-approved and one of the longest-lasting lip-plumping injectable treatments available. It plumps the lips and smooths away lipstick lines around the mouth. Results last 18 months or longer.

Vollure is a gel-based filler that treats the laugh lines and folds in the lower facial area.

The Restylane Collection: Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Injectables

Restylane Lyft is a painless, nonsurgical injectable filler that plumps the skin to smooth deep wrinkles, creases, and lines on the hands, cheeks, nasolabial folds between the corners of the nose, mouth, and mid-face. Results appear shortly after treatment and often last eight months or longer.

Refyne is a hyaluronic acid gel-based dermal filler that smooths away laugh lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth to enhance the skin’s appearance naturally.

Defyne is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler that erases deep laugh lines and wrinkles in the lower face and around the mouth and contours the chin to improve its profile.

Kysse is a gel-based injectable lip filler that adds volume and smooths wrinkles on the upper lip to enhance the appearance of the mouth naturally.

Silk is an injectable lip filler that augments the shape of the lips and smooths away lip wrinkles to enhance the appearance of the lips naturally.

RHA treatments are the latest cosmetic resilient hyaluronic acid fillers approved by the FDA to treat dynamic wrinkles in the lips, jowls, cheeks, and around the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Synthetic Dermal Fillers

Radiesse is a long-lasting calcium-based, biocompatible filler treatment for mild to severe facial wrinkles, folds, and lines. The treatment immediately lifts, adds volume, and smooths the contours of the face. Although results last for 15 months, Dr. Behroozan recommends maintenance injections for longer-lasting results.

Sculptra Aesthetic is a synthetic dermal treatment that gradually stimulates collagen production to augment the cheeks and smooth wrinkles on the face naturally. Results are subtle and continue to appear up to two years after the last treatment. With proper skincare, results can last up to five years.

Alternatives to Dermal and Neuromodulators Fillers

Kybella is a popular advanced injectable therapy made of synthetic deoxycholic acid that reduces the appearance of excess chin fat. Multiple treatment sessions are necessary. Patients learn of the number of treatments necessary to achieve their desired outcome during their Kybella consultation. Many patients start with six sessions, each spaced four weeks apart. Visible results are noticeable after two to four appointments and can last indefinitely.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections utilize the patient’s plasma cells to minimize the appearance of scars, wrinkles, discoloration, volume loss, and pores to heal and rejuvenate the skin and enhance its appearance. PRP injections are ideal for individuals who want to improve their skin’s health and appearance without injectable fillers.

4. Are There Any Treatments I Should Avoid?

Dermatological treatments are tailored to the patient. A consultation is necessary to determine which cosmetic and dermatology procedures are best suited and unsuitable for your skin health or aesthetic goals.

5. What Is Causing My Acne?

Acne breakouts and flare-ups are not always due to excess dirt, oil production, or clogged pores. Some of the biggest causes of acne breakouts are due to the following:

Acne cosmetica: A condition that develops from using certain skincare and beauty products that are incompatible with the skin.

Hormonal imbalances: Acne bumps and skin irritations from fluctuating hormones that usually show up on the mouth and chin area.

Pomade acne: Some hair care products are loaded with chemicals and oils that clog the pores and cause acne bumps to appear on the forehead and near the hairline.

Acne can become worse from exposure to dirt and impurities from cell phones, linen, clothing, and poor skin care hygiene. If you’re struggling with acne, contact Dr. Daniel Behroozan at the Dermatology Institute of Southern California for a skin health assessment to learn individualized acne treatment recommendations to improve your skin’s appearance.

6. Which Foods Should I Eat?

A diet rich in foods with high antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral content is key to good skin health. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds, and plant-based foods and coffees, teas are rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation and oxidative stress and help the skin retain moisture and elasticity longer. Seafood is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe skin irritations. Also, proper hydration is necessary for optimal skin health.

8. What Is the Best Moisturizer to Use?

Regardless of skin type, it’s important to use a moisturizer that works best for your skin. Products with certain ingredients do not work well with all skin types. Yet, lotions and moisturizers with ceramides, lanolin, petroleum, lifestyle changes, aloe vera, and glycerin ingredients help add an extra moisture barrier to the skin. To determine what the best moisturizer is for your skin, save time and schedule a consultation with a dermatologist. 

Key Takeaways

Whether it’s been some time since you last visited a dermatologist or you’re considering becoming a new Dermatology Institute of Southern California patient, use the above questions to learn about your skin type, treatments available to address any aesthetic issues, and recommendations on how you can improve your skin’s health and appearance for life.

Call (310) 392-1111 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Behroozan, MD, FAAD, FACMS, voted one of America’s Top Dermatologists by the Consumer Research Council of America for 5 consecutive years and counting.