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Proper nutrition - everyone knows it's essential to health - here are some of the best foods for healthy skin. Keep in mind that when your diet is missing certain foods for healthy skin, other, even more serious skin problems can result. So as you are planning menus or when you’re browsing a holiday buffet table - choose some of these foods:

Your hands and forearms will also be on display this holiday season - unfortunately for many of my patients visible signs of aging hands can occur even in their early 30's. These areas are also the most neglected, as years of daily chores take their toll. While most patients have an established facial care routine - hands and forearms are often treated with a quick dab of hand lotion and nothing more...

Of all the things you will be decorating this holiday season, none is more important than the neck and upper chest – this is where your best jewels will sparkle and they deserve an attractive and smooth background.  Fortunately, there are some relatively quick solutions to help make this area glow with health...

Over the past 10 years the list of facial "Fillers" has grown from one, namely Collagen, to over a dozen FDA approved products.

An intergral part of the consultation process is deciding which filler is perfect for you. Radiesse lasts 1-2 years but is too thick to use in the fines lines around the eyes or lips. Juvederm lasts about a year, but is more expensive. Fat is readily available but tends to resorb in certain areas (lips for instance) very qickly.

Here is how i approach a new patient...

As we age the fatty deposits in the healthy cheeks and upper face area succumb to the forces of gravity and "fall" into the jowl and neck area. Additionally, the bones of the face and chin area slowly shrink. The cummulative effect of the above is a sagging face.

The trademarked Tuliplift procedure includes micro liposuction of the jowl and neck area. The harvested fat is concentrated and injected right after the Tuliplift procedure into the laugh lines and cheek bone area.

The hollowness is fixed and the youthful appearence of the face is restored. Leftover fat is stored in our state licensed Tissue Bank for future use.

I recently spoke at a small internet based radio program called: letstalkrecovery.com. It was a fun experience and even after the show was over I was receiving calls on a variety of cosmetic procedures. I was also asked about scarless surgery.

My practice is in Los Angeles and I see a lot of advertisements for "Scarless Surgery". I have over 10 years of experience in Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery and can tell you with great cetainty that any surgical procedure which involves cutting the skin will (not can but will) lead to a scar. I usually convey that to my patients during the first consultation.

As a skilled surgeon one can do a lot to prevent unsightly or noticable scars, or reduce their appearence once they have already occured. Here is how ...

Acne Vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders in the United States. It is estimated that over 20 million people suffer from this potentially debilitating condition. Acne can affect ones self-image, lead to social isolation and depression, and even cause physical and psychological scarring and disfigurement.

During a recent Radio show I was asked about improving acne scars.  Subcision is one of the procedures I use to improve depressed acne - or traumatic scars. The procedure is quite simple and very effective.

One reason you can see depressed scars is that fibrous bands pull the skin inward. I use a a small NoKor needle to cut the fibrous bands from inside. All that is needed is a small amount of local anesthesia (cream or lidocaine solution), steady hands, and a thorough knowledge of skin anatomy. Here is how it works....

Read this if you ar not ready for a conventional cutting facelift.

Thermage, or Thermacool, is one modality often used to tighten the skin and underlying structures. Five years later and having performed hundreds of procedures I have learned to perfect the technique. I sometimes hear from patients that their friends had a Thermage procedure with no visible results. Upon further examination it becomes evident that the procedure was done not by a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, but by a nurse at a mall. Performing Thermage is an art. There is a delicate balance between visible and long lasting results and diappointment or possible side effects.

The eyes are usually the first part of the face to show the signs of againg. I am often asked about treatments for dark circles and hollowness under the eyes. Every patient is different and so are the causes for dark circles and puffiness. Some patients have a genetic predisposition that manifests dark circles under their eyes. This is seen more often in patients with a darker skin complexion. Eczema and chronic rubbing of the eyes can also contribute to the problem. Yet for others, the cause is prominent blood vessels in the deeper planes of the orbital complex. Skin laxity and wrinkles cause the eyes to appear sunken and aged. For any of these instances, you have several treatment options...

In my opinion attention to detail is what sets apart a great surgeon from an average one. One of the things I discuss with my patients before performing a facelift is the way their ears look. Ears, like many other parts of the body, succumb to the force of gravity and heavy ear rings. They strech, become saggy, and wrinkly. Here is how we improve the ears...

My practice is in Southern California and a large percentage of my patients have a darker skin complexion. Asian and African American patients with a history of keloids or unsightly scars are often hesitant to have a facelift.

Often I'm asked--in regards to the sagging of the jowels and neck area--if there is a more conservative approach one can take: a solution not requiring "any cutting". Here is the answer...

YES! There is a facelift which is well suited for men. Men are generally more hesitant than women to have a facelift. They often worry about visible scarring extending into scalp or forehead, a pulled look, and a long recovery period. It does not have to be like that. My trademarked Tuliplift, which is performed under mild sedation, addresses all the above concerns. It doesn't give men a pulled or artificial look, recovery is usually 10-4 days, and scars are both limited in length and do not extend into hair bearing scalp.

As many of you know from my other blogs, I am not a great fan of permanent injectable fillers. The body and face will change over time; whereas a permanent filler cannot. This important difference can lead to serous problems, and as such I tend to discourage the use of permanent injectible fillers whenever possible.

Artecol is a filler of this type, which consists of little solid microsheres (PMMA) suspended in a solution containing bovine collagen. It is widely used in Europe and will eventually become available in the United States. Given its popularity, one might assume Artecol poses less risk than other permanent fillers, however that is not the case. Recently, I came across an article in the Archives of Dermatology which exposes some long-term risks associated with Artecol and I'd like to share its substance with you.

Right across the street from my office on Wilshire Blvd. there is a large sign that reads: "Instant facelift. No downtime, no cutting, no surgery. Mesotherapy works."

Having practiced cosmetic surgery and dermatology for over 10 years, I have yet to see any significant or lasting improvement caused by the injection of Vitamins or herbal extract. A recent study by Dr. George J. Hruza published in the December issue of Dermatological Surgery (Dermatol Surg 2006 Dec;32:1467-72) shared this view. The study concludes that injections of Vitamins and herbal extracts do not result in any clinically relevant benefit. Aside from subcutaneous injections of Phosphatidyl choline and deoxycholate for lipolysis, mesotherapy continues to show a lack of clinical efficacy while still subjecting patients to potential risk.

Without a compelling study to the contrary, I am reluctant to endorse Mesotherapy as an effective and safe form of treatment. Perhaps more studies similar to Dr. Hruza's will be available in the future to shed more light on the efficacy of these and other commonly used rejuvenation techniques.