Birthmark Laser Removal

Overview

Nevus of Ota, also known as oculodermal melanocytosis, is a congenital birthmark characterized by the presence of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in the deeper layers of the skin (dermis). This condition affects individuals with Asian, African, and Hispanic descent, particularly women. Although Nevus of Ota is a harmless condition, it can be an emotional burden for those that have it and some individuals may opt for its removal due to aesthetic concerns. One of the most effective and commonly used methods for nevus of Ota birthmark removal is laser treatment.

Nevus of Ota birthmarks are caused by the migration of melanocytes (pigmented cells) from the neural crest to the skin during embryonic development. The pigmented cells settle primarily in  the region around the eye, including the eyelids and sometimes the forehead and cheeks. The birthmark typically presents as a bluish-gray or slate-colored patch of hyperpigmentation. Although benign, nevus of Ota can be psychologically distressing for some individuals, leading them to seek treatment options for its removal.

Laser treatment has revolutionized the field of dermatology and offers a safe and effective method for nevus of Ota birthmark removal for you. The procedure involves the use of specialized (q-switched) lasers that emit specific wavelengths of light to target and break down the excess melanin (pigment) in the affected areas.

• Evaluation and Preparation: Before initiating the laser treatment, a thorough evaluation of the birthmark is conducted by our practitioners. Your assessment helps determine the depth, size, and location of the nevus of Ota. Additionally, your provider will inquire about your medical history, skin type, and any existing health conditions that may impact the treatment.
• Selection of Laser Type: Several types of lasers can be used for Nevus of Ota birthmark removal, including Q-switched Nd:Yg (Yag) lasers and Q-switched Alexandrite lasers. The choice of laser depends on a range of factors, such as the patient's skin type, depth of pigmentation, and your provider’s expertise. Q-switched lasers such as the Medlite C6 are commonly used due to their ability to deliver high-energy, ultra short duration pulses, specifically targeting melanocytes in the skin. Most q-switched Nd:Yg lasers are appropriate for the treatment of this type of birthmark but because some are higher powered than others, there may be differences in how easily and how well they can remove the birthmark.
• Procedure: During the laser treatment, you will be given protective eyewear to shield your eyes from the laser. We typically use corneal eye shields when treating Nevus of Ota birthmarks where the mark is on the eyelids or otherwise very close to the eye. This type of eye shield allows us to safely treat your birthmark all the way up to the lash line on the upper and lower lids. We use a small handpiece (typically 3mm spot size) to deliver powerful and precise laser energy to the affected areas. The laser light is absorbed by the excess melanin in the cells, causing the pigment to break down into smaller particles allowing the body to remove it.
• Skin Cooling and Comfort Measures: To minimize discomfort, we may incorporate cooling mechanisms such as cold air blown on the skin and icing post treatment. There will be some discomfort during treating and this can be further lessened by arriving 30 – 45 minutes early for numbing cream (additional cost).
• Multiple Sessions: Removal of a nevus of Ota birthmark requires multiple laser sessions because of the depth and layering of the pigmented cells. The number of treatments varies depending on factors such as the size, depth, and location of the birthmark, and the patient's response to the treatment. Sessions are typically scheduled several months apart to allow for the body to remove the excess pigment and for the skin to heal. Bruising and swelling are likely after each treatment for several days.
• Post-Treatment Care: After each laser session, it is essential to follow your provider’s post-treatment instructions. This may include applying prescribed topical creams or ointments, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and practicing proper skincare to support the healing process.
• Effectiveness: Laser treatment is an excellent method for removing shown significant success rates for Nevus of Ota birthmark removal. Although lasers can sometimes remove this type of birthmark completely, each birthmark is different from the next, so we set the expectation that significant reduction in the visibility of the birthmark or complete removal are both possibilities.
• Risks: All laser treatments involve risk. This is why it is so important to find a practice that has the proper technology and depth of experience to achieve the result you are looking for. At Celibre, we have been treating Nevus of Ota birthmarks since the late
  2000’s and have performed thousands of successful treatments. The risk involved with laser treatment of a Nevus of Ota birthmark is that the energy used will be too high or not appropriate. A specific 1064 nm (Nd:Yg) wavelength of light is most commonly used and this is also the type of light that has the lowest incidence of side effect when treating this type of birthmark. If the wrong wavelength of light or improper settings are used, blistering, discoloration and other side effects are possible.

Q-switched laser treatment of Nevus of Ota birthmarks is not a new process. The procedure has been refined over the last several decades and is a well-accepted method for the birthmark removal process. Be sure that when considering your provider that you ask for and get access to before and after photos of previous patients that have been successfully treated at the practice. At Celibre, we have been treating Nevus of Ota birthmarks successfully since the late 2000’s and you can see before and after photos of our laser birthmark removal patients above.

Hand Rejuvenation

Hand rejuvenation has become an increasingly popular procedure as consumers seek to maintain a youthful appearance not only for their faces but for other body parts. While facial treatments are widely popular, rejuvenating the hands is equally important, as they are often a telltale sign of aging. Fortunately, advancements in aesthetic medicine have led to the development of various non-surgical procedures for hand rejuvenation. Among these, dermal fillers and laser treatments have emerged as the most effective options. At Celibre, we offer q-switched laser treatments for the removal of sun damage as well as dermal fillers like Radiesse and Restylane Lyft to add volume. We have been providing dermal fillers and laser treatments for over a decade, helping our patients achieve smoother, younger-looking hands.

The hands are exposed to the same aging factors as the face, such as sun exposure, loss of fat, and the breakdown of collagen and elastin. As a result, they often exhibit signs of aging, including age spots, thinning of the skin, visible veins and tendons, and the appearance of wrinkles. Hand rejuvenation treatments offer several benefits, including:

• Improved Volume and Plumpness: Dermal fillers can replenish lost volume and restore a more youthful appearance to the hands.
• Smoother Skin Texture: Laser treatments and dermal fillers can stimulate collagen production and improve the overall texture of the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
• Reduced Pigmentation: Laser therapies can effectively eliminate age spots and other pigmentation irregularities on the hands.
• Enhanced Skin Quality: Combined treatments can improve skin tone, elasticity, and firmness, resulting in smoother, younger, and healthier-looking hands.

Dermal fillers are a popular option for hand rejuvenation due to their ability to restore volume and improve skin texture. The most common fillers for this purpose contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally found in the body. Both Radiesse and Restylane Lyft are FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for hand rejuvenation. The procedure involves injecting the filler into strategic locations on the back of the hands to add volume and create a smoother appearance while camouflaging tendons and veins. The treatment is typically quick and well-tolerated, requiring little to no downtime.

During the procedure, a topical anesthetic may be applied to minimize discomfort. The filler is then injected using a fine needle or cannula. Your provider will carefully distribute the filler to ensure even results and natural-looking hands. The results are visible immediately, with optimal outcomes appearing within a few weeks as the filler settles, and any swelling subsides.

The benefits of dermal fillers for hand rejuvenation include immediate volume restoration, improved skin texture, and the long-lasting effects of hyaluronic acid. Depending on the specific filler used and individual factors, the results can last up to a year or more. Periodic touch-up treatments may be necessary to maintain the desired outcome.

Laser treatments offer another effective option for hand rejuvenation. Q-switched lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) are commonly employed to address concerns such as age spots, sun damage, and wrinkles.

Q-switched lasers, which are commonly used for removing sunspots, birthmarks, tattoos, and other dark lesions are highly effective at permanently removing freckling or sunspots at the back of the hands. Typically, one or two treatments are required to permanently remove any liver (age) spots.

IPL therapy uses high-intensity pulses of light to target pigmentation (tone) irregularities and stimulate collagen production. The light energy is absorbed by the targeted cells, breaking down pigmentation and promoting a more even skin tone. IPL treatments are typically well-tolerated, with minimal discomfort and downtime. Combining laser and injection treatments is a winning combination for making your hands appear as youthful as your face.

Mole Removal Before And After

Some of our patients consider their moles beauty marks, whereas others are self-conscious about them. Regardless of how you feel, if you decide to remove them, in most cases we can help. Moles are genetic. Although some do develop later in life, they are not related to sun exposure.

The challenge with moles is that there are many different types.  While some are surface-oriented and easy to remove with no aftereffects, deeper moles that are excised (surgically removed) or cauterized can leave behind some form of scarring.  in general, if the mole extends into the skin, removing it will leave behind some form of scarring (as seen in the photo above).

Even with the possibility of a residual scar after removal, many patients still want to remove their moles.  They would rather have a small scar than the very visible mole they currently have.  In that case, we evaluate your moles for the tools we have available at Celibre and let you know if we can help.  Call us today to find out more about mole removal.

Syringoma Treatment

Little, pinpoint, flesh colored bumps around the eyes can cause you big concern. Not to mention they’re hard to cover with make-up and can alarmingly change the texture of your eyelid skin. These spots are known as syringoma. And unfortunately, they disproportionately appear in women who have a family history of them.

If you research them, you will find that syringoma can occur as part of a few, more serious health problems such as Down’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danos syndrome. But take a breath, a large majority of the time, they just happen and are not a sign of any greater, underlying health problem.

However, cosmetically, they can cause a big problem. And syringoma can be confused for other types of spots, so make sure you have a good exam with a proper diagnosis before you decide to seek treatment.

Celibre Medical Corporation offers treatment of syringoma either with precise laser resurfacing or hyfrecation. Hyfrecation uses electrical energy to produce heat that damages the tissue of individual syringoma causing them to go away over time. Laser resurfacing can also be done, but it costs a lot more than hyfrecation.

If you’re suffering with syringoma and want to get rid of them, come in and see us today. We’d love to help you find the treatment that is perfect for you and to give you back smoother, younger looking skin around your eyes.

Toenail Fungus Removal

If your toenails are yellow, thickened and discolored, you’re probably more than embarrassed by them — you’re worried about having an infection. And chances are, you have a fungus living beneath your toenail plate that’s causing these changes. No one wants that! Toenail fungus is a common problem that many people deal with for years. It’s frustrating in that it can be painful in addition to making you want to bury your toes in socks and shoes.

Well, if you thought your only option to fix your toenails was to take several months of oral medication with many potential side effects and frequent blood work evaluations, then we have some exciting news for you! Laser treatments are now available that can help you fix your nails once and for all.

Celibre Medical Corporation uses a combination of two to three lasers for toenail fungus removal. And it works! The exact reason why still isn’t known, but it’s believed that the lasers can generate both light and heat capable of killing the fungus.

Oral medications only work 20-50% of the time at getting rid of toenail fungus. They can put you at risk for headaches, dizziness, diarrhea and an upset stomach or even liver damage. Why do that? Give us a call today. Let us discuss our laser treatment program for toenail fungus with you and help you be proud to show off your feet again.

Sebaceous Hyperplasia Removal

Are you noticing new bumps popping up all over your face? Does it look like acne, but isn’t really red, won’t “pop” and doesn’t seem to ever go away? If you’re not breaking out, you may have something called sebaceous hyperplasia.

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a fairly common condition that can affect both men and women of all ages, but usually happens later in life. The “sebaceous” part of the name comes from the fact that the growths are from your oil glands (or sebocytes). The “hyperplasia” part means enlarged or overgrown. So the spots that you are seeing on your face are simply enlarged oil glands.

Normally, our oil glands are unseen, small and beneath the skin’s surface. We don’t really understand why or what triggers the oil glands to overgrow, but sebaceous hyperplasia typically will come up on the areas of the face that are the oiliest. They are not a sign of any underlying skin problem, and are not because of a lack of skin hygiene. Still, many people with sebaceous hyperplasia want to get rid of them because they don’t like the way they look.

Celibre Medical Corporation offers a few effective options for sebaceous hyperplasia, but hyfrecation (cauterization) is most consistent. We also offer laser resurfacing, but this option can be more expensive and has longer downtime.

Hyfrecation can be done to anyone. It involves using a fine electric “needle” of sorts that can precisely heat and damage the excessive tissue, causing it to gradually fade away.

If you’re seeing sebaceous hyperplasia, and want to get rid of them, give us a call. We have proven, safe and effective solutions for you and we would love to help you with this frustrating problem.

Melasma

Treatment | Before and After Pictures | Cost

Are you suffering with embarrassing, dark discoloration on your face that bothers you every time you look in the mirror? Is it impossible to cover with makeup? Have you spent hundreds (or thousands?) of dollars on different skin care products that don’t do a thing to help? If this all sounds familiar, we’re glad you found us because we can help you!

How do we treat Melasma?

Since 2004, we’ve treated thousands of patients just like you who suffer with Melasma. We’ve spent countless hours evaluating many treatments and have settled on one that works well to control Melasma for the majority of our patients. Our treatment program involves the use of topical (on the skin) hydroquinone.  Although many of our patients come in expecting to be offered laser treatments, we have found that lasers can often make Melasma worse and if it does improve temporarily, the results last less than a month.  This is why we have settled on Hydroquinone.  Still, many patients say “but I’ve already used hydroquinone.”  While we know many have failed the standard 4% hydroquinone creams, our product is 8% hydroquinone and is a liquid gel.  It penetrates the skin more easily because it’s a gel and works better and faster because it‘s 8%.  Because we use a higher % hydroquinone, we do require our patients to take a break after 3 months of continuous use.  To learn more, call us today for a free consultation.

What is Melasma?

It is a condition that usually affects women, and is often referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”. Though becoming pregnant isn’t the root cause of melasma, the hormonal changes that occur are just one of the different things that trigger it to mysteriously appear during that time. Almost out of nowhere, dark brown appearing patches can appear on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and neck area. And while it’s not a sign of something serious, it can be really aggravating to have to look at and cause you some anxiety about your appearance.

It is also common in women who take oral contraceptives for birth control (they have hormones in them too) and those with darker skin types. Believe it or not, we are really only now just starting to unlock some of the mystery around what causes melasma. Studies have linked it to multiple different things: endocrine dysfunction, medications, nutritional deficiencies and hepatic (liver) dysfunction can all be involved. Because it doesn’t usually occur in postmenopausal women who take estrogen replacement, we know that hormones alone aren’t the only cause.

The one thing that is universal to everyone who has melasma is sun exposure. So in someone who’s predisposed to it, sun can trigger its onset. And no matter how careful you are about it, everyone gets UV exposure when they are out and about in their daily life. It also seems to get worse with heat and humidity, which depending on where you live can be completely unavoidable too.

Melasma is a multi-factorial, lifelong problem for the many women who suffer from it. Celibre understands this. Our goal is to not only educate you about your melasma, but also recommend and provide you with the most effective tools for you to use to keep it in check. It really is a problem that takes a team approach. Come visit us at either of our Los Angeles offices today. We can help you better understand what’s happening to your skin and work with you to find the solution that’s right for you. What are you waiting for? Give us a call today to get started.

Latisse Eye Lash Enhancement

Treatment | Before and After Pictures | Cost

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “What’s happened to my eyelashes?” you’re not alone. Millions of women around the world have discovered an easy, effective and safe solution to have thicker, darker and longer lashes: Latisse.

Latisse is not only the first, but it’s also the only FDA approved prescription treatment you can use to get longer, thicker and darker eyelashes. It’s made by Allergan, a trusted and proven company that has brought to market many popular cosmetic treatments such as Botox and Juvederm. With daily application and a touch of patience, you can have the eyelashes of your dreams that are worthy of envy.

What is Latisse and How Does it Work?

You might think that Allergan spent years working on a product that could dramatically improve the appearance of eyelashes, but you’d be wrong! Latisse was actually discovered by accident. Allergan also makes medical prescription products in addition to its cosmetic ones. One of these medications is bimatoprost, an eye drop that is used to treat glaucoma. Patients prescribed bimatoprost started telling their doctors about the changes they were seeing in their eyelashes after using it for a few months. And the doctors could see the difference too! Allergan wisely saw a unique opportunity to develop a sorely needed cosmetic treatment for those with scant or inadequate eyelashes, and Latisse was born.

Now, women who’ve never had lush lashes are enjoying the benefits of beautiful, thicker lashes and those whose lashes have lost their former lushness are regaining it plus some! Latisse is a serum that is applied with a special applicator to the upper lash line every night before bed. It helps lengthen the growth cycle of the lash hair, which allows the lashes to grow longer and thicker. It also helps to darken the lashes as well.

Most women see some effect within a few weeks of starting Latisse, but the full effect can take up to 16 weeks to see. And you have to continue to use Latisse to keep the results otherwise your lashes will be back to normal in about eight weeks or so.

Have you done eyelash extensions, but hate the maintenance? Pricey mascara not giving you the look you want? Try Latisse! You too can have lashes that look date-night-ready right out of bed in the morning! Swimming, sweating, crying – no matter what the activity, your lashes will look great 24 hours a day.

Give us a call today. We’d love to talk to you more about what Latisse can do for you and answer all of your questions at a free consultation. Don’t wait another day to start this amazing product!

Laser Wart Removal

Warts aren’t just for witches and ogres! In fact, this common skin problem has been around forever, and yet today, we still struggle to get rid of them!  Warts are due to a viral skin infection that can occur anywhere on the body but typically occurs on the hands and feet. They are ugly, they spread and can be tough to treat even with physician-grade treatments such as freezing.  Never mind trying over-the-counter solutions and pads; there are lots of these things available, but it is rare that they ever work.

Celibre Medical Corporation uses a pulsed dye laser to treat tough warts. This laser damages the tiny blood vessels in the skin, feeding the infection. If there is no blood flow, the virus can’t survive. And the wart will gradually will fade away! It sounds simple and effective because it is.

If you are struggling with warts, please give us a call. We would love to tell you how we’ve helped our patients get rid of their unwanted warts with laser treatment and how we help you get rid of yours too.

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra Removal

If you’ve got darker skin and have suffered from tiny, pinpoint dark bumps on your cheeks and around your eyes since high school (or before!), you’ve probably gotten used to the idea of them being around forever. But what if we told you there’s a way for you to get rid of them!

Dermatosis papulosa Nigra (DPN) is a common condition that affects African Americans and Asians. The spots look like tiny black moles and are slightly raised. Women are typically more affected than men, and usually, there is a strong family history of DPN. It usually starts during your teenage years, with a few, small spots. With age, the spots get larger and more numerous.

If you’re tired of looking at yours, there is a safe, effective, and easy way to treat DPN. Hyfrecation is a tool that uses electric current to heat individual DPN, which damages the tissue so that the lesion simply fades away after treatment. Even if you have hundreds, they can safely be treated this way, revealing clearer, smoother-looking skin.

If you’re ready to get rid of your DPN, please contact us today. We would love the opportunity to discuss how we can get your skin looking better than it has in years.

Skin Tag Removal

It can be scary when things go “bump” — especially so when it’s you! If you’re noticing more and more little “bumps” on your eyelids, neck, underarms, groin and/or breast areas, you may have skin tags.

Skin tags are extremely common and they come in all shapes and sizes. They will usually start out as very small, fine bumps (only a couple of millimeters), and rarely they can get as big as a centimeter! They are fleshy; you may even be able to grab onto them because they are attached to the skin by a base or “stalk”. Rest assured, they are completely harmless, but we understand that they can be annoying to deal with and ugly to look at.

Treatment of skin tags is easy and straightforward. At Celibre Medical Corporation, we use a device called a hyfrecator to treat unwanted skin tags. It uses electrical current to heat the growth, gently yet precisely causing damage to the skin cells of the skin tag. This destroys the skin tag, allowing it to heal and disappear!

If you have skin tags and want to get rid of them, we can help you. Give us a call today and get your smooth skin back!