As we age, we begin to see a 3-dimensional volume loss. While genetics play a role, some of the major forces responsible for facial aging include sun damage, smoking, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and gravity. These negative forces damage multiple structural tissues in the face: the skin, the fat pads, the muscle underneath the skin, and the bony support that's holding up all this soft tissue. The changes seen from the damage are not happening independently but are interdependent between tissues. These changes lead to what we see in the aging face: plump cheeks now deflated, full temples now hollowed out, youthful under-eyes now tired and baggy, tight skin now giving way to the jowls and downturned lips. We dread these changes but they seem to be an inevitable part of the aging process. Thankfully, there’s a solution for those who want to start taking action now.

We offer two types of Ageless Vampire Treatment:

The “Ageless Vampire Lift”, has quickly gained a following among Hollywood clientele. The reason? It requires no plastic surgery, meaning downtime is at a minimum and the notorious and unnatural “cat-eye” look of plastic surgery is avoided.

The “Ageless Vampire Lift” combines a comprehensive three-sided therapy that enables you to turn back the clock and literally rejuvenate your skin. The phenomenal results achieved by the treatment have created a buzz within the cosmetic industry and has marked a revolutionary advancement in cosmetic technology.



So how does it work?
First, your own blood – processed in the clinic to extract growth factors – is utilized and introduced into your age-damaged tissue. This enables the blood to act as a pathway for the old tissue to renew and replenish itself.

Second, micro-needling collagen induction creates micro-wounds that send “repair now” signals to the tissue to heal itself. With the stem cells already embedded into the tissue, the rejuvenating process begins immediately and continues to do so for nine months.

Third, dermal fillers such as Juvederm volumize, lift and anchor the tissue for stability. At this point, the dermal fillers also provide support for new collagen to grow into -- much like vines growing into a lattice framework. Each part of this three-sided approach is key to replenishing your skin in a way that is not only effective but scientific and, clinically measurable as well. Downtime for this treatment is 0 to 3 days depending on the treatment’s aggressiveness.

How long does it last?
The rejuvenation process continues for 9 months but the youthful results will follow the inevitable aging process. Luckily, we can slow this down. This is the reason why treatment maintenance is crucial. To defy aging, everything that works against aging needs to be done - proper nutrition, exercise, sun protection, proper maintenance of rejuvenation procedures and avoidance of harmful stimuli like tobacco smoke.

How many treatments will I need?
The amount of sun damage and tobacco that directly impacts skin elasticity and skin strength usually determine the required number of treatments for best results. Below we give you an idea of the recommended treatment schedule and the goal of treatment for your age group with the Ageless Vampire Lift.

Age 30 - 40 years
The Ageless Vampire Lift prevents further degradation of collagen, thus slowing down the aging process. This is followed by annual maintenance treatment.

Age 40 - 50 years
The Ageless Vampire Lift can rejuvenate the skin to restore it to a younger state and simultaneously helps slow down the aging process. Initially, three treatments 4 months apart are recommended, followed by annual maintenance treatment.

Age 50+ years
The Ageless Vampire Lift needs to be more aggressive to reverse and slow down aging. In some patients another rejuvenation therapy such as laser resurfacing or fractional resurfacing may be added to undo decades of skin damage. Four treatments 3 months apart are recommended, followed by maintenance treatment every 6 months.

The “Ageless Vampire Rejuvenation” offers the same treatment as above without the dermal fillers. This treatment is ideal for younger people who have not lost much soft tissue support yet but are now showing signs of aging. By acting now via this treatment, loss of tissue elasticity and appearance of age wrinkles can be delayed.

While Botox can open up the eyes to look more perky, it cannot correct the cross hatching wrinkles under the eyelids. While dermal fillers can prop up the sagging eye bags, they hardly work with festoony lower eyelids. While upper lid surgery can cut out excessive eyelid skin, the remaining skin is still old.

Instead of simply pulling and cutting the eyelid skin, much like pulling and cutting a worn out carpet, rejuvenation of the eyes start with replacing the worn out tissue with a brand new tissue. When this tissue is replaced and renewed, the eyes truly go back in time . . . five, ten or even 15 years younger.

Botox
By weakening or paralyzing the muscles of facial expression, Botox works well with dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles in the forehead, in between the brows and crows feet all respond very well to Botox.

Dermal Fillers
For wrinkles that are not treatable by Botox, dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm can help by plumping up the grooves, such as the smile lines around the nose and the puppet lines around the mouth. Longevity of dermal fillers and increased new collagen production is enhanced when dermal fillers are mixed with stem cell boosters.

Tunable Laser
Tunable laser is the real solution in today's never-ending quest for the "Fountain of Youth." Note: Face lifts are not. While face lifts simply nip the excess skin, un-nipped skin is still left looking old and worn out. With tunable lasers the old skin is vaporized, allowing the body to rebuild a brand new layer from the ground up.

Broadband Light
Broadband light (BBL) is a no downtime procedure that harnesses the power of a broad range of light waves to gently stimulate old collagen, waking up the hibernating fibroblasts to create new collagen.

Acne is American's most common disease affecting 60-70% of Americans at some time during their lives. Twenty percent will have severe acne, which results in permanent physical and mental scarring. The Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne recently recommended that acne be defined as a chronic disease. It is important to understand that acne is an inflammatory condition that can continue to flare and may be characterized by exacerbations and remissions. While antibiotics constitute an integral part of treatment, acne is not an infection (like strep throat) that will clear after a short course of antibiotics. It is an ongoing condition that will require maintenance treatments, like any other chronic disease. There is no single treatment for acne. Treatment consists of various strategies that complement one another - each strategy targets each step of the acne evolution.

Both females and males have acne that extends into adulthood, with females often having a higher prevalence of the disease as well as more severe forms during adulthood. When untreated, acne usually lasts for several years until it spontaneously remits. Some cases continue into the mid-twenties, and there is evidence that the duration of acne may last into middle age for most women.

Because acne may affect self-esteem, self-confidence, poor body image, embarrassment, social withdrawal, anger, preoccupation with acne, frustration, confusion, and limitations in lifestyle leading to considerable distress, aggressive, effective treatment of acne is needed to minimize both physical and psychological burden and improve quality of life. In addition, patients who receive effective treatment report an improved self-image and less social inhibition.

Genetics play a key role in who will get acne. If both parents had acne, 3 of 4 children will have acne. If 1 parent had acne, then 1 of 4 of the children will have acne. However, similar to other genetic conditions, not every family will have the same pattern, with acne sometimes skipping generations. What is inherited is the propensity for increased proliferation of the cells lining the inside of the hair follicle with subsequent plugging of the opening of the hair follicle.

How Does Acne Develop?
Acne arises from the interaction of 4 factors:
1. Excess sebum production caused by androgenic stimulation of oil glands (sebaceous glands);
2. Obstruction of the opening of the hair follicle arising from excess production of keratinocytes (the basic cells of the skin);
3. Increased proliferation of the bacteria P acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) that normally live in the sebaceous follicle; and
4. Inflammation caused by sebum escaping into the surrounding skin.

Sebaceous or oil glands are pouch-like protrusions on the side of the hair follicle. The number of oil glands remains approximately the same throughout life, whereas their size tends to increase with age. Their function is to produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum normally travels up along the hair shafts and then out through the opening (pore) of the hair follicle onto the surface of your skin, to lubricate and protect hair and skin. Acne affects the areas of skin with the densest population of hair follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back.

Oil production is known to spike twice in life. The first spike occurs a few hours after birth - which peaks during the first week and slowly subsides thereafter. Pimples in newborns are not infected and they eventually subside without treatment. The second spike takes place at about age 9 years old, just before puberty. During this period, the adrenal glands produce large amount of androgen hormones that continue into early adulthood. Clinically, there are obvious changes happening in boys and girls during this time. Hair in the armpits as well as hair in the private areas start to appear associated with adult body odor. The skin that was once soft becomes thicker and oilier. There is a clear association between increase oil production and acne. The two spikes in oil production bring about the lesions seen in acne, except that in newborns, the lesions are not due to an acne bacteria and therefore it is not an infection. On the other hand, the acne lesions that occur during the second spike are typically associated with acne bacteria, and therefore, treatment is needed.

The increased oil production before puberty is also accompanied by an increased proliferation of hair follicle cells, called keratinocytes. Oil and keratinocytes stick together and build up within the pore and form a soft plug giving rise to the small pimple, the precursor of all acne lesions. While the pore opening remains closed, the lesion is called a closed comedo, or "whitehead". The closed comedo is 1-3 mm in diameter, white or flesh-colored, and very slightly raised. Oxidization occurs when the pore enlarges enough to stretch the plug and the trapped matter is exposed to air. This causes the characteristic dark appearance of open comedones or "blackheads." Open comedones are flat or slightly raised, brown-to-black papules about 3-5 mm in diameter.

P acnes bacteria is a harmless, normal inhabitant of a healthy, human skin. It lives in the hair follicle and survives by feeding from the oil produced by the oil glands. When a pore is blocked, P acnes overgrows. As the trapped oil and keratinocytes continue to pile up, the pore balloons out and gets deformed, now called a cyst. Meanwhile, the irritating acids produced by P acnes damage the cyst wall. As damage and continuing distention of the cyst occur, the cyst wall ruptures and release hair, oil, dead cells and irritating acids into the surrounding dermis. When the cyst is intact, the damage is localized only to the hair follicle. When the cyst ruptures, the damage becomes greater. The leakage of the cyst contents into the dermis incites an inflammatory reaction and initiates the formation of the various types of acne lesions: papules, pustules and nodules.

Acne papules are pink or red and 2-5 mm in diameter. Acne pustules are pink or red with a yellow center because of the pus inside. Acne nodules are solid, 6-10 mm in diameter, painful cysts situated deeper in the dermis. The acne cyst is a large nodule that has suppurated and become fluctuant. Scars form as a result of damage to the surrounding dermis.

Acne is a continuous process and causes the eruption of new lesions over time, so at one time there may be comedones, papules, and pustules. Acne is usually described by the primary lesions present and the severity of those lesions (mild, moderate, or severe). Comedonal acne is the presence of a predominance of open and closed comedones. Mild comedonal acne would have only a few open and closed comedones. Severe comedonal acne would have many comedones, but only a few papules and pustules. Inflammatory acne is the presence of erythematous papules and pustules. Cystic acne is characterized by multiple cysts, nodules, and pitted scarring.

Acne keloidalis: Individuals who have the genetic predisposition to have a keloid reaction to inflammation will develop keloids in the beard area, along the jaw line, and on the back of the scalp.

Acne conglobata: Acne conglobata is an uncommon and unusually severe form of acne characterized by large deep nodules, cysts, and abscesses that coalesce together and connect with one another often producing pronounced disfigurement. The lesions are usually found on the chest, the shoulders, the back, the buttocks, the upper arms, the thighs, and the face.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): In darker-pigmented skin, inflammation will cause increased production of melanin. As acute acne lesions fade, they leave dark spots that are as cosmetically distressing as the acne itself. Skin discoloration becomes worse with sun exposure, so an effective sunscreen should be used twice daily, in the morning and early afternoon.

The treatment of acne is aimed at preventing scars from forming. Because treatment is preventive, not curative, improvement may be slow.

Targets of acne treatments include:
1. Reduce oil production,
2. Normalize keratinocyte turnover in the follicle
3. Speed up sloughing of dead skin to keep the pore open
4. Fight bacterial infection
5. Reduce inflammation

Over the counter and prescription products perform one or all of the above targets in varying degrees. Over the counter products typically contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid as their active ingredient. These products can be helpful for very mild acne. Prescription products typically contain more potent ingredients such as tretinoin and antibiotics.

The most common and expected side effects of acne treatment are related to its targets: skin irritation, dryness, flaking, stinging, burning, redness or peeling. Excessive dryness can cause oil production to rebound. Bioactive moisturizers can help prevent dryness.

Topical retinoids constitute the cornerstone of acne therapy, as they not only help resolve existing breakouts but also prevent the development of recurrences. Tretinoin makes keratinocytes in lining the pore less adherent and easier to remove.

Oral contraceptives have been shown to be useful in managing female acne since 1951. After 3 months of therapy with oral contraceptives, sebum production can be decreased by as much as 40%.

Laser and light therapy. Laser- and light-based therapies reach the deeper layers of skin without harming the skin's surface. Laser treatment is thought to damage the oil glands, causing them to produce less oil. Light therapy targets the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. These therapies can also improve skin texture and lessen the appearance of scars.

Chemical peels and Microdermabrasion may be helpful in controlling acne. These cosmetic procedures — which have traditionally been used to lessen the appearance of fine lines, sun damage and minor facial scars — are most effective when used in combination with other acne treatments. They may cause temporary, severe redness, scaling and blistering, and long-term discoloration of the skin. Microdermabrasion assists in enhancing the absorption of topical treatment.

Isotretinoin (Accutane): Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A. It decreases the size of the oil glands, thus decreasing the amount of oil produced. When appropriately used, it is very effective in achieving long-term remission of acne. It is usually given after other acne medicines or antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms. Isotretinoin is available only under a special program called iPLEDGE.

The following are not treatments:
• "Picking" or "popping" pimples will increase inflammation and worsen scarring.
• Abrasive cleansers or sponges should be avoided because they cause microscopic abrasions and create portals for the entry of bacteria.
• Astringents containing alcohol will dry and irritate the skin further and cause oil production to rebound.
• Mineral oil-based products in cosmetics, sunscreens, hairstyling products or acne concealers can add to the pore plug and worsen acne.

Effective treatment of acne scars has been elusive... until now. Today, Rejuvimed can permanently remove acne scars thanks to laser technology. Ablative lasers vaporize the scars and non-ablative lasers trigger production of growth factors and collagen, leading to skin remodeling and tightening. Scars become shallower and smaller, skin texture smoother and large pores smaller. Adding stem cell boosters enhance re-modelling of scars and normalization of skin.

Hyperpigmentation, commonly called brown spots or dark patches, is a common problem for ethnic skin. Contrary to common belief, the darker the skin, the more sensitive the skin is and the more prone it is to develop dark patches.

Correctly diagnosing the cause of brown spots is imperative to not only avoiding expensive products that don't work but also to preventing the worsening of brown spots, which is when melanin pigments fall into the dermis, becoming more difficult to treat.

Treatment with Rejuvimed begins with products that contain various bleaching agents that when combined, work synergistically to remove the excess unwanted pigments. If pigments are localized into the upper epidermis, brightening and lightening of the skin are clinically evident as early as one week. Dermal pigmentation is best treated with minimally heat-radiating lasers.

Cellu-Solve™ solves one of the most difficult cosmetic problems: cellulite. Uniquely designed probes cut through hardened fibrous septae responsible for the unwanted skin dimpling and contour irregularities in cellulite while emulsifying the superficial fat trapped within these septae. The skin is finally treated by a special laser that delivers diffused heat under the skin for a tightening effect.

Stretch marks are stretched scars, weaved in between normal skin. This happens when the inner layer of the skin called the dermis breaks, splits or ruptures, leaving multiple empty spaces underneath the skin. With no support to prop up the skin, it collapses inwards as stretch marks.

There has been no effective treatment of stretch marks until now. To effectively improve stretch marks, the following has to be met:
• Lost collagen in the injured skin needs to be replaced.
• Normal skin surrounding the stretch mark needs to be strengthened.
• Edges of the stretched skin needs to be closer together.
• Color abnormality in the stretch mark needs to match the surrounding normal skin.

While creams and other solutions are often hopeless when it comes to vanishing stretch marks, Rejuvimed uses multiplex lasers and infrared energy to deliver real, noticeable results. Multiple fractions of stretch marks are pulverized by a laser creating multiple vertical channels that new collagen populates during the repair process. The tissue below and around the stretch marks is strengthened by new collagen, in a way, bringing the edges of the scar together. Pigment from undamaged skin surrounding the stretch marks migrates to help re-color the scar. The end result is a fainter, finer stretch mark line with a smoother surface and more normal-looking skin. To tighten the skin, a cold laser is passed underneath the skin or an infrared laser is passed over the skin. Three to five treatments spaced 6 weeks apart are recommended for optimum results. Adding stem cell boosters enhance re-modeling of stretch marks and normalization of skin.

The biologic potential of the human body to repair and rejuvenate itself is now unlocked with the discovery that the "buffy coat" layer of the blood contains "homing" agents that call on the stem cells to come home to the site where this buffy coat is delivered. The buffy coat contains platelets, growth factors, CD34+ cells, cytokines and adhesion molecules. Together they act in concert to call on the stem cells to come to the area that needs them. In injury, the stem cells that come home can be converted to bone if the bone is injured or to muscle if the muscle is injured or to skin if skin is injured. In cosmetic use, these stem cells can be converted into fibroblasts that are responsible for producing new collagen. Skin texture, lines and wrinkles are improved with multiple treatments.

The process involves taking a small amount of blood from the patient's arm. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins for 15 minutes and separates the "buffy coat" from the rest of the blood components. The "buffy coat" is taken and sprayed or injected into the treatment area.

Better than the PinPointe Laser, the Sciton laser used in our office is FDA approved and the same laser used by Stanford Medical Center. While no treatment for nail fungus is 100% guaranteed, the Sciton laser has produced successful results in 75-80% of cases in clinical studies. That success rate is roughly the same as oral medication and much better than anything that can be applied to the nails. A major advantage of using the laser is that you are able to get the curing power of oral medication without any side effects. The Sciton nail fungus laser is safe, non-toxic and effective.

Q: What causes nail fungus infection?
A: Onchomycosis refers to a fungal infection that affects the toenails or the fingernails. It is caused by a dermatophyte - the type of fungus that usually infect the dead cells of the human's outer coat: nails, hair and top skin. The fungus has the ability to feed from these dead cells. Fortunately, it does not have the ability to go pass the dead cells to infect the living cells below.

Q: How do you get fungal infection?
A: Minor skin or nail injuries, moist skin for a long time, closed footwear (because it can trap moisture). Athlete's foot often precedes toenail infection.

Q: How does the laser kill the fungus?
A: The laser works by creating heat in the nail and nail root. The heat kills the fungus so it cannot multiply.

Q: What does the laser treatment consist of?
A: There are three parts to the treatment program: preparation, laser treatment and follow-up. Preparation includes an exam, an explanation of the treatment by the doctor and sending a piece of nail to the lab to be sure there is actually fungus present. Laser treatment itself takes about 30 minutes in the doctor's office and requires no injections, bandages or medication. Usually, only one treatment is necessary. Follow-up includes sending a second nail specimen to the lab three months after the laser treatment (to be sure the fungus is completely gone) and using an anti-fungal cream to keep the fungus from coming back on your skin.

We understand that patients who don't have insurance do not want to incur an extra laboratory cost. While it is recommended, sending a piece of your nail to the lab is not mandatory. A lab examination of your nail will of course rule in or rule out an infection and based on this, whether you will need a treatment or not.

Q: Is there any pain during the laser treatment?
A: With the temperature control system on the laser, it can create a temperature hot enough to kill the fungus, but not hot enough to injure the patient or cause discomfort. There is no pain during the procedure and no anesthetic is needed.

Q: When can cure be ascertained?
A: Knowing if the treatment works takes time. One cannot expect to see an immediate response. Clinical cure is 100% clearance. Halux (big toe) nails grow 1-2 mm/month.Average male halux nail is 22 mm. If 75% of the nail is involved, it can take 6-12 months to grow out. If only 20% of nail is involved, it can take 5 months to grow out. Mycological cure – confirms the eradication of the fungus through mycological assay in the laboratory.

Clinical Cure – The Increase in Clear Nail


Q: How long after laser treatment may I return to normal activities?
A: You may return to normal activities immediately following your treatment. There is no lingering discomfort or down time.

Q: Can the fungus come back after a successful treatment?
A: Yes, it can come back after a successful treatment. Toenail fungus starts with athlete's foot so it is important to prevent it in the future with good foot hygiene and an antifungal cream on the skin once a week. This decreases the chances of getting the infection back in the nails. If for any reason you become re-infected with fungus or need additional treatments at any point in the future, you will enjoy a 70% off (from our published retail price, not from the special price) lifetime guarantee for future re-treatment! This is a unique offering that is backed by the strength of our Stanford Medical Center-tested laser technology.

Q: Is a second treatment ever necessary
A: Like any infection, occasionally the fungus can be resistant to treatment, whether by laser or oral medicines. You can also be completely treated and get re-infected by the fungus. If for any reason you become re-infected with fungus or need additional treatments at any point in the future, you will enjoy a 70% off (from our published retail price, not from the special price) lifetime guarantee for future re-treatment! This is a unique offering that is backed by the strength of our Stanford Medical Center-tested laser technology.

Q: Is laser treatment of toenail fungus covered by my insurance?
A: Because it is a new technology, laser treatment of toenail fungus is not covered by health insurance. Laboratory testing of the toenail is generally covered by most insurance plans. Follow-up treatment of the skin with anti-fungal cream is usually with an over-the-counter product.

Q: How much does the laser treatment itself cost?
A: We usually prefer to treat all 10 toenails to make sure there is no living fungus remaining. The fee for the first treatment of the 10 nails is $1000. This does not include lab testing (which is usually covered by insurance). If for any reason you become re-infected with fungus or need additional treatments at any point in the future, you will enjoy a 70% off (from our published retail price, not from the special price) lifetime guarantee for future re-treatment! This is a unique offering that is backed by the strength of our Stanford Medical Center-tested laser technology.

Q: Why is a laboratory confirmation of a fungal infection important?
A: While half of nail abnormalities is caused by a fungal infection, the other 50% is caused by other etiologies such as psoriasis of the nails, lichen planus, low serum albumin, trauma, bacterial infections, etc. Some of you have been treated with oral and/or topical medications for years and years without success. If there was no laboratory confirmation of a fungus, one cannot say that the anti-fungal medications failed. If the nail abnormality is not caused by a fungus, no anti-fungal treatment will succeed. For a nail abnormality that has pestered you for so many years, in some cases as much as 25 years, a laboratory diagnosis is a must and just makes sense. Otherwise, both patient and physician will be shooting in the dark.

Q: How much is the fungus test?
A: We found a laboratory that will charge a self-pay patient $121 for a fungal culture. This is the cheapest fee we found which goes down to $60 if the doctor pays the laboratory for the patient. Why charging the doctor for the patient is cheaper - I don't know. Culturing a specimen will allow the fungus to grow in a medium. This is the ultimate test for presence of infection.

Q: What do I expect with my first appointment
A: If you never had any laboratory confirmation of a nail fungus infection, I will strongly advise that we take a nail clipping and underside scraping of your abnormal nail to be sent to a laboratory. If you agree to this, you can wait for three days for the result, then schedule an appointment for the laser treatment once the report confirms the presence of a fungus. You can also have your laser treatment done on the same day pending the lab result. Some people who chose to be treated pending the lab result usually come from far away cities. They have been clinically diagnosed by other doctors and do not want to make an extra trip for the treatment.

If you do not want a laboratory diagnosis for whatever reason, and wish to go ahead with the laser treatment during your first appointment, then we will perform the laser treatment.

*Please bring a pair of open toe slippers or flip flops when you come in for treatment.