LIP ENHANCEMENT  is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure. Dr. Alpert uses a variety of products including Juvéderm and Restylane to enhance the appearance of your lips.  The lips and smile are the major focal point of overall facial beauty and as aging occurs, the lips can appear thinner, smaller and not as supple. Lip Enhancement is an easy , non-invasive procedure that gives you luscious lips and can make you feel more attractive, youthful and desirable. The procedure to enlarge lips can also reduce the fine lines and wrinkles on and around the lip area.

The procedure begins with a local anesthetic placed on the lips. It gently numbs the lips to minimize the pain. Then, Dr. Alpert injects the lips with the appropriate fillers. Some minor discomfort, stinging or throbbing can occur, but is minimal and does not last long. The numbing of the area beforehand will minimize any discomfort. The procedure is completed fast and you can return immediately to your normal schedule.The results typically last 6-8 months.

Here are some before and after photos of Lip Enhancement

Lip Enhancement gives you younger, fuller and sexier lips. Come by our Santa Monica, CA office today for a FREE consultation and ENHANCE YOUR BEAUTY!

Facial rejuvenation is now possible without surgery! You can tighten your skin, reduce wrinkles  and correct coloring in your skin.

The triniti™ Skin Series consists of three non-surgical, non-invasive procedures, accomplished sequentially during the same visit. The triniti™ skin series consists of color correction, skin tightening and wrinkle treatment for the face and hands.

In just three, monthly treatment sessions we can help you achieve skin rejuvenation, skin tightening and a healthier youthful appearance. Results are noticeable after one treatment, however a series of three treatments is suggested for optimal results. The three procedures that make up the series are:

Fotofacial is a non-abrasive, non-invasive rejuvenation of your skin using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). IPL fotofacials improves the signs of sun damage (such as brown spots), rosacea, and vascular lesions on the face.

Matrix Laser – Laser and radio frequency are used to heat the deeper layers of the skin while protecting the surface. This heating activates the formation of new collagen cells, resulting in a reduction of the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, perioral wrinkles, crow’s feet, forehead lines, and scars.

ReFirme™ is an FDA approved, non-invasive procedure that tightens the skin and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This procedure features the revolutionary elõs™ technology that enables you to comfortably achieve a more youthful, toned and lifted appearance without enduring downtime.

GET A YOUNGER MORE YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE TODAY WITH THE TRINITI  SKIN SERIES! CALL OUR OFFICE FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AT 310.393.0739 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://www.dralpertskincare.com for more information

Using LATISSE^®every night as part of your regular routine before you go to sleep can help your lashes grow starting in as little as 4 weeks and continue to grow and become fuller up to 16 weeks.

In order to test the product for our patients to see the real results, we did a test with one of our in-house Estheticians. Here are our results:

WEEK 1

Week 1 Latisse

With short lashes that are not full or dark, our Esthetician began a nightly application of LATISSE^® on the base line of her eyelid. Applying it from the outside of the lash line to the inner eye with the single use disposable brushes provided. The solution is clear and there is no need to apply multiple coats. One single drop of LATISSE^®can be placed on the disposable brush used on the entire lash line. Repeat this step on the other eye every night.

WEEK 4

Week 4 Latisse

After 4 weeks of applying the nightly treatment, the Esthetician noticed her lashes starting to look fuller as well as slight growth in the length. The fullness seemed to set in first, before the growth of the lashes actually started.

WEEK 8

Week 8 Latisse

After week 8 of applying LATISSE^® you can see from the picture above, the lashes are not only fuller and longer, but the darkness of the lashes is also now evident. The results are finally visible! Also, the Esthetician began to receive compliments from others about her lashes.

WEEK 16

Week 16

After 16 weeks of using LATISSE^® , the lashes are longer, fuller and darker.

Always consult with your doctor before starting the use of LATISSE^® and report any side effects you may experience from the product to your doctor. Dr. Martin Alpert is happy to give a free consultation to his patients interested. Call his office at 310.393.0739 today to set up an appointment and start growing longer, fuller lashes today! Also, visit our website http://www.dralpertskincare.com for information on all our non-invasive cosmetic procedures to Enhance Your Beauty!

Mistake: Not wearing Sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 EVERY DAY!

The Fix:

Get a daily moisturizer with an SPF so there is never a chance you leave the house without sunscreen. Wearing an SPF lotion or cream with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection is easy to do when in a daily moisturizer. Whether the sun is out, or overcast, you will be protected!

Mistake: Picking at your blemishes and pimples on your face.

Everyone thinks the easiest way to get rid of a pimple or blemish is to pick at it and extract it with our own hands. This is NOT a good thing to do since we already have oils and dirt on our hands.
The Fix:

Use simple easy steps to getting rid of the pimple or blemish:

• Wash your hands ALWAYS before even touching your face. Spreading germs to small blemishes often makes the breakout worse and it spreads on your face. If you have to do any picking, HAVE CLEAN HANDS!

• Use tea tree oil on a q-tip to dry out and kill the germs in the blemish. It will go away within a day or two without scarring your face. People who pick-SCAR.

• Use hydrogen Peroxide on a larger blemish that looks infected. This will kill the germs and dry out the oils that exist in the blemish/pimple

Mistake: Over-drying your skin.
People who have a high amount of oil in their skin often over-dry their skin by using harsh soaps, astringents and acne treatments. Depriving your skin of any oils, can lead to redness in face and actually cause more breakouts as your skin is searching for natural oils to moisturize.

The Fix:

Use your drying products less- a few times a week instead of every day. Use cream based non detergent cleansers to ensure your skin is getting natural oils, and use harsher products on specific blemishes/breakouts.

whether you’re dry, oily, or somewhere in between.

Mistake: Over-exfoliating.
Many of us over-exfoliate our skin and use harsh scrubs which can damage the skin if used to often.

FIX:

Your skin takes about 28 days to go through the full cycle from the lowest level and reach the surface. Exfoliating too often will kill new skin before it has fully developed. Use a LIGHT scrub once a week to maintain a healthy glow.

Mistake: Sleeping with your makeup on

We all are guilty. It is hard to always do it, but allowing the makeup, dirt and debris to sit in your skin while you sleep can clog your skin and leave it dull.

The Fix: 

Making it a habit to wash your face morning and night, just like you brush your teeth. If you really need a quick, easy way, there are many makeup remover wipes that will work well and help make sure your pores don’t get clogged over night.

ALL THESE SIMPLE STEPS HELP YOU MAINTAIN HEALTHY, FLAWLESS SKIN!

Summer is coming and outdoor activities and sun exposure is inevitable for most people. Protecting your skin is the most important thing you can do while in the sun. UV rays can cause severe damage to your skin and possibly lead to skin cancer.

Sitting in the sun exposes your skin to harmful UV rays and as little as fifteen minutes of exposure can cause damage to your skin. Regardless of the outside temperature, it is essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays at all times. If is is cloudy, the sun can still penetrate through the clouds and cause damage. So ALWAYS wear a minimum of SPF 15 when your skin is exposed to sun. This will help prevent skin damage and possible skin cancer in the future.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are called basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, both are easily curable.  Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous.

Regardless of your skin tone, anyone can get skin cancer. However higher risks exist in people that have the following:

• Skin that burns or freckles easily
• light eye colors such as blue or green
• lighter skin color/tone
• family history of melanoma
• history of sunburn earlier in life
• extended exposure to outdoors from work or play
• light hair color (blond or red)

There are many ways to avoid skin damage and/or skin cancer and protect yourself.They include:

• Apply a minimum of SPF 15 to your skin before leaving the house daily.
• When exposed to sun, reapply your SPF every 2 hours (more often if you are in water or sweating)
• Avoid direct sun during peak hours (10am-4pm) as these UV rays are the strongest and cause the most damage
• seek shade whenever possible in the sun
• protect your face by wearing a wide brimmed hat and higher SPF on your face
• cover your skin with clothing to protect
• Do not use sunbeds/tanning beds as the UV rays from them are just as dangerous

If you are afraid you may have skin cancer, there is an easy A,B,C,D,E Checklist to help make skin cancer easier to recognize. When checking existing moles and freckles on your skin, look for changes in any of the following

• A = Asymmetry- normal moles/freckles are completely symmetrical. If your spots do not match on both sides, you should have a doctor look at them
• B= Border- if the spot has a blurred or jagged edge, you should have it looked at by a doctor
• C=Color- if your spot is more than one color, you should have it looked at
• D= Diameter- if larger than a pencil eraser, have it examined
• E= Elevation- if the mole is raised above the surface and uneven, you should have it looked

PROTECT YOUR SKIN!!!! AVOID SKIN DAMAGE AND SKIN CANCER BY

FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE STEPS ABOVE.

IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE SKIN CANCER, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY WITH DR. MARTIN ALPERT. CALL 310.393.0739 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.DRALPERTSKINCARE.COM  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CONTACTING US  AND THE OTHER PROCEDURES WE OFFER TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN!!!!

This year, treat your skin to a celebration with a homemade avocado facial mask.

Avocado is rich in amino acids and vitamins that moisturize your skin. Avocados also have anti-aging properties that will help keep your skin fresh and young. This mask also contains honey.  It is a wonderful ingredient to use to fight dry skin. It also helps rejuvenate the skin, which leads to less fine lines and fine wrinkles. Honey also contains alpha hydroxy acids, which help to gently exfoliate the skin. It is an ideal product for people with sensitive and dry skin.

AVOCADO FACIAL MASK

2 tablespoons of avocado

1 tablespoon of plain yogurt

1 tablespoon of honey

MASH ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN SMALL BOWL. APPLY TO FACE. LEAVE ON FOR 15-20 MINUTES. RINSE WITH WARM WATER.

ENJOY AND HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO! CELEBRATE SAFELY!

1. Before applying any serums, lotions or cremes CLEANSE. It is best to add products that have beneficial value to a clean, fresh face. Applying product to a face that has not been cleaned can spread dirt, debris, oil, bacteria, or makeup and cause clogged pores. So CLEAN your face before applying anything.
2. A general rule of thumb is to apply your products from thinnest to thickest. Doing this will allow the thinner products to absorb easily into the skin. Then apply the heavier, thicker products to act as a barrier and protect and nourish the skin.

Here is the general order in which to apply products to a clean face:

   Serums:

Apply serums to the skin first. Serums typically are water or oil based. Depending on your skin-type, you can choose a serum appropriately. Drier skin will use more oil based serums, and oily skin benefits from water-based serums. Serums are concentrated and give a higher potency of vitamins to nourish the skin and penetrate to heal, repair and protect.

Lotions:

Lotions are usually applied to the face with bare hands, a clean cloth, sponge or cotton. Apply these to the face after serums. Lotions  smooth, re-hydrate, soothe and soften the skin. They also act as a barrier to outside elements and protect your skin. Using face lotion daily is essential for overall skin care. Lotions  can be used day and night. Daytime lotions for the face should have a minimum of SPF 15 to protect from harsh UV rays.  Lotions used at night can be for nourishing the skin and can have various vitamins and additives that are beneficial for skin repair.

Cremes:

Heavy facial creams are typically used at night and are designed to nourish and revitalize your skin. One of the most important benefits of using a night face cream is to help invigorate and repair your skin. While you sleep a rich, nourishing cream helps replenish the antioxidants and increase the moisture levels that diminish during the day. Night face creams that have a high level of moisturizing properties and help your skin maintain a youthful glow.

Keep your skin clean, hydrated and healthy by using products that are best for your skin type.

If you need suggestions, please leave a comment and Dr. Alpert and his professionally trained skin care staff will be happy to help!

Here are a few tips to how to get the most out of your daily cleanse.

Following a daily skin care regime that includes cleansing and protecting your skin is essential. You should follow the TWICE a day regime to ensure your skin is clean, fresh and well taken care of.

CLEANSING

Washing in the morning awakens your skin and cleanses away any oils that may have built up over night. Washing your skin at night can remove any dirt, make-up, oils and debris from elements that your skin comes in contact with throughout your day.

When Cleansing, most people just scrub away at their face in various directions. Try to make it a habit to always work your cleanser and moisturizer into your skin in an UPWARD, CIRCULAR  MOTION. If you scrub your face with harsh quick motion, you will pull your skin downward and loose the elasticity and collagen production in your skin. Doing the UPWARD, CIRCULAR MOTION will help to diminish fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. LIFT UP YOUR SKIN!!!

PROTECTING

During the day you should always wear a moisturizer with a minimum SPF of 15. This will protect your skin from outside elements as well as the sun. At night, a heavier, thicker cream may be used to protect the skin and give a deeper penetration of  moisture to your skin.

These tips are simple to incorporate in your daily routine and will quickly become second nature in cleansing and protecting your skin!!!

Dry, dull, flaky skin appears due to a low production of sebum, natural oil that body produces. When the production of the body oil  is not sufficient for the body, the skin appears dull, dry and flaky. The change in constant weather conditions affect the skin a lot. In Winter, the  body loses its water and oil. Dry chilled air steals the oil from the skin and makes it dry. Other reasons your skin may appear to have this appearance  include, diet, water consumption, lack of exercise, and or stress.

Ways to help with Dry, dull, Flaky skin include:

*Having a regular exfoliating regimen. One should exfoliate two to three times a week. This will help to shed dead skin cells and allow fresh, new skin to come to the surface. Over exfoliation can also dry our your skin, so be sure not to over exfoliate. This is a common mistake.

*Increase your water intake to help hydrate your skin from the inside out. A person should drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.

*Eating healthy foods.  Eat dairy products and nuts regularly in your diet to avoid dry and flaky skin. They have fats and oils in them, which are essential for the body to retain it’s moister. If one totally avoids oil and starch from the diet,  one is more prone to get affected with flaky skin.

*Keeping the skin clean and giving proper moister to the skin to keep the dryness away. Using Vitamin E helps maintain the moisture in your skin and will help avoid flaking and dryness.

If you notice your skin is VERY dry, dull and flaky, a more intensified form of exfoliation may be necessary to rid your skin of dead cells and allow new, fresh skin to surface. MICRODERMABRASION is a great way to get a deep exfoliation in your skin. Dr. Martin Alpert offers Microdermabrasion in his Santa Monica office.  Please call our office at (310) 393.0739 today to schedule your appointment and get your skin on the track for a healthy, glowing Spring look.

• Using products that contain Retinol in your skin care regime. Retinol is an animal form of Vitamin A and helps to increase the production of collagen, improve overall skin texture, pore size and evenness of tone. Skin will also appears smoother and lines and wrinkles are diminished from the inside out when using products containing Retinol.
• Practicing simple facial exercises can help maintain the elasticity in your face. Open your mouth as wide as possible, hold and slowly close it five times. Also, make 5 different funny faces and hold the face for 5 seconds and then  slowly release with control. These easy exercises will help work  your facial muscles and if done on a regular basis can improve the elasticity of your skin.
• WATER. WATER. WATER. Drinking large quantities of water will help keep your skin hydrated and increase the overall elasticity in your skin.
• Moisturizing with Vitamin C and wearing SPF. Protecting your skin with SPF daily will help the  elasticity in your skin for long-term as well as protect your skin from free radicals. Vitamin C can also help increase the skin’s elasticity and can be found in many moisturizers.
• Sleep is important in maintaining healthy skin in general. Make sure to get plenty of sleep.