Facial Plastic Surgery

Beverly Hills

While nothing works quite like a laser, knowing what each modality treats, the downtime, and the results that can be achieved are essential. Lasers can do wonders for the skin to reverse past signs of damage. Despite other treatments you may be doing, it's important that you consider the best laser treatment for your concerns. They polish skin to give it a beautiful glow so that it is more even in tone and texture with fewer surface imperfections.

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How Lasers Work

Lasers are light-based devices that target different cells to reduce or eliminate pigmentation, scars, redness, wrinkles, and textural abnormalities. Each wavelength used is unique to a specific problem. With most lasers, our office will numb the area to be treated with a topical numbing cream or use a sedative for heavier lasers. Once you notice a slight tingling sensation or coldness (that means the area is numb), your doctor will hold the handpiece against your skin. As the energy is emitted onto your skin, you may feel some discomfort or pain, signaling that the laser is working.

Non-Ablative VS. Ablative

Non-Ablative

Non-ablative lasers leave the outer layer of skin intact, but are still able to penetrate. There is no significant skin sloughing or extended downtime, although there may be discomfort after the procedure as the skin heals. Perfect for correcting minimal pigment, light non-ablative lasers are usually downtime-free since they don't break the skin. However, they need to be done more than once to get maximum results. Moderate non-ablative lasers correct minimal sun damage, acne scars, discoloration, wrinkles, and crepiness around the eyes with minimal downtime.

Ablative

Ablative lasers can be adjusted to increase or decrease the level of penetration. These lasers are amongst the most aggressive lasers available. The more ablative the laser is, the deeper it goes, resulting in a longer recovery ablative lasers can give dramatic results.

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Benefits of Using Lasers

Benefits of using lasers performed by Dr. Kimberly Lee include:

  • Getting a healthy glow. Your skin can be resurfaced at any age as long as your physician feels that you will benefit from it.
  • Fighting the effects of aging. The signs of aging on the skin can be managed and minimized with the right laser.
  • The universal approach. Lasers can be combined with other treatments like chemical peels, fillers and injectables, and surgery to achieve the best results.

Are Lasers Painful?

Lasers are not pain-free. The pain associated with a non-ablative laser is often compared to a three on a scale of one to ten; an ablative laser is said to be more like a seven. A topical anesthetic agent can help reduce discomfort.

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The Pros and Cons of Using Lasers

Pros

  • Doesn't damage the outer layer of skin
  • Is less invasive so the skin is not "open" afterward
  • Can target selected areas

Cons

  • Less invasive means it can take more time to see results
  • Need multiple treatments

Non-Invasive Treatments Offered at Kimberly Lee, M.D.

Fractional CO2 Laser

Uses small columns of fractionated energy to ablate areas of damage. Tiny wounds are created in the skin and the surrounding skin helps produce new collagen and elastin. The laser remodels the collagen, which is why it produces such drastic results. This treatment is best for eliminating lines, wrinkles, pigments, sun damage, deep acne, and traumatic scars.

During the procedure, you'll be given topical anesthesia so you won't feel the treatment. Your skin may be red and swollen. This starts immediately after and continues for three to seven days. It can take a few months to up to one year to see somewhat tighter skin that's brighter with fewer wrinkles.

Plan for 7 to 14 days to recover. The skin will start to feel dry during the first week. The skin is sensitive as it heals so use a mild cleanser, healing ointment, and zinc-based sunscreen.

Fractional Resurfacing

Fractional laser skin resurfacing leads to smoother skin by inciting collagen production. Only specific areas of skin are safely damaged creating thousands of minute columns, removing damaged surface cells, and penetrating down to the dermis. The surrounding skin is left intact.

You will not feel Much During the laser treatment besides some stinging or snapping due to the topical anesthesia used. Three to five treatments may be needed.

Skin will be red with some swelling for a few days. Once the skin is healed it will be smoother and more even.

Cryopen

A microfine burst of liquid CO2 freezes the water in the discolored skin cell, which forces the cell to expand over time and combust, making the spot disappear.

During Cryopen treatment, the spot or skin tag is quickly frozen for 5-8 seconds with minimal discomfort.

Most patients need a few treatments to get rid of a spot entirely. Full healing occurs within 7-30 days.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

During IPL treatment, a beam of high energy light is transmitted into the skin tissue where it is absorbed.

Results can last for a few years as long as you take care of your skin and avoid the sun. Skin may look red after treatment. Four to seven days after, the treated areas will darken, scab, and fall off.

Non-Ablative Fractional Resurfacing

Non-ablative fractional resurfacing works by damaging small columns of the skin so that it heals faster. During treatment, your skin will be numbed, so you shouldn't feel any pain.

After treatment, your skin may be pink or red and will feel rough for a few days afterward. My treatments are unique in that I combine them with a topical collagen stimulating agent to enhance your healing skin along with antioxidants and serums to minimize downtime. Treated areas need to be kept moist as the skin begins to flake off. After three to six treatments you'll notice softer skin.

Microneedling

SkinPen, the first and only FDA cleared Microneedling device, has tiny needles that make microscopic channels in the dermis, triggering the body's healing response to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin, plumping up the skin. Collagen is a protein that gives our skin its structure, working like a scaffold to hold skin cells together. Our collagen production helps combat signs of aging.

This procedure takes about 30 minutes, depending on the area(s) treated. Most patients report feeling only the slight vibration of SkinPen during the treatment.

During recovery, due to their non-invasive nature, Microneedling sessions usually require little downtime for patients.

Radio Frequency

Radio frequency treatment works by sending radio frequency energy to heat up deep layers of skin and increase collagen production while also tightening the surface of the skin. Each machine feels different, some get hotter than others, but overall there's minimal discomfort and some warmth; sometimes a series of treatments are needed to notice a change in the skin.

Recovery takes one to two weeks for swelling.

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Skin & Hair Fixes

PRP For Skin

PRP infuses skin with plasma and platelets to promote cellular regeneration and improve the appearance of aging skin by stimulating collagen production. Platelets can accelerate healing, and the plasma itself contains growth factors and cytokines (proteins that signal cell regeneration) PRP helps create an optimal environment for skin renewal and damage repair.

During treatment, platelet-rich plasma treatments have very minimal discomfort and can easily be added to other skincare treatments, such as Microneedling, for enhanced results.

PRP For Hair

PRP therapy for hair loss is a treatment that involves withdrawing a patient's own blood, processing it so that only the enriched cells (platelet-rich plasma) remain, and injecting it into the scalp. PRP contains essential proteins that stimulate natural hair growth.

During treatment, because your own platelets are used, there is little to no risk of side effects. PlateLet-rich pLasma treatments are performed with minimal discomfort. This can also be combined with exosomes to stimulate more hair growth with significantly more growth factors.


Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic massage can stimulate the lymphatic system, assist in the drainage of the stagnant cellular fluid, release toxins, and increase lymph flow. Through the elimination of toxins, the skin achieves balance, resulting in a cleaner complexion and improved skin tone and color. There is no discomfort or downtime.


CACI Wrinkle Comb

The Wrinkle Comb combines LED photo stimulation with high frequency electrical stimulation The system has the option to use the Red or Blue LED photostimulation or an alternating pulsed LED mode for treating acne. The Red LED light has a healing, biostimulatory action on the tissue. The Blue LED light has an antibacterial and calming effect on inflamed or irritated skin. The synergy of these technologies plumps and softens deep lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and stretch marks. There is no downtime.

CACI Microcurrent

Microcurrent stimulation delivers tiny impulses, causing a slight tingling sensation. The tiny impulses mirror the body's bioelectrical field.

There can be an energized or warm sensation on the skin but it is virtually painless. Due to its lifting and toning effect, the microcurrent treatment has become known as a "non-surgical facelift." Multiple treatments are necessary. There is no downtime.


CACI Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic peeling uses a handpiece with ceramic/quartz heads that vibrate on the skin surface at 27,000 vibrations per second. This pushes skin impurities to the surface, dislodges dead skin cells, and kills bacteria on the skin. The vibrating handpiece is then used to deep clean and gently exfoliate.

Ultrasonic skin peeling provides a far gentler and less aggressive method of skin exfoliation than traditional microdermabrasion. There is no downtime.

CACI Hydratone

A hydrating, electrically conductive silicon gel mask is combined with microcurrent rollers that gently massage the face, causing the mask to become electrically charged with rejuvenating energy, which works to tone and firm the facial muscles. The energy generated drives the hydrating actives in the mask deep into the skin, for dramatic softening that smooths lines and wrinkles.

The Hydratone procedure takes just 10 minutes to perform yet provides immediate and intensive skin hydration and face firming. There is no downtime.

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Meet Dr. Kimberly Lee

A graduate of the esteemed Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Kimberly J. Lee is a highly sought-after facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, as well as an accomplished ear, nose, and throat specialist.

About Dr. Lee

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