Even with the inclusion of countless creams and serums into your daily routine, the aging process affects everyone at some point in their lives. While most expect their first wrinkle to appear on their forehead or next to their eyes, many are surprised when the creases appear on their hands instead. Luckily, innovative options like Restylane Lyft are helping patients turn back the literal hands of time on their appearance.

Why Do Hands Wrinkle First?

Think about it – daily wear combined with the side effects of aging can gradually chip away at your hands’ skin health and appearance.  Combined with often subpar hand care and moisturization, your hands are truly exposed to the elements on a daily basis, leaving them susceptible to showing the signs of aging earlier than other parts of your body. As a result, patients may notice a change in the texture of their hands. These common signs of aging include thinning skin, wrinkles, and diminished collagen production, all of which cause the bones, tendons, and muscles of the hands to appear more prominent.

Lift with Restylane Lyft

Like other Restylane products, Lyft relies on hyaluronic acid in order to smooth wrinkles and add volume. The naturally-produced acid is considered the key to skin hydration, making skin appear healthy, full and well hydrated. While most dermal fillers rely on a more viscous formula of hyaluronic acid to add volume to lips and fine lines, Restylane Lyft is designed to be slightly thicker consistency. This more substantial formula uses heavier hyaluronic particles, allowing the injectable to provide long-lasting volume to larger areas, such as the cheeks and hands without discomfort during the procedure.

Why We Recommend Restylane

Choosing the right cosmetic treatment can be a challenge for many. Here’s why we love Lyft for hand rejuvenation:

Simple, Straight Forward Treatment

While self-improvement can certainly be an eye-opening and multi-faceted process, you shouldn’t have to go to extensive lengths just to rejuvenate your appearance. Hand rejuvenation with a dermal filler like Restylane Lyft takes the stress out of cosmetic treatment by providing results in just one session. Many of the patients who visit our Palm Springs often schedule Lyft appointments over their lunch break then head back to work right after.

Proven Success

Restylane Lyft is one of just a few dermal fillers approved by the FDA for use on the backs of hands. Before getting approved for this application, the injectable had been successfully used to smooth nasolabial folds and add volume to sunken cheeks – other common side effects of aging. Furthermore, the FDA study preceding approval found that Lyft provides patients with lasting volume for up to six months.

Diverse Candidacy

As with every other cosmetic procedure, there is a certain group for whom Restylane works best. Luckily, this procedure has a wide net and has been deemed appropriate for patients 22 and older. As the formula is derived from hyaluronic acid rather than a synthetic compound, Lyft is safe and tolerable for many individuals, including those with sensitivities.

Rejuvenate Your Hands and Refresh Your Appearance

At Aesthetic Art of Palm Springs, our goal is to provide patients with cosmetic solutions that improve their appearance and self-confidence. While the hands are easy to overlook during daily care routines, they can quickly impact your overall appearance when not cared for properly. To learn how Restylane Lyft can rejuvenate your hands, call Dr. Kato at (760)610-5558 to schedule your consultation.

 

 

A head full of beautiful, healthy hair can be a source of pride for many women. After years of beautiful, youthful hair, it can quickly be a source of shock and anxiety to wake up one morning with seemingly more hair on your pillow or in the shower drain than on your head. Female hair loss is a common, yet under-discussed, condition countless women face annually.  Luckily, new innovative treatments have made solutions for this condition readily available without the need for drastic surgical treatment.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Daily, people lose about 100 hairs a day and up to 250 on days where they’re heavily handling their hair (like days they are washing or blow drying). For patients with strong and healthy hair growth, these lost strands are usually replaced on a near daily basis, meaning that so long as your growth cycle is left alone, your hair will continue to grow. When the growth pattern is disrupted, hair growth can quickly come to a slowing halt while hair continues to fall out at the same rate as before.  This disparity is what causes the appearance of thinning hair, widening parts, and overall female pattern hair loss.

While baldness or hair loss may be traditionally associated with male pattern baldness, female hair loss is a very common condition. Thinning hair at the top of the head, newly appearing bald spots, broadening parts and sudden loosening of hair are all common signs of hair loss countless women face annually.

Like men, women face several risk factors that can disrupt the delicate hair growth cycle. While many may associate hair loss as a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy, more common factors like genetics, hormone fluctuations, stress, and even hair treatments or styles can be equally disruptive to the growth cycle. Furthermore, hair loss isn’t restricted to just the hair on your head – women facing hair loss may also notice their eyebrows, arm hair, and hair elsewhere on the body becoming sparse with age.

Restoring Your Luscious Locks

Today’s hair restoration technology has come a long way from hair plugs and topical hair growth treatments. In recent years, platelet-rich plasma has become a popular option for men and women looking to add volume to sparse hair.

Platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, is an innovative treatment in which serum derived from each patient’s blood is used to kickstart the healing process. Originally developed to help with muscle and tendon regrowth as well as injury recovery, recent decades have seen the procedure’s use expand to cosmetic procedures. At Aesthetic Art, PRP has been successfully integrated into facial treatments as an effective, non-surgical skin rejuvenation option that is completely natural.

In the case of hair restoration, regrowth with PRP follows a very similar concept. During the procedure, blood is taken and refined into a hyper-concentrated serum. The solution is then injected into the scalp to stimulate inactive hair follicles responsible for slowing hair growth or development. By targeting the follicles instead of just adding additional plugs or extensions, PRP hair restoration helps encourage natural hair growth and development.

Keep Your Skin Beautiful with Dr. Kato

If you’re tired of pulling out clumps of hair every time you wash or comb your hair, it’s time to explore your long-term treatment options. In Palm Springs, Dr. Kato and her team are here to help you find the perfect hair restoration solution. Call 760-610-5558 today to schedule your consultation and discover how PRP hair injections can help you regain a beautiful head of hair!

 

Sunny Southern California is known for beautiful weather year-round. While other states struggle with humidity and snow, we’re pretty lucky in that nearly every day is a balmy 75. However, the constant sun and dry heat can take a toll on our skin’s wellbeing and even accelerate the aging process.

If you live in the desert, try these tips for keeping your skin smooth, supple, and protected all year long.

Moisturizer is Your Best Friend

While the dry heat can be a welcome change for snowbirds from wet, snowy climates, those of us who live here year-round know how drying the Palm Springs weather can be on your skin daily. Without proper care, skin can quickly turn flaky or crack, making you look older than you are. Investing in a high-quality skin cleanser and lightweight daily moisturizer can help keep your skin hydrated and supple even on the hottest summer days.

Keeping your body well hydrated is another important step in desert skincare. If you want to enjoy beautiful, healthy skin, be sure to drink plenty of water during the day as well as limiting alcohol intake to the weekends or special nights out.

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Did you know that Palm Springs boasts nearly 350 days of sunshine year-round? While a day spent tanning and reading by the pool is one of the top relaxing activities for visitors and residents alike, this leisurely activity can also take a toll on your skin if you don’t take the right steps to protect yourself. Regular sun exposure can accelerate the aging process by slowly destroying important elastin – the protein that keeps skin looking smooth. Over the years, this can cause fine lines and wrinkles, leading to the appearance of premature aging. Furthermore, sun exposure can increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer such as melanoma or basal cell carcinoma.

Rather than risking serious damage to your skin and health, we strongly recommend that all our patients wear SPF every day, even the occasional cloudy one. Even if you’ve never burned, a good quality broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher can help protect your skin from fine lines, burns and reduce the risk of skin cancer. In addition to sunscreen, packing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses can help keep your skin protected.

Smooth Away Dead Skin Cells with Exfoliation

What do dust, oil, and sun exposure all have in common? Each of these environmental factors can accumulate on your skin, increasing acne development and premature aging. In drier, hot climates, the skin can over-produce oils that can clog up pores and create unsightly blemishes across an otherwise clear face. Likewise, dust and dried or dead skin cells can cling to your skin throughout long days, keeping your face from looking clear.

Regularly booking professional deep exfoliation treatments like microdermabrasion and chemical peels can help kickstart your skin’s natural healing process, remove dead skin cells and blemishes, and reveal healthy skin. Likewise, adding a daily or weekly exfoliation treatment to your at-home skincare routine can help keep these environmental stressors from accumulating.

Keep Your Skin Beautiful with Dr. Kato

Whether you’re visiting the desert for the first time or are a desert dweller like the rest of us, our team is here to help you keep your skin clear and ageless. In addition to consultations for creating your perfectly personalized skin care regimen, our Palm Springs dermatologist Dr. Kato can help you build a long-term treatment strategy that helps keep your skin looking younger for longer. To learn more about your options, call our team at (760) 610-5558 to schedule your next visit.

 

A thread lift is a facial rejuvenation procedure that is similar to the facelift, but it is less invasive and requires less downtime. The procedure lifts and secures sagging skin using absorbable sutures called Nova Threads. Read our infographic below to find out why you should choose a thread lift.

If you’re interested in a thread lift, contact us today.

Over the last few decades, Botox popularity has skyrocketed, becoming one of the top non-surgical cosmetic procedures for men and women as well as an innovative solution for a number of physical health problems. However, frequent use can leave some long-time patients with Botox immunity, the plateau at which their muscles are no longer as responsive as they once were. Learn more about this increasingly common condition as well as some of Dr. Kato’s recommended alternatives for keeping a smooth appearance even after your last treatment.

What is Botox Immunity?

As most patients know, Botox is a highly refined version of the Botulinum toxin, a form of neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When injected into fine creases and wrinkles, this toxin freezes the muscle in place, keeping it from moving for several months at a time and thereby preventing these lines from deepening and more from developing. As the body begins to process the toxin, the paralysis fades unless retreated.

For patients with Botox immunity, the injection gradually loses its potency over time, leaving patients with results that are less effective for shorter periods of time. Once individuals reach this plateau, most are required to get larger doses of the injection each session, look for an alternative, or stop cosmetic treatment altogether.

New research has suggested that there are several potential causes of Botox immunity. For starters, new studies have shown that true immunity develops when continuous injections lead to the natural development of Botox-resistant antibodies. For these individuals, repeat treatment sessions allow the body to slowly build up a tolerance to the toxin to the point where they no longer achieve the same results as they used to.

Not all cases of Botox immunity are the result of true resistance. In some instances, the amount used, injection depth and even age of the Botox material can all prevent the treatment from being as effective as possible. In these instances, choosing a highly experienced practitioner with access to high quality Botox is especially important when making the decision to receive cosmetic procedures.

Solving Botox Immunity

While the idea of Botox immunity can be overwhelming, true Botox immunity is extremely rare, occurring in about 1-3% of patients. As with anything else, moderation and accurate application by a specialized cosmetic surgeon or specialist are the best preventive steps for avoiding true Botox immunity. A trained specialist will know exactly how much to administer, where to administer the injection, and when to recommend touch-ups as well as the frequency of follow-ups. This personalized treatment development will help ensure that your results remain effective after each visit.

Although Botox immunity is rare, there will always be a small percentage of patients facing resistance. For these individuals, there are non-surgical solutions that can help you achieve similar results without having to resort to surgery. One such solution is Dysport, another botulinum-based injectable that uses smaller molecules of the toxin than Botox. This change in the molecular structure of Dysport allows it to bypass any antibodies that may have developed in response to the Botox while still providing the same results. While traditional Botox lasts a touch longer than Dysport, the two options provide incredibly similar results and are FDA-approved for traditional cosmetic needs as well as some physical health problems.

Start Your Botox Treatment Journey at Aesthetic Art Today

Whether used to keep wrinkles at bay or address temporomandibular joint disorder, Botox has proven itself to be a highly effective solution for diverse cosmetic and health issues. Enjoy the full potential results of this treatment and avoid immunity by scheduling treatment with an experienced cosmetic specialist like Dr. Kato. At her Palm Springs practice, the entire Aesthetic Art team is committed to helping all patients make the most of their treatment by creating personalized treatment strategies for all individuals. To learn more about Botox and Dysport treatment, call 760-610-5558 to schedule your treatment consultation.

 

When it comes to some cosmetic treatments, the sooner you have them performed, the better. This is especially true for procedures that offer gradual results and may take some time to realize such as Kybella. Kybella is perfect for patients who struggle with a persistent double chin. Luckily, Kybella can help these patients reduce their double chins gradually and discreetly. Electing to have your Kybella treatment started this season, can ensure an improved neck contour in 2019. Why not start on making next year your best one yet?

Why Double Chins are So Persistent

Also described as submental fullness, double chins are the excess fat that develops right below the lower jawline. While the cosmetic condition is commonly associated with age and weight gain, submental fat accumulates on patients even in their 20s or 30s. Furthermore, factors like genetic predisposition, skin laxity and posture can all worsen the appearance of double chins.

Compared to other accumulations of fat cells, double chins cannot easily be targeted with diet and exercise. Traditional treatments for removing excess tissue include the facelift, necklift, and submental liposuction. While these are popular permanent options, the surgery requirement often makes these options less attractive to patients who are not eligible for surgery or prefer not to undergo the knife. For these patients, surgery-free options like Kybella are an excellent and effective alternative.

Kybella: Add Definition without Surgical Intervention

Kybella is an FDA-approved prescription medication designed specifically to target submental fullness and add definition to the jawline. Much like traditional surgery, this innovative injectable permanently eliminates the fat cells accumulated below the jawline, creating long-lasting results. Unlike surgery that physically removes cells, Kybella uses deoxycholic acid, a compound similar to a fat burning substance naturally produced by the body. When introduced via injection to the double chin, this active ingredient destroys the excess fat cells. Over the course of several injections, more and more cells are destroyed and naturally removed from the body through the lymphatic system.

Why We Recommend Kybella

The non-surgical nature of this solution offers several important benefits to patients. For starters, while Kybella treatment is completed over the course of several injections, each treatment session is completed in quick 15-minute visits. As the medication is administered using an ultra-fine hypodermic needle, there is minimal discomfort during and after each session. Most patients are able to come in for treatment during their lunch breaks, making it a simple and discreet solution that fits every hectic schedule.

Discretion is another important benefit many of our patients appreciate. As these injections use a natural-based compound to destroy fat cells, the results are gradually noticeable. Combined with the negligible downtime, Kybella is an excellent option for patients who want to improve their appearance without looking like they’ve undergone treatment.

Among its many benefits, Kybella offers the distinct advantage of providing patients with surgical-like results without having to go through with traditional plastic surgery. While the overall treatment time is slightly longer due to the several treatment sessions, once Kybella injections are completed and the unwanted fat cells are permanently eliminated, patients don’t need to worry about their double chin ever returning. For patients young and old, this is a critical advantage.

Don’t Spend the Holidays Hiding – Schedule Your Kybella Consultation Today!

At Aesthetic Art, our team is dedicated to helping you feel comfortable and confident in your appearance. If your double chin is keeping you from feeling your best, call Dr. Kato to schedule your consultation. During your visit, our team will conduct an in-depth evaluation and determine if Kybella injections are the best way of helping you regain facial definition. Call 760-610-5558 and get started today!

 

Cosmetic procedures are growing in popularity amongst male patients in the U.S. There are many non-surgical treatments that can help men address a variety of cosmetic concerns, including hair loss as well as fine lines and wrinkles. Read our infographic below to find out more.

If you’re interested in male non-surgical treatments, contact us today.

Not all wrinkles are the same. While some are the result of repeated motions like smiling or laughing, others are caused by changes to collagen production and lost skin elastin. Knowing the difference between facial wrinkles and their causes can help you get the right care at the right time, helping put the aging process on pause.

What makes Different Wrinkle Types Different?

Different causes call for different solutions. While certain creases can be treated effectively be one cosmetic treatment, that isn’t to say that another type of facial wrinkle treated with the same dermal filler or injectable would be reduced as effectively. As a result, identifying the type of facial wrinkle you’ve developed as well as how to pick up on the early signs of aging can drastically change the effectiveness of any future treatments.

Static, Dynamic, and Wrinkle Folds

Based on the different possible causes, wrinkles have been traditionally categorized as static or dynamic.

Static Wrinkles: Environmental Impacts on the Skin

Do your wrinkles appear even when completely relaxed? Chances are you have static wrinkles. Static wrinkles can be thought of as the result of environmental effects, such as sun damage, poor diet, and smoking as well as genes. These factors impact the skin’s collagen production, causing areas to become deficient and lose their elasticity. Combined with the natural slowing of collagen production as patients age, increased exposure to damaging UV rays or smoking can ultimately cause patients to lose skin elasticity and experience sagging skin.

When it comes to treating static wrinkles, a dermal filler is your best bet for restoring supple, natural-looking volume to your face without surgery. Options like Juvederm Voluma and Restylane are each designed to help restore missing volume and treat sagging skin in different parts of the face. These non-surgical cosmetic solutions are developed using hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring compound that helps skin retain much-needed moisture as well as temporarily stimulate collagen production.

Dynamic Changes Call for Dynamic Solutions

In contrast, dynamic wrinkles develop in response to repeated muscle contractions. Crow’s feet, smile lines, forehead wrinkles and lines between the eyebrows are common types of wrinkles that fall within this category. One distinct difference between dynamic and static wrinkles is that dynamic wrinkles only appear following muscle contracture. For example, if you smile and small lines appear next to your eyes and remain in place for several moments after your smile, chances you have dynamic wrinkles.

If left untreated, dynamic wrinkles can become permanent facial features by deepening into deeper static wrinkles. As a result, treating the underlying muscle early is an important step in putting the aging process on hold. At Aesthetic Art of Palm Springs, Dr. Kato has found that patients showing signs of dynamic wrinkles enjoy the best results with Botox treatment. When strategically injected, Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscle, preventing it from future contractions and ultimately keeping existing wrinkles from further creasing. Preventive injections are especially helpful in helping soften the development of new lines without restricting facial movements.

Considering Wrinkle Treatment? Visit Dr. Kato Today

Whether you’ve just noticed your first rhytid or are looking to correct long-standing creases, Aesthetic Art offers the customized care you deserve.  Starting with your first consultation, our experienced Palm Springs cosmetic specialist is dedicated to ensuring you understand your face’s unique needs and have access to the highest quality care available. Learn more about available wrinkle treatment options by calling (760) 610-5558 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kato today!

 

Familiar with anti-aging products or skincare treatments as a whole? Chances are you’ve come across collagen as wither a product or the tagline of a product. However, what exactly is collagen and what role does it play in determining your facial appearance?

Collagen is a naturally-produced protein found in the skin and connective tissue. Hair, bones, muscles, ligaments, and skin rely on collagen and the amino acids that make up collagen for their health and structural support. In terms of skin, collagen keeps skin supple and taut by providing important elasticity and density.

As we age, collagen production gradually slows. The skin begins to lose volume across the face, including the lips and cheeks. In combination with the skin’s exposure to the environment and genes, slowing collagen development can quickly lead to the development of fine lines and eventually wrinkles across the face. Furthermore, lost collagen or limited collagen production can negatively impact the tautness of skin. It doesn’t take long for the aging process to begin diminishing the skin’s elasticity, causing facial sagging and increasing the fragility of skin.

Kickstarting Collagen Production with Sculptra

With these consequences in mind, replacing lost collagen is an important step in halting the effects of aging on your appearance. Over recent years, a number of dermal filler products have hit the market. Many of these options are highly effective in restoring volume to areas where collagen production has visibly slowed. However, these solutions tend to be temporary and require multiple touch-ups in order for patients to stay on top of the aging process.

For individuals looking for a more permanent answer to aging, Dr. Kato may recommend Sculptra, a non-surgical cosmetic solution designed to kick slowing collagen generation back into high gear. The secret behind this treatment option is poly-l-lactic acid, a biocompatible compound commonly used in medical devices to stimulate healing around pins, screw, and implants. When used as a cosmetic enhancement, this key ingredient helps stimulate the receptors responsible for generating more collagen. This helps rebuild the underlying collagen structure, allowing additional protein to develop in the targeted area. Thanks to the precise application of the compound, cosmetic specialists like Dr. Kato can uniquely address deficient areas without over-treating the face.

Precise, pinpoint application makes Sculptra ideal for a broad range of patients. Whether you’re just noticing the development of fine lines or have lived with skin laxity problems for years, the targeted injection makes it possible for all patients to restore their former youthfulness. Perhaps most importantly, the treatment continues to work long after the injections are over. By re-engaging key collagen production, patients enjoy up their results for up to two years.

Ready, Set, Transform at Aesthetic Arts

With Sculptra treatment, keeping your skin voluminous is simple. To learn more about this innovation in anti-aging technology, contact Dr. Kato and schedule your cosmetic consultation today!

Short for polydioxanone, PDO has grown in popularity with the rise of Nova Threads non-surgical facelifts. Whereas traditional facelifts have required surgery to successfully tighten sagging skin, this new option allows patients to avoid the preparation, downtime, and recovery associated with surgery.

The use of PDO threads contributes substantially to the success of this treatment. Just like surgical sutures, PDO threads can be safely inserted into the skin and are absorbed by the body during the healing process. Rather than being used to seal surgical incisions, this medical suture is used as a means of creating tiny injuries in the skin in areas that have seen the effects of aging. As the injuries heal, the body produces collagen to help heal the treatment site, by which the area looks fuller and smoother.

Part of the advantages of Nova Thread or PDO thread therapy is the versatility of the treatment. Depending on a patient’s problem areas, different threads can be used to achieve distinct goals. In particular, barbed threads and smooth threads offer unique advantages to different patients.

Barbed Threads: Convenience of a Facelift without Surgery

While the idea of barbed anything near your face can sound less than appealing, barbed PDO threads pull their weight (quite literally). The unique nature of these sutures allows the thread to latch into tissues during implantation. This results in a smoother physical lift, allowing the thread to efficiently pull loose, sagging skin that can accumulate in the lower parts of the face such as the jawline and eyebrows. As a result, many patients who choose this type of PDO thread enjoy results like that of a facelift without the complications of undergoing surgery.

Another key advantage of barbed PDO threads? The prongs on the threads help in stimulating natural collagen production and tighten skin, providing a natural looking facial enhancement. As the threads are made of polydioxanone, they eventually dissolve and leave results that last up to two years.

Smoother, Plumper Lips with Smooth Threads

Not all PDO threads are alike. While some patients may need the significant support offered by barbed threads, other individuals are simply looking for a lasting way to improve their skin below the surface. Stimulating natural collagen regeneration is a particularly effective means of bringing back youthful, smooth facial appearance without running the risk of looking over-treated. While kickstarting this important process can be done with dermal fillers, these solutions require retreatment throughout the year. For these individuals, smooth PDO threads offer a long-term answer.

Much like their barbed counterparts, smooth PDO threads are renowned for their ability to stimulate elastic collagen synthesis. In the months following insertion, the body starts to repair and heal the tissue surrounding the absorbable threads. This process is what triggers the production of new collage and elastin in the treatment areas. As smooth PDO threads do not have barbs to pull back skin, they are ideal for stimulating the production process in areas that have deflated or creased over time such as the lips or cheeks.

Ask the Experts at Aesthetic Art in Palm Springs

Whether you’re still exploring your treatment solutions or are committed to Nova Thread cosmetic therapy, Palm Springs cosmetic specialist Dr. Kato is here to help you find the best solution for your needs. Ready to say goodbye to sagging skin and deflated lips? Contact Aesthetic Art in Palm Springs today and schedule your consultation.