General Dermatology Questions
What does a board-certified dermatologist do?
A board-certified dermatologist is a physician who has completed medical school, dermatology residency training, and passed rigorous national board examinations. Board certification ensures expertise in diagnosing and treating medical, surgical, and cosmetic skin conditions.
Why should I see a board-certified dermatologist instead of a medical spa?
A board-certified dermatologist has advanced medical training and can safely diagnose complex skin conditions, customize treatments, and manage complications. This is especially important for skin of color, acne scarring, injectables, and chemical peels.
Do you treat patients of all skin tones and ethnic backgrounds?
Yes. I specialize in ethnic skin and skin of color, with extensive experience treating Fitzpatrick skin types I–VI, including darker skin tones that are more prone to hyperpigmentation, melasma, and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
What languages do you speak?
I speak three different languages, English, Spanish, Farsy, allowing me to communicate clearly with a perse patient population and provide culturally sensitive care.
Acne Questions
What causes acne in adults?
Adult acne can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, genetics, stress, diet, skincare products, inflammation, and certain medications. Acne in adults often presents differently than teenage acne and requires a customized treatment approach.
Can acne be treated permanently?
Acne can be effectively controlled and often cleared with the right treatment plan. While there is no universal permanent cure, long-term remission is achievable with proper medical management and maintenance.
What is the best treatment for hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne may be treated with oral medications, topical prescriptions, hormonal regulation therapies, and customized skincare. Treatment is inpidualized based on gender, medical history, and skin type.
Do you treat acne in skin of color?
Yes. Treating acne in skin of color requires specialized expertise to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring. I focus on gentle, effective treatments that minimize irritation while improving clarity and tone.
Hyperpigmentation & Melasma
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin causes dark spots or patches on the skin. Common types include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, and sun-induced pigmentation.
Is hyperpigmentation more common in darker skin tones?
Yes. Patients with skin of color are more prone to hyperpigmentation due to increased melanin activity. Specialized treatment is essential to avoid worsening discoloration.
How is melasma treated?
Melasma is treated with a combination of topical medications, sun protection, chemical peels, and sometimes oral therapies. Consistency and maintenance are key to long-term improvement.
Can hyperpigmentation be completely removed?
Many cases can be significantly improved or cleared, but results depend on the cause, depth of pigmentation, and patient compliance with sun protection and skincare.
Acne Scarring
What types of acne scars do you treat?
I treat all major types of acne scars, including ice pick scars, boxcar scars, rolling scars, and hyperpigmented scars.
What is the best treatment for acne scars?
The best treatment depends on scar type, depth, and skin tone. Options may include chemical peels, injectables, resurfacing treatments, and combination therapy for optimal results.
Can acne scars be treated in darker skin tones safely?
Yes, when performed by an expert in skin of color. Treatments are carefully selected to minimize the risk of pigmentation changes and scarring.
How many sessions are needed to see results?
Most patients require multiple sessions, depending on scar severity and treatment type. Improvement is gradual and long-lasting.
Cosmetic Injectables (Fillers & Neurotoxins)
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments used to restore volume, enhance facial contours, and soften wrinkles using hyaluronic acid or other biocompatible materials.
What areas can be treated with fillers?
Common areas include the cheeks, lips, jawline, chin, nasolabial folds, under-eyes, and temples.
What are neurotoxins (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)?
Neurotoxins relax targeted facial muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles such as forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
Will my face look natural after fillers and Botox?
Yes. My approach focuses on natural facial rejuvenation and facial optimization, enhancing your features without making you look overdone.
How long do fillers and neurotoxins last?
Neurotoxins typically last 3–4 months. Fillers can last anywhere from 6 months to over a year depending on the product and area treated.
Chemical Peels & Facials
What is a chemical peel?
A chemical peel is a medical-grade treatment that exfoliates the skin to improve acne, pigmentation, texture, and fine lines.
Are chemical peels safe for skin of color?
Yes, when performed by an experienced dermatologist. I specialize in safe chemical peels for ethnic skin, minimizing the risk of hyperpigmentation.
What skin concerns do facials address?
Medical facials can help with acne, clogged pores, dullness, uneven tone, and overall skin health.
Is there downtime after a chemical peel?
Downtime varies depending on peel strength. Some peels have minimal downtime, while others may require a few days of peeling and recovery.
Practice & Location Questions
Where is your dermatology practice located?
My practice is located in Beverly Hills, California, serving patients from Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Do you offer customized treatment plans?
Yes. Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan based on skin type, concerns, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.
Do you treat both medical and cosmetic dermatology patients?
Yes. I offer comprehensive medical, cosmetic, and aesthetic dermatology services under physician-led care.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Consultations can be scheduled through the website or by contacting the office directly.
Results & Safety
When will I see results from treatment?
Results vary depending on the treatment. Some procedures show immediate improvement, while others improve gradually over weeks to months.
Are treatments safe?
All treatments are performed with patient safety as the top priority, using evidence-based techniques and FDA-approved products.
What makes your dermatology practice unique?
My practice combines medical expertise, aesthetic precision, and deep experience with skin of color, delivering natural, safe, and effective results.
Perimenopause & Menopause Treatment FAQs (Including HRT)
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause when hormone levels—especially estrogen and progesterone—begin to fluctuate. It can start in a woman’s late 30s or 40s and may last several years.
What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period and marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Hormonal changes during menopause can significantly affect the skin, hair, weight, mood, and overall health.
How do perimenopause and menopause affect the skin?
Hormonal decline can lead to acne flares, dryness, thinning skin, increased wrinkles, loss of elasticity, hyperpigmentation, hair thinning, and slower wound healing. These changes are especially noticeable in the face and neck.
Can a dermatologist help with perimenopause and menopause symptoms?
Yes. As a physician with specialized training and certification, I address hormonal skin changes and systemic symptoms using a comprehensive medical approach, including skincare, procedures, and hormone optimization when appropriate.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves replacing hormones—such as estrogen and progesterone—that decline during perimenopause and menopause to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Do you offer HRT in your practice?
Yes. I am certified to provide Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and offer personalized hormone treatment plans for eligible patients.
What symptoms can HRT help with?
HRT may help improve hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, brain fog, mood changes, low energy, vaginal dryness, skin aging, hair thinning, and hormonal acne.
Can HRT improve skin aging?
Yes. Estrogen plays a critical role in collagen production, hydration, and skin thickness. Appropriate HRT may help improve skin elasticity, texture, dryness, and overall skin quality when part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Is HRT safe?
HRT can be safe and effective when prescribed appropriately after a thorough medical evaluation. Treatment is inpidualized based on personal history, risk factors, and current guidelines.
Do you offer bioidentical hormone therapy?
Treatment options are discussed on an inpidual basis. If appropriate, bioidentical or FDA-approved hormone therapies may be considered depending on patient needs and medical history.
Can HRT help with adult or menopausal acne?
Yes. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can trigger acne. Hormone optimization may play a role in improving acne when combined with medical dermatologic treatment.
Who is a good candidate for HRT?
Candidates are determined through a detailed consultation, medical history review, and appropriate laboratory testing when indicated.
Can I receive HRT and cosmetic dermatology treatments together?
Yes. Many patients benefit from a combined inside-out approach, pairing hormone optimization with injectables, skin treatments, and medical-grade skincare for optimal results.
How do I know if my symptoms are hormonal?
Symptoms such as irregular cycles, hot flashes, sleep issues, sudden skin changes, adult acne, and hair thinning may suggest hormonal imbalance. A consultation can help determine the underlying cause.