Dr. Michael Tomcik

CO2 RESURFACING

March 11, 2020 by Dr. Michael Tomcik Leave a Comment

The GOLD STANDARD of Skin Rejuvenation “PLUS”

The “gold standard” of skin rejuvenation for years has always been CO2 Laser Resurfacing. When Micro-Fractional CO2 Laser is combined with Erbium Laser during the same treatment there is a decrease in sun damaged pigment spots, a tightening and smoothing of the skin, a decrease in acne and/or chicken pox scars, and a creation of new collagen as well as tightening of existing collagen for a rejuvenation that can last up to 10-15 years. This combination of lasers also reduces pre-cancerous lesions therefore decreasing the possibility of getting skin cancer. All in ONE TREATMENT!

It has become very confusing for the consumer to sort through the long list of much less effective lasers. Micro-Fractional CO2 PLUS Erbium patients should be able to see significant tightening on the face in as little as ten days. This is the first effective treatment for additional areas of the body, such as neck, chest, arms, and hands. These areas cannot tolerate the same energy as used on the face, so tightening may not be as dramatic but decreased pigmentation and smoothing is just as effective. While Micro-fractional CO2 Laser is safe and effective for the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, and back, the Plus Erbium is recommended only on the face to smooth out deeper acne scarring and wrinkling around lips and eyes.

Micro-Fractional CO2 PLUS Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing is the right choice for people who want healthy, younger looking skin in one treatment. Most patients return to work in about 7-10 days, sometimes with minimal cover-up. It is very important to have a customized skin care regimen which includes a blend of products and procedures. The first and most important product is a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30-50, containing zinc Oxide or Titanium dioxide. This must be worn 365 days a year! Besides customized skin care products, treatments like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Broad Band Light (BBL) are perfect for excessive redness and pigmentation problems. Microdermabrasion (Diamond Peels) provides exfoliation to the skin that give you a healthy glow and vibrant complexion. This procedure is safe and effective for the face and also neck, chest, arms, hands, and back.

As with everything—Experience counts! We have been doing this procedure since 1991. Ask to see photos of actual patients. Make an appointment today to discuss the possibilities of younger, healthier-looking skin. Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center. 101 Park Place, Suite 101, San Ramon, California. 925-743-1488 visit our website at SanRamonDerm.com

Beware Unprotected Skin!

February 5, 2020 by Dr. Michael Tomcik Leave a Comment

We have all heard the warnings about “unprotected sex.” I am warning about unprotected sun exposure. Witness the damage done by the sun to our drapes, carpets, newsprint, and car finishes. Just imagine what this means to something as delicate as your skin!

As a living organ, the skin is constantly regenerating and healing the damage and injury we cause. However, after years of repeated assault, the healing and rejuvenation mechanisms start to wear down and the skin no longer possesses the elastic glow of our younger days. If you put your finger on a globe and move straight across from California to Europe, where do you think you would land? In Northern Africa! Because of this relationship to the equator, daily use of a SPF 40- 50 sunscreen is required to prevent the epidemic sun damage. Even higher SPFs are necessary at higher elevations such as mountain resorts or locations closer to the equator, such as Mexico, Hawaii, or even Southern California. Elements such as snow and water reflection increase the sun’s intensity and increase the need for a higher SPF. To understand the amount of protection offered by the SPF, the formula is:

60 minutes / SPF # = Number of unprotested minutes each hour

Thus, 60 minutes divided by # 30 SPF equals 2 unprotected minutes each hour. In an eight hour day of intense exposure, that is still enough radiation to give fair skin people color and even damage the skin. Cloudy days will not protect you either. Clouds are not able to hold back the burning rays of the sun, even though they feel cooler. From where I sit, seeing two to three patients with new skin cancers every week, it is easy to be motivated to use a 40-50 SFP daily.

Put the sunscreen by your toothbrush and use it every day, rain or shine. The habit is important. Also needed is adequate absorption time. Sunscreens need to be applied at least 20-30 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen applied while you are already in the sun will not start working immediately. Therefore, you are at risk for those 20-30 minutes. Be safe. Make it a daily habit to apply sunscreen after your morning shower and be ready for whatever the day brings—rain or shine!

Chronic sun exposure, including suntanning and sunburns, contribute to skin cancer, precancerous skin lesions, premature skin aging, wrinkling, brown spots, and cataracts of the eyes. Sunburn has been linked to the subsequent development of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Here are some suggestions to minimize damage from the sun.

Use a water-resistant sunscreen when you swim or expect to be sweating and reapply every 2 hours.
If you become irritated or are allergic to sunscreen chemicals, you might try using sunscreens which are labeled chemical -free, sensitive skin, or for babies. Plain white zinc oxide ointment is excellent but messy.
If you have dry skin, use a cream-based sunscreen.
If you have oily and/or acne-prone skin, use an oil free, gel-based or non-comedogenic sunscreen.
Do not forget to protect your lips with either a lip balm containing sunblock and/or lipstick.
Try to avoid the sun between 10 AM and 2 PM when the Sun’s rays are the strongest.
Stay in the shade whenever possible and keep infants under six months out of the sun.
Wear protective clothing: long-sleeved shirt, pants, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses which block UV light. There are is also specialty-woven UV rated clothing available.
Tanning with a sunlamp IS NOT SAFER than sunlight. There is no such thing as a healthy tan. A tan is a sign of injury—the skin’s response to an overdose of ultraviolet radiation.

Michael J. Tomcik, MD is a Board Certified Dermatologist at Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center in San Ramon (925) 743-1488

Lookin’ Good Vibrations

December 31, 2019 by Dr. Michael Tomcik Leave a Comment

I have been a Board-Certified Dermatologist for over 40 years and I have observed that there are many wonderful procedures and treatments that improve the look and health of your skin, hair and nails. However, the number one secret to beautiful skin is connected to your “thinking.” The world is vibrational—protons, neutrons, energy waves—everything around us in motion, and nothing moves around more than our thinking.

When we have a disease or any illness, it certainly affects our thinking. The big question is: does disease cause stinkin’ thinkin’ or does stinkin’ thinkin’ cause disease. No matter which comes first, the idea is to stop the negative thinking to help improve conditions.

There are five simple principles that can improve your overall health and well being leading to glowing skin.

Principle #1: Be Grateful

Start where you are right now. Focus on the good stuff in your life and the world in general. There has to be something—even a stopped clock is right twice a day! When we stop to pay attention to all that we have to be grateful for, we find so much. Gratitude creates success and fulfillment in our lives. Being grateful for all that we have leads us to attract and create more things to be grateful for.

Principle #2: Choose Positive Thoughts & Feelings

Our thoughts and feelings are incredibly powerful. Both what we think and how we feel have the ability to attract positive and negative things into our lives. When we are able to acknowledge and express our thoughts and feelings appropriately, we can consciously choose the positive ones we want. By focusing our thoughts and feelings in a positive direction, we’re able to create a life of appreciation, success and fulfillment.

Principle #3: Use Positive Words

The words we use towards others and about ourselves have great impact. Our words have the power to create, not just to describe. Understanding the power of our words and using them in a positive way are both essential aspects of appreciation, acknowledgement, and good health.

Principle #4: Acknowledge Others

Expressing our appreciation and gratitude for others through acknowledgment is one of the most loving and empowering things we can do for those around us. Acknowledgment, both reactive and proactive, is the best way to connect with people, let them know how much they mean to us, and motivate them in a genuine way. AND it feels good!

Principle #5: Appreciate Yourself

Self-appreciation is self-love. Self-love is the most important gift we can give ourselves. If we truly love ourselves, nothing much else matters. You cannot give what you do not have inside you to give. When we appreciate ourselves, we make it possible to honestly appreciate others and life in general. Self-appreciation is the foundation of all appreciation.

In the spirit of self-appreciation, take time today to make an appointment to have that original birthday suit of yours checked out and cared for. At Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center, we take care of your skin and the shape that it’s in. We provide Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology in a spa-like environment with a positive and professional team to help you look and feel your best. For more information about all our services or to schedule a consultation, call me: Michael J. Tomcik, MD at Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center 925-743-1488.

Secrets Your Dermatologist Knows

November 13, 2019 by Dr. Michael Tomcik Leave a Comment

Your skin—almost 20 square feet—is the window into your body. The skin is the largest most visible organ of the body and reflects the status of your overall health. It is the first line of defense against disease, infection, and other environmental factors. It helps control body temperature, reflects your health, and plays a vital role in your appearance.

Diagnosing and managing conditions of the skin, hair, and nails is the lifelong passion of a Dermatologist who knows that when something’s going wrong on the inside, the first place it often shows up is on the outside. If you are overworked, run down, fatigued, and your skin is pale and dry, you could have any number of health conditions that your dermatologist can often spot before your family doctor.

So, if you have an itch, a rash, or something weird going on with your skin, it could be your body’s way of telling you to take a closer look. Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. But a skin condition that’s severe or just does not go away with home treatment is a signal to check with an expert.

Here are some health secrets that your skin cannot hide from your dermatologist.

Secret #1: An Overall Itch Can Signal Internal Trouble

Among the causes of severe itching are anemia, liver or kidney problems, drug reactions and allergies, or even internal cancer. Such problems affect everyone from newborns to great-great-grandparents, and being healthy is fundamental regardless of your age. Itching can be treated but it is also important to look further and address diet, exercise, overdue mammogram or colonoscopy, blood pressure, and other imbalances in health and wellness.

Secret #2: Hair Loss in Women

Dermatologists treat problems with one’s hair and nails too. One frequent complaint: Hair loss that continues for months or even years. It’s almost an epidemic among women. In postmenopausal women, it often turns out that their ratio of androgens (often referred to a “male” hormone, even though they’re present and play a role in both men and women) to estrogens (“female” hormones) increases. And when higher levels of androgens are circulating in women, hair loss is a common, early symptom.

The good news, this type of hair loss is often temporary. You may not regain your hair’s full volume, but there are many simple cosmetic ways and products to make the hair look thicker. And for more serious loss, dermatologists also recommend topical solution minoxidil 5% and a newer technique called platelet-rich-plasma therapy (PRP).

PRP requires a small amount of your blood and a machine then separates the red blood cells and plasma. This platelet-rich -plasma (PRP) is then injected into the scalp to encourage growth of the hair follicles. The procedure takes just about 30 minutes and uses your own growth cells to stimulate the production of new hair without the worry of allergic reaction. You will return for repeated injection based on your particular needs and response.

Unfortunately, in some cases, other health conditions might be at play. The American Academy of Dermatology counts some 30 diseases that can cause hair loss, including thyroid disease and anemia. The first thing we do is test your blood to check hormone and thyroid levels and we may also check for levels of ferritin, which shows how much iron your body is storing. If it’s low, that’s likely causing hair loss. After taking iron supplements the shedding usually stops. As always, before taking any new medications, let your doctor know about any prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements you take.

Secret #3: Unsightly Skin Growths May Be More Than Age Spots

New skin growths are common after age 55, and many are harmless. Skin tags, for example, are flesh-colored growths that look like a soft fold of skin. They’re rarely harmful, but if they frequently get caught on your clothes or jewelry, they can be removed.

Another common issue: seborrheic keratoses, which are scaly, wart-like growths on your face, chest, shoulders or back that vary in color from light tan to brown or black. Like skin tags, if seborrheic keratoses get irritated from your clothes they can be removed safely.

The challenge: It is difficult for a layperson to distinguish between harmless and harmful growths. One sign you should call your dermatologist is a sudden appearance of new growths or any growth that appears to be changing. Any growth on your body that changes in size, color, or shape, could turn out to be melanoma, the most lethal type of skin cancer.

Secret #4: Cracked, Dry Skin Can Reveal a Serious Health Problem

This is something that hits almost everyone in the dead of winter. But if it lasts well into spring or if you don’t usually experience dry skin, this could be a sign of a more serious health problem. If it also becomes itchy, painful or even bleeding it could be a sign of an underlying problem, including diabetes, kidney disease, or underactive thyroid. All these conditions impact your body’s ability to stay hydrated and maintain healthy moisture levels. As a first step, try drinking more water and massaging a thick, oil-based cream moisturizer into your skin. If that doesn’t help, it may be the warning signal that gets you into our office for a full checkup.

Secret #5: Skin Discolorations Could Mean You’re Missing Key Nutrients

Sometimes, people experience a dusky yellowish change in the color of their skin. You might even see a little yellowing in the whites of your eyes. This can be a sign of dehydration or a vitamin deficiency. Your skin cells count on a steady diet of water and a full range of vitamins—including A, B12, C, E, and K for a healthy complexion. Feeling pretty good about your eating habits and water intake? Sallow skin can also be a sign of jaundice, hepatitis or gallstones. And yellow nails could indicate a bacterial or fungal infection. Your skin could be discolored even before you have any other internal symptoms. So, if your color looks “off,” your next call should be to your dermatologist.

It makes sense to trust something as important as your skin to an expert with years of experience. A Board-Certified Dermatologist MD is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD). Many MDs call themselves dermatologists or cosmetic skin care specialists, but do not have the extra years of training and national testing required to achieve FAAD.

Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center provides full service cosmetic and medical dermatology for the entire family in a conveniently located spa-like environment.

PRP Facial Rejuvenation

September 16, 2019 by Dr. Michael Tomcik Leave a Comment

A treatment called Micro-Needling with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), also sometimes known as “Blood Facial” or “Vampire Facial,” can provide significant positive results with minimal downtime.

Micro-Needling uses precise micro-injections that create channels in the skin to promote the proliferation of skin cell turn over and the absorption of one’s growth factor plasma.

PRP therapy has been used for years in orthopedics and sports medicine to treat muscle and ligament injuries, pain problems, and skin lesions. Dermatologists have developed PRP into an anti-aging treatment that induces collagen production, reduces wrinkles, stretch marks, and acne scars. It also diminishes pore size and improves the overall glow of your skin.

“PRP triggers collagen production,” explains dermatologist, Michael J. Tomcik, MD, “and collagen is the latticework of the skin.” A PRP facial helps tighten, smooth, and improve skin tone.

As we age, less collagen is produced, causing sagging, wrinkles, and soft tissue depressions. PRP is considered safe and natural because it uses one’s cells and growth factors to slow and reverse the aging process, providing a more youthful and radiant appearance. And because it uses one’s own plasma, there are no allergic reactions. Currently, there isn’t another process or product available that stimulates collagen production as well as PRP therapy.

Sadly, pictures of celebrities with bloody faces are examples of Micro-Needling with PRP gone wrong. Such punctate bleeding is an example of the needles going too fast or too deep—a disastrous result that would be prevented by a dermatologist or other medical professional. In fact, PRP facials are medical procedures (rather than cosmetic procedures), so estheticians and salons are not legally certified to puncture the skin. Micro-needling with PRP should only be done by trained medical personnel.

The Process of PP Therapy

The procedure requires approximately 20cc of your blood be drawn much in the same way blood samples are for routine lab tests. The tubes are spun down twice in a centrifuge to get the pure “liquid gold” of PRP. A trained, registered nurse then skillfully injects the PRP into your skin with the micro-needling technique. This procedure utilizes 12-36 pin-like sterile needles that glide across the skin, naturally stimulating collagen and elastin production.

A topical numbing cream is applied to make the procedure comfortable. Most areas of the body can be treated including the face, neck, décolletage, hands, arms, legs, abdomen, and back. Treating these areas can greatly reduce the signs of aging caused by time and sun damage, giving one a more youthful appearance. Most patients return to normal in one to two days.

The number of treatments needed varies per patient. We recommend two to four treatments administered at four to six-week intervals until the desired result is achieved.

Dr. Tomcik also recommends one or two maintenance treatments per year after the initial series. In the same way that you maintain your home and car, it is even more important to maintain the delicate tissue of your skin. This procedure can also be combined with treatments such as IPL/BBL (Intense Pulse Light/ Broad Band Light) to intensify the results and decrease pigmentation issues.

For facial areas with deeper lines or sun damage, Dr. Tomcik recommends injections of Hyaluronic Acid fillers and neuromuscular relaxers, such as Botox® or Dysport®. The fillers help restore volume that the face loses naturally with age and sun damage. The Botox®/Dysport® also helps reduce dynamic lines that form from muscle overuse, such as “crow’s feet.” Deeper and more dramatic surgical procedures such as CO2 laser resurfacing can also rejuvenate the skin but with much more downtime. Dr. Tomcik recommends a consultation to determine your goals and the modalities that could be combined to treat your concerns

Michael J. Tomcik, MD, is a Board Certified Dermatologist. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call Advanced Laser, at 925-743-1488.

The Big Event—Time It Right

November 3, 2013 by Dr. Michael Tomcik 1 Comment

Do you have that special event—wedding, reunion, graduation, vacation, etc.—coming up and you need to know a good timeline for all those special cosmetic procedures that can make you glow in the happiness of the moment? If you are plagued with mild acne, rosacea, sun damaged, aging skin, cellulite, or excess fat at neck, hips, waist and belly, plan a consultation with a board certified dermatologist 4-6 months before the big event. Individual results and needs will vary but the following time guide can give you a reference to the time required in order to see the best results.

4-6 Months

Ultherapy®is the only FDA approved non-invasive treatment for lifting and tightening the skin on the neck, face and brow without any downtime. Ultherapy focuses ultrasound waves to generate a plumping effect that reaches deep below the skin surface to initiate your body’s own repair process that strengthens existing collagen and elastin fibers to produce fresh new tissues over a 3-6 month period. Ultherapy is an option to consider, preventing the need for a facelift as long as possible. Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center has a dedicated Ultherapist on staff who is a nationally recognized expert and trainer. We provide nothing but the best for our patients.

3-6 Months

Cellulaze™Laser Cellulite Reduction delivers the best results for women who are not significantly overweight but have mild to moderate cellulite. Cellulite is not a fat problem; it’s a structural problem below the skin. Only Cellulaze attacks the brittle structural bonds beneath the skin that are the real cause of cellulite’s dimpled appearance. A very small tube is inserted under the skin to release the fibrous bands that pull the skin down causing the orange peel look. The area is numbed with local anesthesia so the procedure is comfortable. Following the treatment, you may experience some slight soreness, but you will be able to return to normal activities in a day or two.

6 Weeks

Smart Lipo™ Laser Liposuction permanently melts away fat from jowls, neck, thighs, stomach, chest, arms and love handles. This is a safe in-office procedure, requiring no general anesthetic. Ninety-eight percent of our patients return to work in three days and full active sports in 3-6 weeks. Because SmartLipo™ actually tightens tissue, there is less dimpling and sagging afterwards, as you improve your overall body shape. We have performed more than 2,000 liposuction treatments since 1997. Experience counts. Beautiful body sculpting with liposuction requires experienced technique and an artist’s eye. We are accomplished in both.

6 Weeks

Micro-Fractional CO2 Plus Erbium Laser Skin Rejuvenation can make you look 3-10 years younger on your face, neck, chest, hands and arms. This procedure combines two powerful lasers in one treatment to smooth and tighten the skin and reduces wrinkle lines on the face, neck & chest as well as acne scars and unwanted pigment and sun damage. You may return to work in 7-10 days. You’ll want to schedule a comprehensive one hour consultation with us before considering any other laser or face lift procedure.

3-4 Weeks

Fillers: Restylane®, Juvederm®, Perlane®,Radiesse® etc. to treat deep lines, creases, individual acne or chickenpox scars. This is also a wonderful product and procedure to enhance the appearance of cheekbones and lips. Fillers are pure hyaluronic acid gel which exactly matches the hyaluronic acid gel in our own skin that is lost through aging and sun damage. We can artistically enhance the face to give you a softer, more sensuous natural appearance, without that “overdone” look. We combine a host of acupressure techniques, ice, painless dental blocks and the experience of over 25,000 treatments since 1981 to deliver the best results possible. As with anything, experience counts and for your face it makes an important difference.

3 Weeks

Botox®, Dysport® and Xeomin®to safely erase the frown lines and wrinkles on the forehead above the nose and crow’s feet at the corner of the eyes. Give yourself that stress free relaxed look that comes with the easing of the fine line muscles on the face. We have performed more than 15,000 treatments since 1992, all virtually pain free. We use a combination of acupressure, cold compresses and the smallest diameter needle possible to minimize both discomfort and bruising. You owe it to yourself to have the best, most experienced professional, when it comes to your big event.

2-3 Weeks

Micro Laser Peels are for the patient looking for a deeper peel (12-50 microns) than the microderm abrasion but without the 7-10 day downtime of CO2PLUS.This procedure refreshes, rejuvenates and evens the tone and texture of the skin. It does leave you with a “sunburned” appearance for approximately 1-4 days but quickly heals to a smoother, healthier, more vibrant skin texture.

**1-2 Weeks (series of 5 treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart is best)**

BBL (Broad Band Light) & IPL this treatment is a wonderful innovative procedure to help turn back the clock on aging skin. Premature aging of the skin is the result of years of over exposure to the sun, collagen depletion, hormone loss, smoking, poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, stress, age and even genetics. Through the BBL process, dark areas in the skin absorb light more intensely than lighter areas. The dark areas are then heated and the light destroys the pigment carrying cells which lead to an evening out of the discoloration of the skin. Besides dark pigment, the BBL can also treat red pigment cells in rosacea-prone skin types. Improvement in skin tone, texture and color with reduced or eliminated brown spots and redness will be gradual and will accumulate with each session, depending on the condition being treated. For best results, usually 3-5 treatments are recommended, spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Smoother skin with less noticeable fine lines, brown spots, red/purple blood vessels will lead to a more vibrant and younger look and feel to the skin.

2 Weeks

Physician Strength Products & Peels are cosmeceuticals that are provided exclusively for our patients to provide the best quality, most effective skin care merchandise at the most reasonable price. Cosmeceuticals are available only through a physician’s office and are not sold over the counter. Much of the skin care products available today are high price marketing items with very little science or efficacy. We have chosen the products we feel offer the most value for improving our patients’ skin health. We also, have an extensive selection of effective sunscreens which are the cornerstone to any skin care program. Our various peels are applied by a highly trained medical aesthetician who chooses the appropriate peel to freshen your skin and relax your mind before the Big Day. The face becomes a perfect palate for makeup, a more even skin tone, and diminished lines and wrinkles. We also treat the neck, chest, hands and back area if your dress is low-cut.

1 Week

MicroDermabrasion is the gentle exfoliating of the top layers of skin to add that healthy smooth glow and allow skin care products better absorption into the skin. After lightly removing the top layer of dead rough skin cells our medical aesthetician can also apply a hydrating collagen mask or other serums to augment and nourish the skin for a more radiant look and supple feel. Hands can also be treated in this manner to add a refreshed glow and smoothness to the touch.

Some Final Thoughts:

There are many people who say, “Just grow old gracefully.” The naturalists among us would say to age as healthfully and gracefully as we can. There is no question that being healthy is fundamental, regardless of your age. Keeping our body healthy and in good repair should be our number one priority. After all, we keep our homes and our cars in good repair and condition, so why not our bodies? Just like a refreshing coat of paint to our home or our car can improve their look and the joy we take in their appearance, why not do a few cosmetically restorative things for your body. Of course it is a decision we all get to make for ourselves.

We can choose a little or a lot, depending on our disposition. The minimum skin care decision would be to choose a SPF# 30+ sunscreen to wear daily, rain or shine. Although a comprehensive skin care routine with well-formulated cosmeceuticals (it always takes more than one product) can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin, they simply cannot do what cosmetic procedures can do—it just isn’t possible.

Cosmetic treatments such as lasers, Botox, and fillers are the only ways to truly shave years off your appearance. Even the best skin-care routines and cosmeceuticals have limitations, but there is no question that after a certain time, the combination of a brilliant skin-care routine, coupled with corrective procedures, is the best solution to looking younger, longer.

One key factor to having a procedure done sooner rather than later is that it’s safer to have any surgery, including cosmetic, when you are younger versus older. First of all, your skin and your body are better able to heal when you are younger. The older you get, the longer it takes for the skin to repair and heal itself. Having cosmetic procedures sooner rather than later also is less dramatic when your face is just beginning to show signs of age, as opposed to when you already look older and people have become used to seeing your “older” face and neck.

Also, consider your expectations. If you expect cosmetic procedures to turn you into a model or a 20 year old version of yourself, you will be disappointed because that is not what will happen. Patients who report the greatest satisfaction after cosmetic procedures are the ones who kept their expectation realistic, not expecting the procedure to magically transform every aspect of their life. They also did it for themselves, rather than to please someone else.

Cosmetic care and procedures are not about shopping for a bargain. Truth is, most procedure costs are all fairly similar. Just remember this is your skin on your body and I’m pretty sure it’s the only one you have—so take care of it and find a health care professional with knowledge and experience. There are always risks and unexpected possibilities with any procedure or product, and the time of recovery differs. Individual reactions can be faster or slower, and any number of things can be different, depending upon the situation. What you want is someone with the experience and compassion to deal with any potential problems that may arise, not the cheapest bid available on “Groupon.”

Any doctor who glosses over risks or downplays your concerns is not one to trust with your appearance and well-being. Another important point is whether or not the doctor is willing to provide enough time for your consultation. There should be no sense of being rushed and you should leave the consultation feeling informed and empowered.

Another important point to finding a qualified dermatologist is to check for board certification with the American Academy of Dermatology. (AAD) Always check online with the aforementioned accreditation group before assuming that a framed picture of a certificate hanging on the wall has any validity or relevance.

In the end, whatever you choose is up to you. Your decision should be based on improving how you feel about yourself from the healthy perspective of wanting to look as good as you feel and feel as good as you look. If you are willing to take the time to find the right doctor, and keep your expectations realistic, then there’s every reason to go for it! Have a wonderful Big Event!

Dr. Michael J Tomcik, M.D., FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist with over 35 years experience. Doctor Tomcik’s state-of-the-art practice at Advanced Laser Skin Care Center, is located at 101 Park Place in San Ramon (at the corner of Crow Canyon and Park Place).

See their website at www.SanRamonDerm.com or call, 925-743-1488.