Your Skin Woes – Solved!

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Monica Bonakdar

When you have persistent skin problems, it often seems as though there’s no solution. However, you can find a solution for nearly every skin care concern in Newport Beach at my practice. Here are 3 common skin issues I frequently treat:

Sun Damage

Sun damage is one of the most prevalent problems affecting my patients here in Southern California. Although you may not see the consequences of sun exposure immediately (other than a sunburn), certain indicators such as brown spots, broken capillaries and wrinkles eventually surface. To improve skin tone and elasticity, I recommend the Fraxel re:store Dual®. This laser treatment can be used almost anywhere, including the face, hands, neck and chest, and it can normally be performed in about 30 to 40 minutes.

Poor Skin Texture

Our skin cell turnover rate slows down as we age, which results in drier, flakier skin. Skin resurfacing treatments such as PDT with Allumera® can help get rid of dead skin cells on the surface and increase cellular renewal for healthier-looking skin. At my practice, we use this procedure to treat poor skin texture, acne, rosacea, and enlarged pores . A regular skincare routine that includes physical and/or chemical exfoliating agents, such as glycolic acid, can also help soften the skin.

Uneven Pigmentation

Environmental damage, lifestyle choices and hormonal fluctuations can cause skin pigmentation irregularities. To reduce the look of redness and dark spots, laser and light treatments are a great option. I often use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to fade discoloration, stimulate collagen renewal, and give the skin a healthy glow. Most patients require a series of 3 to 5 treatments for maximum benefits.


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3 Ways a Liquid Lift Can Work for You

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Monica Bonakdar

Many anti-aging techniques can provide dramatic changes in your appearance, achieving facial rejuvenation without surgery. At my Newport Beach med spa, I offer a “liquid facelift” using a combination of BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers. This is a great option for people who want to give their faces a subtle lift, replacing soft tissue that has been lost as a result of aging, while also reducing lines and wrinkles. I often use this approach for patients who want to correct the following:

1. Aging eyes: Drooping eyelids and “crow’s feet” can be improved with a liquid facelift. By placing BOTOX strategically along the forehead, temples and crow’s feet, I can erase the crow’s feet, raise the brows and elevate the eyelids for a more alert, yet natural, appearance. Dermal fillers can also be used to smooth away lines and fill in under-eye hollows.

2. Deflated cheeks: Facial atrophy is a normal part of the aging process that often results in a “gaunt” or “sunken” appearance. During a liquid facelift, I may use dermal fillers to fill in areas of the face that have lost volume, such as the cheeks. This creates a more youthful look by softening and plumping facial contours so that they are more rounded rather than angular.

3. Facial lines and creases: Both BOTOX and dermal fillers help reduce the appearance of facial creases, but they operate in different ways. Fillers plump up the skin so that static wrinkles are less pronounced, while BOTOX diminishes creases by relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles – those created by muscle contractions. When I use BOTOX and dermal fillers together during a liquid facelift, I am able to treat both static and dynamic wrinkles. Laugh lines, forehead creases and crow’s feet all show great improvement when this method is used.


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Why It’s Better To Be Blunt

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Monica Bonakdar

My patients who receive BOTOX® in Newport Beach are often interested in complementing the procedure with dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM® and Artefill®. Fillers add volume to the skin and help dissipate fine lines and wrinkles for a younger, refreshed look. Most injectable fillers last from 6 to 9 months, but some, such as Artefill are long lasting, five years plus.

When I administer dermal fillers, I use a special “micro-cannula” rather than a regular needle. Although they are no wider than needles, micro-cannulas have blunt/soft tips, which decrease the risk of puncturing small blood vessels under the skin. I have found that this delivery method for dermal fillers has many advantages over standard injection techniques, including:

  • Less bruising

Because micro-cannulas are blunt rather than sharp, they do not injure blood vessels when inserted under the skin. This results in less bruising following the procedure and reduces discomfort during treatment.

  • More precise filler placement

Needles push the injectable filler through the end of the needle tip, which requires that the injector use consistent pressure to ensure smooth results. Micro-cannulas have the opening on the side of the tube, rather than the tip. This allows the filler to be delivered more smoothly and evenly, allowing for greater precision.

  • More comfortable treatments

My patients are almost always surprised by how comfortable dermal filler injections are with micro-cannulas compared to traditional needles. Not only does the rounded tip lessen pain but also the micro-cannula technique reduces the number of entry points needed during a treatment. That means fewer skin punctures and a better experience overall.


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Announcing the Bonakdar Institute!

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Monica Bonakdar

When I first focused my practice in Orange County on cosmetic dermatology, in 2000, I named my practice Beauty, Laser & Wellness Center. This name was descriptive of what I did at the time. Namely, the goal was to create beauty and wellness by using lasers.

However, fast forwarding to 2012, I have decided to change the name of my practice because Beauty, Laser & Wellness Center no longer describes the essence of what I do. I have shifted my goals from being the creator of beauty to the restorer of youth, and the repairer of the natural and accelerated aging processes. What we equate with beauty is in most cases actually the characteristic of youthfulness. As human beings we are genetically programmed and attracted to youthful individuals. Everyone wants to look young or at least ageless.

The field of cosmetic dermatology has advanced beyond just lasers. Nowadays multiple energy platforms including radiofrequency, ultrasound and microwave to name a few, are used, as well as laser resurfacing in Newport Beach, in the quest to repair and restore the aging face and body.

After much deliberation, I have decided to change the name of my practice to Bonakdar Institute. What makes my practice unique is the fact that the majority of the treatments are done by me and not by mid-level providers, such as nurses and physician assistants. My clients are happy to return for on-going treatments. They are also proud to refer their friends and family to me knowing that I myself will be the one seeing and taking care of their loved ones.

Bonakdar Institute is a fitting name for what this practice has become – a cutting edge practice where safe treatments with consistent and amazing result are done by Dr. Bonakdar.


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