-All posts from Dr. Bussell-

What forms does acne take and does treatment differ accordingly?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Acne can be present as papules, pustules, comedones and nodules.  Papules are small acne bumps, which are usually red.  Pustules are papules filled with white material (these are commonly referred to as whiteheads).  Comedones consist of both whiteheads and blackheads; the blackheads are dilated pores containing dark oily material (sebum).  Nodules are larger bumps on the skin, usually filled with infection.

Treatment varies according to the size and depth of each acne lesion.  Comedones, blackheads and whitheads are frequenly treated by incision and drainage of the lesion with the use of a tool known as a comedone extractor.  The cores of the pustule and blackhead are removed with this instrument.  Papules are usually treated with an oral or topical antibiotic, as well as a drying agent.  Nodules may require stronger oral medication and sometimes even cortisone injections, as well as oral and topical antibiotics.

Treatments for these lesions should only be done in a sterile environment in a doctor’s office or under the direction of a dermatological practitioner.  Nicking and poking the skin at home can introduce more infection into the area and increase the chance of scarring.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

What can be achieved by Facial Electro-Resurfacing™?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-

I developed this technique as an alternative to laser therapy.  Facial Electro-Resurfacing™ is a process whereby I use a specially adapted apparatus to smooth surface skin irregularities such as acne scars or scarring due to other skin conditions.  It is also used to remove various surface abnormalities of the skin and is especially effective on the face where laser therapy is frequently too harsh.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Did you ever wonder what can be done to reduce unsightly spider-like leg veins?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-

A procedure commonly done in my office is either to inject a medical grade salt (saline) solution into the bothersome veins or to use a small electric needle on the surface of the vein(s).  I only recommend injecting a salt solution, never any other solutions, as some of them can cause severe allergic reactions.  This procedure is known as sclerotherapy and is not to be tried at home with table salt.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Do you have bothersome brown spots on your skin that you would like removed?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment, Skin discoloration

First, it is important to have these spots accurately diagnosed by a competent dermatology practitioner.  Brown spots can be caused by many different factors and an accurate diagnosis is important.  If your brown spots are caused by overexposure to the sun (actinic keratoses), melasma (pigmentation following pregnancy or oral contraceptives) or are a result of prior inflammation to the area, normal skin color can frequently be restored by in-office light acid peels, as well as at-home treatment with our specially formulated Sal-Hydro Fade Formula™, which gently peels and lightens the affected areas.  Sal-Hydro™ works well for people with all skin types and skin colors.

Sal-Hydro™ is also extremely effective as a spot treatment for breakouts.  It not only helps the breakouts clear, but also minimizes or prevents any resulting discoloration of the skin.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

My celebrity patients are always asked about. Who are they?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-

Celebrities are what all of my patients are. Not all are behind the camera, but I try to make each one feel that he or she is a star within themselves. The better people feel about their skin, the brighter their stars will shine.

My staff and I are here to help each of you achieve that stardom.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Are you experiencing unexplained hair loss?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Hair

Hair loss is caused by a number of different factors.  There can be normal variations in the amount of an individual’s hair shedding.  Hair loss can be due to almost any kind of metabolic upset such as medications, pregnancy, hormonal changes, internal diseases, general anesthesia and even high levels of stress.  In addition, hair growth can be affected by traction on the hair follicles from braids or pony tails that are pulling too tightly.  Additionally, infections localized to the scalp such as fungus and bacterial infections can also cause hair loss.  An accurate diagnosis  of hair loss may even be life-saving if it leads to the diagnosis of a serious illness.  Since hair loss can be a sign of a serious underlying disease, it is best to consult a qualified physician for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

What can be done for acne on the back and chest?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Acne on the back and chest is very common in men and women.  Usually these breakouts are very large and often painful.   Appropriate antibiotic therapy is very helpful in clearing this condition.  I have found that it is important to do a bacterial culture of a specimen from within these breakouts, as I do with facial breakouts.  The culture identifies the type of bacteria present and also tells me which are the most effective antibiotics for it.  This step  is important because bacteria can be sensitive to some antibiotics and resistant to others.  This procedure avoids unnecessary long-term use of ineffective antibiotics, which can be harmful.

Until you are able to come to the office for a culture, here are some suggestions:

– Keep the area as clean and dry as possible.
– Avoid application of greasy lotions or oils to the area.
– Ask us about additional products that may be helpful.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Should you seek out tanning salons for a “winter tan”?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Moles and Melanoma, Skin cancer, Sun

Absolutely not.  Tanning salons are very harmful to your skin.  I personally have seen a higher incidence of malignant melanomas developing in patients who have visited tanning salons.  Malignant melanomas are extremely serious and sometimes fatal, skin cancers.  They can spread internally throughout the entire body.  They can arise from normal skin or from pre-existing moles.  Any change in the size, color or shape of an existing mole or the development of a new mole as an adult should be carefully evaluated by a dermatologist for the possibility of malignant melanoma.

I recommend total body exams/scans, done by a dermatologist with expertise in removing atypical moles, every six months for patients who have had significant sun or ultraviolet light exposure on their skin.

When doing a skin exam on yourself, you should check every square inch of skin on your body including your scalp, ano-genital area, and the bottoms of your feet.  Don’t forget to also look at the skin under your nails.  Use a mirror to completely check the backside of your body.  It should be noted that melanomas do not always appear in sun-exposed areas.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661

Do hormone changes affect acne breakouts?

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants -All posts from Dr. Bussell-, Breakouts, Acne Treatment

Yes, definitely.  Premenstrual breakouts are very common in women.  Stress that affects both men and women also change the body’s hormonal balance and can cause acne breakouts.  30 year-old hormonal changes in women, as well as 50 year-old menopausal hormone changes, can also affect the oil glands and increase acne breakouts.  In male teenagers, there can be an increase in testosterone during growth periods, and testosterone stimulates the oil glands.  Any hormonal stimulation of the oil glands results in more oil and, combined with bacteria, produces acne breakouts.

Routine treatments for acne breakouts include an antibacterial soap like the Bussell Skin Care Antibacterial Soap, topical or oral antibiotics, and topical drying agents such as the Bussell Skin Care normal to dry and oily skin cleansers, as well as in-office acid peels, incision and drainage of breakouts, and injections into the breakouts with anti-inflammatory medication.   In addition to these routine treatments, we also may recommend various oral medications to regulate hormone production.  It should be remembered that acne breakouts can be caused by multiple factors and therefore respond to varied treatments.  In my office, we individualize the treatment to the patient.

– Dr. Bussell

Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 805   Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310-550-7661