Letantia Bussell, M.D. is an expert in the treatment of ethnic skin. We offer many procedures and treatments tailored to the specific needs of all skin types. Call our office with your individual questions (310) 550-7661.
What can be done about dark spots on Ethnic skin?
Many of the dark spots seen in African-American or in patients of other ethnic skin types are known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is usually caused by old acne scars or irritation of any kind to the skin. Many of the acne scars are self-induced as a result of picking or scratching at breakouts beneath the skin surface. Application of a cortisone cream is helpful in shrinking the unwanted scar tissue. Our Sal-Hydro Fade Formula™ is excellent in diminishing the darker color changes and in conjunction with other in-office treatments yields excellent results. Each treatment is tailored to the patient’s individual needs.
Vitiligo in ethnic and black skin–Can it be treated?
Vitiligo is patchy depigmentation, loss of normal color, of the skin. This is particularly troubling in ethnic skin as the contrast of the two skin tones can be very dramatic. In our office, we treat vitiligo especially on the face and hands of African-Americans with an in-office procedure whereby we apply a tanning solution followed by ultraviolet light. Multiple treatments are necessary and the results are usually very rewarding.
Asian skin
We offer many procedures and treatments tailored to the specific needs of Asian skin.
Asian cheek and jaw line shaping
My Asian patient population frequently requests non-surgical shaping of their cheeks and jaw lines. Asian non-surgical cheek and/or jaw line reduction results in a thinner longer facial appearance, sought after by many of my Asian patients. This technique is also highly effective in treating Asian facial disproportions and asymmetry. Asian cheek and jaw reduction is achieved through a specialized technique using Botox or Dysport cheek and/or jaw line injections. Consultations can be scheduled with me or any of my staff to discuss the specific benefits for you.
What can be done about aging hands?
Aging hands are treated much in the same way as an aging face. Frequently the problem with aging hands is sun damage. Sun damage results in brown spots, red spots and thickened scaly skin. The skin of the hands also lose elasticity with age. The sun damage can be treated with acid peels, microdermabrasion, as well as liquid nitrogen. The acid superficially destroys the pigmentation. The microdermabrasion gently causes exfoliation. The liquid nitrogen freezes the skin to destroy the unwanted sun-induced spots. It is very important in a total body program to minimize the signs of aging to include treatment of the hands. Carefully removing sun and age damaged skin from the hands can sometimes make hands look 10 or 20 years younger.
In addition to therapy that can be accomplished in the office, our Sal-Hydro Fade Formula can peel and bleach many surface skin lesions at home when applied two to three times per day. Even after office treatments, my patients are given Sal-Hydro for use at home to further enhance the effects of treatment.
In ethnic skin, pigmented lesions (spots) can be even more noticeable and Sal-Hydro can be used up to four or even six times per day until the desired lightening is achieved for maximal effectiveness.
Likewise, Asian skin frequently pigments darker, and the in-office procedures are the same. The Sal-Hydro used in conjunction with the procedures is also extremely effective.
Moisturizers, especially our Multivitamin Cream, can be applied to minimize the noticeable effects of the peeling process.
In certain cases where thinning skin on the surface of the hands is very noticeable, it is possible to inject a filler to increase the density of those areas. This is a procedure that is done in the office and only on select patients.
-Dr. Bussell