WestDerm

You may have read that in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial only, 3 of the 30,000 participants as of December 2020 experienced temporary facial swelling. Of these 3 people, 2 received the vaccine and 1 received the placebo. The person who received the placebo had dental work two weeks prior. All 3 of these people had a history of receiving facial fillers. The swelling did subside in a few days without any adverse effects. What does this mean for facial filler patients?

As you may be aware, facial swelling is a known possible rare side effect of filler injections. It is usually brought on by the addition of other stressors, such as recent dental work, illness like the flu, or other vaccines. Of the other 29,997 vaccine trial participants, we do not know who among them had a history of receiving facial fillers but did not experience facial swelling after receiving the vaccine. Further, we are not sure if the swelling was caused by the interaction between the facial filler and the vaccine, although it is possible.

We do not recommend avoiding the COVID-19 vaccine if you are a facial filler recipient. We encourage all patients who are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to get one, even those who have received facial fillers.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about swelling. Just remember that swelling has always been an extremely rare, mild, reversible side effect of facial fillers, and the swelling that the 3 vaccine trial participants experienced resolved quickly without any adverse effects. If swelling does occur, we can also recommend treatment options to swiftly cause its resolution.

We hope this explanation helps clarify the results of the COVID-19 vaccine trials. Our clinics will continue to abide by the best possible safety precautions to keep our patients and staff healthy during this time. Please continue to wear a mask, even two when in proximity to those not in your household, even after you’ve received the vaccine, until the CDC advises otherwise.

West Dermatology is pleased to announce the addition of Coast Dermatology Medical Associates in Torrance, Calif., to our growing network of providers. The office is owned by Mark Horowitz, DO, who has built a practice on medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Horowitz has assembled an outstanding team consisting of Michael Kassardjian, DO, Deanne Newton, PA-C, Holly Buchko, NP, and Casey Troutman, NP. 

After completing his training at Michigan State University more than 10 years ago, Dr. Horowitz has mastered some of the most advanced techniques in dermatology and cosmetic surgery available today. He is Board Certified in Dermatology and is an expert in general and surgical dermatology. Dr. Horowitz has advanced skills in skin cancer detection and Mohs micrographic surgery to treat large and difficult tumors of the skin. He also specializes in cosmetic laser treatments to improve the signs of aging and wrinkling of the skin. 

In addition to his advanced surgical training, Dr. Horowitz has developed a special interest in chronic rashes that result from allergic reactions. He has developed a patch test center that detects chemicals in the environment that may be producing the rash. Coast Dermatology is one of the few medical practices in southern California offering this advanced service.

 

Board Certified Dermatologist and South Bay native Dr. Kassardjian joined the practice in 2011. Before that, Dr. Kassardjian was involved in medical research projects and dermatologic publications. While earning his bachelor’s degree at Claremont McKenna College, Dr. Kassardjian acquired international research experience at Pasteur Institute in Paris, France, and was engaged in an extensive study focusing on infectious dermatologic diseases in HIV patients at Harbor UCLA. While in medical school, Dr. Kassardjian participated in research in Mohs micrographic surgery at Touro University and in the use of confocal microscopy at Loma Linda University.

 

Dr. Kassardjian graduated among the top of his medical school class, earning Dean’s List and numerous academic merits. After completing an internship at Pacific Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., Dr. Kassardjian served as Chief Resident of Dermatology at Western University. He is a published author in several prestigious dermatologic journals and serves as Clinical Faculty to Western University. Dr. Kassardjian is a supporter of humanitarian causes and has gone overseas on medical missions to provide aid to people who do not have access to healthcare. He is a passionate advocate for early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Dr. Kassardjian is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and is a member of the American Society for Mohs Surgery.

West Dermatology is continuing to expand throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada. We are actively recruiting best-in-class dermatologists and established dermatology groups within our core markets. We seek providers who have a demonstrated track record of excellence in serving their patients and who embrace our culture of integrity, teamwork, and transparency.  

To learn more about West Dermatology, contact: 

Nina Jorajuria 

Director of Business Development 

Email: [email protected]

To learn more about Coast Dermatology Medical Associates, visit www.coastdermatology.com. 

West Dermatology is honored to announce the latest addition to our growing network of providers — Luminous Dermatology of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Solvang Calif. Owners Bryan L. Gammon, MD, and L. Julia Kamalpour, MD, have built a practice focused on medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. They are joined by Dr. Shahraam Kamalpour, Kate Durdel, PA-C, and Lam Le, PA-C.

Dr. Gammon is a Texas native. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas, he worked for two years as an engineer in a Department of Defense-funded sonar laboratory, focusing on high-resolution imaging, before earning a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas in 2008. As a medical student, Dr. Gammon received the coveted Clinical Research Training Program fellowship, where he spent a year doing intense research into the role of chemokines — small chemicals that cause the migration of cells in the metastasis of malignant melanoma — and developed a new antibody to identify metastatic melanoma cells in mice. After completing an internship at Tulane University in New Orleans, he went on to serve as chief resident at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and completed an additional year of specialized training in dermatopathology at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. Dr. Gammon is one of very few dermatologists in the region who is board certified in dermatology and board eligible in dermatopathology.

L. Julia Kamalpour, MD, hails from Austin, Texas, where she attended the University of Texas, receiving a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. She went on to earn a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and completed an internship in internal medicine at the University of Maryland. Dr. Kamalpour was a clinical trials and outcomes research fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, where she served on the Institutional Review Board. She received the prestigious Albert M. Kligman Fellowship at the Society for Investigative Dermatology’s 2009 annual meeting for her work developing a severity index for congenital ichthyoses. After completing a dermatology residency at Loyola University Chicago, she served a one-year fellowship in Mohs and advanced dermatologic and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Kamalapour’s areas of expertise include Moh’s surgery for treatment of skin cancer, facial reconstructive surgery, and advanced cosmetic, laser, and dermatologic surgery.

Dr. Shahraam Kamalpour attended Louisiana State University, earning his undergraduate degree in microbiology. He completed his medical school training and internship in internal medicine at the LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport, LA, followed by ACGME accredited training in dermatology at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA. He then completed a fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery.

Kate Durdel, PA-C, a native of Portland, Ore., holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. After graduation, she returned to Portland to work in a Mohs clinic for two years, where she assisted with thousands of surgeries. She received a master’s degree in physician assistant studies in 2011 from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and moved to San Francisco, where she worked in a private dermatology clinic, practicing medical and surgical dermatology for three years, before coming to Santa Barbara to join Luminous Dermatology. Kate is licensed by the State of California Physician Assistant Board and is a member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.

Lam Le, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified physician assistant specializing in dermatology. Originally from the Bay Area, he received an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, before earning a master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Ore. While at Pacific, Lam received special training from a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. He has performed hundreds of surgical procedures, including the removal of melanomas, skin carcinomas, cysts, and moles, and has received extensive training in the use of Botox, fillers, and lasers. Lam is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the California Academy of Physician Assistants, and a fellow of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.

West Dermatology is continuing to expand throughout Arizona, California and Nevada. We are actively recruiting best-in-class dermatologists and established dermatology groups within our core markets. We seek providers who have a demonstrated track record of excellence in serving their patients and embrace our culture of integrity, teamwork and transparency.

To learn more about West Dermatology, contact:

Nina Jorajuria

Director of Business Development

Email: [email protected]

Visit our website: WestDermatology.com

To learn more about Luminous Dermatology, visit https://www.luminousdermatology.com/

West Dermatology is happy to announce the addition of Coastal Dermatology Medical and Cosmetic Center in Camarillo, Calif. to our growing network of providers. We are excited to further expand our presence in Ventura County and in Southern California with this best-in-class team.

Coastal Dermatology is led by Ross S. Kaplan, MD, a board certified dermatologist, who focuses on skin cancer treatment. Dr. Kaplan earned his MD from UCLA in 1994 and then received dermatology training at the University of California at Irvine. He also completed a Howard Hughes Fellowship in laser research as part of a Harvard program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Kaplan was voted the top dermatologist in Ventura County for six consecutive years by a reader’s poll in the Ventura County Reporter.

Assisting Dr. Kaplan is long-time certified Family Nurse Practitioner Julie McCardell. Ms. McCardell earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing from UCLA, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Julie is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is skilled in medical dermatology and a wide variety of cosmetic procedures.

The practice also includes Robert Lum, MD. Dr. Lum is a Radiation Oncologist in Camarillo CA. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

West Dermatology is continuing to expand throughout Arizona, California and Nevada. We are actively recruiting best-in-class dermatologists and established dermatology groups. We seek providers who have a demonstrated track record of excellence in serving their patients and who embrace our culture of integrity, teamwork and transparency.

To learn more about West Dermatology, contact: 

Nina Jorajuria 

Director of Business Development

Email: [email protected] 

Visit our website: WestDermatology.com 

West Dermatology announces the latest addition to its growing network of providers – Santa Barbara Skin Care of Santa Barbara and Solvang, Calif. Owner Gary Novatt, MD, has built a practice focused on medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. His team consists of Corey Frucht, MD, Robert Sheffield, MD, and Claire Wiswall, PA-C.

Dr. Novatt is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and laser surgeon. He earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California, and also holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific, Stockton. Dr. Novatt completed his internship at Los Angeles County Medical Center and his residency in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla. A diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Novatt is a past president of the Tri-County Dermatology Society, and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Novatt specializes in diseases of the skin, hair, and nails, and has advanced training in laser and Mohs surgery, using the latest techniques in rejuvenation.

Dr. Frucht, a board-certified medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologist, earned a master’s degree in philosophy, a PhD, and a medical degree from Yale University. He completed an internship in internal medicine at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital before his dermatology residency at UCSD. A member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Frucht has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, has presented at national conferences, and has been recognized as a Top Doctor on the cosmetic website RealSelf. He has a particular interest in the use of lasers, skin tightening devices, dermal fillers, and Botox for skin rejuvenation with an emphasis on obtaining natural results. Dr. Frucht specializes in screening and managing skin cancer, and treating inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema psoriasis, and acne, using biologic and other system therapies when necessary.

Dr. Sheffield is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has practiced in the Santa Barbara area for more than 20 years. He completed his medical education at the University of Tennessee and residencies at the University of Southern California, the University of Florida, and the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. One of the founders of the Rhinoplasty Symposium, the premiere teaching course in the world for plastic surgeons, Dr. Sheffield is a life member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. He has performed cleft lip and palate surgery in Bolivia, and has been active in the community as the medical director for the Santa Barbara Triathlon and as an American Cancer Society volunteer. Dr. Sheffield’s research has focused on ear reconstruction, rhinoplasty, and facial rejuvenation, with an interest in surgical reconstruction following Mohs surgery.

Ms. Wiswall is a board-certified physician assistant who received her bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Southern California School of Medicine. A member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the California Academy of Physician Assistants, Ms. Wiswall joined Santa Barbara Dermatology with prior experience in orthopedic surgery. She provides a full range of dermatology services, as well as medical and cosmetic procedures including Botox, Juvederm, and laser treatment for brown spots, sun damage, photo facial, and laser hair removal.

West Dermatology is continuing to expand throughout Arizona, California and Nevada. We are actively recruiting best-in-class dermatologists and established dermatology groups within our core markets. We seek providers who have a demonstrated track record of excellence in serving their patients and who embrace our culture of integrity, teamwork and transparency.

To learn more about West Dermatology, contact:

Nina Jorajuria

Director of Business Development

Visit our website: WestDerm.com

To learn more about Santa Barbara Skin Care, visit www.santabarbaraskincare.org.