Cosmetic Surgery La Jolla California

With a continuing commitment to excellence, LJCSC is pleased to offer a Cosmetic Dermatology Division under the leadership of Richard Fitzpatrick, M.D. Combining the very best of Cosmetic Dermatology with the very best of Cosmetic Surgery under one roof provides patients with the ultimate cosmetic experience. Focusing on laser treatments, fillers, Botox and hair transplantation, our cosmetic dermatologists are board certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

Your skin is your body's largest organ. Make it a priority. LJCSC cosmetic dermatologists can help treat wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, loose skin, brown spots, red spots, blood vessels, birthmarks, and scars. Areas treated can include the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, legs and back.

Our Dermatologists

Dr. Fitzpatrick, Dr. Groff, and their team provide the perfect complement to cosmetic surgery through skin care and laser rejuvenation. We recognize that each patient has different goals and that's why we treat each patient with a different plan. Call now to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Groff or Dr. Fitzpatrick so you can find out what treatment or combination of treatments is right for you.

 Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick, Dermatology Division Director

Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick is an innovative leader in Dermatology. In March of 2005 he was named Allure Magazine's "Physician Who Has Most Influenced Beauty" and was honored as the Sturge-Weber Society's 2005 "Physician of the Year." He was instrumental in the development of several medical lasers and laser procedures, including laser resurfacing of the skin with the UltraPulse CO2 laser. Dr. Fitzpatrick is the author of medical textbooks on laser surgery, as well as numerous scientific articles. He lectures all over the world and has trained thousands of physicians in laser techniques. His scientific interest in topical formulations to reverse photoaging led him to develop a unique skin care line, SkinMedica.

A Princeton University graduate, Dr. Fitzpatrick went on to Emory University Medical School where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society for academic excellence. Dr. Fitzpatrick completed his internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Southern California and attended the University of California at Los Angeles to complete his specialty training in Dermatology. Dr. Fitzpatrick’s surgical interests led him into the field of laser surgery.

Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology, he is a member of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He served as President of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery in 2000-2001. He is also a member of the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association and the San Diego County Dermatologic Society.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Dermatology at UCSD School of Medicine. He is on the medical staff of Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla and Encinitas.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is listed in “Best Doctors in America” and the National Directory of Who’s Who in Executives & Professionals. The American Cancer Society recognized him as a “Volunteer of the Year”. He is the recipient of the 2004 Leon Goldman Memorial Lectureship Award from the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery for integrity, dedication, and overall excellence in clinical laser research and services, and recipient of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery’s 2005 Drake Ellet Lectureship Award. He is also the recipient of the Richard Webster Lectureship Award from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery in 2001, honoring his contributions to cosmetic surgery.

Dr. William F. Groff

Dr. William F. Groff graduated from Penn State University, receiving a B.S. in Biology and Vertebrate Physiology. During medical school at PCOM in Philadelphia, he received the highly coveted U.S. Naval Health Professions Scholarship award. After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Groff moved to San Diego to begin his postgraduate work.

Dr. Groff completed a surgical internship at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Upon graduation, he was accepted into flight school at the U.S. Naval Aerospace Medicine Institute in Pensacola, Florida. As a Flight Surgeon, Dr. Groff was stationed at MCAS Miramar and accumulated over 200 hours of flight time in the F/A-18 Hornet. He also deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Nimitz, accruing flight time and taking care of sick and injured Marines and Sailors.

After completing a 3-year tour at Miramar, Dr. Groff was selected into the Dermatology program at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. During his residency, he trained under one of the top cosmetic laser surgeons in the world. Upon graduation, Dr. Groff had performed more laser procedures than any other graduating resident in the country.

Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology, he spent 2 years as the Department Head of Dermatology and Laser Surgery at Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan. Dr. Groff has published articles in peer-reviewed dermatology and plastic surgery journals as well as participated in research that has led to the FDA approval of cosmetic laser devices. Dr. Groff has and continues to lecture on the latest advances in laser surgery to dermatologists and plastic surgeons around the world, including Australia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and Korea and the United States.

Cosmetic Dermatology Procedures

The cosmetic dermatologists at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre regularly perform the treatments listed here. You can be confident that they are experienced and specially trained in each one and are assisted by a solid and qualified staff. Click on the underlined cosmetic dermatology treatment names to read more information and view photos.

Portrait ® Plasma Skin Regeneration: Portrait® skin regeneration is unlike any other treatment available today. It is not a laser, radio frequency, or light-based treatment. It is a completely new plasma energy technology that works both on and below the surface of the skin to modify the skin's architecture so that new collagen is generated.

Portrait® is effective in reducing the look of fine lines and deep wrinkles, treating sun-damaged skin, improving skin elasticity and texture, improving acne scars* and tightening skin. It works on a variety skin types.

Fraxel™ Laser Treatment: The Fraxel laser is the first technology that can produce dramatic improvements to aging and sun-damaged skin in a speedy healing process, with almost no downtime. "The results we're able to achieve in healing and repairing the skin with the Fraxel, without causing damage, are unlike anything I've ever seen before," says Dr. Fitzpatrick. Patients usually have anywhere from 3-6 treatments spaced about 1-4 weeks apart. The results are elimination of unwanted pigment and blemishes, improvement in texture, fine lines as well as deep lines, and even skin tightening and improvement of scars.

Alexandrite Laser Treatment: You may be a candidate for Alexandrite Laser Treatment if you have unwanted brown pigment spots such as birthmarks and flat, brown moles. In addition, the Alexandrite Laser can also remove unwanted tattoos. The Alexandrite Laser works by using light to target the pigmented area and break it up. The result is fading of pigment in the treated area. While some areas respond with just one treatment, others may require multiple treatments over several visits. When multiple treatments are required, significant improvement should be noted with each visit.

Erbium Laser Resurfacing: If you have unwanted facial lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, or sun damage on your chest and hands, you may be a candidate for Erbium Laser Resurfacing. The purpose of this treatment is to remove facial lines, superficial acne scars, and uneven pigmentation while rejuvenating the skin and restoring it to a more youthful appearance. The treatment is performed in our office on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia is administered along with a topical cream called EMLA to numb the area. The laser works by sending an intense beam of light to vaporize thin layers of skin and treatment is individualized to address each area of the face.

Hair Transplants: You may be a candidate for Hair Transplantation if you have areas of hair loss or balding but still have areas of normal hair growth to provide a source for the grafts. Hair Transplantation may also help people who have hair loss as a result of scarring from surgery, an accident, etc. The purpose of this procedure is to obtain hair growth in thin, balding or bald areas. The procedure is performed by taking normal hair (usually from the back of the head above the neck) in a strip. Next, the strip is divided, under magnification, into grafts containing one or more hair follicles. These grafts are then inserted, one at a time, into a micro hole made in the grafted area.

Long-Pulsed Yag Laser Treatment: You may be a candidate for Yag Laser Treatment if you have unwanted brown pigment spots such as birthmarks and flat, brown moles. In addition, the Yag Laser can also remove unwanted tattoos. The purpose of the Yag Laser is to reduce or eliminate the appearance of unwanted pigment in the skin by using light to target the pigmented area and break it up. The result is fading of pigment in the treated area. While some areas respond with just one treatment, others may require multiple treatments over several visits. When multiple treatments are required, significant improvement should be noted with each visit.

V Beam Laser Treatment: You may be a candidate for V Beam Laser Treatment if you have visible blood vessels (Telangiectasia), raised strawberry-like lesions (Rosacea), red, raised or thick scars, red birthmarks, reddish stretch marks, or Rosacea of the face, neck, or chest. The intent of the V Beam Laser is to reduce or eliminate redness associated with the above mentioned conditions. Secondarily, the V Beam Laser may also be used to stimulate collagen growth.

Thermage ThermaCool™: Thermage is a safe, clinically proven way to tighten and contour skin, with improvements in tone, contour, and texture occurring naturally through the stimulation of your own collagen.

Thermage is completely non-invasive—no surgery, no injections. A single treatment tightens your existing collagen and stimulates new collagen growth. Improvements are both immediately visible and continue up to six months. The results can last for years.

Fat Transfer: You may be a candidate for a fat transfer if you have indentations in your skin, depressed scars, or wrinkles. The intended result of a fat transfer is to minimize facial and other skin wrinkles and depressions. A fat transfer may require sedation plus local anesthesia if larger amounts of fat are to be collected. Small amounts of fat can be collected and transferred under local anesthesia. The patient’s own fat is collected (suctioned) from a distant donor area and re-injected into the defect area.

Botox® Cosmetic: You may be a candidate for Botox® Cosmetic if you would like to treat facial wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyes and in the “crow’s feet” areas. Botox® Cosmetic works by weakening the muscles that cause facial expressions. Once the treated muscles are weakened, the pull of the muscle relaxes and the overlaying skin flattens. Botox® Cosmetic is utilized to enhance your appearance, and lessen the wrinkles in the upper part of your face.

Collagen: You may be a candidate for collagen injections if you have wrinkles on your face or around your lips that you want to diminish. You may also desire collagen if you would like to have fuller or more defined lips. Collagen can be helpful when you have deep nasolabial folds (the line between the nose and the corner of your mouth). Collagen is intended to smooth out, fill in and decrease wrinkles. Collagen will plump lips and define the edges of your lips. Collagen is also intended to fill in and reduce the depth of the nasolabial fold. It can also help to fill depressed, acne scars.

Restylane: You may be a candidate for Restylane if you have wrinkles on your face or around your lips that you want to diminish. Restylane can also be used if you desire to have fuller or more defined lips, if you have deep nasolabial folds (the lines between the nose and the corner of your mouth). Restylane can smooth out, fill in and decrease wrinkles. It is also intended to plump lips and define the edges of lips. Restylane is helpful because it can fill in and reduce the depth of the nasolabial fold and can also fill in depressed, acne scars.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing

*All above-listed treatments are performed by Board Certified Dermatologists

SkinMedicaTM Skin Care

Developed by our lead dermatologist, Richard E. Fitzpatrick, MD, and clinically formulated to provide maximum rejuvenation, SkinMedicaTM is suitable for all skin types.

SkinMedica: Introducing the SkinMedicaTM Skin Care Collection - Now available at LJCSC! Developed by our lead dermatologist, Richard E. Fitzpatrick, MD*, and clinically formulated to provide maximum rejuvenation, SkinMedica is suitable for all skin types. SkinMedica Dermal Repair is an all-in-one moisturizer containing multiple anti-oxidants, essential fatty acids to repair the damaged skin surface, and other unique ingredients to help protect the skin and reverse sun damage.

The Nouricel-MD line, or TNS, includes a facial gel, an eye cream and a body mist containing high concentrations of natural "growth factors" which are messenger proteins that control the wound healing process in the skin. These proteins push the body to repair sun damage in a natural manner and help eliminate the signs of sun damaged skin. Vitamin C Complex and Retinol Complex are companion products that enhance this healing process in restoring the natural, youthful appearance of the skin. In addition, daily skin care products round out this unique line-all designed to make your skin healthier and more beautiful.

TNS Family of Products:  

Age Defense

Cleansers

Toners

Moisturizers