Edgar F. Fincher, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Edgar F. Fincher received both his MD and PhD degrees from The University of Tennessee, Memphis. He then completed early training in General Surgery at Stanford University followed by a research fellowship, also at Stanford University, where he studied mechanisms of skin wound healing. Dr. Fincher then completed his Dermatology residency at Stanford University before relocating to Los Angeles for a Fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery, laser and cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Fincher's areas of expertise include the treatment of skin cancers using the Mohs surgery technique, facial plastic reconstruction following skin cancer removal, laser treatment of the skin as well as cosmetic surgery (Facelifts, eyelid surgery and liposuction). Dr. Fincher has conducted extensive research into the mechanisms by which the skin heals and utilizes this information to create a superior surgical outcome with minimal scarring.

Dr. Fincher has conducted numerous presentations about his surgical techniques and laser research at national meetings for dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons and laser surgeons including work on the use of cutting edge lasers for skin rejuvenation, suture lifts for facial lifting and the combined use of liposuction with Thermage for maximizing neck rejuvenation.

By offering a wide range of treatments and the latest cutting edge technology, Dr. Fincher is able to tailor make the ideal surgical treatment for the individual patient and to provide a variety of laser techniques to ensure the ideal outcome following either cosmetic surgery or facial reconstruction after tumor removal.

Helen H. Fincher, M.D.

Dr. Helen Fincher received her MD from The University of Tennessee, Memphis with Highest Honors. Following this, she completed her dermatology training at Stanford University. Since completing her residency, Dr. Fincher has many years of experience in General & Cosmetic Dermatology. She has worked in both private practice as well as in academia, serving on the faculty at Stanford University and currently as a clinical faculty member at UCLA.

Her areas of expertise include the treatment of acne, sclerotherapy, laser treatment of birthmarks, blood vessels, and tattoos along with the latest skin rejuvenation techniques using chemical peels, Botox® and injectable fillers.

Botox

BOTOX® Cosmetic is commonly used to reduce or eliminate the appearance of facial wrinkles. It is injected under the skin into areas surrounding the eyes, forehead and mouth to smooth crow's feet, frown and worry lines, and lines on the neck. Made from a purified protein, BOTOX® injections block nerve impulses, weakening muscles to relax wrinkles and give the face a rejuvenated look. BOTOX® may also be useful for migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and eye and neck muscle spasms.

Collagen

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein found in the second layer of skin (the dermis) which "plumps up" the skin, joints, bones and ligaments. Injections counteract the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement by filling out sunken areas and smoothing lines for a rejuvenated look. Results may begin to fade in a few months, depending on the patient's age, genetic background, skin quality, lifestyle and body site. Because of this, and because injections cannot improve severe wrinkles or deep folds, the procedure is often combined with facial resurfacing or plastic surgery for more a satisfying and longer-lasting outcome.

Restylane®

Restylane® and now Perlane® and Juvederm® are designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips and shape facial contours. These fillers are clear gels composed of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that is found throughout your body. The most common areas for treatment are the lips, the nasolabial folds (from the root of the nose to the angle of your mouth) and the cheeks. With their unique ability to bind with water, these fillers can provide lasting improvement and a smooth, natural appearance for up to 6-9 months.

Radiesse™

Formerly known as Radience, Radiesse™ is a synthetic injectable filler that reduces wrinkles, creases and scars by augmenting the body's natural collagen supply. Composed of microspheres in a biocompatible gel, Radiesse is made from the same minerals found in our bones, so it carries no risk of allergic reaction (unlike collagen, which requires a skin test) – just one of its advantages over alternative treatments. Radiesse can be used on many areas of the body, but the most effective areas treated are the lips, nasolabial folds, laugh lines and around the mouth. Radiesse can also be used to replace lost volume in the cheeks or chin where time and natural aging has left a hollowed or sunken appearance. By filling these areas we are able to instantly rejuvenate the face in a single visit. Results are visible immediately after the injection and can last for 9-18 months, although the procedure can be repeated as often as you wish.

With all of these fillers, treatments typically take 15-20 minutes and require only local anesthetic. Side effects such as swelling or bruising are minimal and should fade within a few days.

Sculptra™

Sculptra™ is a new injectable product used to counteract the loss of fat beneath the skin, a condition called lipoatrophy. Sculptra is injected into the deep dermis layer of the skin to improve the appearance of sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, indentations and wrinkles. There is no need for allergy testing, since Sculptra's main component is an poly-L-lactic acid that has been used for 20 years in surgical products such as dissolvable sutures. Clinical trials have shown that the benefits of Sculptra treatments last up to two years.

Fat Transfer

Filling in lines or larger areas such as the cheeks, can also be done using your bodies own fat. Fat is gently removed from areas such as the abdomen using our tumescent liposuction technique. Fat is then injected into the skin to fill the unwanted lines or cheek hollows. Typically, 3 treatments are done a few months apart to achieve lasting correction for several years. After each treatment, there may be some mild swelling or bruising that lasts less than 1 week.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the standard treatment for varicose and spider veins. The procedure involves injecting a saline solution through a tiny needle into the vein, which then collapses and is absorbed by the body. Treatments involve one or more injections during one or more sessions, depending on the type, number and severity of the veins being treated. By the end of the treatment program, the veins are no longer visible on the skin surface. Sclerotherapy usually also relieves symptoms associated with enlarged veins and prevents further complications.
On average, one to three sessions are required, spaced four to six weeks apart. After each session, patients may have to wear bandages or support hose for a few days or weeks and are encouraged to walk or exercise to speed recovery. The procedure is outpatient. Bruising and swelling (if present) should fade within a week or two. Sclerotherapy rarely produces more severe side effects such as scarring, although it cannot prevent the recurrence of vascular lesions.

Affirm & Affirm Multiplex--Fractional Resurfacing

The Affirm™ and Affirm Multiplex™ are the latest in minimal downtime laser treatments for skin tightening, acne scars, pigment removal and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.  The Affirm is selected for smoothing skin and evening of skin color, or the Affirm Multiplex can be selected for those patients desiring additional skin tightening in a non-invasive, “zero down time” treatment. The Affirm and Affirm Multiplex lasers are safe for all patients regardless of their skin type.

The Affirm™ and the Affirm Multiplex™ utilize fractional resurfacing technology, where only a small fraction of the skin receives the laser light during a treatment.  Patients receive, on average, 3-5 treatments spaced 3 weeks apart. Each of these painless treatments delivers a series of microscopic laser spots, while simultaneously preserving areas of unaffected, healthy skin. The healthy cells in the untouched spots promote rapid healing of the entire area, resulting in faster recovery time and minimal side effects.   After each treatment, patients show a mild amount of redness for 24-48hrs that is easily covered with makeup. The result is softer, smoother and healthier skin without an uncomfortable healing period.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 laser resurfacing has long been the gold standard in facial skin resurfacing. The CO2 laser works by removing the outer layers of skin to remove sun damage and unwanted pigmentation. The laser also penetrates deeply into the skin to generate new collagen that will tighten the skin and remove wrinkles. CO2 resurfacing is also an excellent way to enhance the outcome of other cosmetic procedures when it is combined with eyelid surgery or facelifts to provide a rejuvenated and youthful appearance to the skin.

Plasma Skin Resurfacing

Plasma skin resurfacing with the Portrait PSR3™ is the latest in skin resurfacing technology. The Portrait will safely and quickly resurface the skin to strip away unwanted wrinkles, sun damage or pigmentation. Because of the new technology, the skin heals rapidly leaving behind refreshed and rejuvenated skin. The Portrait can also be for our weekend plasma peel to remove pigmentation and sun damage with only mild redness after the treatment allowing you to return to work quickly without unwanted downtime.

IPL Fotofacial

Fotofacial is a non-abrasive and non-invasive rejuvenation of your skin using the remarkable new technology of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).
IPL FotoFacial technology can correct or erase the signs of photoaging, rosacea, sun damage, and brown spots on the face, hands and body. It has also been used to reduce the appearance of mild acne scars, dark circles around the eyes, and to reduce fine lines around the eyes and mouth.

Using a cold gel applied to the area to be treated, the IPL FotoFacial handpiece is gently applied to your skin as pulses of light are emitted. Usually, four to six treatment sessions, lasting about 20 minutes each, will provide you with beautiful results.

There is no recuperation time necessary. With an IPL FotoFacial you can return to work the same day or resume your normal activities. There is no disruption to your active lifestyle. You will notice a gradual, yet natural, looking improvement providing you with outstanding results. IPL is a safe solution tailor-made to your skin type and condition.

Laser Treatment of Spider Veins

New technology allows us to treat spider veins without surgery or other painful procedures that require an extended hospital stay and long recovery. Laser ablation takes only 45 minutes in two sessions. The procedure is painless and does not require anesthesia. The laser aims carefully controlled pulses of narrow-wavelength light at the damaged veins. The veins absorb the light and heat up, then collapse and close. They are then gradually re-absorbed by the body. Normal activities can be resumed immediately.

Laser Treatment of Varicose Veins

Remove Varicose Veins with EndoVenous Laser Treatments (EVLT). The treatment of large blue bulging varicose veins used to require hospitalization, extensive surgery for vein stripping, a long recovery time and many unwanted scars. Today, technology has progressed to the point where these unsightly bulging and sometimes painful veins can be successfully eliminated using a minimally invasive laser procedure. The procedure consists of placing a small fiberoptic laser into the vein to heat the vein causing it to permanently shrink closed.

The entire procedure is done with local anesthetic through a single puncture. No hospitalization is required. After the procedure, the patient’s leg is wrapped for several days. Patients are able to walk and experience only minimal discomfort and bruising.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Many people have second thoughts about their tattoos. Fortunately, you don't have to live with your decision forever. Highly precise lasers can lighten or remove your tattoo by focusing or pulsing light on the ink particles, which then convert the energy to heat and break up into tiny pieces that are absorbed harmlessly by the body. All this can be accomplished without damaging the surrounding tissue. Results can generally be seen within a few weeks, although larger and darker tattoos may require more treatments than smaller, lighter ones. Occasionally treated skin will look whiter (paler) than the skin around it, but this is usually temporary and fades in the months following treatment.

Total FX® Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing

The latest technology for laser skin resurfacing is the Total FX® fractional CO2 laser. This laser reduces lines and wrinkles, sun spots and tightens skin restoring a more youthful appearance to your skin. Better yet, the Total FX® accomplishes this with half of the normal healing time of traditional laser resurfacing. Advances in fractional laser technology allow the Total FX® laser to treat portions of the skin and still provide excellent results in a safer treatment and with a reduced healing time compared to traditional CO2 resurfacing. Crow's feet, loose eyelid skin, and sun damaged skin all respond beautifully to the Total FX®.

The procedure is performed using a unique combination of Deep FX® for wrinkles, acne scars and rebuilding collagen followed by the Active FX® for the superficial layers of the skin to remove unwanted pigment, smooth the skin and restore a youthful luster to the skin tone. Treatments can be performed in less than an hour and are done under local anesthetic. Following a treatment, most patients experience redness and some degree of peeling for 5-7 days.

Blepharoplasty / Eyelid Lift

The eyes are the number one feature that people notice when they first meet. Eyelid bags, sagging skin or wrinkles can give the appearance of being tired, stressed or aged. By removing the unwanted fat or skin and tightening the wrinkles, you can easily strip away 10 years or more from your age.

Dr. Fincher is an expert at eyelid rejuvenation. He recently co-Edited a textbook on Blepharoplasty that describes many of the latest techniques for eyelid rejuvenation. Eyelid surgery is done using local anesthesia and the incisions are hidden from site. It is a safe surgery performed on an outpatient basis, generally in less than 1 hour. The recovery time varies between patients, but usually is 7-10 days. Following this short recovery time, results are immediate and last years. Both upper and lower eyelids can be done at the same time, and/or the procedures can be combined with other procedures such as laser resurfacing to maximize results.

Facelift

In time, gravity, sun exposure, and the stresses of daily life take their toll on our faces: the cheeks relax, deep creases appear beside the mouth, the jawline slackens, and folds and fat deposits appear on the neck. Facelifts correct these problems by repositioning fat and tightening skin and muscles, giving your face a fresher, youthful look. After surgery, some patients appear 10-15 years younger.

Dr. Fincher is an expert on various facelift techniques and performs almost all of his procedures under LOCAL ANESTHESIA. He recently co-Edited a textbook titled Advanced Face Lifting that has already sold thousands of copies.

A facelift traditionally treats both face and neck sagging, however many younger patients or those with only early signs of facial aging may be candidates for a MINI-LIFT or S-LIFT. The mini-lift is performed using less surgery that translates into less healing time. In both cases, Dr. Fincher hides the incision lines in natural creases so that they are virtually invisible to the naked eye.

The procedure can be combined with a browlift, eyelid surgery, chin implant or laser treatments for more dramatic results.

Neck Lift

A neck lift and/or neck liposuction can be performed to remove excess fat beneath the chin and tighten loose skin in the neck. A less invasive alternative to a facelift, the procedure can produce dramatic results in the patient whose chin and/or neck has sagged with age or after weight loss but who retain natural youthful appearing facial skin.

Liposuction & SmartLipo™

Dr. Eddie Fincher uses a combination of traditional liposculpture along with the newest technology to hit the market, SmartLipo MPX™, for laser-assisted lipolysis. We are proud to be the first office in Los Angeles to offer this revolutionary treatment for maximizing fat removal, maximizing skin contraction, minimizing healing time and for providing the ultimate in skin contouring.

Dr. Fincher customizes his use of Smart Lipo and traditional liposuction to the individual patient’s needs. In all cases, the procedure is performed through tiny punctures placed in as inconspicuous a place as possible; a cannula (small tube) then removes the fat and sculpts the skin to create your new look.