tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16586003250629320112009-06-11T10:43:00.435-07:00Alexander Z. Rivkin M.D. is a Yale trained facial cosmetic surgeon and UCLA faculty member who has focused his practice exclusively on providing his patients with the latest in non-invasive, non-ablative cosmetic treatments in Southern California. He understands that no one relishes the thought of “going under the knife,” and believes modern medical technology can provide today's patients with superior alternatives to invasive, painful surgery that requires a long recovery time.Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-40251011392752540072009-06-03T15:33:00.000-07:002009-06-03T15:34:00.041-07:00

Some before and after picturesMake a free photo slideshow

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-42558609643047833202009-05-31T14:20:00.000-07:002009-05-31T14:21:10.556-07:00

Eyes that look tired have historically been difficult to treat. The reason is that the appearance of tired eyes is caused by several factors, some of which respond to treatment and some of which do not. There are usually four components that make up the appearance of puffy and tired looking eyes.1. Dark pigmentation of the skin under the eyes. The predisposition to this is usually genetic. Some

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-13008156991653948552009-05-20T10:36:00.000-07:002009-05-20T10:37:01.419-07:00

As our society becomes more and more diverse, aesthetic medicine is getting away from the one-size fits all mentality of the past. Treatments today are increasingly being tailored to the particular needs of various ethnic groups. Los Angeles has a large Asian population and responding to their particular aesthetic concerns has become important to many cosmetic practices here. One of the more

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-90398128390935823922009-05-13T15:12:00.000-07:002009-05-13T15:13:33.947-07:00

Dear Dr. Rivkin,I got Radiesse in my mid face four months ago to relief the nasabial folds.The effect has not yet worn off. I heard it last 1-2 years.But now I inherited money and want a midface lift and permanent fat grafting to my mid face.Can a plastic surgeon remove the Radiesse from my face or do I have to wait till it has worn off?In other words: how long do I have to wait till I can get a

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-57701923723696977502009-05-13T13:41:00.000-07:002009-05-13T13:46:00.933-07:00

Hi!I had a series of IPL treatments a couple years ago with great results. I did it primarily for general redness. I also had two very small, light (smaller than a pencil eraser) sun spots completely vanish. It was great. I'm pretty fair skinned and didn't have a lot of pigmentation issues, but was happy to see those two spots on the side of my face disappear. My skin is a bit sensitive, so I was

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-58284941232991053172009-05-13T11:48:00.000-07:002009-05-13T11:50:48.197-07:00

Dr Rivkin,I recently had botox in the crows feet area, which has worked quite well in the area immediatley adjacent to the eye.Unfortunately, my most significant crows feet area is at the 45 degree angle (5 o'clock if you can visualize that) Sort of like the Hugh Jackman type of lines, which might look sexy on a guy, but aren't nearly as appealing on a woman.My doctor was going to inject that

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-14978079288407345662009-05-12T16:31:00.001-07:002009-05-12T16:31:40.990-07:00

Dear Dr. Rivkin,I have seen you televised on many reputable shows, and have also followed your threads on this website. Therefore, I have decided to pose this question to you instead of other doctors. (Thank you for all your great and candid posts!)If I am considering an injectable for hollowing of the eye area, such as Restylane or Juvederm, is it reasonable for me to ask a doctor or nurse (

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-82876713172457180582009-05-12T16:06:00.000-07:002009-05-12T16:10:20.891-07:00

Hi Dr. Rivkin.I too read some of the risks of using artefill. I have heard that since aretefill is fairly new, some doctors will not use it until they can see the long term effects (5-10 years down the line).I have heard some people having great results with you with the semi-permanent fillers for their non surgical nose job. I had a rhinoplasty done, and although I like my results, there are a

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-12738201244113120412009-03-31T16:29:00.000-07:002009-03-31T16:30:49.858-07:00

Hi please can you answer these questions to the best of your knowledge and expertise, thankscan radiesse be used into cheekbones so i could i get an exact match as the other cheekbone, could this lead to further problems?If i was to get fat grafts to build up parts of scraped away cheekbone due to surgery would it be a surgical operation or can that be injected?Could bone graft be done to a good

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-15196856876439554012009-03-31T16:17:00.000-07:002009-03-31T16:18:48.919-07:00

What can you say about which one is more appropriate filler for under eyelid and tear through ?One doctor said Perlane, the other doctor said Redexis.By your experience which one can fill up better looking and longer ?Thanks,MaryNicolehi mary nicole,i don't think there is much debate these days about what material is best under the eyes. hyaluronic acid works really well and lasts for a long time

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-67125760101521888442009-03-31T16:11:00.000-07:002009-03-31T16:12:08.620-07:00

Might take you a week to answer..LOLhere goes:1.My father had Lupus, found out at his death bed. autoimmune disease, I could possibly inherit it. So I know Collagen is out!2. Im RH Neg blood, Does this matter?3.Im allergic to Pennicillin terribly..4.When I had my wisdom teeth removed back 20 yrs ago, I developed 1 cysts on outside lower cheek area (both Cheeks).5.I just developed 2 corneal ulcers

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-64576307650050171242009-03-30T14:06:00.000-07:002009-03-30T14:07:52.288-07:00

Hi Dr. Rivkin,I've seen several people (doctors/injectors) on various sites post that if Radiesse is injected too deeply it doesn't last long at all or could migrate. Is this true? I thought it was supposed to be injected deeply. Can an injector really control the level they inject within the deep or subdermal layers?I've felt that Radiesse in N/L folds either migrates or doesn't last a week, but

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-4960285388169542272009-03-30T13:59:00.000-07:002009-03-30T14:00:11.527-07:00

Is it possible to reduce the size of the fleshy part of the nose using injections like steroid and enzymes - or is the only way to correct noses, fillers?hii have had some success reducing the fleshy part of the nose with steroids. it takes several sessions and the results are subtle, but it seems like it can be done. i think the results are permanent, but i'm not 100% positive.i've done probably

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-82369609879656632372009-03-30T13:55:00.000-07:002009-03-30T13:56:40.734-07:00

Hi, doctor.I have an eyelid droop after Botox injection between my eyebrows. Only one eye though. My left eye is half closed. How long will it take for it go back to normal. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process? Thanks a lotunfortuantely, this can happen.its rare, but if botox is placed incorrectly, or you have unusual anatomy, it can happen.your doctor should be able to give you

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-71297347872408278802009-03-28T12:23:00.000-07:002009-03-28T12:25:18.980-07:00

Dr. Rivkin,I'm interested in doing the non surgical nose job.But I have some concerns:- My skin/system is so sensitive how can we make sure I won't have any adverse reaction to this material you are injecting?- After one year when the material goes away, does it leave any residual material on the nose, maybe in the form of tiny bumps? does it leave the skin folded and wrinkly?hi,good questions.1.

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-56670605537956249252008-12-09T15:19:00.000-08:002009-01-04T16:53:33.564-08:00

Dr. Rivkin,I also have a LHR question for you regarding lasers.One of the areas I am getting done is my upper lip.The laser really close to my nose (basically it almost touches it) because my tongue is underneath my lip sticking out that area to make it easier on the tech.As I was leaving my treatments my nose started bleeding really bad. Is that just a total by chance thing or could the laser

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-73950551932974563272008-12-02T11:13:00.001-08:002008-12-02T11:13:53.416-08:00

Would LHR be more effective if patient had it done on an area every 3 weeks (twice as many times)? I guess I'm wondering if hair grows at different rates, whether you would "catch" more hair in the growth cycle that way. Realize it would cost twice as much, but wondering if hair removal would go a little faster.p.s. I recently had my first session of LHR with the Soprano XL laser and it was very

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-31789934045383023762008-11-28T12:05:00.000-08:002008-11-28T12:08:10.023-08:00

Hi Dr. Rivkin,I have had radiesse injections in my chin (as I have a very weak chin, specifically I have had 2 syringes)....When Acquamid is FDA approved can I use it over my radiesse to get a permanent chin? I am assuming that some of the radiesse would have faded though some of it would still be there. I am worried about waiting for the radiesse to completely fade as I really really need a

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-2092969150716072932008-11-24T17:08:00.000-08:002008-11-24T17:09:27.042-08:00

I am thinking of having fraxel repair on my face, neck, chest and hands. My main concern is the possibility of scarring or anything permanent that could go wrong. My doctor said she hasn't had any negative reactions to fraxel repair. Is there any need for concern?hi,the face is quite resilient, so i'm not concerned about that as much as the hands, neck and chest. make sure that your doc has had a

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-84325257485247541682008-11-24T17:00:00.001-08:002008-11-24T17:00:59.135-08:00

Dear Dr. Rivkin:Approx. 5 yrs. ago my derm. in Miami injected silkon in my laugh lines, crows feet & the 2 lines between my eyebrows (11). He did this 2 times. Fine results. He retired.3 yrs. ago I went to a S. Beach Doc. He did the same thing plus put it in my lip line & mouth commas. Fine.In the past 2 yrs., he has done this 4x's plus put some silicone where he put restalyne (near my cheeks/eye

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-50526418630546291842008-11-21T15:53:00.000-08:002008-11-21T15:54:16.285-08:00

Hi Doc, im 38 male and i have jowels that i would like to get "stretched".I don't want to have a face lift (although i would like to know more about what is involved in this) and would like to know what is the most effective and long lasting non invasive injection or treatment i can get.Thanks for any advice. Barryhi barry,you have 2 choices for non invasive treatment of jowls.1. thermage or a

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-118215437680667042008-11-20T12:23:00.000-08:002008-11-20T12:24:19.643-08:00

Hi Dr. Rivkin,I'll be getting a THIRD round of Artefill for my NL and marionette lines next week. Hopefully this will do the trick. The lines are improved but could be better. Even my doctor said he wishes there was 'more bang for the buck' with Artefill.My question is, could Artefill be used for the vertical lines between the eyes (frown lines?)? I'm beginning to get a deep one near my right

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-70577811214348606812008-11-20T12:09:00.000-08:002008-11-20T12:10:05.987-08:00

What is the downtime for the CO2 laser. I hear one week. Does that mean I will look like nothing has happened to me in one week? When can I wear make-up? When will I be presentable? When can I return to people I know and not have them ask what I have done?What is the downtime for restayline in the tear troughs? I have seen photos of nasty bruising. What is your rate of bruising?I am coming to

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-61694071082346218012008-11-20T12:02:00.000-08:002008-11-20T12:03:43.365-08:00

Hi Dr Rivkin,I had botox for the 1st time about 4 weeks ago for the lines between my brows. Left side had the bigger/deeper line. It felt like a nerve was maybe hit with the first injection. Felt it from the brow to the left side of my nose. Anyway a lot of my left side is numb (my upper left side on my forhead, left eye (but I can open and close eye, however it does feel dry and a little

Dr. Alexander Rivkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10407582884712061862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658600325062932011.post-2071147192627875942008-11-12T16:49:00.000-08:002008-11-12T16:54:27.523-08:00

I have had about four fraxel treatments. There are improvements, although small, with each one. Will Active FX give me better results, or Fraxel repair?Could you rate all three in terms of effectiveness for acne scarring? Thanks. Last question - what should I expect to pay for Active FX from the eyes down, i.e. under eyes, all cheek area and around the mouth? Thanks.hi gita,i think that yes,

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