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Facial Rejuvenation

Facial Rejuvenation

It may seem like there is a new facial treatment announced every week, so it’s understandable to lose track of which one does what. Sometimes it can be difficult deciding what to choose as there can be more than one kind of facial available to tackle certain aesthetic issues. And while the newest facial available might sound exciting, and possibly perfect for you, you might find better luck with something that treats other issues as well.

Woman With Face Mask

Stop trying to figure out if you are right for a particular facial, instead see which facial is best suited for you.

It Starts With You

Before any treatment is suggested, a good physician will always interview you first. You may answer questions relating to your specific aesthetic goals, your medical history, and your lifestyle. This is done to ensure that you are not only paired with the right treatment, but that you also see the best possible results.

So let’s break down some of the major facials by what aesthetic concerns they aim to correct.

Facials for Wrinkles

  • Laser Rejuvenation Peels: Sciton MicroLaserPeel™ is a popular method of targeting wrinkles. Sciton MicroLaserPeel™ removes the top layers of skin in the treated area to create healthy new skin.
  • Photodynamic Therapy: If you’re only concerned with fine lines, this is a great option with little downtime (a few hours at most). Using BroadBand Light (BBL™), photodynamic therapy uses a low-intensity light to activate a special medication that’s applied to the skin.
  • BOTOX® Cosmetic: Okay, this isn’t a facial, sure. However, there’s no denying how effective and trusted this product is. This non-surgical treatment uses advanced medication injected into facial muscles to help them relax and, in turn, make those pesky wrinkles disappear. Results don’t last forever, but with a 10-minute procedure, getting another set of injections can be accomplished during your lunch hour.

Woman Getting Facial

Facials for Volume

  • Fat Transfer to the Face: If you’re not fond of injecting any chemicals into your body, you’re in luck. After removing fat from the lower part of the body using liposuction, it is then injected into facial muscles.
  • Facial Fillers: Perfect for those with smoker’s lines, smile lines, or those who want to add plumpness to their lips, JUVÉDERM® XC is a highly trusted option. This FDA-approved injectable gel can be used on any part of the face.
  • Y-Lift: A quick procedure that requires a titanium instrument inserted under the skin to maneuver facial muscles and facial fat to a more contoured shape. Once in place, facial fillers are used to hold everything in place. After the filler takes hold, the titanium instrument is taken out.

Facials for Sun Damage & Pigmentation

  • Photodynamic Therapy: Specifically designed to address sun-damaged skin and even eliminate pre-cancerous zones, BBL™ is a highly effective treatment option.

Facials for Tighter & Smoother Skin

  • PRP Facial Rejuvenation: Using platelet rich plasma (PRP) that’s separated from your own blood (you read that right), it is injected into the face to stimulate the development of new collagen and can restore damaged tissue. PRP has a multitude of benefits, including hair rejuvenation.

Pretty Woman With Hand On Face

Which Facial Is Right for You?

It’s time to speak with your trusted doctor about the options available to you. Remember that even though you may feel like you know exactly which treatment is right for you, it is ultimately a decision that should be made together between you and your doctor. It may be best to combine more than one treatment to achieve greater results in a shorter amount of time.

If you would like to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Apodaca, feel free to contact us at Pure Gold Medical Center by calling 909-792-9404 today!

Hormone Balancing

Hormone Balancing

Diet and exercise play a vital part in shaping how we look and feel, but as we age, our bodies don’t produce the same amount of hormones as they used to. This affects everyone differently, so there is no blanket treatment option available.

Older Woman Hiking

Hormone Deficiencies: How Did We Get Here?

Remember when you could easily enjoy a full night’s sleep? Or when going to the gym made your mood better? That’s because your body’s hormone levels were balanced. As we enter our midlife years, these levels begin to fluctuate even before menopause occurs. These reduced levels of hormones can result in hot flashes, cause your skin to dry, lower libido, and also cause some individuals to experience depression, anxiety, or insomnia.

So how can we do something about the gifts of getting older? There are many treatment options available for both men and women. Some of the most trusted and effective solutions are relatively easy, including testosterone supplementation in the form of pellets, topical gel, lozenges, and injections.

For some, especially athletic people, hormone levels can become unbalanced at a much younger age than expected. Some patients have experienced hormone imbalance due to over-exercising, high sugar and refined carb intake, overeating, undereating, or lack of sleep.

Testosterone for Women

Yes, women need testosterone too! Did you know that on average a woman’s testosterone level peaks in her 20s? By the time she has reached menopause, testosterone levels are half of what they once were. However, your body will still produce testosterone, even at reduced levels, after the body no longer produces estrogen.

Testosterone pellets are a popular method of helping women maintain proper levels of testosterone with a constant regulated release into the body. This is achieved by placing the testosterone pellet under the skin of the patient, which will continue to remain there until it has dissolved completely into the body. There are many benefits of hormone therapy, including improved mood and healthier skin and hair.

Testosterone for Men

Testosterone pellets are highly effective for men, more so than creams, lozenges, or injections. This is because only testosterone pellets can provide a steady flow of testosterone administered into the body (if you skip an injection appointment or forget to take a lozenge, fluctuations in hormone levels start to happen).

Older Man Celebrating in Office

Benefits of Hormone Therapy

The pellet insertion procedure is quick and straightforward. There are many benefits of hormone therapy, including improved mood and healthier skin and hair. Plus, you only have to set up an appointment for additional pellets after the ones in your body have worn off, which is usually only every six months.

Older Woman Smiling With Hands Under Face

One of the significant benefits of hormone therapy is that the hormones found inside the pellets are bioidentical, so your body won’t be able to tell the difference between your natural hormones or the bioidentical hormones introduced into your body via pellets.

Two Older People High Fiving

Life With Hormone Therapy

Of course, just because you have hormone pellets inserted into your body, that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to neglect all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a regular exercise routine and a nutritious diet is very important to ensure you continue keeping your hormones in perfect balance.

There are plenty of ways to help balance hormones, and when combined with hormone therapy, it can improve your results. Make sure you are eating at least 20 grams of protein with every meal. Protein helps suppress your appetite, which leaves you feeling fuller for longer periods of time.

Avoid refined sugar, such as high-fructose corn syrup. Keep your stress level managed by doing yoga or meditation, preferably 15 minutes each day. Green tea is great as it helps lower insulin levels (not the Arizona Green Tea as it is full of that pesky high-fructose corn syrup).

Another great food option is any fish with omega-3 fatty acids, such as albacore, salmon, trout, sardines, herring, and mackerel. Pair these dishes with a high-fiber side like sweet potatoes, quinoa, lentils, brussels sprouts, or any other food rich in fiber, and your hormones will definitely thank you.

If you are interested in learning more about how hormone therapy can help you, please schedule your initial consultation by calling Pure Gold Medical Center at 909-792-9404 today!

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Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

What is Erectile Dysfunction Therapy?

It’s easy to start your journey to a happier and healthier sexual life. Erectile dysfunction therapy is a safe, comfortable treatment for men that can help improve sexual performance.

Erectile dysfunction therapy utilizes painless, high-frequency, low-intensity sound waves to improve blood flow to the penis. The procedure uses a specific protocol designed to optimize efficacy, safety, and results.

Candidates

Ideal candidates for erectile dysfunction (ED) therapy are men who are in good general health but are concerned with ED caused by poor blood flow to the penis.

It’s easy to start your journey to a happier and healthier sexual life.

How It Works

Erectile dysfunction therapy is a comfortable, revolutionary male sexual performance procedure that uses low-intensity sound waves to improve sexual function in men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. The treatment may also be referred to as low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) or acoustic wave therapy.

The procedure breaks up plaque formation in blood vessels and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the penis, improving blood flow and sexual function. In addition, the procedure may activate the growth of new nerve tissue in the penis. This process is called neurogenesis, and it can help enhance sensitivity.

Procedure

Patients should arrive 30 minutes prior to their first appointment for the application of numbing cream. You may apply numbing cream at home before any subsequent sessions. You may feel a slight tingling during your treatment but no discomfort. The device handpiece is placed at the target site, and the sound waves are emitted in low-intensity bursts.

Erectile dysfunction therapy is a pain-free, non-invasive procedure that uses pulsed sound waves to improve blood flow to the penis. The treatment is nonsurgical, and provides long-lasting results. Each treatment session lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. We typically recommend a series of six to 12 sessions to start. The total number of treatments will depend on several factors. Maintenance treatments are recommended.

Recovery

There is no downtime or recovery period needed. You may return to your regular activities immediately after your appointment.

Results

Acoustic wave therapy encourages the growth of new blood vessels, breaks up plaque formations in the existing vessels, and may help activate stem cells and new cell growth. By increasing blood flow to the penis, patients will experience stronger, harder, and more sustainable erections. Results are meant to be long lasting. However, results may vary between patients. We will discuss your treatment plan and anticipated outcome with you during your consultation appointment.

*Results vary based on a patient’s medical condition and age and may take a few months to obtain.

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Trouble Shooting: ‘My pellets didn’t work last time’

The most common reasons NOT to get the ‘great results’ you have experienced in the past are:

  • Stress: Increased stress, either physical or mental, will definitely affect how you feel physically and emotionally. Stress can even cause hot flashes. Stress can affect how long the pellets last. Symptoms may return several weeks sooner.
  • Medications: Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, sleeping pills, blood pressure and other medications have side effects and can interfere with the effects of testosterone therapy. Side effects include: decreased libido and sexual performance, fatigue, anxiety, hot flashes, disruption of sleep patterns, memory problems, weight gain and depression.
  • Diet: A diet high in refined foods & processed carbohydrates and low in fat will definitely affect the result you get with testosterone. Fatigue, irritability and anxiety may be diet related. Whole foods, good fats and protein can beneficially affect mood and energy. Testosterone increases muscle mass and gets rid of fat deposits. Refined carbohydrates/whole grains can prevent weight loss usually seen with testosterone therapy.
  • Lack of Consistent Exercise: Aerobic exercise is a remarkable stress reliever. It increases energy and metabolism and decreases anxiety. Exercise improves sleep patterns. The best results from pellets are seen in people who exercise.
  • Lack of Sunlight: The lack of sunlight will affect mood, sense of well-being and physical energy. Lack of sunlight and subsequent low levels of Vitamin D are detrimental to health.
  • Estrogen Dominance: Fluid retention, weight gain, breast pain, anxiety, PMS, insulin resistance, and lack of ‘sense of well being’ are all symptoms of excess estrogen.

Often complaints of ‘pellets not working’ occur during the winter months. The stress of the holidays, change in diets, lack of sunlight, and change in activity level can all affect how you feel both mentally and physically. Some patients do much better with a higher dose of testosterone in the winter months, especially those with ‘seasonal affective disorder’.
The body makes healthy levels of estragon by converting testosterone to estradiol. If estrogen levels become too high, the symptoms of estrogen dominance may manifest themselves. Exercise, whole foods, fiber, losing weight and getting rid of refined carbohydrates can help lower estrogen levels. Occasionally a medication may be prescribed or given with the testosterone in the implant to reduce estrogen excess.
The implant always delivers a steady stream of testosterone.

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Instructions for Patients Taking Cortef

Cortef is a hormone made in the adrenal gland. Symptoms of cortisol deficiency include:

  • Fatigue, especially in the afternoon
  • Stress
  • Sugar/Salt cravings
  • Low blood sugar
  • Allergies, asthma, sinusitis
  • Chemical sensitivity (perfume, detergents, odors), eczema
  • Aches, pains (especially neck and back)
  • Muscle stiffness, joint pain, arthritis
  • Hives, itching, skin sensitivity, reaction to bug bites, acne
  • Weak immune system, repeated infections, pneumonia
  • Autoimmune diseases, thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease
  • Low blood pressure, low fluid volume (dehydrate easily)

Cortef is usually prescribed in 5 to 10 mg tablets given two to three times daily for a total daily dose of 15-20 mg. This dose does not have the side effects of ‘steroid therapy.’ This is important for you to understand because you will receive information from the pharmacy that describes the ‘side effects’ of steroids. Some health care providers are not aware of the difference between therapeutic replacement doses of cortef and ‘steroids’. Cortef does not cause these side-effects.
Cortef 5 mg may be taken three times daily with meals. Some people prefer to take it twice daily, 20 mg in the morning and 5 -10 mg around 4 pm. Because cortef is a natural hormone it will not interfere with taking any other medication. If you develop a respiratory infection or go through a period of extreme stress you may need to temporarily increase your dose of cortef (up to 20 mg four times daily).

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Thyroid Therapy Redlands

Thyroid Treatment

Levothyroxine or USP thyroid may be prescribed if thyroid-stimulated hormone is elevated. ½ dose is taken on an empty stomach for 4 days, followed by the whole dose. Follow up thyroid blood levels are tested 2-3 months following the initiation of thyroid therapy or a change in dosage. The dose must be lowered or discontinued if the patient experiences the following side effects.

  • Anxiety, nervousness, agitation, sweating
  • Insomnia, headaches
  • Rapid heartbeat, palpitations, rapid pulse
  • Pain or tightness in chest
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss

Signs & Symptoms Associated with Hypothyroidism

  • Fatigue (morning)
  • Weakness
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain
  • Cold extremities, intolerance to cold
  • Edema around ankles or below eyes
  • Muscle aches, headaches
  • Depression
  • Poor concentration, memory loss
  • Hoarseness
  • Dry, rough skin
  • Orange tint to palms and soles, pallor
  • Dry, thinning hair

Conditions Associated with Hypothyroidism

  • Hypertension
  • Chest pain
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Elevated cholesterol
  • Irregular menstrual cycles, infertility
  • PMS, fibrocystic breast disease
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Psoriasis, urticarial
  • Allergies, asthma, rhinitis.
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Lisette Lind

Lisette Lind

Lisette Lind, Licensed Aesthetician

Darlene has been in the nursing field since 1971. She got her LVN in 1973 from East Los Angeles College. She worked in OB/GYN for 14 years. She has assisted Dr. Apodaca in the Cosmetic field for the last 13 years. She is a well round employee; she covers the front desk, assist Dr. Apodaca on all non-invasive procedures and is the circulating nurse in the OR. Darlene has a loving and nurturing mannerism which all of the clients love!

staff

Darlene Apodaca

Darlene Apodaca

Darlene Apodaca, LVN

Lisette’s primary focus is to meet the skin care goals and needs of her clients from acne to anti-aging. She will guide you through the process of achieving healthy, glowing skin and asset you in meeting your body slimming goals through our Body Cavitation and radio frequency treatments. Lisette’s past experience in a day spa/ massage setting has taught her the importance of healthy living; great at home skin care and regular professional treatments. As a former retail business owner, Lisette takes great pride in her work, she is compassionate, meticulous and always puts the clients experience first.

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Lorenzo A. Apodaca, M.D

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Dr. Apodaca graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, where he received his residency training and Board Certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He studied under Dr. Amar, the founder of the F.A.M.I. procedure, and served as an Assistant Professor at UCLA in Obstetrics and Gynecology before entering private practice. With over twenty-five years of extensive experience, performing a high volume of major surgeries each year, Dr. Apodaca is ideally qualified to perform Abdominoplasty and Liposculpture. Dr. Apodaca is a member of the American Academy of Liposuction, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Breast Surgery. Dr. Apodaca’s passion is to provide the best care at a reasonable cost.

Wellness

Men’s Health

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Men’s Health Redlands

Andropause is the gradual, progressive decline of testosterone levels in men that typically begins around the age of 50. This decrease in hormone levels can cause mild to severe physiological and psychological changes. Low testosterone levels may also be associated with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and rapid aging. Symptoms of low testosterone levels include erectile dysfunction, muscular weakness, and weight gain, and may be detected as early as the mid-thirties.

Andropause is treated using testosterone supplementation. Treatment can be administered using topical gels, sublingual lozenges, or intramuscular injections. However, pellet therapy is the most effective way to supplement testosterone levels.

Benefits of Testosterone Pellet Therapy

Pellet therapy allows the body to absorb the testosterone more effectively, and do not have to worry about inactivation, changed in blood clotting, or fluctuations in plasma testosterone levels, which can be seen with injections and other forms of testosterone therapy. Pellet therapy may be suitable for patients who have not had success with topical treatments or sublingual lozenges.

Before your pellet therapy, your testosterone and estrogen levels will be checked to assess the absorption of testosterone and the conversion to estrogen. The pellets are implanted with a trocar after numbing the area.

Recovery and Results After Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Pellet therapy is safe, reliable, and has been shown to improve health and quality of life. Recovery time is minimal. You may experience slight bruising or swelling at the injection site, but these symptoms should resolve within a few days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for one to two days after your injections.

Patients will notice an increase in energy levels and libido, as well as improvements in endurance and mental acuity. On average, testosterone pellets are implanted at six-month intervals.