Blog Archive

Skin irritation often appears in the form of redness. If you experience breakouts of red areas on your face, chest, back, arms, or elsewhere on your body, you may wonder why. Does acne cause your symptoms? Or do you have rosacea? At Apex Dermatology, Dr. Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS,...

Skin improvement, anti-aging, and cosmetic enhancement procedures can greatly improve your confidence. But, anxiety about pain during procedures may make you hesitant about taking the next step in your dream dermatology treatment plan. At Apex Dermatology, Dr. Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS, Dr. Aria Vazirnia FAAD, Kristin Rupert PA-C, Sherri...

When you look in the mirror, do you like the shape of your jawline? Or, do you see sagging and drooping skin forming jowls that make you look older than you feel? You might wonder if you need cosmetic surgery to address this source of disappointment. The good news is...

There are so many ways your skin can give away your age or even make you look older than you really are. From fine lines and wrinkles to increasing roughness in texture, the years really do make a difference when it comes to your skin. At Apex Dermatology, our team...

For several reasons, Your skin can develop hyperpigmented areas, appearing as brown spots or blotches. While these brown spots may or may not be a health concern, you may not like how they break up your skin's even appearance. Brown spots can show your age, as well. Dr. Karin Harp,...

It’s important for women to discuss potentially uncomfortable topics like urinary incontinence or leaking because women who have been pregnant or given birth face a higher risk of dealing with this type of personal issue afterward.  And, you should know that women coping with post-pregnancy or post-menopausal incontinence have options...

Skin care routines get complex. What are the right skin care elements for you to incorporate, and when are you just irritating your skin with unnecessary or unhelpful products? The right skin care routine can leave you looking youthful and dewy, but many people commit frustrating skin care faux pas...

Your skin deserves all the care and attention you can give it. After all, your skin is your body’s largest organ, as well as being one of the first things about you that other people see. So, it only makes sense to learn more about the science of skin care,...

Once you’ve mostly attained your weight loss goals, you might still feel dissatisfied with the contours or shape of your face and body. Many people retain stubborn areas of body fat, making it harder to enjoy your weight loss results. At Apex Dermatology, Dr. Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS, Dr....

Self-care trends can sometimes seem to leave men behind. But, at Apex Dermatology, our team of skin care and aesthetics specialists recognize that our male patients benefit just as much as our female ones from cosmetic and skin care maintenance. The Apex Dermatology skin care and aesthetics experts Dr. Karin...

Your hormones play a broad role in your physical and emotional health. It’s not just your moods. Did you know that the hormone estrogen even supports your skin? As women get older, levels of estrogen naturally decline as a part of the aging process. And, that has visible implications for...

You can use laser hair removal treatment to get rid of unwanted body hair, wherever it bothers you! Facial hair, leg hair, underarm hair, and more can be effectively addressed with this type of treatment. You can even treat your bikini area. And, today’s laser hair removal treatment is also...

You put a lot of energy into skin care, and you want your skin to look its best, with an even, dewy glow. However, areas of hyperpigmentation can disrupt your even skin tone, damaging your confidence. Hyperpigmentation can affect you no matter your skin color. And, in the past, it’s...

What if you could polish off the blemishes and imperfections on the surface of your skin, starting anew with a fresh, dewy, clear layer? With laser dermatology treatments, you absolutely can. And, that’s not all that laser therapy can do for you. At Apex Dermatology, our team of skin care...

Acne blemishes prevent your skin from looking its best, and can leave you feeling bad about yourself. If you think your acne prevention routine could use some adjustment for maximum effectiveness, you should know more about AviClear™, an exciting new option for acne treatment and prevention from Cutera. Dr. Karin Harp, MD,...

A double chin can wreck your best looks and styles, leaving you feeling bad about your appearance. Did you know that you have non-surgical treatment options to sculpt this part of your face, chin, and neck? At our state-of-the-art office in Westlake Village, California, Dr. Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS,...

When your hair starts to fall out or look thin, it can be a real blow to your self-confidence and positive self-image. Both men and women can find themselves dealing with hair loss or thinning at some point in their lives. At Apex Dermatology, Dr. Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS,...

Cancers can occur in any organ in your body, including your skin, which is, after all, your body’s largest organ. Skin cancers result from abnormal cell growth, and typically occur due to sun exposure. Skin cancer is a fairly common condition, and is more frequently diagnosed than any other type...

Pregnancy isn’t the only time you could find yourself dealing with gray or brown spots of hyperpigmentation on your skin, but it is one of the most common times to develop this skin condition. Known as melasma generally, during pregnancy the condition is also called chloasma. You may have heard it called “the mask...

For all the weathering your skin endures over the years, it always regenerates from within. Your body naturally restores and replenishes your cells and tissues each day, albeit more and more slowly as you get older. So, wouldn’t it be great to speed that process up, and target your results...

What’s the buzz about collagen? You might have heard of collagen supplements or topical agents that boost collagen production and quality. Rejuvenating procedures include Rejuvapen, Morpheus8 , Thermage, Fraxel Dual, Clear + Brilliant and Juliet Erbium laser, and skin-tightening treatments, available through the aesthetics experts at Apex Dermatology, work by...

Acne outbreaks result in whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, zits – you name it. It can be really tempting to poke, squeeze, and pop whiteheads and other pimples. You might have heard that it’s not a good idea to do that. But do you know why? At Apex Dermatology of Westlake Village, California,...

Get GLOWING with Dermaplaning.  Dermaplaning is an aesthetic treatment performed by our Licensed Aestheticians Lani Keene and Kailey Jones. This treatment removes dead skin cells and facial hair (peach fuzz) with no downtime! This treatment is a favorite among our providers and patients due to its quick results. You’ll leave...

Think about just how many factors impact your skin. There’s sun, wind, stress, cosmetics, chemicals, and more. The outer layers of your skin bear the brunt of all kinds of exposure, from sun damage to stress lines and wrinkles. This summer, let Dr. Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS, Dr. Aria Vazirnia...

Acne breakouts can affect everyone from pre-teens to adults. Acne is both emotionally and physically stressful.  Unmanaged acne can seriously influence your self-confidence which can translate into your everyday life. Acne can be caused by a variety of factors such as: Bacterial colonization that can cause inflammation  Fluctuations in certain...

ISDIN Glicoisdin 15 Moderate Gel     A renewing facial gel designed to help unify skin tone and revamp skin texture. Its light-texture formula contains 6.1% free glycolic acid to actively exfoliate and support skin turnover. Created with soothing aloe vera to help ease skin irritation. Enjoy your most luminous, refreshed look...

The outer layers of your skin can take a beating, especially in areas like your face that are frequently exposed to sunlight, wind, and chemicals, or in areas like your abdomen that can sustain stretch marks. The visible effects of skin damage can detract from your overall appearance, making you...

Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS  Dr. Harp earned her doctorate in Medicine and her Dermatology Residency at the University of Washington in Seattle - again ranked #1 for Primary Care in the US.  During her education, she was selected for the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Today, Dr....

Your skin is one of the first locations on your body to start giving away your age, especially in areas like the corners of your eyes and mouth, your decolletage, your hands, and your chin. Visible signs of aging can appear on your skin as early as your 20s, and as you...

         April is National Stress Awareness Month. It is important to help prevent and manage stress. This month shines a light on the impact that stress can have on your mental and physical health. Stress and anxiety can cause flare-ups of inflammatory skin conditions such as Eczema and...

  Dermal fillers are a cosmetic treatment that your provider injects below or within the surface of your skin. These gel-like solutions smooth out lines and wrinkles, replace lost volume, and enhance your facial contours. Fillers commonly contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that your body produces less of as...

Severe cystic acne can create painful blemishes and leave lasting scars. Even less severe outbreaks can put a dent in your self-confidence! Acne outbreaks are frustrating, in addition to causing embarrassment and potentially lowering your self-esteem. At Apex Dermatology of Westlake Village, California, Dr. Karin Harp, Dr. Aria Vazirnia and...

There are many reasons you might be looking into vaginal revitalization treatment. Life events and changes like birth, menopause, cancer treatments, and hormone therapies can leave the delicate tissues in your vaginal area damaged. You don’t feel like yourself, and you struggle to connect with intimate partners and fully enjoy...

After your skin heals from damage and trauma, you may be left with scars. Facial scarring can weaken your self-confidence and remind you of difficult or even traumatic moments in your life. If you’ve had skin trauma due to bad cystic or nodular acne, you can also be left with...

The New Year provides time for assessment and reflection. What happened in your life last year, and what goals did you achieve? While each new year gives you more chances for personal growth and success, it’s also true that every added year can contribute to visible signs of aging. For...

The outer layers of your skin take a beating, from sun damage to dehydration. You might notice issues with your complexion, including dullness, uneven skin tone, dark spots, and acne scarring. Want a clear start? At Apex Dermatology of Westlake Village, California, our experienced aesthetics team offers chemical skin peels...

You’ve got more tools in your lip kit than just liner and gloss. With lip fillers, you can add fullness and plumpness to your lips, sculpting your perfect smile. At Apex Dermatology of Westlake Village, California, our experienced care team, led by aesthetics expert Dr. Karin Harp, provides a full...

It might feel like Summer was just yesterday, but Fall is here, and the holidays are approaching faster than you realize. It’s time to start thinking about this year’s holiday plans, from get-togethers and seasonal menus to family photo-ops. If you’re thinking about enjoying aesthetic or cosmetic procedures to achieve...

Rosacea spreads redness and irritation across your face, often most visible in the area of your cheeks and nose. This chronic skin condition flares up, then subsides, only to flare up again. At Apex Dermatology of Westlake Village, California, our team of skin care experts, led by Dr. Karin Harp,...

Your skin can take a lot of damage over the course of a day, week, or season, from harsh ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in the sunshine, to the ravages of conditions like acne and rosacea. Apex’s expert dermatologic care offers quick and easy treatment solutions to give your skin the...

If you think about it, it makes perfect sense that your body possesses natural healing capabilities. After all, whenever you’re injured, whole systems in your body kick into gear, creating new tissue, restoring health, and renewing you at a cellular level. With regenerative medical procedures like treatment with platelet-rich plasma...

As you age, your skin naturally goes through transformations in weight and texture. Instead of smooth, full, rounded contours, you might start to see the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially on your face and hands. While you can’t literally stop time from passing, with today’s cosmetic dermatology treatment...

Your skin texture plays a bigger role in the aging process than you might realize. Even before you start to see the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles due to aging, your skin loses fullness and elasticity, more and more each year. In part, this happens due to decreased natural...

You put in the hard work of eating right, getting more and better exercise, and staying hydrated, and it’s mostly paid off – except for those last few stubborn areas of body fat that you just can’t drop. And, no matter what you do, you can’t make those last few...

Over time, fine lines and wrinkles start to show up on your skin, particularly in areas that can get a lot of sun like your face, neck, chest, and hands. Even bellies, knees and upper arms crinkle over time.  For many, smoothing out lines and wrinkles is a key anti-aging...

No matter how much you commit to healthier diet choices, regular and targeted workouts, and other lifestyle changes, you might still have stubborn areas of fat in locations around your body. The persistence of fat in your face, bust, belly, and legs can feel frustrating as you continue to do...

The end of a calendar year can turn your thoughts to your age. Why not think about your anti-aging plans, instead? At Apex Dermatology of Westlake Village, California, Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, Aria Vazirnia, MD, FAAD and their expert care team can work with you on your anti-aging agenda, whether...

If you have unwanted pigmentation changes on your cheeks, forehead, or throat due to melasma, you might be dissatisfied with your appearance. Dark spots can show your age, and depending on the spread of your melasma symptoms, your self-esteem may benefit from restoring the youthful, even appearance of your skin....

This autumn, more and more people across California and the United States are showing up for work – and even school – remotely. You might be spending more time on teleconferencing tools like Zoom than ever before. To keep your face camera-ready, so that you can feel confident when you...

You've spent the long summer days splashing at the beach, playing in the park, and hanging out in the garden. But, after a whole season of sunny summer fun, you might start to notice less-than-desirable changes in your skin. All of that sun exposure takes its toll. Visible sun damage...

Acne outbreaks can leave your skin pitted and pocked, even after zits and pimples have faded. So how can you get the smooth, even-toned skin you desire? To restore your skin once you've gotten your acne under control, you have plenty of cosmetic dermatology options. The aesthetic experts at Apex...

There are a lot of factors that could contribute to your acne problem, from genetics to hormones to dietary factors. In 2020, a new factor comes into the mix, as some people have found that the necessity of wearing masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19 causes acne flare ups. If...

Sexual well-being can certainly give you pleasure, but your sexual health is far from being just a luxury. In fact, your sexual health is both an important part of your overall physical wellness, and an essential element of your mental and emotional health. Changes to your body can get in...

It's normal for your face to get flushed sometimes. Many people get pink in the face, or even red, after physical exertion, drinking alcohol, or even as a result of emotional experiences. However, for some, facial redness occurs due to the medical skin condition of rosacea. Rosacea affects millions of...

In springtime, the outdoor world puts on a new face, starting over with new growth for a new year. This spring, why not put your own best face forward? Use laser therapy to shed the outer, damaged layers of your skin. The non-invasive treatment leaves your smooth, unblemished skin looking...

Do you wish you could turn back time and return to a younger facial look? While time only travels in one direction, we can use “thread lifting” procedures like Silhouette InstaLift™ to quickly and non-surgically rejuvenate your look.  At Apex Dermatology of Westlake Village, California, founder Karin Harp, MD, FAAD...

Having a double chin isn’t a look anyone wants. But the truth is that our genes and the results of aging bring you an unwanted double chin. Many individuals aren’t happy with the appearance of their chin and/or neck. Luckily, Kybella® treatments can melt away the fat to give you...

Time is not kind to your skin. Gravity, the elements, sunshine, and your body’s diminished production of important substances all play a part in those fine lines, dark spots, and deeper wrinkles forming on your face.  The team at Apex Dermatology, led by Dr. Karin Harp, wants to help you...

As you age, time leaves its mark on your skin in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, and droopy skin. And in sunny California, the added sun exposure that kisses our skin also creates dark spots and sun damage.   At Apex Dermatology, located in Westlake Village, California, our goal is...

Are you still struggling to lose those last few inches of stubborn body fat? Even with good diet and exercise, the shape or tone of certain areas can be a challenge. TruSculpt® iD is a single noninvasive procedure that can help reveal your best self. At Apex Dermatology of Westlake...

When you experience an eczema flare-up, it can feel like the condition consumes your entire day. You long to calm your itchy, dry skin or prevent the uncomfortable rashes. Depending on the location of your eczema, you may also be self-conscious about the appearance of your red, scaly, or bumpy...

Vaginal rejuvenation is done for both cosmetic and medical reasons. It has the ability to address and improve some serious issues that can alter the quality of life for a woman. One of the best treatments is the Juliet erbium laser, which can heal and repair vaginal tissue with little...

You’ve tried everything to lose weight. You cut down on your carbs. You gave up sugar and junk food. You exercise all the time. You’ve done everything that the experts say you should do, yet there’s still something extra. You’re not nearly as toned in certain places as you hoped...

Vitiligo affects between 0.5% to 2% of people globally. Even though it’s a rare condition, you’ve heard of it or seen it if you’re familiar with the pop music legend Michael Jackson, whose skin was notoriously discolored. But what is it exactly, and how can you be sure if you...

When acne affects people in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, it can be especially frustrating and even embarrassing. If you have adult acne, you may wonder why this is happening at this stage in your life when you thought these days were far behind you. Or maybe you’re a teen...