Our skin is one of the most prominent features of the body to show signs of aging or environmental damage. Unfortunately, because the skin is constantly exposed to the sun and other environmental elements, it is especially vulnerable to damage. That is why it is so important to protect the skin, especially in the upcoming summer months when the sun is so strong and we will likely be spending a significant amount of time outdoors. San Diego dermatologist Darrell Gonzales is an expert in skin care and protection. He offers his San Diego patients skin care advice, as well as treatments, when the skin is showing signs of damage. (continue reading…)

Modern dermatology offers a variety of highly effective, yet minimally invasive, treatments for wrinkles. Injectable treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM®, and Restylane® can temporarily turn back the clock several years or even a decade while allowing the patient to look completely natural. Likewise, laser treatments, chemical peels, and intense pulsed light photorejuvenation all produce remarkable results that can make patients look younger, fresher, and healthier. Some patients are able to postpone the need for plastic surgery procedures such as face lift indefinitely with the advanced wrinkle treatments that dermatology has to offer. (continue reading…)

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common – and frustrating – skin disorders, with millions of people around the world suffering from the condition to varying degrees. The condition is caused by an increase in melanin due to illness or injury, causing the skin to become visibly, but not uniformly, darker. There are many possible reasons for this increased level of melanin, including sun exposure, aging, infection, pregnancy, certain drugs, and glandular disorders. (continue reading…)

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have your worrisome skin lesions analyzed without ever having to leave your home or having to disrobe in front of an actual human being? That’s the claim of apps that detect skin cancer. While the idea of being able to detect skin cancer by utilizing your smartphone does seem appealing, how accurate can it really be? How do you know if the app is correctly analyzing your risk of skin cancer? Recent studies have shown a huge discrepancy in accuracy between the various apps that claim to detect skin cancer. Four unidentified apps were evaluated to determine how well they were able to actually and accurately detect melanoma. The app that performed the best was able to identify cancerous moles 98.1% of the time. The key to this high rate of success is the knowledge of skilled board-certified dermatologists. In the case of this unidentified app, users pay about $5 to have the app send an image of a suspicious mole or freckle to a board-certified dermatologist for further review. The other unidentified skin cancer apps included in the study had lower success rates of identifying melanoma, with the worst-performing app identifying melanoma only 6.8 percent of the time. These apps used algorithms to identify a person’s risk of melanoma. (continue reading…)

Many patients of San Diego dermatologist Darrell Gonzales suffer from rosacea. Rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, is common among adults. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea. Sadly, many patients affected by rosacea express feelings of embarrassment or self-consciousness from the very visible symptoms of the condition. When the condition is left untreated, the symptoms of rosacea tend to worsen over time.  While there is no cure, there are many effective treatments for rosacea currently available. (continue reading…)

San Diego Dermal Fillers

Injectable dermal fillers offer patients the opportunity to rejuvenate their facial skin without having to undergo a more invasive surgical procedure. San Diego dermatologist Darrell Gonzales provides his patients with a number of options for treatment, including Restylane®, JUVÉDERM®, and RADIESSE®. These dermal fillers are all safe and highly effective. For patients who want to restore the youthful, radiant glow that they had in years past, injectable dermal fillers may provide the ideal solution. (continue reading…)

Over the past few decades, advances in laser technology have had a profound effect on medicine of all types, and on cosmetic dermatology in particular. It is now more possible than ever before for patients to rejuvenate and revitalize their skin without the need for invasive surgery or lengthy healing times. (continue reading…)

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and affects adults of all ages. The risk of developing skin cancer is higher for men and women with lighter skin tones. Though men and women with lighter skin tones face a higher risk of skin cancer, any skin tone – light or dark – is at risk for skin cancer. (continue reading…)

Although severe acne is associated with the teen years by many people, it can arise in people of all ages. While some people with acne experience good results with over-the-counter medications or simply allowing the condition to resolve itself on its own, others require the help of an expert dermatologist, such as Dr. Darrell Gonzales. At our La Jolla dermatology practice, Dr. Gonzales offers a variety of popular acne treatments to his patients, giving them the opportunity to have clear, healthy, radiant skin and all of the confidence that goes with it. (continue reading…)

Patients who want smoother and more youthful looking skin on the face have more options than ever to achieve results they desire. There are many types of chemical peels and treatments available to safely rejuvenate the skin; these treatments are designed to remove old skin from the surface and reveal the more beautiful skin that lies just beneath. (continue reading…)