Comprehensive
Cosmetic
Medical
and
Surgical
Dermatology

Bella Dermatology is a board-certified dermatology practice with expertise in the treatment of all skin, hair, and nail disorders.

Services

Services

WHAT IS BOTOX® COSMETIC?

Botox® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to temporarily soften moderate-to-severe frown lines between the brows, crow's feet, and forehead lines. This treatment works by preventing you from contracting your muscles which make lines and wrinkles. Botox® injections take only a few minutes to perform. The treatment begins to work in a few days with maximum results in 2 weeks. There is minimal downtime and you can go back to work immediately after the procedure.

HOW LONG DOES BOTOX® COSMETIC LAST?

One treatment generally lasts for approximately 3-4 months. Botox® Cosmetic is not permanent, but if maintained and used regularly, wrinkles may take longer to form.

IS BOTOX® COSMETIC FDA APPROVED?

As of 2002, Botox® has been FDA-approved for the cosmetic treatment of frown lines between the brows, forehead, and crow's feet. Other areas of the face such as lower face may be treated in an “off-label” fashion.

WHY CHOOSE DR. JULIA AI FOR YOUR COSMETIC PROCEDURES?

Dr. Julia Ai has extensive experience using Botox® for frown lines between the brows, crow’s feet, and forehead lines as well as "off-label" uses. Please call the office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Julia Ai to discuss treatment with Botox®.

WHAT IS VOLBELLA®?

Volbella® is a hyaluronic acid filler that can soften lines and wrinkles by replacement of volume loss. With wisdom or aging, the skin loses collagen and hyaluronic acid which are the building blocks in the foundation of the skin. Volume loss can lead to wrinkles and lines.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Topical numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes prior to the procedure. The complete procedure takes about 30 minutes.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

By replacing volume loss with hyaluronic acid fillers, you can have a smoother and more youthful appearance. These fillers last about 4-6 months. With repeat treatments, your results can last 12-18 months.

HOW LONG IS THE DOWN TIME?

You may bruise or swell for a few days. Try to stop all your vitamins and supplements 2 weeks prior to treatment. Applying ice for 5 minutes every hour can help with bruising.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VOLUMA® AND JUVEDERM®?

Volbella® and Juvederm® are different brand names for hyaluronic acid fillers. Volbella® is a fine line filler for the lips and Juvederm® is more of a finesse volume filler.

WHY CHOOSE DR. JULIA AI FOR YOUR COSMETIC PROCEDURES?

Dr. Julia Ai has extensive experience using Volbella®. Please call the office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Julia Ai to discuss the best treatment for Volbella®.

WHAT IS VOLUMA®?

Voluma® is made of a thick hyaluronic based gel used to replace volume loss in facial areas due to aging. Voluma® is made by Allergan (makers of Botox® Cosmetic and Juvederm®).

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Topical numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes prior to the procedure. The complete procedure takes about 30 minutes.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

By replacing volume loss with hyaluronic acid fillers, you can have a smoother and more youthful appearance. These fillers last about 4-6 months. With repeat treatments, your results can last 12-18 months.

HOW LONG IS THE DOWN TIME?

You may bruise or swell for a few days. Try to stop all your vitamins and supplements 2 weeks prior to treatment. Applying ice for 5 minutes every hour can help with bruising.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VOLUMA® AND JUVEDERM®?

Voluma® and Juvederm® are different brand names for hyaluronic acid fillers. Voluma® is a more volume filler for the mid face and Juvederm® is more of a finesse volume filler.

WHY CHOOSE DR. JULIA AI FOR YOUR COSMETIC PROCEDURES?

Dr. Julia Ai has extensive experience using Voluma®. Please call the office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Julia Ai to discuss the best treatment for Voluma®.

WHAT IS JUVEDERM®?

Juvederm® is a hyaluronic acid filler that can soften lines and wrinkles by replacement of volume loss. With wisdom or aging, the skin loses collagen and hyaluronic acid which are the building blocks in the foundation of the skin. Volume loss can lead to wrinkles and lines.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Topical numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes prior to the procedure. The complete procedure takes about 30 minutes.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

By replacing volume loss with hyaluronic acid fillers, you can have a smoother and more youthful appearance. These fillers last about 4-6 months. With repeat treatments, your results can last 12-18 months.

HOW LONG IS THE DOWN TIME?

You may bruise or swell for a few days. Try to stop all your vitamins and supplements 2 weeks prior to treatment. Applying ice for 5 minutes every hour can help with bruising.

WHY CHOOSE DR. JULIA AI FOR YOUR COSMETIC PROCEDURES?

Dr. Julia Ai has extensive experience using Juvederm® for volume loss and wrinkles. Please call the office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Julia Ai to discuss treatment with Juvederm®.

WHAT IS SKINPEN®?

SkinPen® by Bellus Medical is the first micro needling device cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, clinically proven to treat facial acne scars safely and effectively for ages 22 and up. It can be used off label to improve skin texture and wrinkles for rejuvenation of the face and neck.

HOW DOES SKINPEN® WORK?

SkinPen® causes controlled micro-injuries that stimulate your body’s natural wound healing process, while minimizing cellular damage. The result is effective remodeling of scar tissue, while keeping the overall structure of the skin intact.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE FOR SKINPEN®?

Topical numbing medicine is applied in the office for 1 hour. The procedure of SkinPen® takes about 30 minutes.

HOW LONG DOES SKINPEN® LAST?

With as few as three non-invasive and affordable treatments spaced about 6 weeks apart, you can improve your appearance for six months after your last treatment.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY?

Immediately after the procedure, your skin will be red and swollen for a few days. In the next 3-5 days, the skin starts to heal so you will be dry and peeling. Redness, swelling, and peeling can take up to 1 week to improve.

WHY CHOOSE DR. JULIA AI FOR YOUR COSMETIC PROCEDURES?

Dr. Julia Ai has extensive experience using SkinPen®. Please call the office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Julia Ai to discuss the best treatment for SkinPen®.

ACNE

Many treatments for acne include topical antibiotics, topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and oral hormone pills. In addition, depending upon the severity of your acne, Dr. Julia Ai may prescribe isotretinoin pills as a treatment for your acne.

MOLES

Dr. Julia Ai uses the technique of dermoscopy which is skin surface microsopy to evaluate any new or changing mole. Dermoscopy increases the diagnostic accuracy for pigmented lesions.

RASHES

Diagnosis of rashes such as fungus, eczema, and psoriasis is important because the treatment of these rashes is different. If topical treatments are not improving your rash, you may need systemic treatments. Psoriasis may need to be treated with injectable medications such as Enbrel® or Humira®.

I HAVE A SKIN RASH, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

A skin rash occurs when you have a skin irritation. A rash may be a sign of a chronic skin problem, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis. Weather or emotional stress can also lead to an itchy skin rash. A rash may also be a symptom of a more serious disease, such as liver disease, kidney disease, or some types of cancer. If your skin rash persists, please make an appointment to discuss treatment of your rash with Dr. Julia Ai.

WARTS

Warts are caused by a virus in the skin. Molluscum contagiosum is a similar bump in the skin caused by a virus. Both of these viral infections are more common in children and can be difficult to treat. Dr. Julia Ai uses combination therapy to destroy the virus in the skin and stimulate an immune response. She may use an injection such as bleomycin to prevent the warts from growing back.

SUN DAMAGED SKIN

Early signs of sun damaged skin includes actinic keratoses which are scaly sun damaged spots. Treatments include cryotherapy and topical creams. However, the most important treatment is prevention through sun protection.

SKIN CANCER CARE

Dr. Julia Ai treats all skin cancers including basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma. Depending upon the location and type of skin cancer, procedures include removals (excisions), topical creams, or electrodessication and curettage.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF SKIN CANCER?

The warning signs of possible skin cancer include spots that don’t heal up, that itch, scale or bleed. You can also use the ABCD’s of melanoma for the majority of lesions/moles.
• A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other half.
• B – Border Irregularity: The border is jagged or irregular, rather than smooth and even.
• C – Color: Moles that are dark in color with black, blue, white or red areas, or variable shades of brown.
• D – Diameter: If greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pea) there is a greater chance of malignant melanoma.
• E – Evolving: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
If you have a spot that you are concerned about, please make an appointment for an evaluation for a possible biopsy. The biopsy removes of a small amount of skin tissue for laboratory testing to check if the spot is a skin cancer.

NAIL SURGERY

Dr. Julia Ai can remove nails for the diagnosis and treatment of nail conditions, especially if a dark or worrisome spot appears on your nail.

CYST REMOVAL

Depending upon the location of your cyst, Dr. Julia Ai can removal or excise your cyst. However, the original cyst may recur or you can get another cyst in the same area as your original cyst. In addition, your insurance may not pay for the removal of a cyst because it is a benign lesion that is not a skin cancer.

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY (PDT) WITH LEVULAN® KERASTICK®?

Levulan® Kerastick® plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator is indicated for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratosis of the face or scalp. Actinic keratoses (AKs) are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin that can lead to skin cancer. It is important to treat AKs because there is no way to tell when or which lesions will progress to squamous cell carcinoma.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR PDT?

For the face, Levulan® Kerastick® is applied for 1 hour. Then the BLU-U®Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator activates the medication for 16 minutes. For the scalp, Levulan® Kerastick® is applied for 1.5 hours. Then the BLU-U®Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator activates the medication for 16 minutes.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY?

Immediately after the procedure, you will have to avoid all light and stay indoors for 48 hours. Then, your skin will be red and swollen for a few days. In the next 3-5 days, the skin starts to heal so you will be dry and peeling. Redness, swelling, and peeling can take up to 1 week to improve.

WHY CHOOSE DR. JULIA AI FOR YOUR COSMETIC PROCEDURES?

Dr. Julia Ai has extensive experience using Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with Levulan® Kerastick®. Please call the office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Julia Ai to discuss treatment with PDT.

Julia Ai, M.D. is a Board-Certified Dermatologist

Julia Ai, MD enjoys the challenges and rewards of taking care of her patients. Her practice focuses on the prevention and treatment of skin problems because the skin is the most visible and largest organ of the body.

Dr. Ai is a Board Certified dermatologist with extensive experience and expertise in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. She has been in private practice with Bella Dermatology since 2007 and has been an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Nevada, Reno at the University Health System since 2007. Dr. Ai is most proud of the relationships she has forged with her patients, providing a high level of personalized service with an unending commitment to the best quality of care for every patient. In her free time, Dr. Ai enjoys yoga, travel, cooking, and spending time with her husband, son and daughter.

curriculum vitae

  • Bachelors of Science: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1993

  • Medical Doctor: UMDNJ/ Robert Wood Johnson School Of Medicine 2002

  • Dermatology Residency: University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital 2003-2006

  • Board Certification: American Board of Dermatology 2006

professional affiliations

  • Diplomate – American Board of Dermatology

  • Fellow – American Academy of Dermatology

  • Fellow – American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

  • Member – American Medical Association

  • Member- Washoe County Medical Association

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