Alexander Bonato, MD 10/27/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/27/26

Chemical Peels for Photoaging: What TCA Actually Does

What trichloroacetic acid (TCA) chemical peels actually do for sun-damaged skin, what the concentration changes, and how they compare to the alternatives.

Alexander Bonato, MD 10/23/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/23/26

Sculptra + CO2 Laser: Does Combining Them Help Acne Scars?

A single randomized trial tested CO2 laser alone versus CO2 laser plus Sculptra for acne scars. Here's exactly what it found, and the honest caveats.

Alexander Bonato, MD 10/20/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/20/26

Does Sculptra Actually Help Acne Scars?

What the actual trials show about Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) for acne scars, including the honest catch: the best evidence tests it as an add-on, not alone.

Alexander Bonato, MD 10/16/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/16/26

Is the Thulium Laser Safe for Darker Skin Tones?

Real risk, real data, and a straightforward way to manage it: here's what the evidence actually says about thulium laser safety in darker skin tones.

Alexander Bonato, MD 10/13/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/13/26

Can the Thulium Laser Treat Actinic Keratosis?

The 1927 nm thulium laser can meaningfully reduce actinic keratosis counts over a few months. Here's what the evidence actually supports, and what it doesn't.

Alexander Bonato, MD 10/8/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/8/26

Ice-Pick Scars: Why They're So Stubborn, and What Actually Works

Why ice-pick acne scars resist most treatments, what the studies show for TCA CROSS, how it compares with lasers and microneedling, and the real risks.

Alexander Bonato, MD 10/6/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/6/26

How to Choose a Med Spa in Southern Oregon: Chandeliers Don't Stock Hyaluronidase

How to choose a med spa or injector in Southern Oregon: the credentials, safety preparation, and honesty that actually matter, plus the red flags to walk away from.

Alexander Bonato, MD 10/1/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 10/1/26

CO2 Laser Recovery: What the Week After Actually Looks Like

A day-by-day, honest walkthrough of CO2 laser recovery, from the first two hours to sun-sensitivity months later, plus what actually lowers your odds of dark spots.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/29/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/29/26

Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing: It's Not the Laser, It's the Dial-In

What fractional CO2 laser resurfacing actually treats, what randomized trials show about wrinkles and acne scars, and who makes a good candidate for it.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/24/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/24/26

PRP vs. Microneedling vs. Plasma vs. Meds for Hair: Ranked, Bluntly

PRP, microneedling, plasma, or medication for hair loss? A physician ranks them by evidence, explains what each is actually good for, and builds an honest plan — including if you want to avoid lifelong minoxidil.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/22/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/22/26

Microneedling for Hair Loss: Can It Replace Minoxidil?

Microneedling alone has been studied—but that doesn’t establish it as a minoxidil replacement. Here’s what the research actually shows.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/17/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/17/26

Exosomes for Skin: Evidence, Safety and What We Use

Are exosome facials worth it? A physician separates the genuine science from the marketing — what the early evidence shows, the FDA regulatory reality, and how they compare to PRP.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/15/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/15/26

PRP for Skin & Under-Eyes: The “Vampire Facial,” Minus the Theatrics

PRP isn't just for hair. A physician reviews the honest evidence for platelet-rich plasma on facial skin and under-eye circles — what it helps, how strong the data really is, and realistic expectations.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/10/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/10/26

Plasma for Hair Restoration: The Evidence Is Thin (the Marketing Isn't)

Can plasma restore hair? A physician gives the honest, unhyped answer: the theory, why the direct evidence is thin, and the better-studied options (PRP, microneedling) to consider first.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/8/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/8/26

Plasma for Skin & Collagen: Yes, It Builds Collagen. No, It's Not a Facelift.

Can plasma really build collagen? A physician explains how plasma skin rejuvenation works, what the histology actually shows, realistic expectations, and how it compares to laser and microneedling.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/3/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/3/26

PLEXR Plus Non-Surgical Eyelid Lift: When Your Eyelids Look Tired Before You Are

Non-surgical eyelid lift with PLEXR Plus plasma: candidacy, downtime, results, cost, and how it compares to surgical blepharoplasty.

Alexander Bonato, MD 9/1/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 9/1/26

PLEXR Plus Plasma: One Device, Three Treatments (and One Very Bad Internet Knockoff)

What Plexr plasma actually is, the three things it does (tightening, collagen, lesion removal), the honest state of the evidence, and why the salon “plasma pen” is a different, riskier animal.

Alexander Bonato, MD 8/27/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 8/27/26

Microneedling Aftercare: The First 72 Hours (Don't Pick. I Will Know.)

A physician's hour-by-hour guide to microneedling aftercare — what's normal, the do's and don'ts for the first 72 hours, what's NOT normal, and how to protect your results.

Alexander Bonato, MD 8/25/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 8/25/26

Microneedling for Acne Scars: What the Evidence Actually Shows

Does microneedling really work for acne scars? An honest, evidence-based look at what it can (and can't) do, which scars respond best, how many sessions, and realistic expectations.

Alexander Bonato, MD 8/20/26 Alexander Bonato, MD 8/20/26

Is Fall the Best Time for Laser? Yes, and It's Not About the Sweaters

Why fall and winter are “laser season” — the real reason (it's sun), what good post-laser sun protection looks like, and the honest asterisk about summer treatments.

The Blog | Bonato MD Aesthetics