Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology of Issaquah, Inc.

04/28/2026

Hello ! We know you’ve been putting off your annual skin exam. 😉

Or maybe you have rosacea and keep hoping it will go away in its own?

Hairy chin? No problem!

CSDI is the most established dermatology practice in Issaquah. We evaluate and treat all the things you’d expect a dermatologist to help with.

Even teens ( we see a lot) for acne and kids with warts.

Aesthetically we specialize in lasers, particularly Fraxel but we offer several types of treatments using devices.

We are usually booked solid and difficult to get into but so far this year with our 5 providers we can see patients more quickly.

Come see us!

☎️ 425-391-2500
We take most insurance plans.

04/23/2026

If you enjoy red wine and have rosacea, you’ve probably figured out it makes your skin flair up.

Why is this?

Wine is a Vasodilator. It opens up blood vessels increasing blood flow to the skin causing redness and inflammation.

Your Body Temperature Increases. Rosacea is very reactive to heat, both internal and external.

High Histamine Content. Red wine specifically contains high levels of histamines, which can cause inflammation and flushing.

It’s not just red wine. All alcohol can affect your skin causing a flair up. Red wine just happens naturally o be at the top of the list because of the higher concentration of phenolic compounds like flavonoids and tannins.

04/21/2026

The National Rosacea Society is a helpful resource if you have rosacea or think you might have it.
This post does a good job explaining the differences in the signs and symptoms of rosacea.
This can vary from person to person delaying a diagnosis because it’s common to have a flair up followed by a period of remission.

04/14/2026

There is still time to to book a VBeam this month. As an added bonus, if you book in April we will extend the offer through May.

VBeam treats a variety of superficial vascular conditions in the skin as long as it red. VBeams wavelength targets the red pigment in blood (hemoglobin), that heats up causing the targeted vessels to shrink.

We prefer VBeam to devices that use scattered light like IPL. It’s a more comfortable treatment and produces better results because the laser zeros in on the problem.

With it being Rosacea Awareness Month, VBeam is a wonderful adjunct to treatment for it. It diminishes redness, and can help with some of the symptoms.

425-391-2500 for details.

Must book your treatment by 4-30-2026.

04/09/2026

It’s helpful to know the reason behind Fraxels popularity.
Read about it, in our most recent blog post:
https://drmichalak.com/blog/5-reasons-why-patients-love-fraxel-laser-issaquah/

04/07/2026

VBeam laser has a wide range of applications for just about anything vascular that is superficial. VBeam’s wavelength (595nm) targets the upper layers of the skin and selectively destroys oxyhemoglobin to cause vessel coagulation. Your body reabsorbs what’s been treated and goes away.
Often just one or two treatments are enough to get the job done. You might need subsequent treatments in the future for anything new, or with chronic conditions like rosacea.

Red pigmentation issues do not resolve on their own, and besides covering with makeup, laser/light treatments are necessary to resolve the problem. Unfortunately skincare products don’t work well or at all.

VBeam is assisted with a cold spray for comfort, feels like a quick snap, with minimal downtime( unless your doctor says something different).

CSDI has a team of laser experts including Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Victor Michalak. Dr. Michalak is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and the American Society of Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS), holding other advanced training certification’s and fellowships.

04/06/2026

The UV index can be a useful tool. Just because it’s lower doesn’t mean you’re not at risk for UV damage.
This goes for cloudy days too.
It’s the culmination of years of exposure adding up that increases skin cancer risk. Same for sun damaged skin.
Something to keep in mind.

04/03/2026

It’s Rosacea Awareness Month! A dermatologist is your best friend when it comes to diagnosing and treating rosacea.
This is a chronic, progressive, skin disease that is best managed with the help of a dermatologist.

The AAD provides some comprehensive info about rosacea here: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/what-is

April is rosacea awareness month. Have rosacea? Your dermatologist can create a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

04/02/2026

We always appreciate hearing when patients have exceptional experiences. Reviews are helpful to establish trust which can be challenging when selecting your medical team.
Skin cancer patients often experience anxiety around a diagnosis and the surgical procedure itself.
Dr. Michalak and his surgical team are experts educating throughout the process so patients feel comfortable before, during, and after the procedure.

Don’t let fear of seeking a diagnosis or treatment hold you back. Moles or skin changes that look different should always be evaluated.

03/31/2026

We are looking forward to helping our rosacea patients this month with a 15% savings on VBeam laser.
VBeam gets rid of superficial blood vessels helping to reducing the look of flushing. It’s also great for anyone with annoying spider veins in the cheeks and nose along with a host of other areas.

Pigmentation regardless if it’s red or brown in color are at the top of the list of why people don’t like their skin.

The number of treatments vary by severity. Your provider will assess things prior to treatment.

New patients require a consultation prior. Lasers in general can have social downtime, or need a weekend for recovery. Any sun exposure is a no-no, and restrictive exposure post treatment with sun protection is crucial for success.
Translation for don’t go on a vacation to Hawaii for a couple weeks.

425-391-2500 to schedule.

03/28/2026

Is it time to find a sunscreen you’ll actually use?

Let’s talk about why people don’t use it:

• Inconvenient
• The way it feels on your skin/smell
• Afraid it will make you breakout
• ingredient concerns
• desire to get a tan
• Fear it interferes with Vit. D absorption

There are many sunscreen formulas now that have greatly improved the texture, and smell even with higher SPF’s but feel more like a moisturizer.
Same for greasy sunscreens that create breakouts.
There really is no excuse.
It’s the time exploring brands that’s a pain. Here’s what we like:

Professional: . EltaMD has many formulas, even for sensitive skin and acne. It’s our sunscreen of choice and we offer to patients in the office.

Vanicreme: Fantastic for sensitive skin or if you have acne. It’s a Derm favorite.

Cetaphil and CeraVe: Really great formulas, plus some have additional skincare ingredient’s and are moderate price.

Don’t forget to use it on your neck and chest, these areas are common for skin cancer.

Regular sunscreen usage slows the formation of sundamage and reduces your risk of developing skin cancer.

03/18/2026

The number of treatments needed to achieve a desired outcome is a top question.

Fraxel recommendations vary depending on the severity of what we are treating.
You’ll find it’s customary to be quoted 3 treatments because Fraxels covers about a third of your skins surface each treatment.

The reality is most patients are very happy with one, then repeat it as needed. Something we do different is offer two variations of a full Fraxel which helps accommodate those who need less. They also cost less.

It’s also the most popular laser treatment in our practice because the results are so good.

This is not to takeaway from other laser treatments we have including, Co2 resurfacing, VBeam, and Alexandrite laser. Adding to this is SkinPen Microneedling.

The reality is most patients have more than one thing going on so combination treatments ( at different times) offer superior results.

Learn more about it on our website:

https://drmichalak.com/fraxel-laser/