Dr. Michael Kurzman

DERMATOLOGIST
Staten Island, New YorkOffice Location
718.317.0941
My Experience, Honesty, and Skill Define My Practice.
NewBeauty Expert since:

Services Offered

  • Skin Rejuvenation
  • Botox® and Dysport®
  • Dysport®
  • Restylane
  • Perlane
  • Radiesse
  • Sculptra
  • Facial Rejuvenation
  • Laser Hair Removal
  • General Dermatology

Expert Insight


Complete Facial Makeovers

To restore a youthful appearance, Dr. Kurzman takes a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. He asks for detailed patient input to find out what the primary concerns are. While this helps him prioritize the course of treatment, it doesn’t end there. “If a patient wants to fix one line, and I know that fixing that one line might make other parts of the face look worse, I recommend appropriate treatments to address the whole face to ensure the best outcome,” Dr. Kurzman says. With a variety of techniques and treatments available, Dr. Kurzman can customize a combination of therapies to suit each individual patient. “While there is no substitute for surgery, I can use various injectables, like Botox®, Dysport®, Sculptra® Aesthetic, Perlane®, Restylane® and Radiesse®, to plump out sunken features, relax expression lines and undo the effects of time,” he says. Other methods involve photorejuvenation such as IPLTM treatments to eliminate redness, rosacea, brown spots and sun damage.


Restoration and Repair

In order to revitalize the skin, Dr. Kurzman utilizes many techniques. He believes photorejuvenation provides a distinct benefit when it comes to enhancing the appearance. IPL treatments use pulses of light to eliminate facial redness, rosacea and brown spots, as well as visible signs of sun damage and aging, he says. Despite the name, Photofacial I also use this therapy on the chest, neck and hands. Treatments take less than 30 minutes and are usually repeated once every four weeks, over the course of four to six months. The procedure is well tolerated without anesthesia, and there is no age limit on who can undergo treatment, he says. Dr. Kurzman has found this procedure to be effective for both men and women. In addition, fillers are used for softening deep crevices and folds. Injectables are very effective at nonsurgically recontouring the aging face.

Philosophy

For Dr. Michael A. Kurzman, the ever-expanding field of dermatology and the public’s pursuit of healthy, youthful skin has him excited about the future of dermatology. “After 22 years, it has never been more exciting to be a cosmetic dermatologist,” he says. “When I first entered the field, there were only a couple of lasers and collagen on the market. Today, the options are much more expansive.”
 

Expert Insight

Complete Facial Makeovers

To restore a youthful appearance, Dr. Kurzman takes a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. He asks for detailed patient input to find out what the primary concerns are. While this helps him prioritize the course of treatment, it doesn’t end there. “If a patient wants to fix one line, and I know that fixing that one line might make other parts of the face look worse, I recommend appropriate treatments to address the whole face to ensure the best outcome,” Dr. Kurzman says. With a variety of techniques and treatments available, Dr. Kurzman can customize a combination of therapies to suit each individual patient. “While there is no substitute for surgery, I can use various injectables, like Botox®, Dysport®, Sculptra® Aesthetic, Perlane®, Restylane® and Radiesse®, to plump out sunken features, relax expression lines and undo the effects of time,” he says. Other methods involve photorejuvenation such as IPLTM treatments to eliminate redness, rosacea, brown spots and sun damage.

Restoration and Repair

In order to revitalize the skin, Dr. Kurzman utilizes many techniques. He believes photorejuvenation provides a distinct benefit when it comes to enhancing the appearance. IPL treatments use pulses of light to eliminate facial redness, rosacea and brown spots, as well as visible signs of sun damage and aging, he says. Despite the name, Photofacial I also use this therapy on the chest, neck and hands. Treatments take less than 30 minutes and are usually repeated once every four weeks, over the course of four to six months. The procedure is well tolerated without anesthesia, and there is no age limit on who can undergo treatment, he says. Dr. Kurzman has found this procedure to be effective for both men and women. In addition, fillers are used for softening deep crevices and folds. Injectables are very effective at nonsurgically recontouring the aging face.

Philosophy

For Dr. Michael A. Kurzman, the ever-expanding field of dermatology and the public’s pursuit of healthy, youthful skin has him excited about the future of dermatology. “After 22 years, it has never been more exciting to be a cosmetic dermatologist,” he says. “When I first entered the field, there were only a couple of lasers and collagen on the market. Today, the options are much more expansive.”
 

About my practice:

What anti-aging advice do you give patients?
Use sunscreen and antioxidant products daily and avoid tanning booths and smoking.
Why do you maintain a conservative philosophy?
I am a proponent of natural beauty that promotes individual character because I believe that cosmetic dermatology should enhance, rather than mask, patients' distinguishing features.
Do you do any continuing education?
I teach residents and lecture at Staten Island university hospital. When I'm speaking to other physicians and residents, they ask a lot of questions and keep me on my toes. It keeps me learning and keeps me sharp.
What is unique about your skin-care line?
I offer my own line of skin-care products under the Michael Kurzman (MK) skincare brand, all of which are made from plant extracts, for an all-natural approach to wrinkles, acne, sun damage and beautiful, luminous skin.
How would you describe your staff?

We have assembled a knowledgeable group of friendly, highly trained professionals who enhance the standards I have set. They uphold my beliefs about patient care and beauty.

How do you approach patient care?
Every one of our patients is treated as a person not 'the 9 a.m. Filler.' Getting to know the patients on a personal level and treating them compassionately is where i derive most of my satisfaction.
Is there a minimum age to treat the signs of aging?
No. In fact, it's always better to start early. That's why we tell younger people in their teens, 20s and 30s to use sunscreen and antioxidants every day to prevent skin damage and fine lines. It's also a good idea to consult with a dermatologist when you start to lose volume and lines are forming. Someone in their 30s might come in and say, 'I'm still too young for treatment, right?' Quite the contrary; if visible signs are already there, you want to prevent further volume loss and/or lines from getting more noticeable. The longer you let those concerns stay there, the more treatment they will need later.
What is the best way to get rid of hype-pigmented skin (age spots)?
Most import is prevention through sunscreen; but, if you already have dark spots, we can use topical products like over-the-counter bleaches or retinols that are helpful up to some point. Prescription Retin-A over time can eliminate them as well. An IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) procedure is a simple way of eliminating more superficial sun damage. After a series of monthly IPL treatments, the brown spots gradually fade away. The results are long-lasting if sunscreen is used and the skin is protected properly. Most of the time, we use IPL photo-rejuvenation in conjunction with various bleaching products which gives a quicker result.
What is the most effective treatment for psoriasis?
There are many things we can use based on the severity. If you have a few patches, they can be treated with topical cortisone, vitamin D analogs, or there is a more extensive ultraviolet treatment. The XTRAC laser can also help for very severe cases. Those who also have arthritis can take systemic injectable medicines, but they have potential side that affects the immune system so they have to be monitored closely by their doctor. There is really no one answer for everyone, and treatment can also be a combination of things.
What treatment is best for Rosacea or redness in the skin?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment can be used to treat the redness caused form of acne pimples and bumps, topical antibiotics or oral antibiotics, like Doxycycline, or Oracea, which work very nicely when taken at a very low dose. Or we can use a combination of medications with IPL treatments which can keep people with nice clear skin and very little redness. Many get red with specific foods, such as caffeine, alcohol, hot and spicy foods, and also from the sun; so they must take precautions to keep things under control.

Education & Credentials

EDUCATION:

Degree:

  • New York Medical College

Residency:

  • New York Medical College

BOARD-CERTIFICATION:

  • American Board of Dermatology
  • American Board of Internal Medicine

AFFILIATIONS:

  • American Academy of Dermatology
  • American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery

Q&A

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MAIN_NB25SKIN

LASERS

Are lasers used to as an acne treatment? Skin cancer?

There are some used to treat acne. I don't get involved in that, but truthfully it doesn't replace other routine use of medication. Skin cancer is not treated with lasers.

Is IPL treatment painful?

There is discomfort, a burning sensation, but it's a relatively quick 10 to 15 minute procedure. It's a little bit uncomfortable, but people always get through it. There may be some redness afterwards as well. People can go about their daily routine after treatment, there is minimal to not downtime. It's a nice way of treating these conditions. It's very effective and quick.

What are other uses of IPL treatments?

It's mostly used to get rid of blood vessels or red spots, so it can be helpful for Rosacea or other redness.

What is a deep peel?

There are deeper peels, like phenol peels, that I don't do, deal with that cause redness and crusting. More people are having laser resurfacing done in place of these deeper peels that give a nicer result.

What kind of laser is used for hair removal? How does it work?

A Diode Light Sheer Laser. It basically heats up and destroys the hair follicle so it doesn't grow hair anymore. Patients need four to six treatments to see significant reduction in hair growth.
Hair Removal Shutterstock 2602376

HAIR REMOVAL

Do laser hair removal treatments hurt?

It does hurt a little, but the pain varies by location. Some areas are more sensitive than others. Some patients may require a topical anesthetic, but most tolerate it without one.

What kind of laser is used for hair removal? How does it work?

A Diode Light Sheer Laser. It basically heats up and destroys the hair follicle so it doesn't grow hair anymore. Patients need four to six treatments to see significant reduction in hair growth.

Who is the best candidate for laser hair removal? What if you have dark skin?

The ultimate candidate is someone with fair skin and dark coarse hair, but we can treat other types of skin types as well. The color of the hair is crucial. It doesn't work on peach fuzz, blond or gray hair. I can treat all skin types of skin from the lightest to the darkest with my laser; but you have to be careful who you go to. The doctor needs to understand the difference in skin type or it can damage the skin. So don't go to the spa for laser hair removal.
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ACNE TREATMENTS

Are lasers used to as an acne treatment? Skin cancer?

There are some used to treat acne. I don't get involved in that, but truthfully it doesn't replace other routine use of medication. Skin cancer is not treated with lasers.
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CHEMICAL PEELS

Are there different types of chemical peels? How do I know which one is right for my skin?

Yes. The most commonly used peels are more superficial peels, like glycolic acid. This gives the skin a fresher look by eliminating dead skin cells. We use these in combination with topical products that can be used at home. There are a number of different acids that can be used. Which one is used depends on what the physician is familiar with. A salicylic acid peel is a similar superficial peel. We always try to decide on what acid to use based on skin type. There are different strengths of acid, and we don't want to cause pigmentation problems, irritation or inflammation.

Is it more effective to do a chemical peel or a series of microdermabrasion?

I choose not to use microdermabrasion, which is a very superficial sandpapering down of the skin. I found I achieve more results with glycolic acid peels; they are easier to do and require a shorter procedure. Neither procedure eliminates significant lines; you would have to go much deeper.
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MICRODERMABRASION

Is it more effective to do a chemical peel or a series of microdermabrasion?

I choose not to use microdermabrasion, which is a very superficial sandpapering down of the skin. I found I achieve more results with glycolic acid peels; they are easier to do and require a shorter procedure. Neither procedure eliminates significant lines; you would have to go much deeper.
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FACELIFT

What is the next best thing to a facelift?

The newest thing is Sculptra. It's a product that stimulates the body to gradually produce its own collagen. It's used to volumize the temple area, cheeks and chin; filling in the face and smoothing out fine lines. It's not an immediate fix, but it lasts about 2 years. It's a very nice way to give a more youthful look to the face and a natural feel to the skin without surgery.
Injectables & Fillers

INJECTABLES AND FILLERS

If you use BOTOX when you are younger, will it prevent wrinkles later on in life?

Sure. The wrinkles that we see on the forehead are caused from the repeated contraction of muscles, so if the muscles are not contracting, we don't get wrinkle. You have to maintain the injections or you will start to see those lines again. And I wouldn't suggest teenagers get injections, just when you start to see those muscle movements.

What is the difference between BOTOX and Dysport?

And now there is a newer one called Xeomin that was just approved, so there are now three toxins. The chemical formulations are different, but once they are injected into the body, they are all identical. They give the same result and last a certain amount of time. It's up to the doctor to choose one over the other. They work by blocking a specific chemical that doesn't allow the muscle to contract. Over time, three months on average, the body forms new receptors to these muscles, and the wrinkles come back. It varies from one person to the next, but when used for long periods of time, they may last longer and longer each time.

What is the next best thing to a facelift?

The newest thing is Sculptra. It's a product that stimulates the body to gradually produce its own collagen. It's used to volumize the temple area, cheeks and chin; filling in the face and smoothing out fine lines. It's not an immediate fix, but it lasts about 2 years. It's a very nice way to give a more youthful look to the face and a natural feel to the skin without surgery.

What is the difference between injectable fillers such as Restylane, Radiesse, and Juvéderm, Perlane ?

There are different types of fillers. There hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and Juvéderm, and the calcium-based Radiesse are the most common. All hyaluronic acid fillers give a similar result, and last about six months to a year, depending on the filler and where it's being injected. Radiesse, which lasts longer (about two years), is for deeper folds, like nasaolabial folds. When injecting the lip or under the eye we use hyaluronic acid fillers, like Restylane, because the skin is thinner in those areas. Fillers used in the other areas are interchangeable and depends on the experience of the doctor.

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Contact

Locations

Primary Location
401 Bloomingdale Road
Suite 2
Staten Island, NY, 10309
Ph: 718.317.0941

Doctor Q&A

Sure. The wrinkles that we see on the forehead are caused from the repeated...
There are some used to treat acne. I don't get involved in that, but truthfully...
Yes. The most commonly used peels are more superficial peels, like glycolic...
It does hurt a little, but the pain varies by location. Some areas are more...