Patrick Bitter, Sr.
Dermatologist
450 Sutter Street Suite 800 San Francisco California, 94108About
Patrick H. Bitter Sr., MD, works for Epi Center Med Spa in San Francisco, which is the first LEED certified medical spa in the world. A trained dermatologist, he is also an attending physician at the Good Samaritan Hospital. Dr. Bitter has over 40 years of experience in dermatology with particular expertise in laser treatments, skin rejuvenation, and cosmetic dermatology. He studied medicine at The University of Groningen, which is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands, as well as one of its largest. He obtained his medical degree in 1960 and relocated to the United States, where he continued his post-graduate training. Board eligible for certification in dermatology, Dr. Bitter was included into the esteemed Who?s Who of US Dermatologists in 2013 for his outstanding work and passion for medicine.
Education and Training
University of Groningen
Board Certification
Board Eligible
Provider Details
Patrick Bitter, Sr.'s Expert Contributions
Are parabens really harmful to the skin?
What we know for sure is paragons can cause allergy. The rest is part speculative part true. Seems like most manufactures of skincare products are distancing themselves from this product. READ MORE
Can laser hair removal treatment cause any major side effects?
Yes! But they are rare, such as eye injury or burning. READ MORE
Is my skin dryness connected with diabetes?
I can only assume that you have type 2 diabetes and that occurs most often in older adults, at which time the lower legs in all people begin to lose the ability to lubricate the skin, especially the lower legs. Yes, diabetes can add to dry skin. READ MORE
Can the signs of aging really be reversed?
The answer to this question might take an entire book to cover. Prevention is the best approach: wear sunscreens, avoid the sun, don't smoke, Retinal A and lubricate the skin. Botox, fillers, lasers, chemical peels, etc., are but a few treatment choices. Some procedures such as photo facial (IPL) will actually reset the genes and turn back the clock. READ MORE
What can I do to get rid of my 10 year old stretch marks?
We use radio frequency with great success following our special protocol. READ MORE
During the summer I get heat blisters which leave a light scar. What should I do?
Stay cool and avoid the sun. Move to San Francisco, it usually gets very foggy in the summer. READ MORE
Growth under nail
From the history and appearance of the photos this could be an injury to the nail sustained a long time ago, often from aggressive manicuring. That has now become infected. Probably bacterial. You might need medical help, but try soaking the finger in salt water or burrows solution (domebro powder), a non-Rx found in certain pharmacies, with band aids. READ MORE
I did a chemical peel at home and now my face is red. What should I do?
Avoid the sun, use no harsh preparations on the face, and do domebro comprise twice daily. Instructions are on the packets. The aluminum in this preparation is anti-inflammatory. READ MORE
Can monthly facials cause early aging?
No, facials are very superficial and affect only the epidermis, or outer layers of the skin. READ MORE
Warts in the neck of a pregnant woman
Sounds like a filiform wart with "crystal-like" tentacles. Don't treat it yourself; it may cause permanent scarring, especially during pregnancy. Go see your dermatologist. READ MORE
What can I do to get rid of my 10 year old stretch marks?
There are many shams on the market concerning this condition. There are solutions, however, in the hands of a good dermatologist, such as micro-needling and radio frequency. READ MORE
Can acne scars be treated?
Yes, acne scars can be treated, and there are many approaches depending on the patient's skin type and the shape and size of the scars. They can be treated with dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, micro needling, fractora (similar needles, but with added radio frequency added) excision, chemical peels (phenol, tca, etc.) silicone injection, undermining procedure. There are many options, consult a specialist in this field (dermatologist, plastic surgeon) who have had formal training in this field and who are accustomed to treating this condition. READ MORE
I have oily skin. Should I get a face gel?
yes READ MORE
What SPF in sunscreen is ideal for baby's skin?
Zinc and titanium are still the best topical sunscreens in America. I like spf over 50. Children's skin is less tolerant of sun than adults' because the outer layer is more poorly developed in children. READ MORE
Why do I keep having recurring fungal infection in my inner thighs?
A common problem seen when this occurs is the skin on the inner thighs is rubbing against its opposing skin on the other leg. This is called intertrigo, It can be reduced by loosing weight, liposuction or cool sculpting. READ MORE
My mother in law has extremely dark and dry skin around her foot. Is there a way to treat this?
There are many topical creams, but a couple of interesting creams are hypertonic sodium chloride creams; these rehydrate the skin rapidly and help with the scaling. Others are creams containing polypeptides; these reduce excess water loss by evaporation (medically called insensible water loss) and further reduce the ph of the skin, enabling it to heal better. READ MORE
My 6 year old daughter has small very dark spots on her face. What are these?
These are probably freckles and are quite benign. Wear a good sun screen this could help READ MORE
Are regular facials harmful for the skin?
Facials are only as good as the person who does them. There are so many differs types using different ingredients that a simple answer does not answer the question READ MORE
Is Cetaphil helpful in soothing irritated skin due to eczema?
Cetaphil in its original form has bee around for many years and still is a winner. It was used in the Scholtz regimen for eczema as far back as 1960. It worked then and still works. It is not messy, greasy or tacky and can applied often without making a mess. READ MORE
How should you treat psoriasis?
The treatment of psoriasis is as varied as are the degrees of the psoriasis. Milder forms often respond to cortisone cream, vitamin D creams, and topical tar preperations. More severe case may require the use of a group of compounds known as organics. There are a number of these different compounds and they need to be matched on an individual basis. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Invented the PhotoFacialSM procedure; known as IPL Photo Rejuvenation Now -
Awards
- Who's Who of US Dermatologists, 2013
Internships
- University of michigan
Professional Society Memberships
- American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
Articles and Publications
- Textbook on Photo Facial Procedure
What do you attribute your success to?
- Determination, Being Inquisitive
Hobbies / Sports
- Triathalons, Iron Man, Bicycling
Favorite professional publications
- Journal of American Academy of Dermatology
Patrick Bitter, Sr.'s Practice location
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