Meet the SkinMedix Staff

Behrooz Torkian, M.D.

SkinMedix is led by Dr. Behrooz Torkian, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery…

Dr. Torkian graduated with distinction from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. He went on to earn his Medical Doctorate at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. From there, he underwent specialty training in head and neck surgery at the University of California, Irvine. During this time, he earned several awards in recognition of his research during residency and he is one of a select group of surgeons to have trained in a prestigious fellowship under the auspices of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Torkian’s clinical interests are Rhinoplasty, Revision Rhinoplasty, Facial Rejuvenation and reconstruction-after-skin-cancer surgery. Dr. Torkian has been an invited lecturer and instructor at numerous regional nasal surgery and injectable filler courses. He is recognized by his colleagues as a rising authority in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the nose and face. His unique mix of surgical ability, artistry and keen sense of facial aesthetics make him a superior facial and nasal surgeon. His honesty and ability to personally connect with his patients make him a caring and ethical physician who is well received by his patients.

Dr. Torkian provides a full range of options for facial refinement including surgical and non-invasive treatments like injections and peels. His vast experience ensures the highest level of care and natural results that speak for themselves. Dr. Torkian notes, “My aesthetic goals for each patient are to safely and effectively improve their features to accent their natural beauty without the obvious stigmata of cosmetic surgery.”

Leila E. Miranda-Lavertu – Nurse Practitioner & Aesthetic Specialist

Leila is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. She has a Master’s of Science in Nursing from California State University Long Beach and trained in Family and Emergency Medicine. Leila has a very strong and diverse Clinical background and she works at Little Company of Mary Torrance as an Emergency Clinical Nurse Educator for the ER and is on faculty at the El Camino College Nursing Program. Leila joined SkinMedix in 2007 and never looked back. Her aesthetic training is always on-going and she is an advanced injector and certified in aesthetic procedures. Leila is sweet, caring and is loved and respected by her patients, co-workers and students!

Leila has a passion for both anti-aging & wellness medicine as well as Aesthetic Medicine, and has been specially trained and certified in both. Her areas of services offered at SkinMedix include Botox, Injectable Fillers, All Laser & Resurfacing Treatments, PRP, and Hormone Replacement Therapy. Committed to safety, quality, and excellent aesthetic outcomes, she actively seeks knowledge through research, conferences, training seminars, and consumer experiences to deliver the best skin care to her clients. Leila is sweet, caring and a good listener.

Leila is also a member of numerous nursing associations and societies including the Emergency Nursing Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Pediatric Liaison Nurse of Los Angeles County, and Organization of Healthcare Educators. She is a lecturer and trainer for the Collaborative for Alternatives to Violence and Abuse (CAVA), a South Bay community-wide initiative program that provides an innovative model of care in identification, referral, safety, and follow-up of intimate partner violence victims. Her genuine compassion, gentle spirit, and dedication create a positive experience for her clients.

Kimberly Keim – Nurse Practitioner & Aesthetic Specialist

Kimberly is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University in Sociology, and a Master’s of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner certificate at California State University Dominguez Hills. She is Nationally Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and is a member of the California Association for Nurse Practitioners and has over 18 years of experience in the field of Nursing. She joined the SkinMedix team in 2006.

Kimberly’s strong clinical background, and years of hands-on experience in the field of Aesthetic Medicine incorporate numerous skin rejuvenation procedures, including a vast array of lasers, resurfacing procedures, advanced injectable methods, and bio identical hormone replacement therapy. Kimberly’s number one priority is patient safety, efficacy, and to provide the optimization of one’s health and well being for the best possible outcomes. She is known for her calm, gentle touch, clinical expertise and her artistic eye, while delivering highly personalized care to facilitate a graceful and natural aging process.

Karina Ritter – Nurse Practitioner & Aesthetic Specialist

Karina is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. She received her bachelor’s in nursing from Azusa Pacific University and her Master’s Degree in Science and Nursing from the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at UCLA. Karina began her Nursing career working in Dermatology and as an ER Nurse at Little Company of Mary in Torrance. Karina joined SkinMedix in 2013 and with her strong Clinical background combined with an extensive background in Aesthetics and Dermatology, she quickly became a valued team member.

Karina believes in on-going training and education and is always challenging herself to be on the cutting edge of the Dermatology and Aesthetic fields. As lovely on the inside as she is on the out, Karina enjoys the fast-paced environment at Skin Medix and loves meeting and helping patients.

Karina’s experience and skill-set allows her to perform many of the in-demand treatments offered here at SkinMedix. She loves working with lasers because of their powerful results and some of Karina’s favorite treatments include IPL Photo-facials and Clear + Brilliant. Karina is also a skilled and experienced injector of cosmetic fillers and her favorite part of her job is seeing how happy patients are with their subtle, natural results.

Carissa Brown – RN & Certified Aestheitic Specialist

Carissa Brown is a Registered Nurse who has 15 years of experience ranging from hospital, ambulatory care, case management and medical aesthetics.She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science at Cal State University, Long Beach, GO BEACH!Carissa discovered her true passion for aesthetics in 2000 when she started off as a successful makeup artist and then moved into medical aesthetics in 2006 at SkinMedix.

Her areas of expertise include dermal injections, such as wrinkle reducers (Botox, Jeuveau) and fillers (Juvederm, Restylane), as well as laser skin revitalization and hair removal.Continued education is extremely important to her; she continuously looks for opportunities to stay up to date with the latest aesthetic practices through hands-on training, conferences, research studies, and patient experiences.Carissa believes aesthetic treatments should always be performed with patient safety as the number one priority.She combines science and art to personalize every treatment and enhance each patient’s unique features, leaving them with refreshed and natural-looking results.Outside of her profession, Carissa loves dancing, fitness, and planning the next road trip with her family and three dogs.

Elizabeth “Liz” Chilian – Certified Physician Assistant & Aesthetic Specialist

Elizabeth is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant. Liz received her Bachelor’s of Science from California State University, Northridge and is a graduate of USC and the Keck School of Medicine where she received her master’s degree in their Primary Care Physician Assistant Program.

Elizabeth has had extensive training and offers exceptional expertise in Aesthetics, Cosmetic Dermatology, Laser Therapy and she enjoys continuously learning and honing her skills. Her goal is to continue help her patients feel great about themselves while embracing natural outcomes.

Elizabeth loves connecting with patients and has quickly become a favorite as she is sweet, a good listener and is one of the most dedicated providers we have had the pleasure to work with, we are lucky to have her on our team!

Dana Connolly – Nurse Practioner & Aesthetic Specialist

Dana is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner and an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. She completed her nursing education at UCLA, where she was introduced to the world of aesthetic nursing while completing the Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner program. She was drawn in by the impressive, natural results of today’s treatments and the ability to make her clients feel beautiful and confident in their own skin. In addition to aesthetics, her extensive nursing background includes Transplant Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, and Pediatric Orthopaedics.

Dana is experienced with injecting neurotoxins such as Botox and Dysport, fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm, as well as laser facial treatments and laser hair removal.She is continuously training to keep her skills up to date with the safest and most effective techniques. Her goal is to create a thoughtful and individualized treatment plan that will make her clients look and feel their best.

Hulnara “Hula” Castellon – Nurse Practioner & Aesthetic Specialist

Hula is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner and an Aesthetic Specialist. Hula graduated top 10% with a BSN from the University of Michigan and in 2014 received her Master’s in Nursing from Florida International University. Hula has a diverse clinical background including, med surg, oncology, ER, CCU, stroke unit, cardiac institute, and women’s health but her passion lies in Aesthetic Medicine and Cosmetic Dermatology.

We are thrilled to have Hula join the SkinMedix Team. Hula brings extensive experience and a trained aesthetic eye. Hula strongly believes in a synergistic approach to aesthetics and rather than focusing on one isolated area, her favorite approach is to perform full facial rejuvenation by incorporating various treatment modalities such as dermal fillers, neurotoxins, PDO threads, Sculptra, PRP and lasers for the best possible outcomes.

What Hula loves most about aesthetic medicine is the opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives, regardless of their background. Her philosophy is everyone deserves to look and feel their best. With the patients best interest in mind, Hula believes good communication and trust between the patient and the provider leads to the best outcomes.