Spring break is a great time to undergo a facial plastic surgery or cosmetic procedure.

March marks the beginning of the Spring Break season. For college students and parents of school-age children, that means a week’s break from the normal hustle-and-bustle. And it’s a great time to consider certain facial plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures.

While more invasive procedures like facelifts and rhinoplasties can mean several weeks of downtime, others offer much quicker healing times. Among the top spring break procedures chosen by patients of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville: Botox, chemical peels and eyelid lifts.

• Botox: Perhaps the most popular minimally invasive, yet highly effective facial cosmetic procedure is Botox. It takes less than an hour to administer and effects can be seen within several days. Your smoother, plumped look will last for three to six months.
• Chemical Peel: Light or medium chemical peels also are a popular spring break season choice. When applied to the skin, a mix of peel agents tailored to your particular skin condition and goals penetrates into the upper part of the dermis, helping to eliminate sunspots, tighten collagen, smooth lines and brighten skin. Light peels yield the best results when done as a series of three or more treatments, and there’s no downtime for healing. Medium chemical peels require several additional visits over the week for additional cleansing that will promote proper healing. Skin typically will begin to peel within three days. By day seven, 90 percent of your face should be healed, revealing softer, smoother new skin. Still, most patients return to regular routines the day after a medium chemical peel procedure.
• Eyelid Lifts: If scheduled around the first day of your spring break, an eyelid lift also is a very workable option. Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid lifts involve removing the excess skin and bulges from around the eyes, creating a more youthful look. Stitches are removed or dissolved typically by the fifth day and bruising clears around the fifth or seventh day. Most patients return to work after just a week of downtime, though makeup may be necessary to cover any lingering bruising.

Plan your spring break cosmetic procedure now by calling Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery at 904-247-8522. Take advantage of a little time off to make a big difference in your looks.

"Chin-tox" refers to to the use of Botox injections to smooth dimpled or puckered chins.

A dimply or puckered chin might be cute in childhood, but it can be a source of dissatisfaction or even embarrassment for adults. Luckily, there’s a solution – Botox.

Jacksonville plastic surgeons Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia are using a procedure known as “Chin-Tox” to give patients a smooth, relaxed look to the chin. It’s a relatively new and little-known use for Botox (botulinum toxin) that effectively treats that “golf ball” or “orange peel” condition.

A puckered chin is the result of certain facial mimicking that causes a contracture of the muscles around the chin and is common for people who have a recessed chin. Many people may not realize that it happens for some time because it usually occurs during talking and animation. But over time, the dimples deepen and remain visible even while in a relaxed state.

With carefully administered injections of Botox, Jacksonville’s Drs. Garcia can return that smooth, youthful look to your chin. When administered correctly, Botox will relax the mentalis muscle, inhibiting its ability to contract and pucker the skin. Injections also can help soften a deep horizontal crease in your chin. Results typically occur three to seven days following an injection and can last three to five months, depending on the dosage and on patient variables including age and baseline muscle strength.

If you want to smooth the dimples in your chin, call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation with Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville today.

Statistics suggest 2012 will see a growth in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like Botox. Jacksonville's Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery agrees.

Recently released figures show a continued rise in the number of minimally-invasive facial cosmetic procedures including chemical peels, laser hair removal and Botox. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, like many other firms nationwide, expects the trend to continue and grow as America’s economy improves.

The number of minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures rose six percent from 2010 to 2011, and a whopping $123 percent over the past decade (2000 to 2011), according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Of the 13.8 million cosmetic procedures done in 2011, more than 12.2 million were of the minimally-invasive variety. The trends suggest both a steady, if slow, improvement in the economy and consumer confidence, plus a trend toward less invasive, more subtle changes to their looks.

The top five such procedures for 2011 were:

• Botox, 5.7 million
• Soft tissue fillers, 1.9 million
• Chemical peels, 1.1 million
• Laser hair removal, 1.1 million
• Microdermabrasion, 900,000

Last year saw a 15-percent rise in laser hair removal procedures, a nine-percent boost in microdermabrasions, a seven-percent jump in soft tissue fillers and a five-percent rise in the number of injections of Botox. Jacksonville’s Dr. Phillip Garcia believes the effects of the economy may be a factor in multiple ways.

“People are either looking for work or working hard to keep and improve their jobs,” he says. “They want to invest in their looks, but they don’t want to be slowed down. Minimally-invasive procedures like Botox provide fast, effective and affordable results with little or no downtime.”

Industry experts agree and expect the trend to continue throughout 2012 and beyond. Dr. Garcia expects continued interest in Contoura, the Garcia Institute’s revolutionary facial procedure designed to take years off your looks within minutes. Find out if Contoura or another minimally-invasive procedure is for you by calling 904-247-8522 and scheduling a consultation.

Are you a good candidate for Botox? Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery can help you decide.

If you’ve been considering Botox, Jacksonville plastic surgeons Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia want to help make sure you’re a good candidate. Although it’s a minimally invasive procedure, Botox, like any cosmetic procedure, has both benefits and risks. Here’s what you need to know before making your decision.

Ideal candidate for Botox injections are between the ages of 18 and 70, have reasonably good skin tone and are both physically and emotionally healthy. They want to diminish or eliminate lines and wrinkles on their face and neck, but have realistic expectations of what Botox can do for their looks and their lives.

You may not be a good candidate for Botox if you:

• Have a disease or medical condition that affects nerves and muscles;
• Are breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant soon;
• Have any severe allergies or any known allergies to bovine products or to preservatives found in Botox Cosmetic;
• Are taking antibiotics, heart medications or certain other drugs;
• Have a neurological disease;
• Have Lambert-Eaton Syndrome or Myesthenia-Gravis Syndrome, muscle-weakening disorders;
• Have skin infections on the areas to be treated with Botox;
  Have sagging, drooping or sun-damaged skin.

When you choose Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery for your first Botox injections, you’ll get a thorough consultation to make sure that Botox is right for you. If not, our double board-certified plastic surgeons and expert aestheticians can suggest alternatives to help you achieve the look you want. Call 904-247-8522 to schedule your appointment today.

Give the gift of beauty with Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery.

What better holiday surprise than the gift of beauty? Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery offers a range of gift ideas perfect for the both the girls and guys on your holiday shopping list:

• A luxe new look: Facial cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-invasive, are increasingly popular gifts. If someone you love has talked about a chemical peel, brow lift or Botox injection, consider a Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery gift certificate toward a procedure of their choosing. A favorite this year is the Garcia Institute’s Contoura, a proprietary procedure designed to take years off a face in a matter of minutes. Certificates for a SunFX spray tanning session, hand rejuvenating treatment or lash and brow tint make great stocking stuffers.

• A sweet respite: Everyone can use a little R&R now and then. A luxurious facial treatment or massage is always a welcome gift. The Swedish massage is a favorite. The athlete in your life will love a sports massage, designed to release lactic build-up in the muscles and prevent injuries. And if someone you care about is carrying a stress load, our deep tissue massage will help him or her relax, rejuvenate and refocus.

• A little knowledge: If someone on your holiday shopping list is considering facial plastic surgery, make sure he or she is well informed. Penned by Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia, Just Faces: A Guide to Facial Plastic Surgery provides a comprehensive look at all you can expect while preparing for, undergoing and recovering from a cosmetic surgery procedure.

• A little swag: Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa offer a full battery of top-quality skincare and beauty products to fill any stocking. We carry the LaLicious line of all-natural bath and body products including luxury shower scrubs, body oils and scented lotions in a variety of sumptuous scents. Known as the “skin care makeup,” Jane Iredale cosmetics are best known for their mineral makeup products that offer beautiful, smooth coverage while allowing the skin to breathe. And our DecoCandles soy blend jar candles fill your home or office with soothing scents.

• A little love: For the person who already has everything, consider a donation in his or her name to F.A.C.E., the Foundation for the Advancement of Children’s Aesthetics. This nonprofit organization provides free facial reconstructive surgery to underprivileged children with facial trauma or disfigurement throughout Northeast Florida. It’s a gift that will positively and permanently impact a child’s life.

For any of these gift ideas, stop by Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery at 700 3rd Street, suite 102 in Neptune Beach near Jacksonville. Happy holiday shopping!

As they say, “the eyes have it.” Or something like that. Truth is, your eyes are the first features someone notices when they look at you – and they’re one of the top tell-tale indicators of your age. If you’re aiming to smooth out those under-eye crinkles that add years to your look, you’ve got several options including under eyelid surgery and Botox. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery can help you choose.

Also known as “blepharoplasty,” eyelid surgery effectively removes excess skin and bulges from around your eyes, including both upper and lower eyelids. This excess skin below the eyes is what causes that crinkled look. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia remove the skin via a tiny incision underneath the eyelashes in the first crease or behind the eyelid. Careful placement of the incisions assures that your plastic surgery scars will be unnoticeable or even invisible.

Another option for treating under-eyelid crinkles is Botox. This method of treatment is used far less frequently because it demands an incredibly skilled hand and a tiny amount of Botox. Also, Botox may not work well for every patient, depending upon the facial structure and the way the skin beneath the eyes fold when the patient smiles. It’s most effective in conjunction with Botox treatment of crow’s feet.

Chemical peels also can be an effective choice for treating under-eye crinkles, but again – this takes a highly skilled professional. Chemical peels that are too strong or administered incorrectly can be harmful to the sensitive skin around the eyes.

Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery can help you decide the best treatment for your under-eye crinkles and set you up with great skincare products and vitamins that help keep your skin smooth and youthful. Call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation today.

Many myths surround Botox. Jacksonville's Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery helps separate fact from fiction.

If you’re considering trying it, no doubt you’ve heard multiple myths and misconceptions about Botox. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery helps set the record straight about America’s most popular youth-restoring cosmetic procedure.

Myth #1: Botox is toxic. While it’s true that Botox is made from the botulinum toxin, essentially a food-borne poison, that toxin undergoes a lot of refining before it hits your plastic surgeon’s shelves. First, the botulinum toxin that makes it into a vial of Botox is highly purified. Plus, the concentration of the toxin is extremely low and a qualified plastic surgeon or aesthetician will pinpoint the injection into a certain muscle or group of muscles. With precision placement and the low concentration, a Botox injection is simply incapable of spreading effects outside a given area. And, over a period of time, your body will naturally eliminate the Botox.

Myth #2: Botox will make my face immovable. This is perhaps the most enduring yet not (necessarily) true misconception about Botox. Yes, Botox does work by relaxing certain facial muscles and restricting their movements. Back when Botox was a new craze, many inexperienced physicians and overzealous patients tended to go overboard with the amount of Botox injected. This did, in fact, cause a “poker face” phenomenon. But over the years, as physicians became more experienced with Botox injections, the novelty wore off, and the popularity of the super-smooth look gave way to a more subtle, natural look, Botox is no longer the “frozen-face” treatment. When administered correctly by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, Botox can minimize wrinkles, giving you a natural, youthful look that allows a full range of emotions.

Myth #3: Botox is addictive. Botox itself does not bring about any physiological addiction. You’ve likely heard horror stories and seen photos of people who have developed an addiction to plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. However, this is a result of body dysmorphic disorder, a psychological condition that causes people to become obsessively focused on “fixing” a particular part of their body or face. It has nothing to do with Botox or the procedures themselves – it is an inner battle that necessitates psychological treatment. A reputable plastic surgeon will know how to spot red flag indicators of such a disorder and will politely refuse to administer a troubled patient Botox.

Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery boasts two double board-certified plastic surgeons and a staff of highly experienced aestheticians who treat patients with Botox daily. If you’re considering Botox or another facial rejuvenating procedure, call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation today.

Skin care, great hair, Botox and a little shopping are in store at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery this Thursday.

Mark your calendars for this Thursday, November 10 and plan a day of beauty, bling and bargains. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa in Neptune Beach (near Jacksonville) are holding a day-long fall celebration offering a slew of specials.

From 11am-5pm, great deals include:

• 30 minute facials and massages for $40
• 50% off laser hair removal
• Up to 30% off selected spa products
• Free gift with purchase while supplies last

The fun doesn’t stop when the clock strikes five. From 5pm-8pm, Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery offers even more pampering, plumping and primping:

• Complimentary chair massages
• Glycolic hand treatments
• Consultations with SoCo for Hair
• A Stella and Dot Jewelry sale
• $10 per unit of Botox, or…
• Trade your gold and silver for Botox
• Up to 50% off Juvederm
• Fantastic spa discounts

By the way, SoCo for Hair is one of Ponte Vedra Beach’s top salons. And you’ve likely spotted Stella and Dot Jewelry items on celebs including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Katherine Heigl, Sophia Vergara, Ashley Greene and a few of the Kardashian sisters.

Attendance is free of charge, but you’ll need to RSVP so we can be sure to have enough refreshments and goodies on hand. Call 904-247-8522 to RSVP.

November Specials at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery.

DIY Botox is no beauty bargain, plastic surgeons say.

In today’s tough economy, everyone’s looking to save buck. But do-it-yourself Botox, Jacksonville plastic surgeons Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia say, is not a beauty bargain. In fact, it can end up costing you in both cash and looks.

Botox injections have remained strongly in demand, and even increased in demand in many markets over the past several years. Competitiveness in the job field is tougher than ever and having a youthful, healthy look is a proven boon to job seekers and those angling for promotions at work. But professional administration of Botox or other dermal fillers can be pricey. And many believe they’re getting a bargain with low cost DIY Botox kits that sell online.

Legally, only a licensed physician can purchase Botox. But many opportunists are finding ways to sell the product illegally – and they’re finding plenty of willing buyers. Here’s the catch: Many of these kits come from developing countries that have far less stringent regulations on these types of products. Thus, what you’re getting may not be Botox at all, or may be a far less potent form. In either case, harmful and potentially fatal reactions can occur. Thousands of plastic surgeons have treated patients who come in after injecting themselves with DIY Botox formulas, only to end up with uneven features, ptosis (drooping of the upper or lower eyelid), burning or rash-like skin an abscess or a potentially fatal staph infection.

Even if you are to able get your hands on the real thing, injecting yourself with Botox can be dangerous. Skillful injections take intensive training and a thorough understanding of the facial muscle and skin complexities. Injecting too much Botox or injecting it in the wrong spot can lead to serious, possibly irreversible problems, not to mention costly medical bills.

If you’re considering Botox, call Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery (a.k.a. The Garcia Institute) at 904-247-8522 for your consultation with a top-notch, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Don’t risk your beauty to save a buck.

Is Botox or a deep chemical peel the best wrinkle buster?

Got crow’s feet or laugh lines? If so, then you’ve no doubt looked into all the options for smoothing out those lines that make you look older than you feel. And you’ve likely read about the benefits of two top wrinkle-busting treatments: Botox and deep chemical peels.  Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa offer both and can help you decide which will work best for you.

A Botox treatment involves injections of a purified form of botulinum toxin into the muscles just beneath wrinkled skin and works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles used repetitively when you frown, scowl or laugh. Over many years, these repetitive muscle movements cause wrinkles to form in the correlating skin around the eyes, nose, mouth and between the eyebrows. Botox injections will cause these muscles to relax and will restrict their movement. Don’t worry. You’ll still be able to express your emotions – just not as intensely where your facial expressions are concerned.

Botox takes just a few minutes to administer and you’ll see results after several days. These results typically last for three to six months, though repeated injections may begin to make results of each injection last longer over a period of time. Still, understand that results are temporary with Botox, Jacksonville. The cost for Botox depends upon the amount needed to smooth and plump your skin to the degree you desire. The deeper your wrinkles are, the more you’ll need to get a smooth, youthful look.

A deep chemical peel is a totally different cosmetic procedure. This procedure utilizes a chemical solution such as Phenol to actually remove the damaged outer layers of the skin. When this is accomplished, newer, smoother skin emerges. Deep chemical peels are effective for smoothing wrinkles, treating sunspots and age spots, and even clearing acne and fading acne scars. Schedule several hours for a chemical peel and know that full healing of your skin may take up to four weeks. During this time, a reddish tint to your skin may persist and you’ll see layers of your skin actually peel and flake off. Though it may sound like a bit of a hassle, the good news is that results are permanent with an expertly performed chemical peel.

Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa offer Botox injections; light, medium and deep chemical peels; and many other cosmetic surgery and skin care procedures. Drs. Phillip Garcia and Roberto Garcia, along with our top notch staff of skincare experts, can help you decide which treatment is best for you. Call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation today.