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.

Teen plastic surgery may be appropriate, depending upon the type of surgery and your teen's motives, expectations and maturity level.

Statistics show that a growing number of teenagers are opting for plastic surgery. Jacksonville’s Dr. Roberto Garcia says that’s not necessarily a bad thing – so far as it’s approached in the right way for the right reasons and with the right expectations.

According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 219,000 cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on people age 13-19 in 2010, the most recent year for which statistics are available. While many of these procedures involved Botox, breast enlargements and others considered by many to be inappropriate for teens, the majority were procedures that addressed legitimate concerns. For many youth and teens, flaws such as protruding ears, a misshapen nose or severe acne scarring can cause troubling scenarios and bring on feelings of depression or self consciousness. And these troubles can not only affect a teen’s psychological well being but can follow them into their adult years.

In such cases, plastic surgery may be an appropriate option.

“Self confidence is a serious issue for teens and does have an effect, for better or worse, on their grades, their ability to socialize and their future job and social prospects,” says Dr. Garcia, a partner in Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. “Plastic surgery often is a major help, so long as the entire process is handled correctly.”

Three primary factors indicate a potentially successful teen plastic surgery. First, the desire for the procedure must come from the teenager, not his or her peers or parents. While adults undergo plastic surgery in order to stand out from the crowd, teens typically aim to look more like their peers and thus, feel that they fit in. You must talk with your teen at length about their motives for plastic surgery and exactly what it is they want to change.

Second, teens must have realistic goals about how the plastic surgery results will look and to what degree a procedure will positively affect their lives. Teens must understand that real self confidence goes much further than skin-deep. So, having plastic surgery to correct a noticeable flaw is one thing – going under the knife in a bid to gain popularity or be the homecoming queen is quite another and should raise a red flag for parents and physicians.

Third, teens must be mature and emotionally stable before even considering plastic surgery. Some procedures, such as rhinoplasty, involve a temporary disfigurement and are not recommended for teens prone to mood swings or erratic behavior. Those undergoing treatment for clinical depression or other mental illness, and those suspected of using drugs or alcohol are definitely not candidates for cosmetic procedures.

That said, Dr. Roberto and partner / brother Dr. Phillip Garcia regularly perform rhinoplasty, otoplasty and reconstructive plastic surgery on teens deemed to be good candidates. They also perform skin treatments such as laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion and chemical peels to help correct severe acne scars.

If your teen wants plastic surgery and you feel he or she may be a good candidate, call Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville at 904-247-8522. We’ll conduct a thorough consultation and help you determine whether your teen is ready for a procedure or needs a little more time to mature.

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.

Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville offers tips for looking your holiday best.

Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve are just around the corner and the holiday party season is in full swing. Of course, everyone wants to look their best this time of year. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville has a few party-perfect tips for your look.

• Watch your diet: Take in lots of water, fruits and vegetables to give you a clear and smooth complexion.
• Get a Botox boost: Botox can give your look a near-instant lift. Smooth those crow’s feet, forehead and marionette lines or plump your lips and cheeks for a more youthful look in no time.
• Bronze your look: If the cool weather and the non-stop holiday shopping and party planning has your complexion looking pale and stale, opt for a SunFX spray tanning treatment. A highly trained technician will apply the tanning solution for a natural, sun-kissed look.
• Give your skin some TLC: A luxurious facial or light chemical peel will pamper your sun damaged, acne prone, unbalanced or dehydrated skin, giving it a tighter, brighter, smoother look.
• Rub it in: A professional massage will help relax and rejuvenate you while cleansing your body of toxins and boosting blood circulation – all factors in healthy, glowing skin.
• Open those eyes: The first feature people notice about a stranger is their eyes. Make sure yours make a stunning impression with a two-layer eye lift treatment designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and to tighten, lighten and brighten the eye area. Also opt for eyebrow waxing and lash and brow tinting for an open, defined look.

Prepare now for your next holiday party by calling Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville at 904-247-8522. Happy holidays!

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.

Baby Boomers are more likely to go rock climbing than sit in a rocking chair. And they're getting plastic surgery to help them look as lively as they feel.

These days, Baby Boomers just might be the coolest cats in town. They’re working out, launching new businesses, burning up the dating scene and looking as gorgeous as ever. For some that means indulging in a little plastic surgery to help them age gracefully.

A recent survey highlighted primary trends emerging among the Boomer generation:

1. They’re living longer. Medical advances and the easier-than-ever access to medical and health information is helping Boomers long outlive the life expectancies of prior generations. Well, why live longer if you can’t enjoy it? Boomers increasingly are reflecting upon their lives and reinventing themselves at each milestone year, setting new goals and taking up new hobbies or even launching new businesses. Seems the rocking chair has gone the way of the dinosaur.
2. They’re technologically and socially connected. Yes, Grandma is on Facebook. And she’s not there just to keep up with the grandkids. She’s got her own extensive list of Facebook friends, thank you very much. And her status updates just might make you blush. Statistics show that seniors are the fastest-growing segment signing up on Facebook and other social networking sites. Of course, since Grandma likely doesn’t have to get up and go to school or work in the morning, she’s got lots of time to meet and mingle with her Facebook friends off-screen. Seniors are on the social and dating scene like never before.
3. They’re competing and winning in the workplace: The financial crunch is affecting everyone, including seniors. But rather than stick to the jobs they’ve held for decades, many seniors are taking advantage of that milestone-year reinvention and going back to school in huge numbers. Many are enrolling to update their skill sets in an effort to land promotions at work. Others are ditching their old skill sets in favor of whole new ones with plans to switch career fields or launch new businesses of their own.
4. They’re aging gracefully. Those top three trends fold nicely into the proudly-going-gray movement. To help boost their success on the social scene, in the dating game and at work, seniors increasingly are undergoing plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures designed to help them look as lively on the outside as they do on the inside. Mind you, they’re not interested in the wind-blown, trout pout look of those who overdo it in an effort to shave decades off their looks. Today’s seniors are proud of their age and don’t care to look too much younger. They simply want to look their best at the age they are and they’re accomplishing that with expertly performed facelifts, brow lifts and eye surgeries or with less invasive procedures like Botox, Restylane or chemical peels.

If you’re a Boomer with an unbridled passion for life and want a look to match, contact Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Jacksonville’s top facial plastic surgeons can help you continue to look gorgeous throughout your golden years.

Is your skin ready for the cool snap? Check out the fall skincare and laser hair removal specials at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Garcia Medical Spa.

Fall is upon us. It’s time to prepare your skin for the cooler weather. What better way to do just that than Facial Fridays at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa?

On Facial Fridays, Jacksonville area clients enjoy any facial or level 1 peel for $80, or an Ultimate Microdermabrasion treatment for $85. Our facials, peels and microdermabrasion treatments are designed to repair sun damaged, acne prone, unbalanced or dehydrated skin. Our expert aestheticians pamper your skin, preparing it for the cooler temperatures and dryer air. You’ll leave with beautifully hydrated, soothed and smoothed skin, as well as tips to protect it from the elements. Facial Fridays run through September 30 and exclude level 2 and 3 peels, Micro-Lift treatments, gift certificates and series.

Free laser hair removal is another September special option. Here in sunny Florida, knee-length and short skirts are worn well into the fall season, so a smooth pair of legs remains a fashionable must. At Reviva Medical Spa, purchase laser hair removal package and get a second area (of equal or lesser value) treated free of charge.

Our specials fill up fast, so call 904-694-0091 to book your appointment today.

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.

Whether you’re headed back to the classroom as an instructor or a student, Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa has your back-to-school beauty checklist, Jacksonville. Facials or facial peels; injectables like Botox, Juvederm and Radiesse; and massages all are top choices for those looking to hit the hallways looking beautiful and feeling confident.

Facials are a favorite among both high school and college students who want to return to school with a little pampering. If you’re the parent of a teen girl, a mother-daughter facial or a girlfriend’s facial for your daughter and her best friend is a great way to reminisce favorite summer memories and celebrate the new school year. If you’re older college student returning to school to study a new career path, consider a facial peel for a smoother, tighter, younger look. College is tough enough for a student of any age. A beautiful new look can help boost your confidence.

Another most-requested beauty procedure for instructors or older students is an injectable filler. Botox, Juvederm and Radiesse help plump hollows and smooth wrinkles to restore a youthful, vibrant look.

A professional massage also is a great way to end the summer on a relaxing and luxurious note. If you’re a college athlete or the parent of a high school athlete, a sports massage can help prepare the body for sports tryouts and practices.

You’ll want to pack a few beauty items to take with you to your new dorm room. Skincare products by Belladerm-Rx, Obaji Medical and Image will keep your skin looking beautiful all semester. Jane Iredale Skin Care Makeup not only assures you’ll look great in all the latest colors, but delivers healthy skin benefits too. And Latisse will help make sure all eyes are on your eyes when it’s time to take a break from studying.

Back-to-school appointments fill up fast at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa. Call 904-694-0091 to book your appointment today. And be sure to ask about August spa specials on facials and laser hair removal.

Squinting at the small screens on your cell phone and other handheld devices can cause wrinkles. Jacksonville cosmetic surgeons offer face-saving tips.

Jacksonville cosmetic surgeons Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia want you to be aware of the potentially aging effects of staring at the small screens on your cell phones, MP3 players and other mobile devices.

It seems everyone and their toddler has one and the thought of going about our day-to-day routines without one of our handheld helpers is almost unfathomable. Cell phones alone allow us to talk, email, text, catch up on the latest news, buy movie tickets and get step-by-step directions to our next destinations. Meanwhile, MPs and e-book readers are increasingly popular.

“While mobile devices certainly make our lives easier, all that squinting to read the tiny lettering can lead to crow’s feet and wrinkles between the eyes,” says Dr. Phillip Garcia, founder of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa. “Plus, there are indications that being in front of standard sized computer screen for long periods of time can have a dulling effect on the skin.”

So how do you fight the skin aging and dulling effects of computer, cell phone and other screen types, Jacksonville? Cosmetic surgeons recommend regularly scheduled facials to keep your skin hydrated, smooth and taut; skin resurfacing treatments like chemical peels to help repair damage from device screens, sunlight and exposure to other environmental elements; or injectable treatments such as Botox or Restylane to smooth out wrinkles.

If you’re seeing the effects of computer screens and mobile devices on your skin and facial features, the Drs. Garcia and their staff of highly trained skincare specialists can help. Call 904-247-8522 for a personal consultation today.