Start preparing for bikini season now with laser hair removal by Jacksonville's Garcia Institute.

Here in sunny Northeast Florida, you’re almost as apt to see women walking around in strappy sundresses in January as you are in June. While we’ve still got a few cool spells to go before the official start of summer, temperatures in the 70s have local ladies looking to get fit and fabulous in plenty of time for bikini season. And they’re starting with laser hair removal.

Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute offers laser hair removal for the legs, bikini area and underarms using the top-rated GentleLASE 755nm alexandrite laser designed to permanently reduce hair growth. But contrary to popular belief, significant permanent removal of hair doesn’t happen in just one visit. Typically, eight to 10 sessions scheduled from 21 to 35 days apart are required for optimal results. So the earlier you get started, the more prepared you’ll be for beach season.

To get the best results from your laser hair removal, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute also recommends that you stay out of the sun in the weeks prior to your first session. Tanned skin increases your risk of unsightly and potentially painful side effects like blistering and permanent skin discoloration. That goes for both natural tans and tanning-booth tans. Either way, you’ll have to wait until your bronzing has completely faded before undergoing laser hair removal.

Jacksonville clients also are advised to skip waxing or electrolysis in the weeks prior to your session. However shaving may actually be recommended, as it preserves the hair shaft and follicle and may help improve your results.

You’ll also need to fess up about any and all medications you’ve taken over the past six months, including both prescription and over-the-counter products. All hormonal and birth control drugs and many antihistamines, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory, acne and anti-cancer medications can increase your skin’s sensitivity. Your technician needs to know if you’ve taken any of these medications to effectively valuate your risks and to schedule your sessions appropriately.

Think you’re ready for laser hair removal? Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute and Reviva Medical Spa currently are offering a huge special. Purchase six lower leg hair removal treatments for just $1,125. That’s half off the regular price of $2,250. But it only lasts through the end of January, so call 904-247-8522 to schedule your consultation today.

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.

Get $15 off 60-minute skincare treatments on any Tuesday throughout January at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery.

If your New Year’s resolutions include a beautiful new look, you’re in luck. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery is offering a slate of January specials designed to give you a smoother, firmer, more youthful look.

To keep your skin healthy and vibrant throughout the year, experts recommend adding a touch of luxury to your skincare routine with weekly or monthly facials. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery makes it easy to get started with “Terrific Tuesdays.” You’ll get $15 off all 60-minute skincare treatments on any Tuesday throughout January. We know you’ll feel so relaxed and look so radiant that you’ll commit to making this resolution stick.

Is getting your body in bikini shape on your list of New Year’s resolutions? Make sure your skin is beach-ready, too. Start early with a series of laser hair removal sessions designed to permanently reduce hair growth on your legs, bikini area and underarms. Throughout January, purchase six lower leg laser hair removal treatments for just $1,125. That’s half off the regular price of $2,250.

All these great specials come to a close January 31, so call 904-694-0091 to book your appointment today.

Also during January, we’re hosting two Botox and a Taste events where you can meet our double board-certified plastic surgeons, get a complimentary skin analysis and opt for onsite Botox injections. The first is hosted at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery‘s Reviva Medical Spa in Neptune Beach on Thursday, January 5 from 5:30-8pm. RSVP by calling 904-247-8522.

A second Botox and a Taste event is scheduled for January 25, 5:30-8pm at the Fountain of Youth Medical Spa in St. Augustine. Reserve your spot by calling 904-806-4208.

Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery offers New Years Resolution tips to help you prepare forand maintain beautiful plastic surgery results.

Will 2012 be the year you finally go for that facial plastic surgery procedure you’ve been thinking about? As 2011 comes to a close and the economy continues to recover (albeit slowly) people everywhere are ready for a fresh start – and a fresh look to go with it. If a youthful new look is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery has a few tips for that will help you prepare for and maintain your beautiful results.

By far, the most common New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, get more exercise and stop smoking.

“Each of these is a huge recommendation for patients preparing to undergo facial plastic surgery or even less invasive cosmetic procedures,” says Dr. Phillip Garcia, founder of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa. Here’s why:

Losing weight typically improves a person’s overall health. But great weight loss can leave facial skin loose. Skin can be stretched only so far for so long before it loses its ability to snap back, and weight loss shows first in the face. If your slim-down plans are significant, lose that weight before you schedule your facelift for the best, most permanent results.

Smoking can dehydrate your skin, leaving it looking dull. It also is associated with lung and heart conditions that increase a patient’s risk of peri-operative and post-operative complications including anesthesia-related problems. Nix the habit before you undergo your facial cosmetic procedure and you’ll not only be happier with your outcome, but you’ll be safer throughout the procedure and healthier afterward. Plus, you’ll heal faster and you’ll be less prone to scarring.

Plenty of exercise; a nutrient-rich diet low in fat, salt and sugar; and lots of water will help keep your face hydrated and healthy. Like an artist starting out with a tight, smooth canvas, your plastic surgeon will have an easier time with your procedure if he can start with smooth and well-hydrated skin. Your results invariably will be better and you’ll heal faster if you go in with healthy skin.

Other tips for maintaining your new look include regular facials and taking vitamin and mineral supplements. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery offers a variety of prescription skincare systems and a patented line of anti-aging vitamins and minerals, including supplements that designed to help you prepare for your surgical procedure and maintain the results. Patients who take these supplements report less bruising and swelling, and shorter recovery times than those who do not.

Resolve to be your most beautiful you this year! Call Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery at 904-247-8522 to schedule your consultation today.

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!

Whether you’ve got just a few stocking stuffers to go or haven’t even begun your holiday shopping, you’ll want to mark your calendar for this one. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa are holding a Stock Up & Save event on Saturday, December 17th, 9am-1pm. We’re offering fabulous deals on our top-of-the-line skincare and cosmetic products – so good, in fact, that you can afford one for each of the gorgeous gals on your holiday shopping list and keep one for yourself, too. Check out these deals:

• Buy 2 products and get 1 half off
• Buy 3 products and get 1 free
• Buy 5 products and get 2 free

And while you’re shopping, why not indulge in a little low-cost, high-luxury pampering:

• 30-minute treatments for just $40
• 50% off laser hair removal

After all, you’ll want to look smooth and stunning for those Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties. Bring your mother, sister, daughter or best girlfriend along for a pre-Christmas indulgence that offers a break from the holiday stress.

With such great deals, appointments are limited, so call 904-694-0091 to book yours 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.

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.

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.

Face the fall season with a beautiful new look. Check out Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery's October specials.

With the fall season fully underway, many are thinking about the holidays – what they’ll cook, what they’ll wear and how to look their best during a fun but stressful time of year. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery has a few October specials to help you get a head start on your beautiful holiday look.

Through the end of October, we’re offering a steep discount on our Lightening Lift Series. This pigmentation resurfacing cocktail is a highly effective blend of natural and synthetic agents designed to tighten and brighten your skin, leaving it smooth, even-toned and radiant. You’ll take home a full size bleaching serum and precise instructions on how to complete the at-home portion of your treatments. The series includes six lightening lifts and the product all for $450 – that’s a $240 savings from the regular price.

Here in sunny Florida, we get a little extra time to enjoy wearing leg-baring skirts and sandals. Make sure your legs are smooth and silky with a six-session full leg laser hair removal treatment. You’ll save more than $1,200 and you’ll be ready for the 2012 bikini season.

Also, don’t forget our monthly Botox & a Taste event at the Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa clinic. This Thursday from 5:30-8pm enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres while you get to know our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia. You’ll get a complimentary skin analysis, plus you can opt for on-site Botox injections.

Our October specials are expected to go quickly. Call 904-685-8852 to book your appointments today.