Plastic surgery can make you look an average 7.2 years younger, depending upon the procedures you choose, the condition of your skin and your commitment to care for your results.

Anyone considering undergoing a cosmetic procedure to look younger wants to know just how effective that procedure will be. According to a new study, patients can expect to look an average seven years younger depending on their chosen facial plastic surgery. Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute specializes in facial plastic surgery and says that number can go even higher with more extensive procedures.

Researchers conducting the study recruited 40 medical students and asked them to evaluate before-and-after photographs of 60 patients who had undergone facelifts, neck lifts and other procedures and were between the ages of 45 and 72 at the time of the procedure. Students estimated the before photos at a year or two younger than the patients’ actual ages. Patients in after shots were estimated an average nine years younger than their real age.

Results published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery show that patients who underwent only a face lift and neck lift looked an average 5.7 years younger than their actual age. Those who had the same procedures, plus eyelid lifts shaved 7.5 years from their perceived age. And those who added forehead lifts dropped a whopping 8.4 years. All together, patients in the study looked an average 7.2 years younger post-surgery.

But before you pick up the phone, understand that your results will depend squarely upon you.

“A lot of patients want to know exactly what age they’ll look after a plastic surgery or less invasive cosmetic procedure, but there’s no easy answer,” says Dr. Roberto Garcia, partner in the Garcia Institute. “Multiple variables are at play when it comes to results, including the procedures chosen, the current condition of the patient’s skin and their commitment to properly caring for their skin in the months and years after undergoing a procedure.”

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.

March specials at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville include buy one-get one deals on skincare procedures and steep discounts on laser hair removal.

Actor Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” Here at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa, we wholeheartedly agree. And we’re celebrating the seasonal party by offering you money-saving specials to help you look gorgeous this spring.

With our March Micro Madness special, buy two 60-minute microdermabrasion or micro-lift treatments and get the third free of charge. These treatments are designed to repair sun-damaged, acne-prone, unbalanced or dehydrated skin, leaving you with beautifully hydrated, soothed and smoothed skin. Treatments are tailored to your individual skincare needs.

Our Kiss Me – I am Hair-Free specials feature laser hair removal treatments at steeply discounted prices:

• Bikini line – $99 (regularly $200)
• Underarms – $99 (regularly $150)
• Full legs $375 (regularly $600)

They’ll leave your skin silky smooth just in time for beach season.

And when you purchase one Latisse kit, you’ll get one free while supplies last. Latisse is clinically proven to dramatically lengthen and thicken your eyelashes for a celebrity-worthy look without the fuss and muss of artificial lashes.

Call 904-694-0091. or stop by Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa to make your appointment today.

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.

Hey fellas – If you really want to surprise your lady this Valentine’s Day, a facial or massage is your top choice. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa offer a full battery of luxurious spa experiences that will trump flowers and stuffed animals any day – especially on this day.

Research shows that great experiences make people happier than do material goods. In survey after survey, respondents say they’d much rather receive the gift of a fun or meaningful experience than a funny or unique material gift. So forget the teddy bears and chocolates and spring for a sumptuous gift that’ll keep her smiling for days.

A favorite gift for special day like birthdays, anniversaries and Valentine’s Day is a Swedish massage, designed to help one relax, release tension and promote circulation for a healthy, vibrant feeling. Our Reviva Signature Facial or Organic Passion Peptide facial also is a much anticipated gift. Each helps tighten and brighten the skin for a youthful glow. Give an extra special touch with an add-on like our hand rejuvenating treatment or two-layer eye lift treatment.

But these luxe gifts aren’t just for the ladies. Men love a little pampering too. As luck would have it we offer couple’s massages. And this month, it all comes with a savings. For each $25 increment purchased in a gift certificate for massage therapy or a skincare treatment, we’ll toss in another $5 for free. Valentine’s Day gift certificates also are redeemable for laser hair removal or spray tanning. Get yours by visiting Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa in Neptune Beach near Jacksonville or call 904-685-8852.

Massages and facials make great Valentine's Day gifts for both women and men.

Looking for great Valentine’s Day deals? Reviva Medical Spa and Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery offer Jacksonville lovers a chance for a sumptuous surprise – and a savings, too.

Originally honoring early Christian martyrs named St. Valentine, the day became associated with amorous love among aficionados of poet Geoffrey Chaucer during the High Middle Ages, when chivalry, romance and the tradition of courtly love flourished. The association came by way of a poem penned by Chaucer to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia.

Since that 14th century day, paramours have traded love letters, flowers, confectionaries and the like every Valentine’s Day. But as lovely as those traditional tokens are, statistics show that a spa experience trumps material gifts any day of the week – especially on Valentine’s Day. Massages and facials are particularly popular – both for women and men. After all, the guys love a little pampering too.

To get your Valentine’s Day gift certificate, stop by Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery/Reviva Medical Spa in Neptune Beach near Jacksonville today or call 904-685-8852.

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.

Some vitamin and mineral supplements can interfere with your plastic surgery, Jacksonville surgeons say.

You might think that loading up on vitamins and minerals will help make your body and skin healthier, and thereby in better condition to undergo cosmetic surgery. Not so fast, says Dr. Phillip Garcia of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Jacksonville patients are advised to avoid particular vitamins and supplements that can interfere with plastic surgery procedures and healing. Some can cause post-surgical bleeding, worsen inflammation, raise your blood pressure or alter your sugar levels. And don’t think that an herbal supplement is safe simply because it’s natural.  Some can be downright dangerous.

Among the medications and vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements you should avoid at least three weeks before plastic surgery are:

• Any diet pills or appetite suppressants – herbal and otherwise
• Blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, Motrin or Advil
• Vitamin E
• Chromium
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo
• Goldenseal
• Flaxseed
• Fish oil
• Echinacea
• Licorice
• Saw Palmetto
• Ephedra
• Ginseng
• Feverfew
• Kava-Kava
• St. John’s Wort
• Valerian Root

After your plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s top surgeons may recommend medications or vitamin and mineral supplements known to aid the body in healing. In fact, Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia, partners in the Garcia Institute, have developed a patented line of supplements proven to help speed healing. Patients report less swelling and bruising as well.

No matter who your plastic surgeon is, be sure to tell him or her about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and supplements you have taken over the past six months to a year. Many patients are less than forthcoming, afraid that they’ll be ridiculed by their doctors, perhaps for buying into a bogus supplement claim. But in some cases, that information can help avoid a tragedy.

If you plan plastic surgery in Jacksonville or the surrounding area, call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery today. And be sure to ask about the Drs. Garcias’ Reviva line of healing and anti-aging vitamins.