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.

A new survey of British moms says that a full third of them find themselves feeling frumpy in comparison to their childless female coworkers after returning to work, and many of them are turning to plastic surgery. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and others here in the U.S. have seen the same increasingly over the past few years. Dubbed “Mommy Makeovers,” typical post-pregnancy plastic surgeries include body contouring and enhancements including breast lifts and augmentations and tummy tucks. And many moms who have successfully shed the extra pounds that often come with motherhood opt for facelifts to clear away the sagging skin that forms along the cheek and jaw lines.

“There is nothing as beautiful as the bond between a mother and her baby,” says Dr. Roberto Garcia of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville. “But both pregnancy itself and the stress of day-to-day life as a mom can affect a woman’s looks.”

Moms unselfishly devote their time and energy to their children, often putting off caring for and pampering themselves. Many eventually become distressed by what they see in the mirror – the physical toll that busily juggling parenthood, marriages and careers can take. Yet many feel that taking time away from their families to undergo and recover from cosmetic surgery would be a selfish, even vain act. However, study after study shows that having a positive self image yields many benefits. Women who feel attractive and confident invariably are more active and enjoy stronger, more fulfilling relationships with spouses, family, friends and colleagues.

If you’re a busy mother whose devotion to family has made its mark on your appearance, plastic surgery or a less-invasive cosmetic procedure such as Botox can help rejuvenate your look. Many moms schedule their mommy makeovers for January, when the stress of the holidays has passed and the kids are back in school. Not yet sure about undergoing a plastic surgery or other cosmetic procedure? Regular facials at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery’s Garcia Reviva Medical Spa can help refresh and maintain your look while providing some coveted pampering and relaxation time.

Great moms deserve a great look. To learn all about your options for a rejuvenated look, from our Organic Passion Peptide Facial to dermal fillers to full facelifts, contact Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery at 904-247-8522 or via our online email form. Drs. Roberto Garcia and Phillip Garcia can design a course of treatment that helps you look your youthful best and get back to enjoying your family before they can say, “Hey Mom, what’s for dinner?”

Much hype has been made of the fact that Botox is, in fact, a toxin – and a deadly one at that – in its unpurified form. Critics assail the idea of injecting poisonous chemicals into one’s skin for the sake of a youthful appearance. But scientists, plastic surgeons and savvy patients know it’s neither that simple nor that dangerous.

Botox, when used for approved purposes by a board-certified physician, is a safe and effective way to achieve a youthful, rejuvenated look despite the toxin's dubious beginnings and storied past.

Yes, Botox is a purified derivative of botulinum toxin, four strains of which (A, B, E and F) can make humans sick. But it certainly is not the only toxin that has been purified or otherwise altered for helpful uses. Contortostatin, a chemical found in copperhead snake venom is used to attack breast cancer cells. And the venom of the delicate gray and ivory magician cone shell snail is packed with nerve-debilitating conotoxins, which provides the basis for a powerful medication that targets chronic pain and is a thousand times stronger than morphine. In fact, scientists have discovered dozens of natural poisons, toxins and venoms that contain chemicals useful in creating an array of drugs that treat multiple diseases and ailments.

It’s true that Botox’s beginnings are a bit dubious. During the 1820s, Germany’s Dr. Justinus Kerner conducted a series of experiments and case studies to determine the cause of several deaths. Each of the victims had eaten sausage and Dr. Kerner soon identified the cause of death as food-borne botulism. His work showed that the condition included neurological symptoms such as droopy eyelids, and respiratory failure. Seventy years later, Belgium’s Dr. Emile Pierre van Ermengem identified the four illness-causing strains. That information nearly came into play during the 1940s when WWII leaders reportedly crafted a plan for Chinese prostitutes to plant botulinium toxin capsules in the food and drinks of high-ranking Japanese officials. No evidence that the plan actually went through exists.

Finally, during the 1950s and 1960s, positive uses of the toxin were developed when several physicians purified botulinum’s A strain into crystalline form. Dr. Vernon Brooks discovered that small doses of the toxin helped temporarily relax muscles and ophthalmologist Dr. Alan Scott began injecting it into monkeys on the educated guess that it could help alleviate crossed eyes. Scott later received governmental approval for human testing and proved botulinum’s safety and efficacy for treatment of crossed eyes. Subsequent research revealed other beneficial uses, including relief of facial and vocal cord spasms.

Allergan bought the distribution rights to the toxin in 1988 and the FDA approved botulinum toxin type A for treating crossed eyes and eye muscle spasms the next year. Allergan then purchased Dr. Scott’s company, solidified the Botox name and continued research with tests that proved Botox temporarily cured excessive sweating and cerebral palsy. In the late 1990s, ophthalmologist Dr. Jean Carruthers noticed that the skin around the eyes of her patients treated with Botox looked markedly smoother. She and her dermatologist husband published a report on Botox’s apparent ability to decrease frown lines and a whole new market was born.

Botox Cosmetic was officially approved for corrective treatment of frown lines in 2002 and for excessive underarm sweating in 2004. Just last month, FDA officials approved Botox for treatment of chronic migraine headaches as well. So, despite its dubious beginnings, you can be sure that the correct administration of Botox for approved uses by a reputable physician is safe and effective. To find out if you’re a good candidate for Botox, contact Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville at 904-247-8522 or via our online email form.

At Garcia Institute in Jacksonville, plastic surgery for men is growing. At one time a taboo subject among men everywhere, cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular for men, particularly Baby Boomers putting retirement plans on hold.

More men in Jacksonville and nationwide are opting for plastic surgery to help them remain competitive in the workplace.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the top facial plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures among men in 2009 were:

• Botox (308,000)
• Microdermabrasion (177,000)
• Chemical Peel (93,000)
• Soft Tissue Fillers (71,000)
• Nose Reshaping (66,000)
• Eyelid Surgery (30,000)

A major reason for plastic surgery among Jacksonville men is career competitiveness. According to the 2009 Harvard Study of Health and Life Quality, attractive and confident job seekers stand better chances of getting hired than do less attractive, less confident competitors. And the Journal of Economic Psychology published findings of a study that show employees deemed more attractive make 12 percent more money annually than do their less attractive coworkers.

These statistics are prompting many Jacksonville men to undergo plastic surgery. Jacksonville is not immune to the economic troubles that have hit the nation, so many local Baby Boomers are delaying retirement plans and instead finding themselves vying for promotions or new jobs. Trouble is, their competitors may be literally half their age. An AARP study shows this to be the case for 25 percent of respondents to a study on the issue, and many feel they’re at a competitive disadvantage when younger job seekers are eyeing the same positions. A recent NBC poll revealed that 95 percent of men undergoing cosmetic procedures are working professionals looking to extend the life of their careers and boost their income potential.

For men considering plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute is a top choice. Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia are board-certified specialists in facial plastic surgery and our facility is North Florida’s only office-based surgery suite certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations. Contact us at 800-803-0082 or via our online email form to schedule a consultation today.