According to the American Academy of Dermatology, upward of 161,790 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2017 alone. The deadliest and most common form of cancer claims nearly 10,000 American lives per year – a figure that reflects one death per hour. For many across the nation, May’s rising temperatures means the start of lots of days spent outside – and a heightened risk of developing melanoma. That’s why May is designated Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a national campaign designed to educate the masses on the risks and leading causes of melanoma.

The leading cause of melanoma is exposure to UV light and sunlight, accounting for some 90 percent of cases. Many, particularly teens and young adults, erroneously believe that tanning beds offer a safe alternative. In fact, exposure to tanning beds before age 30 can boost a person’s risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent.

To protect your skin from the dangers of melanoma and sun-induced premature aging, limit your time in the sun, particularly between 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are strongest, and skip tanning beds altogether. When you do venture out, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 every day. A top choice is Revision Skin Care’s Intellishade, an SPF 45 sunscreen, anti-aging moisturizer and sheer tint with a powerful wrinkle-reducing peptide.

If your skin already is showing signs of sun-induced aging, there are ways to correct the damage. Consider a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. Both are customized, noninvasive treatments that gently but effectively remove the damaged outer layers of skin, revealing a smoother, tighter, younger-looking complexion.

To schedule your restorative skincare consultation or peruse our top-shelf products, call 904-396-1186 or stop by our Southside location on Gate Parkway.

Springtime marks the beginning of one of the busiest travel seasons in the United States, starting with spring break and continuing through the carefree summer months. While you may be looking forward to a break, don’t let time away from the day-to-day put a damper on your skincare routine. Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery offers these top tips for maintaining excellent care of your complexion while on the road.

1. Prepare ahead of time: If your travels will take you to a locale with a significantly different climate that the one to which you and your skin are accustomed, know that you may need to tweak your skincare routine. For instance, a more humid climate may call for a lighter cleanser and moisturizer, while thicker, cream-based options work best in a cooler, dryer area. Do a little research and pack accordingly.
2. Pack the essentials: When packing for a trip, make sure to pack all of your skincare essentials, including cleanser, toner, moisturizer and sunscreen. If you’re flying to your destination it’s a good idea to pack skincare items and a change of clothing in your carryon bag in the case of an unexpected layover or misrouted checked luggage. Just be mindful of TSA requirements that liquid cosmetics be held in re-sealable containers of 3.4 ounces or less and packed in a clear, plastic, re-sealable 1-quart-sized bag.
3. Skip the foundation: Your skin needs an occasional break just as much as you do. Pamper it and still look great with a high-quality tinted moisturizer and refresh with a periodic spritz of mineral water for a few days instead.
4. Hydrate: The dry air inside a car, bus, plane or train can sap the moisture from your skin, particularly during long routes. Slather on the moisturizer before heading out and drink plenty of water throughout your trip.
5. Get your beauty rest: Often, we pack so much into our travel schedules that we return home needing a post-vacation vacation. Be sure to schedule a bit of beauty rest during your travels and return in time to recover a bit before heading back to work.

One surefire way to know you’ll look your best during your travels is to take advantage of Parkway Plastic Surgery’s Parkway Peel Package. For just $375, you’ll get three chemical peels and one microdermabrasion session, and go home with a travel-size facial cleanser and sunscreen. Call 904-396-1186 to schedule your initial consultation today.

Expertly administered Botox injections have proven to provide a myriad of benefits, most notably a smoother, tighter, younger look but also alleviation of headaches and excessive perspiration. Now, research shows that this immensely popular cosmetic treatment may also offer a happiness boost.

Authored by prominent psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School, and Maryland dermatologic surgeon Eric Finzi, MD, PhD, the study shows Botox injections may help alleviate symptoms of depression. The notion is a particularly promising one Botox lacks many of the side effects commonly associated with conventional antidepressant medications, such as weight gain, insomnia and loss of libido.

The concept is dubbed “emotional proprioception” and is based on Botox’s classification as a neuromodulator. In neuromodulation, “the muscles of facial expression play a central role in encoding and transmitting information to the brain’s emotional circuitry, and describe its underlying neuroanatomy,” Rosenthal and Finzi write.

When Botox is injected into the frown lines (those that form an “11″ between the eyebrows), it blocks the brain’s trigeminal nerve. It’s that particular nerve that gives us the ability to frown and tells the brain that we’re sad. Essentially, it tricks the brain into a positive mood boost by assuring that the message of sadness never gets delivered.

“We suggest that Botulinum toxin type A may be considered a potential Rx for depression,” Rosenthal and Finzi write. “As more data accumulate, we will learn when and how best to deploy this new tool.”

Though use of Botox for alleviation of depression is in early investigative stages and currently off-label, researchers say results of the study show significant improvement in depressive symptoms. That said, we here at Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery frequently see anecdotal signs of Botox-induced mood boosts in our patients – and with good reason. Botox’s ability to diminish the look of wrinkles and fine lines, affording patients a smoother, healthier and more youthful look, is a proven confidence builder. And when you’re confident that you look better, you inevitably feel better, too.

Learn more about how Botox can benefit you by calling 904-396-1186 to schedule a consultation.