Chemical peels are among the quickest, least invasive yet highly effective procedures for gaining a smoother, younger, healthier look to your skin. But not everyone is an ideal client for certain levels of this procedure.

With early forms being performed centuries ago in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, chemical peels are among the world’s oldest cosmetic procedures. They’re popular because they are minimally-invasive, outpatient procedures that offer near-immediate results. Fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, acne and uneven pigmentation all can be treated with a light, medium or deep chemical peel.

The procedure involves using an acid solution to remove damaged outer layers of the skin, making way for a newer, smoother, firmer and more even complexion. Ideal candidates have lighter skin and hair, do not smoke and are careful to shield their skin from exposure to the sun when spending time outside. Darker-skinned patients also can achieve great results, but are more prone to scarring, so a lighter, expertly formulated peel is best. Patients with abnormal pigmentation or facial warts, and those who have used certain acne treatments within the past year may not be suitable candidates. Nor are those who spend lots of time in the sun with inadequate skin protection.

It’s also important to know what can and cannot be achieved with a chemical peel. Patients have great success with chemical peels for treatment of fine lines and wrinkles; freckles; age and liver spots; sun-damaged skin; acne and acne scars; and scaly patched or rough skin. But chemical peels are less effective for treating deep wrinkles and scars; loose or sagging skin; broken capillaries; and enlarged pores.

To find out if you’re a good candidate for a chemical peel, call Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery at 904-396-1186.

April is National Stress Awareness Month – A perfect time for some R&R.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, a cooperative campaign to inform Americans about the effects of stress on their health, including the health and look of their skin.

Studies show that chronic stress, and even the anticipation of stressful situations, can damage your body’s cells, leading to early aging. It also can contribute to unhealthy lifestyle choices like poor nutrition, inadequate exercise, sleep deprivation, alcohol use and increased dependents upon medications – all of which can sap your skin’s moisture and vitality. And, stress-induced habits such as frowning and furrowing your brow are direct causes of developing fine lines and wrinkles.

To help prevent stress from marring your complexion, adopt effective stress management practices like getting plenty of exercise and adequate rest each day, prioritizing tasks and taking time to relax with activities you enjoy. Also, maintain a daily skincare regimen and wear a high-SPF sunscreen every time you venture outside.

To help remedy or further avoid the damaging effects of stress on your complexion, consider one of these proven aesthetic services:

• Face lift: Face lifts are among the most popular surgical cosmetic procedures, with 128,266 being performed last year, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The procedure brings the fat and underlying tissues to a higher position on the face, smoothing and tightening the skin and significantly improving the look of your cheeks and minimizing the deep folds between the nose and corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds), the jawline and the neck.
• Forehead lift: If you’re not quite ready for a full facelift, a forehead lift may be the right option. This procedure can smooth the forehead skin by raising your eyebrows and minimizing your frown lines.
• Botox: Botox is by far the most common cosmetic procedure, with more than 6.673 million injections performed last year – a 748-percent increase from 2000. It works by temporarily relaxing overactive facial muscles that leave you with frown lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.
• Chemical peel: Customized formulas help treat acne, wrinkles, freckles, age spots, liver spots and scars, making this non-invasive procedure a top option for all skin types.

Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery offers these and other cosmetic services to help revitalize, nourish and strengthen your skin. Call 904-396-1186 to schedule a consultation today.