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.

Parkway Plastic Surgery is offering great deals on Restylane procedures and Obaji Medical skincare products throughout July.

Want to erase years from your face and keep them off without undergoing surgery? Throughout July, Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery is offering a unique set of specials that will help you quickly gain and maintain a smoother, firmer, more youthful and vibrant look via the combination of Restylane injections and Obagi skincare products.

Restylane is an injectable facial filler that uses a hyaluronic acid gel genetically engineered to diminish the effects of aging on your skin and to reshape certain facial contours for a younger look. It’s highly effective in adding or returning youthful volume to the cheeks, lips and eye area, filling deep crevices, plumping fine lines and smoothing acne scars. And, because hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring component of the skin, Restylane offers more natural looking results that last longer than more conventional gel-based fillers.

Obagi is a line of top-shelf skincare products with prescription-strength formulations available only via medical spas, dermatologists and physicians. Collections include Nu-Derm, the top physician-dispensed skin care system to help reduce visible signs of skin aging; Obagi-C Rx, formulated to correct early visible signs of skin aging and maintain younger-looking skin; and Gentle Rejuvenation, developed specifically for sensitive skin.

Intrigued? Find out first-hand how Restylane and Obaji can give you a beauty boost at Parkway Plastic Surgery’s Obagi Reveal Party Thursday, July 16, 10am-3pm. You’ll get a complimentary skin analysis with the Reveal camera, plus gift bags and chances to win Obagi products and Restylane injections (purchase required to enter raffles). Throughout July, you’ll enjoy 20-percent discounts on all Obagi products, plus Obagi and Restylane package specials priced from $250 to $999.

Reserve your spot for the Obagi Reveal Party and learn more about July’s specials by calling Parkway Plastic Surgery at 904-396-1186.

Unsure about conventional liposuction? SAFELipo may be the answer you’re looking for.

For decades, liposuction has been a go-to option for the removal of excess fat in multiple areas of the body including the abdomen and hips, inner and outer thigh, arms and neck. While still the gold standard of body contouring, conventional liposuction procedures can prove a bit much for some people. That’s why a new and increasingly popular option called SAFELipo is gaining ground.

With conventional liposuction, a typical patient misses a week of work and experiences soreness for up to two weeks. Tenderness and some level of swelling can last as long as six months, and patients are instructed to wear a pressure garment for approximately six weeks after a liposuction procedure – a potentially uncomfortable prospect here in hot, humid Northeast Florida.

Also, consider that liposuction procedures that use lasers, radiofrequency or ultrasound work by killing fat cells with excessive heat. If the procedure isn’t performed with the utmost care, the heat can damage the delicate blood vessels, support structures and skin that surround the targeted fat cells. This can result in scarring, dermal adhesion and skin that appears tethered with an uneven surface.

Enter SAFELipo, developed specifically for corrective liposuction procedures in the early 2000s, and gaining popularity as a safe and highly effective standalone procedure. SAFELipo works by loosening, emulsifying and separating out the unwanted fat cells; gently removing them; then equalizing the remaining thin fat layer without generating heat. This helps to protect valuable blood vessels, skin and other tissues from damage, ensuring a smoother, tighter and more natural looking result.

If you’re considering a body contouring procedure or are unhappy with results of a conventional liposuction procedure performed by another physician, Jacksonville’s Parkway Plastic Surgery can help. Call 904-396-1186 to schedule a consultation.