Dr. Mary Pentel, owner of Pentel Dermatology & Cosmetics, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon based in Jacksonville. She is the founder of Dermatology Southeast and is recognized as one of Jacksonville Magazine’s top dermatologists in 2019. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for MOHS Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and surgery and the Jacksonville Dermatological Society.
What are your top tips for ways to have youthful skin?
1. Sun protection is the most important step. The single most effective way to keep skin youthful is consistent sun protection. Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB coverage helps prevent premature aging as well as skin cancer. Smart sun habits matter just as much. Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, reapply as needed and try to avoid peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when possible. For individuals prone to pigmentation such as melasma, a tinted sunscreen is especially helpful, as it also protects against HEV (high intensity visible light), which can worsen discoloration.
2. Keep your skincare routine simple and consistent. An effective skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. Start with a few proven essentials and stay consistent:
Think AM and PM with purpose:
If needed, incorporate targeted treatments (anti-pigmentation or anti-redress or DNA repair) for concerns like pigmentation, redness or DNA repair to further customize your routine.
3. Get a good night sleep to support cell growth, repair and skin hydration. All these processes are linked to your circadian rhythm, which is supported by a good night sleep. This is why I also recommend products that stimulate collagen at night and moisturizer at night.
4. Eat a healthy and balanced diet high in antioxidants, polyphenols, carotenoids and a prebiotic diet rich in fiber to support a healthy gut microbiome. Avoid sugars and high glycemic foods.
5. Consider prejuvenation procedures early to stimulate collagen and slow down the aging process. You don’t want to wait too long when the wrinkles are at rest. At this stage you will need more costly and aggressive procedures to treat the signs of aging.
What skincare products do you recommend?
Each skin care regimen is personalized and customized according to your skin type and skin-care needs. I base my recommendations after doing a thorough skin care analysis. I offer several professional skin care lines for every budget. These products are researched and chosen for their active ingredients and proven effectiveness. I believe that a consistent and simple skin-care regimen is very important for effectiveness and compliance. The best skin care is the one that my patient likes and will use every day.
What services does your business offer?
Pentel Dermatology & Cosmetics is a state-of-the-art facility that provides general dermatology, skin cancer surgery, lasers and cosmetic services. We offer the best selection of lasers, energy-based devices and body contouring procedures in Northeast Florida. We offer surgical and non-surgical treatments and prevention of skin cancers to include MOHS, image guided superficial radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy and lasers.
Our medical dermatology division specializes in general dermatology and skin cancer treatments. Our cosmetic division includes aesthetician services, lasers, neuromodulators and fillers. We can utilize lasers to treat medical conditions such as hair loss, acne, acne scarring, scars, melasma, pigmentation, birthmarks, redness, psoriasis, vitiligo, nail fungus, precancerous lesions, unwanted warts or growths and much more.
We also offer non-invasive skin tightening to treat facial and body skin laxity caused by GLP-1 utilization.
What inspired you to start your business? What do you like best about what you do? Is there anything else about your business that you would like to share with our readers?
I joined Northeast Florida Dermatology in 1998 after finishing my dermatology residency at Brown University. My entrepreneurial spirit motivated me to start my own practice in 1990. I opened the Southside office in 1990 and expanded to the current beach location in 2021.
I fell in love with the practice of dermatology during my years in medical school. I enjoy helping a diverse population in all different age groups. My passion is treating skin cancers, scars, acne, and melasma and aging skin. I especially love aesthetics and helping people look their best at any age.
What’s the philosophy behind your business?
Treat your patients how you would treat your family and friends. Be honest. Educate your patients to help them choose what is best for them. Look and feel your best at any age.
What is your biggest inspiration in life or in your job? What do you enjoy most about the business?
My biggest inspiration is my patients. I love seeing a teenager feel more confident about themselves as I help them achieve clearer and smoother skin. I enjoy seeing how my patients are excited about their natural results with fillers. I love my long-term relationships with my elderly patients that I treat for skin cancers.
Every day is a fun day for me! Each day is different because I get to treat a variety of skin conditions and perform lasers and injectables. I enjoy seeing patients for a follow-up to see the results of the treatment for their skin cancers, fillers or lasers. I love seeing the smiles on their faces!
Do you have a special message to share with the neighborhood or community?
The world of lasers and skin care is rapidly changing and expanding, and you may be wondering how to choose the right office. If proven medical technology, exceptional personal service and experienced medical professionals dedicated to achieving outstanding results are all important to you, then you have found the right place.
Pentel Dermatology & Cosmetics offers patients the convenience of both aesthetic and medical treatment at two convenient locations. Our medical dermatology division specializes in general dermatology and skin cancer treatments. Our cosmetic division includes aesthetician services, lasers, neuromodulators and fillers. We can combine lasers to treat medical conditions such as hair loss.
Since opening our doors 21 years ago, Pentel Dermatology & Cosmetics has been providing Jacksonville with the most comprehensive skin care available. With the addition of our second office located in Jacksonville Beach we are more equipped to serve our Jacksonville community. The most up to date, high-tech equipment and products at our office are carefully selected to give you the safest and best results available. We have the most extensive selection of lasers and devices in Northeast Florida.
We have experts in skin cancer surgery, lasers, injectable treatments, body contouring and rejuvenation procedures.
We hope you will consider choosing Pentel Dermatology & Cosmetics for your skin care and cosmetic needs. We take into consideration your concerns, expectations and budget to personalize a treatment plan for you. Your satisfaction is very important to us.
We look forward to taking care of you and want you to feel and look your best.
