Blog Archives - Page 5 of 8

July 11, 2019November 8, 2023

Jeuveau™ Has Arrived in Glastonbury, CT

Botox® has long been the reigning champion in the world of wrinkle reduction, until now. There’s a new solution on the scene, approved by the FDA and available in our Hartford area offices.

Jeuveau™ is an injectable neurotoxin that works to fight gravity and aging in the face. It slows down the process of wrinkle formation and often is able to correct lines that have already formed. One of the main differences between Jeuveau™ and Botox® is that Jeuveau™ has a more affordable price point, which may appeal to some patients.

How Jeuveau™ Works

Jeuveau™ can be injected between the eyebrows or in the corners of the eyes. It is meant to freeze the natural, repetitive muscle contractions that cause the formation of deep wrinkles on the face and around the eyes. Jeuveau™ prevents your nerves from telling your facial muscles to flex, which stops the creation of creases in common places like frown lines between the brows or crow’s feet by the side of the eyes.

What is Jeuveau™ Recovery Like?

Much like with Botox® and other injectables, the recovery time needed after a Jeuveau™ treatment is nearly nonexistent. The procedure can be easily completed during a quick, lunchtime appointment and patients should be able to return to their lives directly afterward. Some slight redness, swelling, and pain may be present around the injection site, but it should subside quickly.

What Results Will I See With Jeuveau™?

Like with Botox®, the results of a Jeuveau™ treatment are temporary, lasting anywhere from 3-6 months. It is common for patients to return for treatment two or three times per year. Patients can expect a reduction of lines and wrinkles and an overall smoother, more youthful appearance.

Since every patient is different, be sure to discuss with Dr. Beam whether Jeuveau™ or Botox® better serves your needs.

To find out which procedure is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Dr. Beam serves the Glastonbury and Hartford, Connecticut areas.

June 27, 2019November 8, 2023

Liposuction After 10 Years: What to Expect in Glastonbury, CT

In the immortal words of Kanye West, you are either considering or already went to the doctor and got “lipo” with your money. You may be wondering if the money you spent on liposuction was worth it; how long do these results last anyway? Below we describe what you can expect 10 years after your liposuction procedure and some of the best practices to maintain your results long-term.

What Will My Liposuction Results Look Like In 10 Years?

The human body has a set number of fat cells that expand or shrink as our weight fluctuates, which explains why we sometimes experience stubborn pockets of fat that won’t disappear regardless of healthy diet and exercise. However, with liposuction, these fat deposits are removed as a cannula suctions them out of the body. Once removed, these fat cells are gone forever and cannot return. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to regain fat in the treated areas. Fat cells that remain are still able to expand during weight gain, producing a fuller figure, albeit in better proportion to the rest of the untreated body. In essence, your results in 10 years depend entirely on whether or not you make the correct choices to maintain them.

How Can I Maintain Long-Term Results?

The most important ways to maintain the results of liposuction are to follow a regular exercise regimen, drink water, make healthy diet choices, and reduce stress. It is important to note that even the healthiest of lifestyles cannot fully pause the aging process. While creating healthy habits can increase the longevity of your liposuction results, your body will still age naturally throughout the course of a decade.

Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation

Dr. Harold E. Beam and his experienced staff provide quality liposuction procedures and long-lasting results to the people of Connecticut. To inquire for more information or to schedule a consult, contact our office today. Harold E. Beam Plastic Surgery is conveniently located near Glastonbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and the surrounding areas of Connecticut.

June 13, 2019November 8, 2023

Glastonbury Residents Ask: Is There a Solution for Gynecomastia?

Men suffer from the same self-confidence issues that women do. They look in the mirror and wish for a fuller head of hair or maybe a smaller waistline. Enlarged male breasts, or gynecomastia, is one such condition that may be embarrassing and can contribute to a lower self-image in men. Men struggling with this condition are not helpless, however, as gynecomastia surgery can help correct the appearance of male breasts to produce a flatter, firmer, more masculine chest contour.

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition in men that results in enlarged or over-developed breasts. The swelling of breast tissue can be caused by many things such as genetics, rapid weight gain or weight loss, or even hormone changes. Men of all shapes and sizes can be affected by this condition and those who cannot correct gynecomastia solely through proper diet and exercise may turn to surgery as a solution.

How Is Gynecomastia Surgery Performed?

Depending on the source and severity of the gynecomastia, the procedure can be approached a few different ways. If the condition can be attributed to an excess of glandular tissue, the surgeon may use an excision technique. This technique allows the surgeon to reposition the nipple and areola if needed. If the cause of gynecomastia is from excess fatty tissue, the procedure can be performed using liposuction. In this case, the surgeon would insert a small cannula through several small incisions to suction the excess fatty tissue from the chest area.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Gynecomastia Surgery?

You may qualify for gynecomastia surgery if:

You are at a healthy weight and in good physical health
Your large breast size causes you discomfort
You are at an age where your breast development is stabilized
Your gynecomastia cannot be treated through alternative medical practices
You don’t smoke or use drugs

Schedule a Gynecomastia Consultation Today

We want to help introduce you to the happier, more confident version of yourself, regardless of your gender. To inquire for more information or to schedule a consult, contact our primary location in Glastonbury. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery also proudly serves the communities of Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and the surrounding areas of Connecticut.

May 23, 2019November 8, 2023

What Glastonbury Residents Should Know About the Top 10 Plastic Surgeries

With the number of plastic surgery procedures performed booming in the last decade, it’s not hard to see how many cosmetic procedures have become common household terms. Currently, the top 10 most requested plastic surgery procedures include liposuction, breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, abdominoplasty, breast reduction, rhinoplasty, facelift, breast lift, forehead lift, and gynecomastia treatments. As these procedures become more normalized, you may be curious about what plastic surgery can do for you. We’ve compiled some useful information about the three most requested procedures in plastic surgery today.

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is useful in removing excess skin and tightening remaining skin in the abdominal area. The procedure is popular among women who find themselves with unsightly skin folds after being pregnant or losing a significant amount of weight. The ideal candidate for this procedure has excess sagging skin they desire to remove, without excess fat deposits in the abdominal region.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is typically regarded as a procedure for women wanting to enlarge their breasts. While not untrue, this procedure can be performed for a number of reasons, such as to replace a breast that is absent, to even out the appearance of asymmetrical breasts, or to correct instances where the breasts do not develop during puberty. The procedure allows you to choose between different implant options, with silicone implants rising in popularity. Many women choose a silicone implant over saline because of the more natural feel and appearance they produce.

Rhinoplasty

Widely regarded as the most popular cosmetic procedure, rhinoplasty is an excellent option for those wishing to reduce the overall size of their nose or refine certain areas for a more aesthetically pleasing effect. The contouring effects of this procedure can bring the most central aspect of our face into balance with its surroundings. Rhinoplasty can also correct structural issues, such as a deviated septum, which may affect the quality of breathing.

Schedule a Plastic Surgery Consultation

The friendly team at Harold E. Beam Plastic Surgery is proud to offer these popular plastic surgery procedures and more to the people of Connecticut. To inquire for more information or to schedule a consult, contact our office today. Dr. Beam’s practice is conveniently located near Glastonbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and the surrounding areas of Connecticut.

May 9, 2019November 8, 2023

Glastonbury Residents Ask: Can a Breast Lift be Done Without Implants?

Most women that experience pregnancy, weight loss, or loss of skin elasticity due to aging may begin to notice a gradual drooping of their breasts. While breast sagging is entirely natural, this change in a woman’s body may cause discomfort or lower self-esteem. Breast lift surgery is widely-known as an effective procedure to correct this issue, leaving the breasts perkier and more youthful than before. However, many women shy away from this procedure because of concerns over the safety and longevity of breast implants. Luckily, Dr. Harold E. Beam skillfully performs breast lift procedures for women without the use of breast implants.

What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?

Many women who are experiencing gradual sagging of their breasts wish to restore them to a more youthful appearance. A breast lift can accomplish this by restoring a fuller, rounder shape to the breasts for a younger, more rejuvenated look.

Can a Breast Lift Be Performed Without Breast Implants?

The option to have a breast lift performed with or without a breast augmentation depends on the ultimate goals of the patient. If the patient desires a perkier appearance to her breasts along with more volume, breast augmentation is recommended in conjunction with a breast lift.

However, if she is content with the volume of her breasts, a breast lift alone can be performed. During the procedure, an incision is made around the areola and/or down the front of the breast and breast crease depending on the degree of sagging. The breast is then pulled, tightened, and the nipple and areola are moved to a higher position to reveal perkier breasts with a more pleasing overall shape.

Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation

When performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Harold E. Beam, a breast lift procedure can boost a woman’s self-esteem, making her feel more confident and feminine. Dr. Beam and his staff provide breast lift procedures along with other breast enhancing procedures at locations in Glastonbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and the surrounding areas of Connecticut. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Harold E. Beam, MD plastic surgery today.

April 23, 2019November 8, 2023

Glastonbury Plastic Surgeon Talks About Your Options for Eye Bags

Your eyes are the most expressive area of your face. They convey subliminal messages and emotions, such as anger, sadness, and joy. It comes as no surprise then, that the eyes are the first area of our face that people notice and pay close attention to. In addition to conveying our feelings, the eyes are also a telling sign of our age, appearing tired, older, or angrier as the elasticity in our eyes begins to wane. Our eyes begin to share false messages to others that can leave us feeling insecure or embarrassed. Fortunately, eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a fantastic option for reducing or removing the appearance of heavy bags under the eyes.

How Is Blepharoplasty Performed?

Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular and commonly performed facial procedures in the world of plastic surgery. The procedure is performed by targeting either the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, creating incisions around the natural creases of the eyelid. This technique ensures minimal scarring after the healing process. Your surgeon will then remove any excess tissue and fat before closing up the incisions. Some patients may elect to use injectables to smooth out any remaining fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes after the procedure.

What Can I Expect After Eyelid Surgery?

Many patients regard this procedure as an excellent option for under eye bag correction because of its effectiveness and relatively minimal recovery period. Swelling and bruising following the procedure is common but is typically alleviated after one to two short weeks. In the meantime, your surgeon will prescribe you oral pain medication to mitigate any discomfort you may experience.

Schedule a Blepharoplasty Consultation Today

Dr. Beam of Harold E. Beam Plastic Surgery is Connecticut’s leading plastic surgeon for blepharoplasty procedures. If you live in Glastonbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and the surrounding areas of Connecticut. Dr. Beam and his friendly team invite you to contact them with any questions regarding your blepharoplasty procedure.

April 9, 2019November 8, 2023

Glastonbury Plastic Surgeon Shares How to Improve Droopy Eyelids, Bags & Dark Circles

The eyes are the window to the soul. But if you’ve got droopy eyelids, bags, or dark circles under the eyes you may not like what your eyes have to say about you. These problems can make you look tired and older than you really are.

As you age, your skin gradually begins to droop. This is especially evident in the face. Over time, the elasticity in your eyes can reduce, making your eyes appear older and more tired. If you are bothered by drooping eyelids and sagging skin around your eyes, both eyelid surgery and injections can help make your eyes appear more youthful.

Eyelid Surgery in Glastonbury

Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery is a procedure that can be performed on different areas of the eyes – the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. This surgical procedure can remove excess skin and fat, and it can reposition fat and tighten saggy areas of skin. The incisions are made along the natural curve of your eyelids, so visual scarring is minimal.

Eyelid surgery may be performed for cosmetic reasons, or it may be done to improve one’s sight by lifting droopy eyelids out of the patient’s field of vision. The surgery will make you look more rested and alert.

It is common for blepharoplasty patients to experience some swelling and bruising, but your eyelids should return to normal in about one to two weeks. Since the healing process is gradual, it will take several weeks to see the final results of your surgery. Over the coming months, scars will fade and become barely visible. The results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting, but heredity and lifestyle factors may have an effect. Your skin will continue to age and at some point the droopiness and wrinkles may return.

You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms:

Excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids
Loose, hanging skin on the upper eyelids that could be impairing vision
Bags and dark circles under the eyes
Sagging of the lower eyelid
Excess skin and fine wrinkles on the lower eyelids
Puffiness of the upper eyelids

Dermal Fillers in Glastonbury

Injectable fillers can be used to treat the dark circles under your eyes. Juvederm ® (formerly known as Perlane®) is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that is used for treating darker, deeper wrinkles, like under eye hollows. Juvederm Voluma™ is another dermal filler that is used to treat dark circles under the eyes. These dermal fillers provide extra volume to fill in deeper crevices. They will help to remove the creases below the eyelid and significantly reduce the level of dark circles around the eyes.

To find out if blepharoplasty or dermal fillers are right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, New Haven, Hartford and surrounding areas.

March 28, 2019November 8, 2023

Glastonbury Women Ask: Do Lips Get Thinner with Age?

As we age, our bodies change in many ways. Perhaps the most recognizable changes occur on the face. You may notice a variety of facial changes, from lines and wrinkles to sagging and volume loss. These changes make us look older and perhaps more tired than we really are.

One of the changes that comes with age is thinning lips. Most men and women notice that their lips are becoming thinner in their 30s and 40s. Thinning lips make your face appear stern and older than you actually are. Usually, deep lip wrinkles will occur with thinning lips.

Why Lips Get Thinner As We Age

Collagen is a protein that supports the soft tissue that gives your lips their plumpness. Collagen creates the base for elastin and hyaluronic acid, which are vital to the shape, structure, and suppleness of your lips. It keeps your lips moist from the inside out.

As you age, your body naturally produces less collagen. Also, environmental factors like UV sun ray damage can slow down collagen production.

When collagen production slows down, your skin may begin to sag and droop unattractively. You may begin to notice a loss of volume in certain areas of the face, including the cheeks and the lips.

What We Can Do

If you are bothered by the appearance of thinning lips, there is something you can do.

Lip augmentation may be the solution. Dermal fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane® are very popular for making thin lips look full and plump again. These dermal fillers are a smooth gel that is made of hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally present in our skin. Fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane® give lips volume and a more youthful look. The effects of these fillers will last for about six months. If you are happy with the results of your lip augmentation, you will need to continue the treatments to maintain your results.

This popular, non-surgical procedure can make a real difference, but natural looking results from the dermal filler will depend upon the technique of the person doing the injections. That’s why it’s so important to choose a plastic surgeon or their APRN’s for your injections. While many doctors and aestheticians offer lip injections, they may have received their training in a weekend seminar. Only a plastic surgeon and trained APRN fully understands the nuances of the face and has developed the necessary techniques to administer the injections.

To find out if lip injections are right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, New Haven, Hartford and surrounding areas.

March 12, 2019November 8, 2023

Non-Surgical Options for Reducing Dark Circles Under Your Eyes in Glastonbury

Dark circles under the eyes can make you look tired and much older than you really are. They can make you look like you’ve been working too hard or that you’ve gotten too little sleep. Dark circles under the eyes are a real concern for men and women alike.

While blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) offers a long-term solution to the problem of dark circles under the eyes, not everyone is willing to undergo surgery. Fortunately, there are some non-surgical treatments that can help.

Causes of Dark Circles Under the Eyes

There are a number of different causes for dark circles under the eyes.

Dark circles under the eyes may appear as a result of a hollowness forming underneath the lower eyelid. This hollow groove forms as the result of tissue loss that comes from aging. As people age, they begin to lose fat, muscle, and bone all over the face. The area under the eyes is one of the first areas to show these changes. Shadows fall into the groove, causing the appearance of dark circles.

Bags under the eyes can be caused by fatty tissue visibly protruding within the lower eyelid. Shadows fall into the groove under the bags, creating the appearance of dark circles that make you look older and tired.

Genetically inherited dark pigmentation of the under eye skin and blood vessels that can be seen through the skin will also cause dark circles under the eyes. The skin around the eyelids is the thinnest skin on the body. When blood passes through the veins close to the surface of the skin, a bluish tint results. The thinner the skin, the darker the circles will appear.

Treatments for Dark Circles Under the Eyes

For mild cases, professional skin care products like topical creams are used to treat dark circles under the eyes. They offer temporary assistance, but they will not solve the problem.

Another non-surgical treatment for dark circles under the eyes is treatment with dermal fillers. These fillers will help to remove the creases, which are causing shadows to fall below the eyelid. Fillers can significantly reduce the level of dark circles around the eyes. New injectable fillers are getting better and better, giving us even more choices for treating this condition.

Restylane® Lyft (formerly known as Perlane®) is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that is used for treating darker, deeper wrinkles, like under eye hollows.
Juvederm Voluma™ is another dermal filler that is used to treat dark circles under the eyes.

Each patient is different, and the causes for dark circles under the eyes are different, so it stands to reason that the treatments for dark circles under the eyes will also be different. It is important to set up a consultation with your plastic surgeon to assess your condition and recommend the best treatment for you.

To find out what you can do for your dark circles under the eye, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, New Haven, Hartford and surrounding areas.

February 21, 2019November 8, 2023

Why You Should Be Using Professional Skin Care Products in the Glastonbury Sun

Why should you choose professional skin care products when there are so many options for skin care products over-the-counter? There are so many over the counter choices, and they are typically available at a lower cost than professional skin care products.

Benefits of Professional Skin Care Products

There are many benefits to choosing professional skin care products. One of the biggest is their high quality.

Over the counter skin care products each have an intended purpose. They may fight acne or oily skin, or they may help to reduce lines and wrinkles. But when these products are sold over the counter, they only contain a small amount of the active ingredient that is responsible for accomplishing their purpose. The reason why the over the counter skin care products have only a small amount of the active ingredient is because the product needs to be safely used by all individuals, even those with sensitive skin or other skin issues. But when you buy professional skin care products, you will get a high-quality product with a higher amount of that active ingredient, so you’ll see much better results.

Here’s another benefit of professional skin care products – when you use them, your skin is going to look better. Inexpensive over the counter skin care products contain low-quality ingredients that can sometimes damage your skin. This can cause premature aging, acne and other skin issues to occur. A professional skin care product will give you smooth, radiant skin. Professional products can even help to slow down the aging process.

When you use professional skin care products you will be working with a professional who can recommend the right products for your individual needs. They will understand your skin type and any issues you may have with your skin, and they can match you with the right professional skin care products to help your skin look it’s very best.

Professional skin care products are made in small batches, which helps to maintain the integrity of the ingredients. Also, the product contains smaller molecules so they can better penetrate the skin, yielding better results. When molecules are larger, they can only treat your skin superficially, providing only temporary relief to your skin concerns.

Another concern of professional skin care products is the pH of the skin. Over the counter skin care products don’t take this into consideration and will often leave the skin in an alkaline state, allowing bacteria and free radicals to invade the skin.

To learn more about professional skin care products, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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