Blog
LOOKING BACK ON 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, we can’t help but look back on everything that’s happened this year. Perhaps it’s remnant gratitude from the Thanksgiving holiday, or the seasonal habit of reflection, but we feel exceptionally grateful for so many moments over the past 12 months. Here are a few highlights:
ASLMS IN DENVER
Dr. Biesman traveled to Denver back in April for the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery annual conference. While there, he spoke on multiple topics including periorbital rejuvenation therapies, research he’s conducted in rosacea treatment, laser hair removal, as well as safe use of lasers around the eyelids. Furthermore, he was elected for an ASLMS board of directors seat for the second time, after being a past president of this reputable organization.
COVER OF MEDESTHETICS MAGAZINE
Dr. Biesman had the honor of being on the cover of April’s MedEsthetics magazine! The publication also featured a spotlight on our practice and Dr. Biesman’s passion for the work he does.
MUSIC CITY SCALE
SCALE, or the Symposium for Cosmetic Advances & Laser Education, took place in Nashville this spring for the 14th year in a row. Dr. Biesman served as a co-chair once again, and our practice was proud to be heavily involved in educating our peers. Our team lectured on cutting-edge topics in the field of aesthetic medicine, performed live injections of Botox and soft-tissue fillers, demonstrated best practices in the use of CoolSculpting, Ultherapy and much more.
VANCOUVER CLINICAL TRIAL
Dr. Biesman traveled to Vancouver back in August to attend a clinical trial training for a study where Botox is used as a treatment on the masseter (jaw) muscles for facial slimming. Performing clinical trials on new drugs and devices helps Dr. Biesman remain a leader in his field and gives him early access to the products and treatments that will be best for our patients.
NAMED ONE OF THE “BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA”
Once again, Dr. Biesman was selected by his peers to be included in the Best Doctors in America® 2019 – 2020 List. Striving to do his best is always an everyday occurance, so this award was greatly appreciated to acknowledge his continual efforts.
ASOPRS IN SAN FRANCISCO
This October, Dr. Biesman traveled to San Francisco to attend the ASOPRS (American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) 50th Anniversary, 2019 Fall Scientific Symposium. In addition to catching up with some of his friends and peers, he had the opportunity to dedicate time to learn about advancements in education, research, and the quality of clinical practice in his field.
SAT ON THE ENDO ADVISORY BOARD FOR NEW TREATMENT FOR CELLULITE
This year while Dr. Biesman sat on the Endo Advisory Board, they were able to announce the FDA’s acceptance of original Biologics License Application (BLA) for Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCH) in Patients with Cellulite. This means they took a huge step closer to receiving FDA approval (more here) and Dr. Biesman has greatly enjoyed the honor of being a part of developing this process.
GLOBAL ADVISORY BOARD ON RESTYLANE TEAR TROUGH
Dr. Biesman traveled to the south of France this past April. While in Monaco, he was invited to present on technology-based rejuvenation of the eyelids at the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress. He then traveled to Nice, France to attend a Restylane Global Advisory Board Meeting. He serves as the lead investigator on this trial and was the only physician who had the honor to present at this meeting.
ASDS CHICAGO
This past October, Dr. Biesman spent the weekend in Chicago (one of his favorite cities!) attending the annual ASDS (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery) meeting. Not only did he attend, but he was also invited to give a presentation in the plenary session. This was yet another opportunity for Dr. Biesman to remain educated on the latest developments in his industry and connect with his friends in the industry!
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS
Our team has stayed extremely busy on the research front over the last year, being actively involved with trials on new neuromodulators (Botox-like drugs), fillers, and energy-based devices like lasers, RF devices (e.g. Thermage), and others. Research is a topic that remains incredibly important to our entire team, as it allows him to become familiar with new products and procedures and to stay ahead of the curve on industry trends. It also allows him to decide if new procedures are something he believes are worth offering to his patients when they do become available or if they are not quite ready for “prime time.” Furthermore, if he does decide he wants to proceed, these trials mean he’s already had firsthand experience performing them and is that much more of an expert for his patients.
MASTERS OF AESTHETICS IN SAN DIEGO
In August, Dr. Biesman spent a few days in San Diego attending Masters of Aesthetics which included world leaders, inventors and innovators in the fields of lasers, energy-based treatments, toxins, soft tissue fillers and all areas of aesthetic-based treatments. While here, he had the opportunity to go more in-depth about proper aesthetic techniques, new treatment paradigms with lasers, emerging technologies, as well as new combination/multimodal treatments.
There are dozens of other milestones we could continue to list, but the greatest of all? Continuing to serve our community of patients. Without you, we couldn’t do what we do. We are honored not only to serve you, but for the relationships we’ve developed with all of you. Thank you for giving us another wonderful year, and cheers to the one ahead of us!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Get Ready For The Holiday Season
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means the holiday season is upon us! We love the festive energy this time of year brings, but we also know it can all be overwhelming. So, to help you feel more prepared for the parties, shopping and everything else in between, we’re sharing some inspiration that will hopefully help make this season feel like something to celebrate instead of something to add more stress.
GET 10% OFF OUR SERVICES BY PURCHASING A GIFT CERTIFICATE
Whether you’re shopping for a loved one or just planning some self care for yourself to get through the holidays, now is a great time to purchase a gift certificate at our practice. During the month of December, we’re offering 10% off gift certificates purchased at our practice. This is an amazing way to save money on a variety of treatments you and your loved ones can both benefit from including:
EYELID SURGERY: When excess tissue in the eyelid area makes the eyes appear aged and tired, eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty) can help make the eyes appear more youthful overall. During this procedure, sagging tissues are removed or repositioned to create a bright, more “awake” look. If this procedure is something you’ve considered for a while, why not purchase a gift certificate for the amount during the month of December to save 10% on the procedure?
NON-INVASIVE SKIN TIGHTENING WITH THERMAGE:
As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity. Thermage® is a non-invasive skin-tightening treatment that carefully and precisely heats the skin, inducing a contouring effect and stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production process. Thermage not only helps you look better, but plays a preventative role to help you maintain your appearance as you age. Thermage is most effective on the neck, jawline, face and eyelids. Furthermore, Dr. Biesman developed the eyelid treatment tip for Thermage more than 10 years ago and it has remained one of the most popular Thermage applications worldwide. This is a treatment that most patients choose to do once or twice a year. With gift certificates purchased in December at a 10% discount, treat yourself, a family member or a friend to treatments all year long!
This time of year tempts all of us to indulge more than we typically do in the eating department. Even when you eat healthy and exercise regularly, sometimes you still can’t seem to shake those stubborn areas. CoolSculpting® is a major breakthrough in noninvasive body contouring that reduces fat layer thickness safely and effectively without anesthesia, sedation or injections. Similar to Thermage, this treatment yields optimal results with multiple sessions, so purchase a gift certificate this month to give you that 10% discount throughout the year.
We know how acne scars can hinder your self-confidence. By using a combination of surgical and laser treatments, Dr. Biesman is able to produce improvements in the appearance of most body and facial acne scars and help you or your loved ones feel like their best for the holiday season and beyond. Like other treatments mentioned above, this often happens over time and multiple treatment sessions, so consider our gift certificate special to make the most of our 10% discount even after December ends.
SHOP LOCAL TO SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS IN THE NASHVILLE COMMUNITY
We’re so thankful for our community of friends and patients here in Nashville. As you shop for holiday gifts this season, why not support local businesses and entrepreneurs at the same time? Here are a few places in town that we love, and also happen to be owned by some of our friends and clients!
- PARLOUR 3: Everyone deserves to feel like their best self and Parlour 3 is here to help. Treat your loved one to the perfect haircut, color service or one of the many wonderful treatments available at Nashville’s premium salon.
- NINA KUZINA GALLERY: Whether you’re looking for fine jewelry, paintings or sculpture, art enthusiasts alike will swoon over the beautiful products that this incredible local art gallery boasts.
- LWL: THE STORE: Our talented friend Landyn just opened a beautiful new store on Charlotte Avenue. Whether you’re in search of the perfect white T-shirt, chic paper products for a girls night in or the perfect pillows for your sofa, Landyn’s store is beautifully curated with plenty of items that make for a great gift.
- COSMETIC MARKET: The Cosmetic Market has long been a one-stop-shop for beauty needs in the greater Nashville area.
- PRIVATE EDITION NASHVILLE: If you’re shopping for premium makeup, skincare or haircare-related products and services, Private Edition has a vast array of premier beauty offerings.
- EMILY PHILLIPS: For the stylish yet practical women in your life, EMILY PHILLIPS has shirt-dresses that offer simplicity, elegance and versatility in a single item of clothing.
- DEBE DOHRER DESIGN: Looking for a gift that’s original and unconventional? Debe Dohrer offers a unique line of artful statement pieces that are perfect for the non-conformist in your life.
REMEMBER TO BE THANKFUL
Gifts and shopping aside, we believe that the real reason for this season is enjoying time spent with the people we love and celebrating all that there is to be thankful for. So in the spirit of doing just that, we polled our staff to ask what they’re most thankful for.
Dr. Biesman:
- I have 12 of them. Staff that is:)
- Family
- Heavy Metal Music
Cara – Clinical Nurse
- Family
- Puppies
- Good Health
Carrie – Clinical MA
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Target
Heidi – Front office Admin.
- Faith in God
- The Fincham Farm
- Family and Friends
- Garth Brooks Concerts
Isabella – Front Office Admin.
- Freedom
- Working with a fabulous group of women
- The welcoming Nashville community
- Trader Joe’s
Tammy – Laser/Skin Care Specialist
- Family
- Attending Cross Country Little Big Town Concerts
Henley – Laser/SkinCare Specialist
- My Dog
- Pizza
- Botox
Amanda – Clinical Research
- My Boys – Mama’s Babies
- Great job working with awesome people
- Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
Keihanna – Clinical Research
- Family
- Happy & Healthy Home
No matter where or how you are celebrating, we wish you a wonderful season filled with lots of love and joy. Happy Holidays from all of us at the practice of Dr. Brian Biesman!
“TREAT Yourself to Our Bag of Beauty TRICKS”
Fall is officially upon us! As we bid farewell to summer and usher in a new season, it’s wise to take inventory and ask yourself what needs to change, along with the weather. Whether you’re thinking of how to plan ahead for the winter, what you can do to correct the summer sun skin damage, or if you’re just looking for a few simple adjustments to weave into your daily skin care routine, we’re here to “treat” you to our bag of beauty “tricks” that will get you ready for the season ahead.
Update Your Daily Beauty Habits
As we depart from the humid, sticky heat of summer weather, there are changes to your skin care routine that should be made to give your skin the optimal care it deserves. It’s important to remember that everyone’s skin care routine should be customized based on their specific needs and concerns. Even still, there are some popular adjustments we often see this time of year including supplemental moisture to maintain adequate hydration. With the drop in hydration, your skin will need more moisture to maintain a glow. In addition to the need for hydration, brown and red spots from time in the sun can be relieved by adding in a topical skin bleaching cream to your daily routine. With products like these, spots can be reduced, making a more even complexion.
While we offer a wide assortment of medical grade skin care products that you could benefit from, booking a consultation with Dr. Biesman will ensure you’re using the proper products specific for your skin to address these concerns. Call our office today to schedule your appointment: 615-329-1110
Quick Fixes For Reversing Summer Sun Damage
Beyond what you do at home to care for your skin, there are some great procedures we offer at our practice that can serve as a “quick fix” to damage done by the sun (all with minimal recovery). Curious about a few options you might benefit from?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Treatment: This is used to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, particularly red discoloration and darker brown spots. Most commonly used to counteract the redness that occurs in patients who have acne, rosacea and the red and brown changes that occur with extensive sun damage, IPL can be used on the face, neck, arms, hands and even the chest, back and legs.
V Beam Laser: This technology directs the laser at targeted blood vessels in short pulses to treat sun and age spots, facial redness and flushing, wrinkles, acne and more. While most people see results in a single treatment, some patients require or desire a second or third treatment.
Fraxel®: Looking to improve the quality of your skin tone, texture and radiance after the damage done this summer? Fraxel® is a non-invasive treatment for patients who want to look younger without dramatic changes or extended downtime.
Chemical Peels: Peels are a technique used to improve and smooth your skin’s texture to improve brown sun spots and achieve an overall glow. These are a good way to shed the outermost layers of the skin and jump-start your skincare regimen leading into Fall and the holidays.
Plan Ahead For Winter Treatments
Winter is a time when we cozy up indoors, and it’s also a great time to schedule those procedures that require more downtime and can take a bit longer before you see the full results.
Ultherapy: This treatment is used to lift and tighten mild/moderate laxity to the face. While downtime is minimal, it takes about 3 months to see full results. In order to enjoy the best results in time for your holiday events, you should schedule treatments now!
Thermage: Thermage® is a noninvasive skin-tightening treatment that can be used on the face, neck, eyelids, or body. It uses electrical energy to carefully heat the skin in a way that causes collagen to contract and stimulates the production of new collagen, resulting in a tighter, firmer appearance. Similar to Ultherapy, downtime is minimal, however it can take several months for the full results to take full effect.
Laser Skin Resurfacing: During this procedure, heat is delivered to the skin to create microchannels of controlled “damage”. In response to this stimulus, the skin undergoes a healing process that results in elimination of discolored, sun-damaged areas, producing fresh, new skin. Post treatment recovery times are often a full two weeks, followed by a period of a few more months when the skin can have a pink or red color. It’s good to plan ahead for when you’re able to recover.
Surgical Removal (Excision) of Acne Scars: If treating your acne scars is something you’ve always wanted to do, why not do so this winter? When treating the deep and narrow ice pick scars, surgical excision is usually required. As the scars are removed, sutures repair the skin and convert the deep ice pick scar to a much smoother, less depressed scar. Typically, only one to two stitches are required at each surgical site and the stitches stay in place for one week.
Eyelid Surgery: Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery is a great procedure to do during the winter months when you’ll be spending a lot of time indoors. During this procedure, Dr. Biesman makes a small incision hidden within the eyelid’s natural fold to remove or reposition the sagging tissue. The result is a more youthful and well-rested look.
Dr. Biesman’s schedule always fills up as the year comes to a close, so be sure to call our practice as soon as possible to book your desired appointments!
HOLIDAY PREP STARTS NOW
Seeing premature holiday decor being sold in the stores can naturally spark a bit of annoyance (it’s not even Halloween yet!) With that said, there are certain measures that need to start happening now in order to be ready when the holidays start rolling around such as cosmetic procedures that can help you look and feel your best. Whether you’ll be attending a corporate party, festivities with friends, or simply gathering together with your extended family, there’s no question that this is a popular time of year to be seen by those you love. If you’re looking to beautifully enhance your appearance as you prepare for those events this holiday season, here are some procedures we offer at our practice that can do just that.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO REDUCE STUBBORN AREAS OF FAT…
CoolSculpting® is a completely noninvasive, safe and effective way to eliminate unwanted body fat, which is an especially popular concern as we move to a season of over-indulgence! Ideal candidates are within 20-30 pounds of their ideal body weight and have stubborn areas that simply don’t respond to diet and exercise. This treatment is performed in our office without the need for anesthesia or sedation. Best results are usually seen three months after treatment, hence why it’s important to start now!
Additionally, our practice is proud to be one of the few with the CoolTone™ Beta System. During this procedure, CoolTone’s Magnetic Muscle Stimulation, or MMS technology, delivers energy through the skin and fat to target only the underlying muscle, inducing intense contractions (far more than you could ever achieve with exercise). The body’s response to these contractions is strengthened and enlarged muscles with resultant improvement in muscle conditioning. CoolTone may be used on the abdomen (belly) or the buttocks. Following treatment of the abdomen, patients often note better strength, posture, and aesthetic improvement in the appearance of the midsection. The combination of CoolTone and CoolSculpting is the ultimate combination to noninvasively improve the appearance of your abdomen. CoolTone treatment of the buttocks can produce lifting, tightening and enhanced contour. CoolTone treatments are performed in the office without anesthesia or sedation. The recommended treatment series is 2 treatment per week for 2 weeks (4 treatments in total). Touch up treatments are typically performed every 4-6 months. Book a consultation with our practice to learn if you’re a candidate for this exciting new procedure!
IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO TIGHTEN AND LIFT YOUR SKIN…
As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity. Thermage® is a non-invasive, skin-tightening treatment that carefully heats the skin and creates a contouring effect while stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production process. Immediately following treatment, the treated area may be slightly pink for a short time, but patients can resume normal activities immediately. As with any procedure, results vary from patient to patient but final results cannot be judged for six months after the treatment with final effects typically last 1-2 years!
Another great option for skin-tightening is Ultherapy®. This is a noninvasive treatment that delivers heat to the skin using focused ultrasound to produce tightening and lift sagging skin. There is minimal to no recovery period or down time after treatment, although both Ultherapy® and Thermage® produce best results if a series of at least 2 or even 3 treatments are performed. Treatments ideally would be performed approximately 1 month apart, so it’s best to plan ahead to schedule your treatments in the lead up to your holiday events.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO REDUCE RED OR BROWN SPOTS…
Intense Pulsed Light (or IPL) treatments can correct the red and brown skin tones resulting from sun exposure and aging. The face, neck and chest are the most commonly treated areas although the arms, legs, back and shoulders respond beautifully to treatment as well. A few treatments are often required for best outcomes so you will want to begin several months before the holiday season. Downtime after IPL is minimal, but even still, this isn’t a treatment to have performed within a few days of important photos or events.
V beam is another treatment that’s great for treating redness (including rosacea, acne and red scars). Similar to IPL, downtime is minimal but also isn’t a treatment to have performed within a few days of important photos or events.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO REDUCE WRINKLES OR IMPROVE SKIN QUALITY…
Laser skin resurfacing rejuvenates tired, wrinkled skin producing a fresh, youthful appearance. Whether you are young and have fine wrinkling or have earned your deeper wrinkles over time, there is a resurfacing procedure that is right for you. Skin resurfacing clears brown discoloration caused by sun damage, tightens skin along the jawline, eyelids and other areas, smooths wrinkles, and improves the texture and appearance of scars. Depending on the treatment that is best for you, some recovery may be required after skin resurfacing so explore this option at least several months before your first holiday event rolls around.
Looking for another great way to improve the quality of your skin tone, texture and radiance after the damage done this summer? Fraxel® is a non-invasive treatment for patients who want to look younger without dramatic changes or extended downtime. We recently started offering this treatment again and are excited about the results we’re seeing. Book a consultation with our practice to see if you’re a suitable candidate.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO REDUCE FINE LINES, UNDER EYE CIRCLES
Injectable products such as neuromodulators (Botox® and similar drugs) and soft tissue fillers (Restylane®, Juvederm® and others), can enhance or restore your natural beauty while keeping a natural appearance. While facial injectables are widely available, our office prides itself in having some of the most highly experienced professionals who can listen to your concerns, determine your needs, select the proper products, and administer them safely and effectively. Ideally, facial injections should be performed at least 1 month before any major event.
With a bit of planning ahead, Dr.Biesman can use a comprehensive approach to help you look your absolute best for whatever you have on the agenda this holiday season. Call our office today to make sure you schedule your desired procedures with ample time. We look forward to seeing you!
AUGUST IS “ALL ABOUT EYES”
With August kicking off a new school year, chances are your calendar is brimming with activities once again. We know that busy schedules often lead to less sleep, and less sleep can lead to tired eyes. If your eyes tend to suffer the consequences from all that “go go go” you’re in luck. Dr. Biesman is an award-winning oculofacial plastic surgeon, which means the eye area is his specialty.
This month, we thought we’d address a few common issues that contribute to tired eyes, and share some great options we offer at our practice to address each one. Thanks to procedures like tear trough correction, eyelid surgery and forehead & eyebrow lifts, your eyes can look healthy, well rested and more youthful.
KICK DARK CIRCLES WITH TEAR TROUGH CORRECTION
Nothing is more of a dead giveaway from too little sleep than the dark circles under your eyes–it’s the thinnest layer of skin! A common trouble area we treat patients for is tear trough correction, which smooths the area that creates the appearance of dark circles. Some people are born with deep hollowing and others gradually experience this due to aging. No matter why you have tear trough issues, the result means eyes that always look tired, even when you’re not. To correct and create a more well-rested look for our patients, Dr. Biesman carefully injects soft tissue fillers to fill in the hollow area for a smoother transition with little to no pain. The process typically takes less than 30 minutes, patients can drive themselves home after their appointment and there is very little aftercare required.
FIGHT AGING AROUND THE EYES WITH BLEPHAROPLASTY
The proverbial “eyes are the window to the soul” may be true, but eyes are also one of the first places we see signs of aging. As gravity takes its toll, excess tissue in the eyelids begins to sag and can add a heaviness to the eye area and a lack of sleep can accentuate this even more! One possible solution to this problem is Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery. During this procedure, Dr. Biesman makes a small incision hidden within the eyelid’s natural fold to remove or reposition the sagging tissue. The surgery usually takes between 60-90 minutes and can be performed either in an outpatient surgery center or at our office. As you can see from the before and after photos, this procedure helps to rejuvenate the eyelid area and create an overall more youthful appearance.
FIGHT AGING WITHOUT SURGERY
Looking for another way to fight aging around the eyes that’s not surgery? Did you know that laser skin resurfacing can be done on the eyelid area of your skin? This treatment heats the layers underneath to promote collagen production, which stimulates the skin to heal in a more smooth, even appearance. This is a great option for patients who are wanting to reduce eyelid wrinkles and improve the appearance of their eyes overall.
COUNTERACT GRAVITY WITH FOREHEAD AND EYEBROW LIFTS
Sometimes the culprit of our heavy eyes isn’t actually caused by the eye area itself. Often, sagging eyebrows can contribute to the appearance of weighed-down eyelids. In fact, patients will often come to Dr. Biesman inquiring about eyelid surgery when they actually are in need of a forehead or eyebrow lift. In this procedure, Dr. Biesman uses tiny telescopes, inserted through small incisions hidden behind the hairline to elevate the eyebrows and eliminate deep forehead or frown lines. The best way to determine whether you’re a better candidate for eyelid surgery vs. a forehead or an eyebrow lift is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Biesman so he can assess your needs and advise what’s best for you.
Looking for some more tips to give your eyes a little TLC this season?
- Try sleeping on your back and using two pillows so that fluid doesn’t pool overnight, leaving you with dark, puffy bags.
- Minimize sodium intake. Similar to how sodium can cause bloating in the body, it also can cause puffiness under your eyes.
- Be gentle while removing your makeup. While it’s tempting to scrub it off with washcloth or towel, try to use gentle strokes in the same direction instead of pulling back and forth with force. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, you should always treat the eye area incredibly delicately.
- If you can’t get more sleep, cut back on alcohol. No real surprise here, but it only leads to inflammation and dehydration.
- Looking for an immediate solution to minimize tired eyes? Applying something cool to your eyes (like a cold washcloth or cucumbers) can help reduce constricting swollen under-eye blood vessels.
Whatever goals you have in mind to improve your eye area, Dr. Biesman is here to help. Call our practice to schedule a consultation, or visit our website to learn more about the services we offer at our practice. But also…try to get some sleep!
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY
Photo:The Everygirl
Cue the sunshine, warm temperatures and days out of the office. Summer is officially upon us! This mid-year mark usually seems to usher in space for all of us to take a break from our typical routines and enjoy a little down time. So whether you’re planning to use this season to lounge by the pool, jet away for a vacation, or just curl up indoors with a book to escape the heat, here are a few ways to make the most of your summer holiday.
GIVE YOUR SKIN SOME TLC
It’s no secret that your skin is really put through the ringer this time of year. While we certainly don’t want to stop any of your fun, just don’t forget to give your skin some extra TLC along the way too! Following these simple steps can help keep your skin in tip-top shape, even in the heat of the summer:
With sticky humidity, sweat, dirt, oil and other impurities constantly invading your skin this season, be sure you’re following a medical grade skin care regimen. If you don’t already have one, let our physician-supervised staff treat and assess your skin according to Dr. Biesman’s recommendations to ensure you’re using optimal products to keep your skin healthy and maintain a youthful appearance.
- SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!
It may sound obvious, but we can’t stress the importance of sunscreen enough this time of year! To be clear, you should be wearing a daily SPF year-round and with increased sun exposure in the summer months, this is extremely crucial. Because sunscreen requires daily application, and sometimes even multiple times throughout the day, be sure you’re using a quality product. Also, make sure your sunscreen is both Safe and Effective. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a ruling in which nearly two thirds of available sunscreens do not meet FDA standards. Let our professionals help you choose the sunscreen that is best for your skin.
Your face likely isn’t the only skin people will be seeing this season! If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of cellulite without undergoing an elaborate procedure, our practice carries CelluliTx: a breakthrough topical solution for those seeking to combat the appearance of cellulite
USE YOUR TIME OFF WISELY
With the downtime that’s required for some of our more extensive service offerings, Summer is a great time to consider undergoing surgical procedures.
Dr. Biesman is a specialist in oculofacial plastic surgery, which means he is an expert in performing surgery of the eyelids and upper face for rejuvenation and reconstruction. Whether your eyes appear aged and tired or you have had eyelid surgery that did not go as well as you had hoped, Dr. Biesman can help you get your best result. Eyelid surgery typically takes between 1- 1.5 hours and involves some down time.
Sagging eyebrows can contribute to the appearance of heavy eyelids. In fact, patients will often come to Dr. Biesman inquiring about eyelid surgery when they actually are in need of a forehead or eyebrow lift. In this procedure, Dr. Biesman uses tiny telescopes, inserted through small incisions hidden behind the hairline, to elevate the eyebrows and eliminate deep forehead or frown lines. Bruising and swelling will vary among patients for this procedure, so it’s good to allow for a couple weeks of down time to recover fully.
While it will rarely feel convenient to block a couple weeks out of your schedule to recover from a surgical procedure, summer is often a time when more offices are flexible with working remotely, or when schedules are traditionally more flexible and some choose to take a staycation. Why not recover in a shaded hammock in your back yard or escape the heat with some AC and a good book indoors?
STRATEGIZE YOUR TREATMENT TIMES
Many patients are often concerned about receiving skin treatments this time of year due to their increased sun exposure (and rightfully so, because often the two don’t mix!) With that said, we do offer some treatments that are colorblind and work well regardless (two great examples of this are Ultherapy™ and Thermage®).
Thermage® is a noninvasive, skin-tightening treatment that can be used on the face, neck, eyelids or body. It uses electrical energy to carefully heat the skin in a way that causes collagen to contract and stimulates the production of new collagen, resulting in a tighter, firmer appearance. Following the procedure,your skin may be slightly pink, but patients can resume normal activities immediately.
Ultherapy® is a completely noninvasive treatment that delivers heat to the skin using focused ultrasound to produce tightening and lift sagging skin. Ultherapy exerts its effects deeper beneath the skin’s surface than Thermage and is the only treatment FDA approved for noninvasive lifting of the skin. Ultherapy may be used on the upper face to lift the eyebrows, on the lower face and neck to contour and lift lax skin and on the chest to improve skin quality. Ultherapy treatments are performed in the office and have minimal to no associated downtime.
If you’re interested in Ultherapy, you have great timing! On Tuesday – July 30th, our practice is hosting an Event Day Savings with 20% off of qualifying Ultherapy Treatment Plans. Call to schedule your evaluation from 8:30 – 3:30
with our Certified Ultherapy Specialist Tammy Holton, RN (Restrictions Apply)
Dr. Biesman and his staff consider a number of factors including treatment goals and expectations when deciding which of these noninvasive skin tightening methods to recommend. Whichever is best for you, both of these procedures are great to start now, because they require no downtime, so you can still use your summer take that vacation! They do take about six months for the full results to show- which is right around the holidays.
As subsequent treatments can provide added benefit, we offer package pricing for multiple treatment sessions when performed one month apart.
Regardless of how you plan to spend this season, we’re here to help you take care of yourself and your appearance most efficiently and effectively.. Visit our website or book a consultation with our office to learn more about any procedures you’re interested in.
CELEBRATING THE MEN IN OUR LIVES THIS FATHER’S DAY
A lot of the procedures we offer at our practice are often associated with women. Yet, the reality is, our male patients benefit greatly from these procedures and the rate at which men are opting in is projected to continue growing. So, with Father’s Day just around the corner, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to speak to all the amazing men in our lives and show them that they too deserve to look and feel like their best self. Here are some ways that we can help.
EYELID SURGERY
Aging, and the excess eyelid tissue that can occur as a result, doesn’t discriminate based on gender! Dr. Biesman treats a wide variety of both male and female patients who can benefit from a blepharoplasty: an eyelid surgery where sagging tissues are removed or repositioned to create a bright, more youthful look.
Often, there is a misconception that plastic surgery creates a noticeable or extreme alteration to one’s physical appearance, which can deter patients, especially males, from exploring these procedures. On the contrary, Dr. Biesman prides himself in finding ways to correct trouble areas in an effective, yet subtle way. A blepharoplasty surgery is performed using a fine incision hidden in the eyelid’s natural fold or inside of the eyelid to avoid visible scars.
Not only do these procedures create a more youthful appearance, they can also be life-changing in regards to overall vision improvement.
COOLSCULPTING
Another procedure our male patients frequently undergo is CoolSculpting®: a noninvasive form of body contouring designed to reduce fat layer thickness in a safe, effective way. It is ideal for patients with stubborn fat in the abdomen (belly), flanks (“love handles”), back or even under the chin. We’ve seen that women aren’t the only ones susceptible to the pressures from society to be slim and toned, thus men are frequently interested in this service as well. CoolSculpting® has been used for more than 10 years and is continuing to gain recognition among male patients, including press from Men’s Health and Men’s Journal. Is one of the safest and most predictable procedures performed today with over 9 million cycles having been performed worldwide to date.
ACNE SCAR TREATMENT
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. Even if you’ve moved past this stage of impact, chances are you could still be left with the scars. While products and makeup can sometimes help camouflage these trouble areas for women, we often see men being more bothered by their scars for this very reason.
Dr. Biesman has worked with acne scarring patients for more than 25 years, and can provide a treatment plan that’s customized and most effective for your needs. Using a variety of treatments, he combines everything from surgery to lasers and other medical procedures to treat each patient with the unique customization they require for optimal results. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution and results are typically seen over time and multiple visits.
INJECTABLES
Injectable drugs like Botox, Dysport and Kybella aren’t just for women anymore. In fact, Allure recently reported an increase in trends like “Brotox”. Dr. Biesman has long seen both males and female patients using these types of products and understands the intricate anatomical differences to properly treat each patient. While men generally have larger muscles and can often require larger doses of each product, their reason for wanting these treatments is almost always the same as their female counterparts: to look and feel like the best version of themselves.
Men looking to easily treat fine lines and wrinkles often do well with products like Botox, Dysport and newly released Jeuveau™ (#NEWTOX) which all temporarily soften those signs of aging. For those looking to rid unwanted fat beneath the chin, Kybella is a popular solution that Dr. Biesman frequently performs on male patients as a less invasive alternative to surgery.
Regardless of your gender or what cosmetic concerns you may have, Dr. Biesman is committed to helping all of his patients look and feel their best. No stigma. No judgement. Contact our office to book a consultation today.
A GUIDE TO MOTHER’S DAY
Photo: @hunterpremo & @melissadschleicher
While moms deserve to be celebrated every day of the year, Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to take full advantage of expressing your love. We realize that nothing feels adequate enough for all the thanks our moms deserve. Even still, we’re here to share some inspiration of ways you can make this Mother’s Day a special one.
PAMPER HER
Photo: The Everygirl
Even if her kids are all grown up, being a mom is no relaxing task. Sometimes it takes someone she loves to stop her in her tracks so she’ll pause and take some time for herself. Our practice offers a robust range of aesthetic services that will not only allow her to relax, but will also pamper her and her skin. Treat her to a procedure like dermaplaning, which is a safe and painless treatment where we use a sterile surgical blade to exfoliate dull skin and gently shave off the dead skin cells for a natural glow. We also offer other aesthetic treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or facials that use medical grade skin care that’s tailored to her unique needs.
Some other fail-safe ways she’ll love to be pampered? Consider treating her to a massage, a manicure or a pedicure!
GIVE A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
Subscriptions or gift cards are a great way to keep giving long after Mother’s Day comes and goes. A handful of treatments we offer aren’t a “one and done” approach and often require follow up visits. Purchasing gift cards to use toward these type of treatments is a great solution to keep giving to mom again and again. While Dr. Biesman can develop a customized plan best suited for your mom’s needs, some popular examples among moms that require multiple visits include:
As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity. Thermage® is a non-invasive, skin-tightening treatment that carefully heats the skin and creates a contouring effect while stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production process. This treatment can not only help mom look her best, but can also play a preventative role to help her maintain her appearance as she ages.
Injectables
With aging, our faces often lose volume or develop unwanted lines. A great solution to restore a more youthful appearance is with injectable fillers like Juvederm®, Restylane® or Radiesse®. Regardless of which is best for your mother, Dr. Biesman can develop a customized plan to fit her needs.
Other gifts that keep on giving? Consider subscription services that suit her interests, whether it’s a magazine, cosmetics or a wine of the month service!
SURPRISE HER
Photo: The Everygirl
Regardless of what you plan for Mother’s Day, try to find a way to include an element of surprise. If you plan a brunch together, perhaps you have flowers sent to arrive that she’ll find when she comes home. If you live in different cities, maybe you coordinate with other family members a way you can surprise her with a visit. Or, if she’s a patient at our office, let us help you secretly cover the bill for her next appointment on your behalf. Even if it’s not a grand gesture, surprises are a sweet reminder that you love her and were thinking of her.
BE NOSTALGIC
Photo: Danielle Moss
If you have memories from your childhood that you remember sharing with your mom, chances are she values and remembers them even more. If you always planted her rose garden together, maybe you bring her roses with a photo of you all in the garden. Or if you had a favorite film to watch together, pop some popcorn and cozy up on the couch together for a trip down memory lane. Whatever it was, find a way to be nostalgic about those moments and show her that you cherish your memories together.
TELL HER YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT HER
Moms are often culprits of loving everyone else better than themselves. Use your words this Mother’s Day to remind her why she is your superhero. Whether you tell her face to face or you write it out in a card, it’s bound to carry more meaning than you probably even realize.
Some of our favorite things about moms? We have countless patients (and staff!) who are mothers, and they are some of the most incredible women we know. Generous, hard-working, and never hesitating to put the ones they love first, these attributes barely scratch the surface of what it means to be a mom. It is a privilege to serve all of you everyday and to offer some much-deserved care that is so often given to others first.
Wishing all of the moms in our life a very happy Mother’s Day!
ACNE SCARRING
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. It usually begins in puberty with approximately 85 percent of those between the age of 12 and 24 experiencing minor acne. Even if you don’t struggle with this condition still today, chances are you may still have scars to show from when you once did.
Whether your scars are sharply dimpled “pock marks,” a “rolling” scar, firm and elevated, or just persistent red spots, there are lots of ways to approach treatment. A combination of surgical, laser, and medical procedures can be used to achieve ideal outcomes over the course of time and while there have been quite a number of effective technologies and surgeries used to treat acne scars over the years, it’s imperative to remember that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution and best results are typically seen over time and multiple visits. Every patient with acne scarring is unique and different, and we believe their treatments should be treated accordingly. Dr. Biesman has worked with acne scarring patients for more than 20 years, and can provide a treatment plan that’s customized and most effective for your needs. Here are a few possibilities:
SUBCISION TREATMENT METHOD FOR ACNE SCARS
Subcision is a procedure which releases acne scars that are depressed so they become more level.This is a common approach when scars are not deep enough to require removal, but are too deep to respond well to filler or laser treatment alone. Our practice is one of the few in the country that performs subcision in the specific, strategic way that we do. In this procedure, a tiny blade is used to release the scar from the underlying deeper tissues holding the scar, allowing the depressed area to become somewhat shallower. While bruising and swelling may occur, stitches are not required.
LASER TREATMENTS FOR ACNE SCARS
Another method for improving skin texture from acne scarring uses newer laser and energy-based technologies including non-ablative fractional skin resurfacing and eMatrix skin resurfacing. Some treatments may have more downtime than others, and some require multiple sessions while some are single treatment. Nevertheless, these approaches can beautifully improve the appearance of scarred skin.
MICRO-NEEDLING FOR ACNE SCARS
Micro-needling is an interesting treatment that has been around for a long time, yet recently, has become an important part of our acne scar treatment. Originally in a clinical trial which Dr. Biesman helped lead, the goal was to use micro-needling (which uses tiny, sterile needles to repeatedly puncture the skin) to inject a filler into the scar. Even before using the injectable filler, patients were reporting favorable improvements in their scars, with micro-needling alone, which lead to this discovery. There are many different types of micro-needling and various degrees of aggressiveness, and Dr. Biesman can evaluate which might be best suited for you if you’re a candidate.
SURGICAL REMOVAL (EXCISION) OF ACNE SCARS
When treating the deep and narrow ice pick scars, surgical excision is usually required as lasers or technology-based approaches aren’t the best method for correcting these types of scars. Removal of these type of scars is performed in the office with the aid of local anesthetic injections, meaning no sedation is required. As the scars are removed, sutures repair the skin and convert the deep ice pick scar to a much smoother, less depressed scar. Most often, ice pick scars are found on the cheeks and temples and a large number can be removed during a single visit. Typically, only one to two stitches are required at each surgical site and the stitches stay in place for one week.
INJECTABLE FILLER FOR ACNE SCARS
When acne scars create divots in your skin, we can often simply inject a filler to counteract that effect. Bellafill is a FDA approved filler that uses collagen and medical-grade plastic beads to fill depressed acne scars.
Dr. Biesman began developing his unique approach to acne scarring some 25 years ago, well before he relocated to Nashville, Tenn. He’s extremely passionate about carefully assessing not only each unique patient, but each unique scar to provide an optimal treatment solution. We know how concerning it can be to live with acne scars, and we’re committed to helping you along your journey to achieve skin quality that you’re proud of. To learn more about how we can help, call our office to book a consultation: 615-329-1110.
WAYS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR BIG EVENT
Event season is officially upon us! This time of year tends to be filled with all sorts of celebrations: everything from galas, to award shows, to nuptials of couples publicly proclaiming their love. Whatever important event you have on the horizon, it’s never too early to start thinking about preparation. We offer lots of common procedures at our practice to help you look your best in photos and in person! Furthermore, we’re aware there are other solutions beyond just what we can offer. To simplify your planning process, we’ve compiled a list of tactics that we’d recommend, along with a timeline for each so you know when to schedule appointments accordingly!
If you want an even, glowing skin tone…
–ESTABLISH A SKIN-CARE REGIMEN (ASAP!)
Regardless of whether you have a big event or not, it is imperative to find the right skin care routine in order to maintain optimal skin health. But with countless products on the market today, how do you know which are the best for your unique needs? Booking a consultation with our office will allow Dr. Biesman and his team to carefully assess your skin and the appropriate prescribed medical grade skin care products to address your concerns.
–IPL: INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (6+ WEEKS OUT)
If you struggle with red or brown discoloration around your face, neck, and/or chest, you may benefit from Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). IPL treatments can correct the red and brown skin tones we often see as a result of sun exposure or aging. The face, neck and chest are the most commonly treated areas although the arms, legs, back and shoulders respond nicely to the treatment as well. A few treatments are often required for best outcomes, so you will want to begin several months before your event. Downtime after IPL is minimal, but even still, this isn’t a treatment to have performed within a few days of important photos or events.
-CO2 LIFT MASK (24-48 HOURS OUT)
The CO2 lift is a facial mask that provides a “pick-me-up” to make your skin glow and look its best. It may be applied in our office or at home and takes roughly an hour or so to complete with results lasting 5-7 days.
If you want to reduce your wrinkles…
–INJECTABLES FILLERS & BOTOX (1 MONTH OR MORE OUT)
Injectable products such as Botox and soft tissue fillers can enhance or restore your natural beauty while keeping a natural appearance. Whether your concern is unwanted wrinkles, sagging cheeks, a tired or sad-looking mouth, jowling or generally not looking your best, both Botox and soft tissue fillers can provide a quick restoration. Ideally, facial injections should be performed at least one month before any major event. There can be minor bruising, and we like to follow up with you two weeks after the procedure in case any fine tuning is necessary for optimal results.
–LASER SKIN RESURFACING (SEVERAL MONTHS OUT)
Deep and fine skin wrinkling is a common complaint. To address this concern, we often recommend laser skin resurfacing, which rejuvenates tired, wrinkled skin to produce a fresh, youthful appearance. Whether you are young and have fine wrinkling or have earned your deeper wrinkles over time, there is a resurfacing procedure that is right for you! Skin resurfacing clears brown discoloration caused by sun damage, tightens skin along the jawline, eyelids and other areas, smooths wrinkles, and improves the texture and appearance of scars. Depending on the treatment that is best for you, some recovery may be required after skin resurfacing, so explore this option at least several months before your event.
If you’re looking to make your eyes pop…
–UNDER EYE INJECTABLE FILLERS (1 MONTH OR MORE OUT)
Some of us are born with deep hollowing under our eyes, which gradually descend even more due to aging. This can make you appear to be sad or tired even if you’re happy and rested. To correct this, we’ll often use injectable soft tissue filler to fill in that hollow area, resulting in a more bright-eyed and rested appearance. Similar to other injectables, this should be performed at least one month before any major event. There can be minor bruising, and we like to follow up with you two weeks after the procedure in case any fine tuning is necessary for optimal results.
-LASH EXTENSIONS (1 MONTH OR MORE OUT)
This beauty service is becoming incredibly popular, but especially for events! If you’ve never tried lash extensions before, it would be wise to have the lashes attached a full month out before the event to ensure your eyes don’t have an adverse reaction and give you a chance to get the length and volume just right. Then, a few days before your event, you can have them filled in so they’re in tip top shape. Locally, our friends at Parlour 3 offer this service and do an incredible job. In fact, they have an entire dual-purpose salon, Hunter-Paige, which is dedicated to helping you get “event ready” with everything from blowouts, to updos, to makeup!
If you’re looking to trim down…
COOLSCULPTING® (3-4 months out)
If you have unwanted, stubborn bulges of the abdomen, flanks, back, inner and outer thighs, arms, under the chin or other areas, you may be a candidate for CoolSculpting®: a completely noninvasive, safe and effective way to eliminate unwanted body fat. Ideal candidates are within 20-30 pounds of their ideal body weight and have stubborn bulges that simply don’t respond to diet and exercise. Treatment is performed in the office without anesthesia or sedation. Best results are seen three months after treatment. Using the latest techniques and technology, CoolSculpting® can transform your body.
-ESTABLISH A FITNESS ROUTINE (NOW)
Having a regular fitness routine is always a key component of optimal health, but especially leading up to a special event if you want to look and feel your best! Our friends at Wil Power Sports Training can help you establish a workout routine that’s sustainable for your lifestyle and will leave you feeling like your best self.
While some of these recommendations may not serve you in time for this particular event season, it’s inevitable that there will soon be another one just around the corner. We hope this serves as a helpful resource to plan so you can look and feel your best for any important occasion you may attend!
