Achieving healthy, glowing skin takes patience, consistency, and—most importantly—quality skincare products. At The Swan Center, all of our physician-grade skincare products are carefully vetted by our staff members, with everyone from our Office Manager to our Licensed Aesthetician helping us sample and grade them. If you’re ready to upgrade your skincare routine, check out these 6 skincare products we can’t live without.

1. ZO® Exfoliating Polish

Our Office Manager, Wendy, can’t live without ZO’s Exfoliating Polish. This product is made out of ultra-fine magnesium crystals which roll onto the skin, removing dead cells and debris from the skin’s surface to aid in cellular renewal. It provides just the right amount of abrasion without being overly-aggressive and dissolves naturally, leaving behind clear, fresh skin! ZO’s Exfoliating Polish also contains vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that helps your body repair damaged skin cells, giving your skin an instantly more radiant look.

After using this exfoliating polish in the morning, Wendy says her skin is silky smooth and her makeup applies flawlessly. We can get behind those results!

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2. ZO® Skin Health’s Power Defense

Our licensed Aesthetician and skincare guru is obsessed with ZO’s Daily Power Defense. This product contains ceramides—moisturizing lipids that actively work to build & strengthen your skin’s barrier to protect it from environmental damage. Vitamin E provides antioxidants to combat the appearance of free radical damage and improve the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles.

She recommends ZO’s Daily Power Defense for all skin types because it’s light, non-greasy, and safe for frequent use (she recommends applying it twice daily).

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3. ZO® Skin Health’s Complexion Clearing Masque

Shelly, one of our licensed Nurse Injectors, swears by the power of ZO’s Complexion Clearing Masque. Applying a light layer of this product to the face creates a hydrating sulfur-based clay masque capable of purifying skin’s pores and absorbing excess oil. Hydrating glycerin moisturizes skin and restores the skin’s barrier, while bacteria-neutralizing sulfur calms irritation, removes dirt & other impurities from pores, and minimizes future breakouts.

Because this product both hydrates skin and removes excess oils, Shelly recommends using it as a purifying mask or to spot-treat stubborn blemishes.

4. Revision Skincare®’s C+ Correction Serum

Cherylyn does not let a day pass without reaching for her C+ Correction Serum from Revision Skincare. This powerful product contains a highly stable form of vitamin C to help brighten and smooth the skin. C+ Correction Serum’s non-comedogenic formula also contains prebiotic technology that supports the skin’s microbiome without clogging pores. The result from consistent use is protection from free radicals (including HEV/blue light damage) and brighter, glowing skin. There’s a reason Revision Skincare’s C+ Correction Serum won the 2021 Marie Claire: Editor’s Pick for Ultimate Skin Brightener!

We recommend Revision Skincare’s C+ Correction Serum for anyone with dry, oily, or combination skin types.

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5. Skinbetter Science®’s AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Skinbetter Science’s AlphaRet Overnight Cream is our Spa Director, Kelsey’s, go-to vitamin A skin cream. AlphaRet is a patented combination of retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles and improves skin tone & texture, all with little-to-no irritation. Retinoids increase cellular turnover, a process that eliminates old, dead skin cells and replaces them with healthy new ones. (We think retinoids should be an essential part of everyone’s skincare routine, as cell turnover slows down drastically as we age.) Alpha hydroxy acids dissolve skin’s outermost layer and trigger skin cell repair, minimizing fine lines and fading blotches.

We recommend AlphaRet Overnight Cream for those with sensitive skin who can’t keep up with a regimen of tretinoins or retinols 7 days a week (let’s face it: they can be a lot of work!). It’s super-gentle yet powerful, and can be used year round!

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6. ZO® Skin Health’s Pigment Control Program + Hydroquinone

Nurse Injector Jordan is all about transformation, which is why she recommends ZO’s Pigment Control Kit to those struggling with stubborn pigment issues. This kit includes 6 products that work to virtually erase a range of pigmentation concerns, including hyperpigmentation, melasma, acne scars, severe texture damage, and sun damage. It also works to improve overall skin health!

Since ZO’s Pigment Control Kit contains hydroquinone, a skin-brightening agent that works best on fairer skin tones but may worsen hyperpigmentation in darker skin, we recommend getting a skincare consultation to make sure this kit will work for you. Overall, we find the results from the Pigment Control Kit to be absolutely amazing!

Schedule your Atlanta skincare consultation with The Swan Center

Let our expert staff of licensed aestheticians and board certified plastic surgeons help you put together the perfect skincare regimen for your skin type and goals! Schedule your Atlanta skincare consultation with us online or by phone: (770) 667-0904. You can also purchase your favorite premium skincare brands from the comfort of your own home with our shop link here. We look forward to helping you achieve healthy, glowing skin you’ll want to show off all the time!

As seasoned Atlantans, our Swan Girls know a thing or two about tackling Back to School season with style and grace—and we thought we’d share our know-how with you. Here are 7 of our tips and favorite products that help us keep calm and carpool on.

Upgrade your caffeine fix

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A better wake-up drink than coffee? Is this possible? Yes, according to our Patient Care Coordinator Nancy V. Her go-to morning beverage is V8 Fusion +Energy, which offers more nutrients than your average cup of joe.

“Coffee is great for some, but I love the boost of energy I get from V-Fusion Energy Drinks. I’m getting vitamins, fruits, veggies, and much-needed caffeine. What more could I ask for?”

Stock up at Target.com or your local grocery store.

Shake your booty, change your day!

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We all know how important exercise is for a healthy mind, body, and soul, but getting to the gym can be impossible when you’re juggling carpool and after-school activities on top of everything else. Swan Center Technician Cherylyn H. solves this problem by subscribing to REB3L, a high-intensity dance fitness program with online and IRL options.

“REB3L Groove is my outlet for the stresses of going back to school and balancing the schedule of being a working Momma! The workouts fit in with my crazy schedule and help me stay strong. And no packing a gym bag!”

Subscribe at reb3lfit.com or check out Dance 101 in Alpharetta for live classes.

Never a bad hair day

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With getting-ready time in short supply, something’s got to give. A great quality dry shampoo lets you skip the daily shampoo and blowout without looking like you skipped the shampoo and blowout. Our Patient Care Coordinator Cassie C. is living proof that Living Proof Perfect Hair Day is a kick-ass product—her hair always looks on point.

“I’m a Mommy who is always on the go! This dry shampoo smells amazing and gives you the perfect bounce if your hair is falling flat from a day of running around!” 

Buy it at Sephora.com

Everyone needs new shoes for Back to School…

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If mom’s feet aren’t happy, no one’s happy. So when Spa Manager Rachel L. found these shoes from Lulus, she was over the moon.

“From getting my family up and ready for school to the daily excitement of the office, I’m on my feet a lot. I need a comfortable and stylish shoe! In the South, we can wear a heeled sandal from March through October, and these platform sandals with a chunky heel from are super comfy and go with everything! I’ve worn them all summer. They are great with jeans, skirts, or dresses and I can go 10+ hours in them without a complaint!”

Shop the shoes at Lulus.com

Polish your look in a flash

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Your jam-packed back to school schedule need not show in the form of chipped, fading nail polish. Try polish from Essie, a favorite of our Master Laser Technician Nicole Y.

“With the hustle of Back to School, I try to take time for myself. I like to get a mani/pedi and relax. My favorite polish is Essie Longwear because it lasts like a gel polish but comes off as easily as a regular polish! I love the range of colors, so I can coordinate my nails with what I’m wearing.”

Find your perfect polish at Essie.com.

A brush with magic

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School mornings are hectic enough; you don’t need to add fussy kids to the mix. Avoid unnecessary drama in the hair department with the Original Wet Brush Detangler. It’s been a lifesaver for Front Office Coordinator Ashley B. and her little girl:

“I can’t imagine life without our Wet Brush. It makes for such easy mornings with my daughter and her long, thick hair. She will not let me use any other brush now, as this is the only one that doesn’t pull her hair when I brush it. I honestly don’t know what magic this brush holds, but I have gifted one to all of my mommy friends and they never go back!”

Buy it at Target.com.

Turn around, bright eyes

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We’re all feeling a little short-changed on sleep right now, but Swan Center Spa Coordinator Kelsey H. looks as bright-eyed and refreshed as ever. Here’s her secret: a dab of Revision Skincare Teamine® Eye Complex every morning.

“Every morning I like to pull this product out of the fridge and apply it to my under-eyes. It instantly tightens and brightens, helping me look well-rested. It’s my fave!”

Get yours right here at The Swan Center! Call 770-667-0904 to place your order. You can swing by and pick it up anytime!

Believe me, I know the toll that pregnancy takes on a body! I happen to have two children myself, and as a plastic surgeon, I spend much of my time helping patients with these exact issues. Seeing both sides of the story has given me some unique insights I like to share with my patients.

If you’ve thought about getting a mommy makeover to help you look and feel like you did before you became a mom, you’re in good company—there are thousands of other women going through this exciting process right now.

For those of you on the fence about having a procedure to restore your appearance post-pregnancy, I’ve answered some of the most common questions my own patients ask before their mommy makeovers.

• Is a mommy makeover worth it?
• What does a mommy makeover include?
• What is the hardest part of mommy makeover surgery?
• How much is a mommy makeover in Atlanta?
• How long is mommy makeover recovery time?
• Will having more kids ruin my mommy makeover results?

Is a mommy makeover worth it?

Truthfully, only you can answer this question, but I can share my experienced perspective and some feedback from my own patients that may help. A mommy makeover is first and foremost about restoring comfort and confidence in your appearance and loving your body. It’s not about “looking perfect” or even achieving some sort of externally imposed ideal image. My goal is to listen to a patient’s goals, and then work with her to achieve her desired changes. Those often include:

• Having breasts that are firm, no longer sag, and look great in clothing
• Reducing the size of the nipples or areolas
• Getting rid of excess skin in the midsection
• Regaining a discernible waistline!
• Smoothing stubborn fat pockets
• Tightening stretched vaginal tissues or sagging labia
• Alleviating stress incontinence
• Improving comfort and sensation during sex

Believe it or not, an experienced plastic surgeon can help you achieve all of these goals with a mommy makeover. What is more, these changes—and the boost in comfort and confidence they bring—can last for years or even decades, especially if you are finished having children (more on that below).

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s what a few of our Atlanta mommy makeover patients at The Swan Center have said about their procedures:

“So much of my day-to-day centered around [how to] minimize my stomach, and just had me so preoccupied with myself—which I hated. I realized that with 4 kids at home I needed to be fully present. I couldn’t be distracted by issues of vanity and still be the mom they deserve. I needed to just have these areas taken care of, once and for all—and that’s exactly how it was. I feel like I am so much more free and I just don’t feel consumed by these insecurities anymore….The changes these procedures have brought to my everyday life have been so wonderful.”

“My sex life was affected, I could [only] wear certain clothing, and walking too long caused me to cry it hurt so bad. I no longer have any of that! I’m a little over a month post-op and I couldn’t be happier. I can FINALLY wear tight clothing again and do not have pain. This surgery has changed my life for the better!”

“My concerns were addressed, my preferences were followed, and I could not be more pleased with my results. I have zero regrets…”

What’s the hardest part of a mommy makeover?

This differs from person to person, but there are two top things I hear. First, many women say it’s the recovery. Second, costs. Thankfully, both are solvable.

Recovery

I’ll tackle the subject of recovery first. It takes some time and, depending on the procedures you have, you will be quite limited in terms of activity, especially during the three or four weeks after surgery. While pain is typically easily managed with medication, not being able to pick up your kids or help them as much as usual is hard for many moms. I have two tips.

First, get help. Some moms are lucky to have Grandma eagerly waiting to step in and help, but if you don’t, talk to friends and see if various people can help cover you, especially at key times such as when your kids need to get ready for school. You can also plan to trade childcare—if your friends can help take care of your kids, you’ll return the favor later, when they want a weekend away or plan to have their own mommy makeover. Second, if you and your kids are typically inseparable, get creative about bonding during recovery. Ask them to hop in bed with you (just not on you!) and tell you stories, or watch a cartoon marathon together. Have them be helpful, refilling your water and fetching stuff you need. Just be sure to let them know they need to be extremely gentle with you while you get better! Kisses are great, but bear hugs are off limits.

Affordability

Now let’s talk about costs, as that can actually be the most challenging aspect for some patients. There are plenty of patient financing options and our patient care coordinators will help make applying and securing financing easy for you.

To save ahead (or gather up a down payment), keep your eyes on the prize with reminders. Print out a few before and after photos of mommy makeover patients who looked like you in the before photos and stick them where you’ll see them daily, to help remember to skip any extra purchases. Also consider that clothes you buy now likely won’t fit your new, improved shape, so you might as well freeze all shopping and instead save for your new look.

While there is a savings if you have multiple procedures in one day, if multiple procedures (i.e. breast lift and a tummy tuck) are simply impossible for you to afford all at once, consider splitting them up over a few years. Address your biggest concern first, and you’ll get a lot of satisfaction while you’re paying down that procedure. You may also need a bit less time off work after a single procedure, which can help with affordability in the short term.

How much is a mommy makeover in Atlanta?

Mommy makeovers are totally individualized to a patient’s needs, so prices vary significantly. For example, if you are having only a breast lift, your total costs will be much lower than a patient who’s having a tummy tuck and labiaplasty, as well as breast lift.

One advantage of having a mommy makeover with multiple procedures is that you pay operating room and anesthesiologist’s fees only once, potentially saving you thousands of dollars over having two or more separate surgeries (you’ll also save time by having only one recovery). To give you a ballpark idea, let’s look at a popular mommy makeover procedure combo: breast lift with augmentation and tummy tuck. Here at The Swan Center, a breast lift with augmentation starts at about $10,800 and a tummy tuck starts at about $7,000. The price of this combined mommy makeover surgery would likely land somewhere between $14,000 and $17,000.

How long is the mommy makeover recovery time?

The downtime you’ll need depends on the procedures you have. If the surgical aspect of your mommy makeover is limited to breast surgery, you may need only 5 to 10 days off work. A tummy tuck will require 2 to 3 weeks off. During this initial recovery period, you will need full-time assistance with child care, as you will not be allowed to lift anything over about 5 to 10 lbs. or do any strenuous play or household tasks. Driving is not allowed until you are off prescription pain medications and you can wear a seat belt comfortably.

The idea of taking time off for recovery probably seems daunting, even laughable (take time, you ask? I need to find it first!). I get it—and if you have questions, ask your plastic surgeon! They can tell you how long to have an adult caretaker for your kids after surgery or suggest reputable home health care or babysitting services, should you prefer to hire someone. They will also tell you which specific activities are okay and which ones are off-limits as your recovery progresses.

Will having more kids ruin my mommy makeover results?

“Ruin” is a strong word, but future pregnancies will likely undo some improvements made with a mommy makeover, which, after all, is intended to correct pregnancy-related effects. Just like before, your stomach and breasts will stretch out and may not contract all the way back to their previous state. Therefore, I typically recommend women postpone major lifting or skin removal procedures, such as breast lift or tummy tuck surgery, until they’re finished having children.

This does not mean that you have to live with unwanted changes between pregnancies. If your breasts have lost volume but you have minimal skin sagging, breast augmentation can provide a boost in shape with little risk of interfering with your ability to breastfeed. Non-surgical treatments, such as ThermiVa, or the O-Shot can help smooth down fat bulges and rejuvenate vaginal tissues, respectively, with no downtime.

Considering a mommy makeover in Atlanta? Get in touch!

As a female plastic surgeon in Atlanta, I’ve chosen to make mommy makeovers one of my specialties, because I simply love every aspect of working with real moms! It is so rewarding to help another women make positive changes and see her confidence soar as as a result.

I hope I’ve answered a few of your questions here, but I’m sure you have some more of your own. When you’re ready, I’d love to chat with you about your concerns and your various mommy makeover options at a personal consultation. There’s no charge for this visit at The Swan Center; it’s your chance to talk with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon and learn. Call (770) 667-0904 or contact us online. I look forward to meeting you soon! —Dr. Cat

Our very own Dr. Dean Fardo is well known in Atlanta for his wonderful bedside manner and fantastic surgical results. But were you aware that he was once an engineer or that he considered pediatrics in medical school? We sat down with Dr. Fardo to chat about everything from why he loves plastic surgery to where he spends his free time. Read on to get to know him a little better!

What drew you to the field of medicine?

I think what first drew me to the field was the challenge of medicine in general. It’s such a diverse, challenging field, and there are so many different things you can do. Obviously, the ability to help others and do something you like to do while you’re doing it made it all the more appealing.

What inspired you to pursue the plastic surgery path?

Initially I wanted to be a pediatrician. But then I was exposed to plastic surgery when I was in medical school and knew it was what I wanted to do. To be able to combine both the precision and skill of surgery with an artistic, creative touch was very appealing. With many surgical specialties, you fix a problem or remove a gallbladder; there isn’t much freedom in how you do it. In plastic surgery, however, I don’t think any two plastic surgeons do everything the same way every time.

You may not know this, but I was an engineer before I became a surgeon. I enjoyed it, so I’d probably be doing something in the construction engineering field if I weren’t a plastic surgeon. But I can’t really imagine doing anything else. I love my work—and I love being able to help patients achieve their goals and making them happy. The gratitude of patients is pretty amazing.

Can you tell us about a patient experience that touched you?

I still remember one of my most grateful patients from early in my career; it was a woman who had lost around 300 hundred pounds. Patients who lose a significant amount of weight are still left with a lot of debilitating excess skin that not only makes them feel self-conscious, but can also cause discomfort, rashes, and difficulty moving. It took us multiple surgeries and around a year and a half to do everything, but after several procedures, she was very happy with her results. I think she is probably, to this day, still the most grateful, happiest patient I’ve had. It changed her life completely.

Are there any new or upcoming technologies or treatments that you’re excited about?

Minimally invasive and non-surgical devices, particularly those for fat reduction of skin tightening, are becoming increasingly popular because they offer limited downtime and quick results. I think this type of technology is really going to change our specialty over the next few years.

When you’re not at work, where are you most likely to be found?

With my kids at their sporting events. Whether it’s chauffeuring them around or watching them play their sports and activities, I spend most of my non-working time with them.

What do you love about Atlanta?

There are many things I love about Atlanta. It’s a great food town with so many great restaurants. It’s a big city, but it has a small town feel—and there are a huge number of things you can do. You’re close to the mountains but still just a short drive from beaches and lakes. The town is incredibly diverse, which I love.

I also enjoy the weather because we get a change of seasons. Fall is my favorite season. We’re about as south as you can get, I think, and still get a nice color change.

The Swan Girls are lucky. It’s our job to take patients under our wing and assure them that it is okay to want to look and feel great, to take time for just you, and to have a procedure done for your own happiness. It’s also okay to use whatever makes you comfortable and confident to deliver the best result. Our Thursday talk lead us to discussing our favorite beauty secrets. Although most of us have had aesthetic procedures done, it is the day-to-day beauty secrets that keep us feeling fabulous, even on a Thursday.

Cassie’s Tried and True Nail Lacquer

“My everyday beauty must-have is red nail polish.  I adore the classic, glamorous looks of movie starlets and pin-up models from the 1940s and 50s. Red nail polish is truly timeless and oh-so feminine!  I opt for lighter true reds for casual, playful looks and deeper shades for sultry, elegant occasions.” My top 3 favorite red nail polishes: • Dior Rouge • OPI Got the Blues for Red • Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Radid Red

Lindsey’s Lashes

Talk about Lash Lust. If the eyes have it, hers certainly do. We had to highlight our beautiful Swan, Lindsey, because she is always getting compliments on her long and beautiful lashes.Her beauty secret is Latisse. This is an RX serum available to patients wanting fuller, longer lashes and who are wanting to evoke lash envy.

Rachel’s Perfect Perfume

“Clean, delicate, home. Three words that come to mind whenever I smell Olive Leaf by Thymes. I could not imagine ever loving a perfume or body lotion as much as I do Thymes. I get Restylane in my lips, I wear thick black eyeliner, I try to keep up on fashion trends…nothing does for me what scent does for me. The irresistible scent of a woman is tops I think. This scent is irresistible.”

Jessica’s Must Have

Our beautiful Swan Jessica has an absolute must have. “Covergirl Lash Blast mascara. Just look for the orange tube. I have tried them all. From trendier and pricier lines, to old school Avon, nothing makes my lashes look as good, as dark, or as long. I have a fair complexion with light eyelashes. I need the right stuff to make them pop! The best part is the fact that a drugstore brand beats out everyone else. This tube of mascara retails for around six bucks.”

We hope you enjoy these beauty secrets, from one Swan to another! Leave a comment below with some of your favorite products or fabulous tips and tricks.

June  5th, 2014

Today was the day of my consultation with Dr. Fardo and it went great. I went ahead and printed out pictures I like and also ones I disliked and brought them with me so he can have a better understanding of what kind of look and size I am expecting. Katie one of Dr. Fardo’s nurses made me feel really comfortable and helped me understand how the surgical procedure is done and what to expect after surgery.  I was able to see before and after pictures on our touch MD program, which was very helpful and gave me more clarification on the different size implants I can go with. Dr. Fardo came in and took my measurements and asked me questions about my expectations and what size I am going for. I want to end up in the C cup range with upper pole fullness but then again I don’t want to be too top heavy, mind you I am  pretty petite at 5’0 and I don’t want to look like I’m tipping over LOL .  He gave me reassurance that my expectations were realistic and we decided on silicone 300cc moderate plus size implants. I liked that I was able to try on sizers during the consult and have an idea and how I would look post operatively.  I liked that everyone here made me feel very comfortable, even though I work here I will admit I am nervous but I know I am in great hands and its official my surgery is scheduled for June 25, 2014!!!!!!!