As your big day approaches, it’s essential to feel like the most confident and radiant version of yourself. At the Swan Center in Atlanta, we are here to meet your unique skincare needs as a bride-to-be! Whether you want to finally address dark spots or acne, or you are simply looking to enhance your already gorgeous canvas, our team of experienced estheticians and expert injectors are prepared to advise you on the optimal treatment to meet your goals. 

Below, we discuss our favorite non-surgical treatments and how to get the timing right before showers, the bachelorette trip, and the big day itself.

Facial treatments for brides

Our treatments are specially tailored to your skin concerns, offering solutions to everything from acne to fine lines. Here are some of our favorite treatments for brides-to-be:

Botox-type injectables (neurotoxins)

Botox, Dysport, and other neuromodulators are injected into muscles (usually on the upper face  around the eyes, forehead, and eyebrows) to pause nerve signals and soften the wrinkles that come from dynamic facial expressions. These treatments are quick, nearly painless, and require no downtime, making them perfect for busy brides! 

If you are able, it is ideal to establish a treatment regimen (every 3-4 months) with your injector well in advance to fine-tune your results and make sure you are happy with them for your big day. Schedule your final pre-wedding Botox injections at least 2 weeks in advance to allow ample time for any bruising to subside.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers (you’ve probably heard of Restylane or Juvéderm®) are designed to restore volume, reduce the appearance of lines, and enhance features such as cheeks and lips. Dermal fillers can cause some temporary swelling or bruising, so it’s best to schedule this treatment at least 1 month prior to your wedding. This allows plenty of time for any minor side effects to subside, as well as to adjust your results if needed. That said, if you have never tried fillers before, start as much as a year before your nuptials to give yourself time to try different options and fully refine your look.

• Learn about lip augmentation with filler »

Microneedling & RF microneedling

Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, dramatically reduces acne scars and fine lines while improving skin texture and imparting a noticeable glow. If you want to see a big change, starting treatments six months in advance yields the most transformative results. RF microneedling uses radiofrequency to double up on the skin tightening transformation of microneedling, and does not always require repeat treatments.

As your skin will need time to heal and generate new collagen, schedule your last microneedling treatment at least 1 month before your wedding. If you’re planning a series of treatments for optimal results, start 3-6 months in advance and space each session about a month apart.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are much less scary than they sound! We apply a custom solution containing ingredients like glycolic acid in high concentrations, then gently wash it away after a certain amount of time. This can smooth your skin out while improving any lines or wrinkles and promoting a nice, even skin texture. Peels can also help with dark spots or hyperpigmentation. To see full results, we recommend starting a series of at least 3 peels beginning a little over 12 weeks before your wedding day.

Hydrafacial

For a “your skin but better” look—especially if you struggle with breakouts!—start monthly Hydrafacials several months before the big day. These gentle facials can be customized with LED light and active ingredients, but every Hydrafacial uses a water vortex to extract pores and create a glowing complexion. You’ll see an instant glow after your Hydrafacial, so you may even consider a treatment the day before engagement photos or the wedding itself!

Whether you are the bride, a bridesmaid, or a proud mother-of-the-bride or -groom, our treatments and services are designed to enhance your natural beauty.

Broadband light therapy

If your wedding skin goal is more balanced tone and color, broadband light (BBL) therapy addresses acne discoloration, sun damage, signs of aging, redness, and freckles! Start BBL treatments at least 4 months before events so that you can plan for 3 to 5 treatments, spaced about 3 weeks apart.

Body contouring medspa treatments

Injectable butt lift

At our medspa, we are huge fans of a totally non-surgical injectable butt lift with Sculptra, a long-lasting dermal filler that is a less invasive alternative to a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery. With zero downtime, our injectors can sculpt improved projection, more volume, and more shapely buttocks to help you fill out your white dress with natural-looking hourglass curves. Your booty grows over time after this treatment, so it’s best to start at least 6 months prior to your wedding day. Results last 2 years or more!

Vaginal rejuvenation with O-Shot and ThermiVa

For a bride, confidence on her wedding day is paramount! Vaginal rejuvenation focuses on the appearance and function of the vagina and vulva, helping to enhance sexual satisfaction or to address issues with laxity, dryness, and urinary incontinence. 

Our ThermiVa technology uses radiofrequency energy to gently heat tissues without discomfort or downtime. This treatment promotes collagen production and tightens the skin over the course of about 3 sessions spaced across 12 weeks. For full effects before the wedding day, begin your rejuvenation journey several months before the date! We also offer the O-shot to double down on results; it can be safely paired with other treatments or used alone.

About The Swan Center in Atlanta

Led by 3 established board-certified plastic surgeons, The Swan Center is your premier beauty destination in Atlanta. We offer treatments ranging from plastic surgery to relaxing facials, so you know you are in the hands of aesthetic experts when you choose us for your beauty treatments! To schedule your personal consultation today, call 770-667-0904 or fill out our online form & a member of our knowledgeable team will reach out to you. 

Bike the Beltline

Peep the leaves, enjoy the fall breeze, and check out some amazing public art installations with a weekend bike ride along the Beltline. The city’s 22-mile-long greenway and trail system is constructed on former railroad corridors connecting 45 neighborhoods across the city. If you don’t have your own bike you can visit the Atlanta Bicycle Barn or Atlanta Beltline Bicycle for a wide selection of bike trailers, tandem bikes, and cruisers for rent!

All-Inclusive Adventures

About an hour’s drive from Atlanta is the Historic Banning Mills, an adventure resort where you can get your adrenaline fix AND have a peaceful nature retreat all-in-one. Soar through the trees on the world’s largest zip line, climb the tallest free-standing rock wall or stick to lower elevations with horseback riding, kayaking, ATVs, and other ways to explore the protected ecosystems of the Snake Creek Gorge.

Attend a Pow Wow

Mark your calendars for early November for the Native American Festival and Pow Wow at Stone Mountain, the largest of its kind in the state. Here you can explore indigenous culture and traditions through dance, music, crafts, cooking, storytelling and a variety of interactive, hands-on experiences. Making memories for the future while honoring the heritage of the past—we can’t think of anything better!

Show-Stopping Fun

The Center for Puppetry Arts is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to the art form of puppetry. The museum is located in Midtown, the city’s art district, and focuses on three areas of puppetry: performance, education and history. This fall, guests have the opportunity to see adorable puppet shows including How to Snag a Sea Monster and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Don’t forget to check out the Museum Store for a wide selection of unique and educational gifts for all ages—it’s the perfect place for knocking out some holiday shopping!

Treetop Hideaway

Looking for a unique staycation within Atlanta city limits? At the Alpaca Treehouse you can fulfill a childhood fantasy by sleeping in a treehouse. This enchanting hideaway, constructed solely from reclaimed, salvaged, and other sustainable materials, is hidden within a dense bamboo forest. But that’s not all! The property doubles as a rescue center for llamas and alpacas. Proceeds from the treehouse or their other on-site lodging go directly to support the rescued animals. If you’re not ready to commit to an overnight stay then you can simply take a tour or attend Llama Yoga—either way, you’re sure to get some great shots for your socials!

All Aboard

Blue Ridge, GA is a quaint mountain town just 90 miles from the city. It is home to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a popular heritage train tour company offering seasonal rides to see the stunning fall foliage of Northern Georgia. They also have a Holiday Express tour, complete with hot cocoa, music, and a visit from Santa. Count us in!

Fall in Love with Yourself this Season

With all of these activities on your to-do list, you’re going to want to put your best face forward. The Swan Center in Atlanta’s expert team of licensed aestheticians and board certified plastic surgeons can help you create the perfect treatment plan or skincare regimen to meet your aesthetic goals! Contact us today to schedule your consultation with us online or by phone: (770) 667-0904.

Gorgeous curves will always be in style

Here’s our answer: buttock augmentation is not going anywhere any time soon! BBL is highly customizable and does not have to be used to create extreme, trendy results that may not stand the test of time. We believe that while the “moment” of over-the-top Kardashian booties might be over, proportionate buttock enhancement will always be in style.

At The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, we frequently see patients looking for a naturally curvier figure, rounder derriere, or better butt projection. Buttock enhancement is a wonderful procedure for balancing body proportions and emphasizing hourglass curves (which never go out of style). We perform two kinds of buttock enhancement—BBL via fat transfer and non-surgical injectable butt lifts, giving our patients more options to fit their lifestyle and their goals.

Buttock enhancement is a key body contouring tool for plastic surgeons

Our Atlanta board certified plastic surgeons believe a tailored procedure plan including buttock enhancement can help create an ideal shape when upper and lower body proportions are not harmonious. While subtractive procedures like liposuction can somewhat rebalance the figure, an additive procedure like BBL beautifully magnifies contours.

Safely performed, buttock augmentation is often an essential option for patients who desire a more shapely lower body.

Keep in mind that plastic surgeons are “agnostic” when it comes to procedure popularity and think instead of the overall shape the individual patient wishes to achieve. To create a complete result, plastic surgeons may also reach for a range of body contouring techniques, including tummy tuck,  and other lifting options, like arm lift. These procedures have remained popular for years on end because they are proven to help patients modify their shape and counteract the effects of childbearing, weight loss, or aging. We believe that BBL is also part of the canon of classic cosmetic procedures.

Like any body contouring procedure, buttock enhancement can be a key tool for plastic surgeons to help patients meet their goals. Here at the Swan Center, we will continue to offer buttock augmentation as an option as long as our patients continue to seek a more hourglass shape or voluminous, projected buttocks.

You have options: BBL surgery vs. non-surgical butt lift

Brazilian butt lift (BBL, or fat transfer to the buttocks)

Fat transfer to the buttocks, a.k.a. BBL, is a surgical buttock augmentation that takes place in two parts. First, liposuction is used on the waist, flanks, abdomen, or thighs to harvest fat. Then, the fat is placed carefully below the skin of the buttocks to enhance their projection and shape.

Benefits of a surgical BBL include:

• A long-lasting solution in a single procedure
• A comprehensive body contouring outcome, since liposuction of the waist (for example) is used to slim nearby features and help enhance the apparent projection of buttocks

While a traditional Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a powerful procedure, it also involves liposuction, a surgery usually performed under general anesthesia. This makes BBL best for patients who are looking for customized liposuction to reduce fat in other areas of the body, in addition to more volume in the buttocks. There are some risks associated with the BBL, and technique is absolutely critical to safety—so be sure to choose an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon who uses proven fat transfer techniques, operates in an accredited facility, and has a reputation for being patient-oriented in their care.

Injectable butt lift (non-surgical)

This buttock augmentation is performed with injectable products that help stimulate collagen production to gain desired enhancement. Our Atlanta plastic surgeons and Master Injectors use the products Radiesse® and Sculptra®, both of which are long-lasting formulas (up to 2 years after your final treatment). They work by increasing natural collagen production in your skin to offer even more improvement over time. This achieves gorgeous results without surgery, and without significant downtime.

An injectable butt lift is perfect for either dramatic or more subtle enhancements: our expert providers fully customize each treatment to your desired shape, volume, and projection. Plus, the results are not permanent but last up to about 2 years, so you can easily personalize the amount of “bubble” or projection by deciding when to return for periodic touch-ups.

• View more before and after photos in our gallery »

Schedule your butt augmentation consultation at The Swan Center in Atlanta

At The Swan Center, we are one of the few plastic surgery practices to offer our patients a non-surgical injectable butt lift option in addition to the BBL. This allows us to choose the best butt lift option to meet your goals. To learn if you may be a good candidate for gluteal enhancement, schedule your consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons today! Call 770-667-0904 or contact us online to receive a call back from our staff. We can’t wait to help you look and feel your most confident!

In this blog, we take a look at how stress ages your skin and what you can do to help manage it. Your body and skin will thank you—inside and out!

Stress and Skin Aging

An important player in whether or not your body feels stressed is the hormone cortisol, a naturally occurring steroid. Sound familiar? That’s because cortisol is produced in response to stress and activates our “fight or flight” instincts. According to the Mayo Clinic, cortisol also “curbs functions that would be nonessential or harmful in a fight-or-flight situation.” Unfortunately, this includes lowering your body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid and collagen, key substances for keeping the skin plump and hydrated. Without an adequate supply of them, your skin thins and appears to age faster. Furthermore, high cortisol levels limit your body’s ability to fight internal inflammation and heal itself.

High cortisol levels limit your body’s ability to fight internal inflammation and heal itself.

Studies have shown that chronic stress may additionally lead to the development of insulin resistance, which can then cause higher levels of blood sugar that then contributes to glycation. Glycation can hinder your skin’s elasticity, thus contributing to wrinkles and premature aging.

The good news? There are some proven ways to manage stress that can be done anywhere and cost nothing!

3 every-day tips for managing stress

Lowering stress might seem like an impossible task in a world that can often feel out of control. However, a great amount of the stress that we feel is not caused by the stressor itself, but how we deal with that stressor. Doing yoga in the morning won’t end the world’s problems, but it will help you have the energy and health to be present for yourself and those around you.

Here are three ways to lower stress in your life, which can lead to healthier skin and a healthier you:

1. Exercise

Exercise increases antioxidants and lowers those damaging cortisol levels. Medical professionals everywhere recommend 30 minutes to an hour of exercise per day.

The Mayo Clinic heartily acknowledges the stress-reducing effects of exercise. With regular exercise you get an increase in endorphins, which helps your body learn to manage the fight or flight response, while also improving your overall physical and mental health.

2. Mindfully relax

Meditation has a myriad of beneficial effects to help you reduce and control stress. A 2019 study on college students found that “adopting a mindfulness practice for as little as once per week may reduce stress and anxiety.” And a 2020 study found that older adults who had consistent physical exercise and mental training (such as meditation) routines experienced better health and a higher quality of life.

Looking specifically at potential benefits for skin, a 2021 overview of mind/body therapies as dermatologic treatment strategies found that options including meditation “have been evaluated in the treatment of skin disease and have shown some benefits.”

Not into formal meditation? Instead, you can just mindfully breathe! Research from Harvard Medical School shows that taking slow, deep breaths triggers our relaxation response—which can help our bodies stop releasing cortisol and blocking the physical functions we need to keep our skin healthy and young.

The Swan Center’s Nurse Injector Jordan Dupree, BSN is a big fan of taking a little “me time” every single day. As a busy, working mother of two, she wants to remind us all it’s okay to take care of yourself, especially in times of stress. She offered a great tip for those short on time: your daily skincare routine can become a meditation. Make it a time to peacefully set all other thoughts aside, and focus on breathing deeply and lovingly caring for your appearance. As you cleanse and apply products to your skin, use gentle, consistent motions that feel soothing and impart a feeling of relaxation.

Nurse Injector Jordan Dupree, BSN offered a great tip for those short on time: your daily skincare routine can become a meditation.

3. Don’t check your email after work hours

For many of us, work/life balance has suffered in recent years—the accessibility of email on our phones, working from home, and other factors can make it a struggle to define the end of the work day. Yet it is important to guard your personal time and get a definitive break from the stress of work. According to Science Daily, “those who have greater ‘boundary control’ over their work and personal lives were better at creating a stress buffer that helped protect them from falling into a negative-rumination trap.”

Working after hours can even affect the health of those around you: a 2018 study found that after-hour email expectations had a negative effect on employees and their spouse’s well-being. It’s an urgent enough health issue that certain European countries have implemented policies to protect citizens from overwork, supporting a human “right to disconnect.” Germany imposed guidelines in 2013, France took action in 2017, and Portugal passed measures in 2021 to help improve the mental and physical health of working people—all of which discourage bosses from contacting their employees after work hours.

The Mayo Clinic suggests setting boundaries to keep a good work-life balance which includes not checking your work email in the evenings or over the weekend. Your schedule may differ, but the takeaway here is to define hours that you are not available for work matters, allowing yourself time to decompress.

Has stress taken control of your skin health, Atlanta? We’re here to help!

Reducing stress is a critical part of a healthy life, but sometimes you need a little boost to refresh yourself. Many of our Atlanta medspa patients find regular skin treatments to be a relaxing way to get in a dose of “me time” with the added boost of renewed confidence.

Our expert medical spa team at The Swan Center in Atlanta can help complement your existing wellness and skin health routine with a variety of beneficial non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as microneedling and HydraFacial. Find a treatment perfect for your skin by scheduling a consultation with us or by calling us at (770) 667-0904.

To ensure you get the best results, though, it’s important to know how to care for your skin post treatment! In this blog, we’ll orient you to the basics of laser skin resurfacing, then share 5 things to help you get the most out of your laser treatment.

What does laser skin resurfacing do?

Cosmetic lasers use light-based technology to improve the look of your skin in an outpatient, non-surgical procedure. They can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars, pigmented lesions, keratoses, and uneven tone or texture. They also help to tighten the skin.

Laser treatment does carefully-controlled damage to your skin in order to take advantage of its healing mechanisms.

Laser treatments typically work by damaging skin is a highly-targeted way to stimulate the skin’s own healing and rejuvenation process. Lasers can also reach deeper layers to promote the formation of new collagen—that’s the component of your skin that gives it elasticity and keeps it plump and hydrated.

What is recovery like after laser treatment?

Laser resurfacing procedures vary widely and are finely-tuned to the individual patient’s needs, which means recovery will look different for each person.

For more mild treatments, you’ll likely experience some redness and sensitivity that will subside after only a few days. More aggressive treatments can offer dramatic results, but do require a longer recovery time, during which you may experience peeling skin as the dead outer layer is shed.

In either case, by the time two weeks have gone by you should be seeing the results in younger, healthier-looking skin.

Tips for a successful treatment

So what can you do to make sure you get the best results from your laser skin resurfacing treatment? Here are our top 5 tips.

1. Prepare for success

What you do before your treatment matters, too. One area you particularly need to watch out for is the sun. Even though it can be tempting to get outside and enjoy the weather, it’s best to avoid sun exposure for at least a week before your procedure.

You should also avoid anything that would be harsh on your skin, like chemical peels. Laser treatment makes your skin very sensitive and you don’t want to head into treatment with it already irritated.

It’s also a good idea to stay on top of hydration and healthy eating—your skin needs plenty of water and nutrients to generate more collagen and reap the full benefits of laser treatment!

Laser treatment makes your skin sensitive, and you don’t want to head into treatment with it already irritated.

2. Post treatment, focus on being gentle & clean

Laser treatment does carefully-controlled damage to your skin in order to take advantage of its healing mechanisms. You don’t want to put it under more stress as it recovers. That means treating it as gently as possible.

After your laser procedure, we will provide detailed instructions as to when you can first use cleansers and apply products. When you do, be sure to start with an extremely gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and dry your face with a newly washed towel. After cleansing, apply a mild, nourishing moisturizer that won’t irritate your skin. And definitely skip all exfoliants until your skin is fully recovered! (When you have a laser treatment here at the Swan Center, we’ll be sure to check your products and offer expert recommendations.)

When you’re ready to leave the house, you might wonder about cosmetics. We recommend starting with fresh foundation and cheek products (old products can easily harbor bacteria) and only using mineral makeup. This is also a great time to get out new brushes, or thoroughly cleanse yours, since they are often full of germs.

3. Be religious about post-treatment SPF

If it is important to avoid sun exposure before your procedure, it is even more crucial afterwards. For the initial recovery period, you’ll want to stay out of the sun entirely. If you do have to be outside, wear a broad-brimmed hat and a high-SPF sunscreen. For extra protection, we recommend you wear sunscreen inside as well, as UV rays pass through glass windows—where there is daylight, there is UV!

Even after healing is complete, you’ll want to continue to use a broad spectrum sunscreen to protect your renewed skin and help your results to last.

4. Don’t touch

After treatment, your skin’s protective layer is compromised and, as we mentioned before, it is more vulnerable to bacteria, so you’ll need to avoid touching your skin. It can be very tempting to feel your skin’s progress or disturb peeling skin, but you must resist the urge! Besides the risk of infection, scratching, rubbing, or picking can also increase irritation and inhibit healing, and even create new scars. Let your skin rest.

One other way our faces can pick up bacteria is from our smartphones, so consider giving yours regular wipe-downs with a sanitary wipe!

5. Get some sleep

What does sleep have to do with your skin? Actually, a lot. It isn’t just that sleep is important to healing in your body in general. A lack of sleep also causes stress, which leads to inflammation. Stress also raises cortisol levels in your blood, which contributes to the aging and damage of skin.

Enough sleep is also important for the production of collagen, which laser therapy is intended to stimulate.

Experts recommend 7-9 hours a night for adults; give yourself permission to get the rest you need. Your skin will thank you.

Atlanta laser skin resurfacing at the Swan Center

As with any aesthetic treatments, the practitioner makes a big difference. At The Swan Center, our highly-trained aesthetics team uses the latest technology to achieve great-looking results with minimal downtime. If you’re in the Atlanta area and are interested in exploring what laser treatments can do for you, we invite you to get in touch for a consultation.

1. Prepare like a pro

The first secret to gorgeous results is having a productive, in-depth personal consultation with your plastic surgeon. And you’ll get the most out of that meeting if you prepare ahead: read about others’ breast augmentation experiences, look at before and after photos of patients who look like you in the ‘before’ images, and get a basic understanding of breast implant and surgical options.

Take notes, save examples, and write down the questions you want to ask. This will empower you to ask more detailed questions and help you receive personally relevant information. Patients who have prepared for their consultation are better able to clearly communicate their goals, helping them to get on the same page with their surgeon more easily.

As you research breast implants, take notes, save photos, and write down the questions you want to ask your plastic surgeon.

2. Pay attention to the details

Your surgical plan has a big impact on your results. Whether you want a subtle boost or notably bigger breasts, my goal is to create a volumetric look that perfectly suits your frame. Here are 3 key elements of the plan that I am thinking about when I meet with you:

• Breast implant options: There are a range of breast implant options, with variations in size/volume, profile, and material. During the consultation, you will have the chance to try on sizers and feel implant options for yourself. We’ll recommend a range of sizes and profiles of implants that we know will look good on you, and help you narrow down your options from there.
• Breast lifts: If your breasts sag, you may need a breast lift in combination with your breast augmentation. This is not always the case, as a little visible “lift” can be achieved with implants. But if your breast sagging is more than just mild, we may have to incorporate a lift in order to achieve your vision.
• Add-on procedures: You may desire add-on procedures (such as liposuction) to get ideal, comprehensive results.

Excellent surgeons customize the procedure for your anatomy, and discuss the details of the surgery with you. The best surgical outcomes happen when the surgeon and patient are collaborating—you bring your expertise about your body and goals, and I bring my expertise about breast surgery.

3. Optimize your health for a smooth recovery

The secret to an optimal recovery? It starts well ahead of surgery! Go ahead and start investing in your health to support your body’s ability to heal during recovery:

• Strictly abstain from smoking and vaping.
• Fuel a healthy recovery by eating a nutrient-rich diet full of protein, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like nuts and seeds, and whole-grain carbohydrates.
• After breast augmentation, you will need to sleep on your back. So that you’ll be comfortable getting quality rest in this position after surgery, practice ahead of time! You may want to place pillows along your sides to support this position at first.

After recovery, follow these tips that are a key part of the secret to gorgeous results:

• Continue to refrain from smoking—and, ideally, don’t pick it back up! Smoking ages your skin prematurely, and therefore contributes to breast sagging.
• Continue to eat a nutrient-rich diet.
• Don’t do too much, too soon after surgery. Embrace this chance to rest and allow your body to do the work of healing!
• Wear soft, supportive surgical bras—no underwires until your surgeon gives you the OK.
• Sleep on your back.
• Take care of your incisions per the scar care instructions that we provide.
• Avoid the sun, which will darken your healing scars and contribute to early skin aging.

4. Do it for the right reasons

Breast augmentation is one of most genuinely confidence-boosting procedures available. Yet choosing breast implants is a personal decision, and the happiest patients we see post-op decide to have this procedure to feel like a stronger, more confident version of themselves—not to please someone else. Check in with yourself before booking your consultation to make sure that you are seeking breast augmentation as a gift of confidence to yourself rather than to make others happy.

Breast augmentation should be a gift of confidence you give yourself—not something you do to make others happy.

5. Choose a qualified plastic surgeon who gets you

Good rapport with your plastic surgeon may be the most important secret to your results. Look for someone who listens to you and works with you during the consultation to make sure they 100% understand what you want out of surgery. Find a surgeon who is board certified, has years of experience, has glowing reviews, and shows you stellar before-and-after results that resemble the look you’re going for. Trust your intuition, and if you don’t feel that your plastic surgeon gets you, get a second opinion!

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Cat at Swan Center in Atlanta

Female board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cristen Catignani wants her Atlanta breast augmentation patients to feel empowered, safe, and listened to every step of the way. If you are ready to schedule your consultation and learn what breast augmentation with Dr. Cat can do for you, call 770-667-0904 or contact our practice online.

Rhinoplasty, also called nose reshaping surgery, has long been one of the most popular plastic surgeries, with over 352,555 procedures performed in 2020. Not only can it change one’s entire appearance by restoring balance and symmetry to the face, but it can also be used to repair a deviated septum and improve breathing.

But while rhinoplasty is commonly performed, it is exceptionally nuanced, requiring great skill, precision, and planning. The main factor a surgeon must consider when planning a rhinoplasty is whether to use an open or a closed technique. In this post, you’ll learn why this choice is so important, as well as which rhinoplasty technique may be best suited for you.

Open vs. closed rhinoplasty: How are they different?

There are two rhinoplasty techniques used by plastic surgeons: open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty. Here’s how they differ:

Open rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty is performed from the outside of the nose; the surgeon gains visibility and access with an added small incision on the underside of the nose between the nostrils. It is the most common type of rhinoplasty performed.

Advantages to open rhinoplasty include:

• It allows your surgeon to better visualize your internal nasal framework
• It provides your surgeon with increased surgical precision
• It preserves your cartilage and your internal nasal structure

Open rhinoplasty allows your surgeon to better visualize, and therefore reshape, your internal nasal framework.

There are, however, a few disadvantages to open rhinoplasty when compared with closed rhinoplasty:

• It leaves a faint scar under the nose, between the nostrils (on the columella)
• It is usually associated with more postoperative swelling
• It may require a longer surgical time

When to have an open rhinoplasty

• You want to make changes to your nasal tip
• You want to correct a crooked bridge
• You are considering a revision rhinoplasty

Closed rhinoplasty

Closed rhinoplasty is performed from the inside of the nose, with incisions made in the nostrils.

There are a few advantages of closed rhinoplasty:

• The skin on the outside of the nose is not affected, therefore it doesn’t leave any visible scars
• There is often less postoperative swelling
• Surgical time is usually shorter

Disadvantages of closed rhinoplasty include:

• It limits a surgeon’s ability to reshape bone and cartilage because they cannot easily see or access the internal structure of the nose

When to have a closed rhinoplasty

• You have thicker nasal skin (thicker skin typically takes longer to heal)
• You want to remove a dorsal hump (a bump on your nasal bridge) but do not need any changes to your nasal tip

Our takeaway: Ultimately, whether you have an open or closed rhinoplasty will depend on your goals and your surgeon’s assessment. At The Swan Center of Atlanta, our plastic surgeons often prefer open rhinoplasty because it allows them to discern which tissues need to be altered and to what extent, which is not easy to do during closed rhinoplasty.

If you are worried about open rhinoplasty leaving a scar, consider that 98% of patients are not bothered by their external rhinoplasty scar, with 90% considering it to be “invisible or barely perceptible,” according to an article in StatPearls. With proper care, your rhinoplasty scar should fade quickly.

98% of patients are not bothered by their external rhinoplasty scar, with 90% considering it to be “invisible or barely perceptible.”

How long does it take to heal from rhinoplasty?

90% of nasal swelling is resolved within 3 months of surgery for most of our Atlanta rhinoplasty patients. And, although it may take up to a year for the last 10% of swelling to fully resolve, it is typically confined to the nasal tip, with small improvements gradually becoming visible.

What other rhinoplasty procedures can I choose from?

Other types of rhinoplasty include:

• Septoplasty is a type of functional rhinoplasty used to correct a deviated septum. Septoplasty only addresses the internal structure of the nose; it doesn’t affect the outer appearance of the nose.
• Tip plasty is a modified form of open rhinoplasty that involves improving only the tip of the nose.

• Flared nostril rhinoplasty. Some patients’ primary concern is the shape of their nostrils; flaring nostrils can be modified with an alar base resection.

• Liquid rhinoplasty uses a series of hyaluronic acid-based filler injections to improve the appearance of the nose. This is a completely non-surgical procedure with almost no downtime. Liquid rhinoplasty is very effective at reducing the appearance of a dorsal hump and increasing projection, but it cannot physically change the shape of the nose or improve its function.

• ‘Ethnic’ rhinoplasty is a term that has been used in the past, however, here at The Swan Center, we simply call nose reshaping “rhinoplasty” regardless of a patient’s genetic background. Our surgeons work with each of their patients to reshape their noses in a manner that suits their unique goals and anatomy.

Which surgeon performs the best rhinoplasty in Atlanta?

There is no single plastic surgeon who could rightfully be called the “best” rhinoplasty surgeon in Atlanta, as our city is home to a number of very experienced and talented cosmetic plastic surgeons. That said, the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Atlanta for you will be a board certified plastic surgeon that shares your aesthetic sensibility, takes time to assess your unique facial anatomy, demonstrates they have the skill to produce your desired outcome with past patient photos, and has a caring and qualified support team to help you all along the way.

How much is rhinoplasty in Atlanta?

Rhinoplasty typically costs between $6,500-$10,000+ in Atlanta depending on:

• Whether or not this cost includes surgeon’s and facility fees
• Whether or not your plastic surgeon is board certified
• Whether or not your surgeon operates in an accredited surgical facility
• The specific nature of your rhinoplasty (cosmetic vs. functional, open vs. closed)

At The Swan Center in Atlanta, rhinoplasty costs approximately $6,900 – $10,000, commensurate with the city’s average.

Learn more about your Atlanta rhinoplasty options at The Swan Center

At The Swan Center, our board certified plastic surgeons have years of experience performing cosmetic and functional rhinoplasties. They will put your mind at ease by helping you determine the rhinoplasty technique best suited for your goals and needs. Visit us online to schedule your Atlanta plastic surgery consultation or give us a call at (770) 667-0904.

You are smart to do your research, as some basic principles of breast implant sizing will help you as you talk with your surgeon about the look you want. Here is everything you need to know to help you get gorgeous breast augmentation results in proportion with your figure.

How do you choose a breast implant size?

In collaboration with your board certified plastic surgeon, you will choose a breast implant size based on a number of factors. First and foremost, you and your surgeon will discuss the “look” you want. Do you want buxom breasts, or do you want a modest, more natural-looking augmentation? Before and after pictures of patients who resemble you can help at this stage. Then, your surgeon will examine you, considering a number of factors about your body:

• The measurement of your breast base (breast width)
• How wide-set your breasts are
• The width of your shoulders and hips
• Your height, weight, and overall shape
• Your current breast volume
• The quality of your natural breast tissue

Other considerations may come into play during this consultation, too. For example, athletes may want to choose more modestly sized implants for their comfort while active. Or, you may want a certain incision placement or type of implant that will affect your choice of size.

Finally, you will try on breast implant sizers in our office to get a sense of what different sizes look like on you. Once you and your surgeon reach an understanding of the result you want, they will still typically bring a small range of implant sizes into your surgery. This minor amount of leeway allows your surgeon to observe the specifics of your tissues during surgery and, based on that, select the most appropriate implants to achieve your desired look. This also helps surgeons to achieve greater symmetry between the breasts; often, one side will need a slightly larger implant.

What implant is best for broad shoulders?

If you have wide shoulders or a larger frame, you will most likely be happiest with low-profile implants. “Profile” refers to how much projection the implant has: high-profile implants are shaped more like gumdrops (a bit more “pointy”), with more volume projected out from the chest wall. In low-profile implants, volume is evenly distributed throughout the implant, filling out the breasts at the center and edges. Low profile implants tend to create a nice fullness in all directions for women with a wider chest, without needing to add so much volume that they are uncomfortably heavy; high profile implants, on the other hand, typically look more natural on patients with narrow or petite frames. Moderate profile implants are also an option that is ideal for many patients with wider chests.

The key to gorgeous breast augmentation results is breast implants that are in proportion with your figure.

Tall or broad-shouldered women also often find that they are surprised by the high implant volumes we recommend for them. This is normal; if you are tall, you will need a higher breast implant volume (measured in cc’s) to achieve a proportional look.

What should I consider before breast augmentation if I have a larger frame?

The most important choice you make before breast implants is your surgeon; if you have a wide frame, look for a surgeon who has patients who look like you in their before and after gallery—with results you like! Note that surgeons’ online galleries may be limited, but in your initial consultation, your surgeon should be able to show you many more patients with the kind of results you’re looking for. If their aesthetic is not right for you, there is no harm in scheduling a second consultation with another surgeon. Your results are (literally) in your surgeon’s hands, so make your decision with no less than 100% confidence they can give you the results you desire.

How many cc’s is equivalent to a breast cup size?

Bra cup sizing is not scientific, nor is a single “breast cup” on a 42 band size going to hold the same amount of volume as that on a 32 band size. This makes it difficult to use breast cup size to determine the implant volume in cc’s that will be right for you. While you can try to estimate your implant size ahead of time, it’s key to schedule your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and try on implant sizers. Each implant has a certain diameter, projection, volume, and fill material, so the best way to get a sense of how all these factors interact in a certain breast implant is to handle real implants and try them out!

Does my weight before breast augmentation matter?

If you are at a stable weight you expect to maintain, your weight before breast augmentation usually doesn’t matter. (You just need to be under a BMI of about 30 to safely undergo surgery.) However, if you are actively losing weight, or expect your weight to fluctuate by more than 15-20 pounds, hold off on surgery until your size and proportions are stable so that your surgeon can give you a gorgeous, proportional result that continues to look stellar far into the future.

Schedule your breast augmentation consultation at The Swan Center in Atlanta

You are not alone in choosing your breast implant size at The Swan Center! Our board certified plastic surgeons take their time and work with you to find the perfect breast implants for your body. From initial consultation to post-operative check-ins, we are on your team every step of the way. To schedule your consultation, call 770-667-0904 or contact us online today.

What is pumpkin spice?

Pumpkin spice is a combination of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and/or cloves. Each of these spices has its own health benefits and, when combined, can provide a serious nutritional boost. Just make sure you avoid the sugary syrups and baked goods often associated with this seasonal spice to get the maximum nutritional value.

Make sure you avoid the sugary syrups and baked goods associated with pumpkin spice to get the greatest health benefit.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most nutrient-rich spices you can buy. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help lower blood sugar, triglyceride levels, and cholesterol, and increase “good” HDL cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.

Cinnamon also contains antioxidants, which help promote brain health by protecting brain cells and improving memory & cognition. As such, researchers have suggested that cinnamon can prevent and even reverse a variety of degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Finally, cinnamon has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties which can help you fight infections and stay healthy through the holidays. In fact, studies have shown that cinnamon oil is effective at killing streptococcus (strep), MRSA, staphylococcus (staph infection), E. coli, and several other antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is another spice high in antioxidants, which help to prevent cellular damage and certain cancers. Nutmeg can also soothe indigestion and improve oral health.

Similar to cinnamon, nutmeg can also protect brain cells and has even been shown to help victims of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease recover brain tissue.

Ginger

Ginger has been used medicinally by cultures around the world for centuries. Not only can it reduce nausea, pain, and inflammation but it can also alleviate menstrual cramps. Now that’s a spice which our female staff members can get behind!

Cloves

Cloves are an elusive spice to many of us; just what are those strange-looking black flowers and how do you use them? Because they contain analgesic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, cloves (in the form of clove oil) are often used by dentists to promote oral health and reduce pain.

Cloves are also high in manganese, a mineral required for normal brain and nervous system functioning. Just one teaspoon of ground cloves contains 30% of your recommended daily intake! Manganese can help promote healthy bone development when combined with calcium, zinc, and copper, an especially important consideration for postmenopausal women and elderly adults.

Wait…where’s the pumpkin?

As you likely know, pumpkin spice doesn’t actually contain pumpkin. Rather, the name was coined in the 1950s by spice manufacturers like McCormick who began blending these individual spices together to save consumers time and effort when baking with pumpkin. But while there’s no pumpkin in pumpkin spice, these gourds are much more than just a festive fall decoration; they are a nutritional powerhouse, providing fiber, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. Here are 3 health benefits of pumpkin:

3 health benefits of pumpkin

1. Pumpkins are high in fiber, a nutrient that helps us stay fuller longer. Fiber also reduces “bad” LDL cholesterol and is associated with a reduced risk for heart disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. A single cup of canned pumpkin contains a whopping 7 grams of fiber—more than you get from two slices of whole-grain bread!
2. Pumpkins are a good source of Beta Carotene, a type of carotenoid that can help protect skin from the sun’s UV rays, helping us look younger longer. As an added bonus, our bodies convert roughly 50% of carotenoids into vitamin A, a nutrient essential for maintaining good vision and healthy cell division.
   If vitamin A doesn’t sound familiar, its by-product, retinol, will. Vitamin A is converted into retinol by the liver, an essential ingredient in skincare products that can help prevent acne, fine lines, and age spots.
3. Pumpkins are rich in antioxidants, which boost immune function and protect healthy cells against disease-causing free radicals.

Pumpkins are a nutritional powerhouse, providing fiber, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients.

Avoid unhealthy foods flavored with pumpkin spice

We know it can be hard to avoid syrupy pumpkin spice lattes and sweetened pumpkin pastries, but these foods contain very few nutrients and are loaded with fat and sugar, negating any health benefits associated with pumpkin or pumpkin spice. So, instead of looking to Starbucks and your holiday pumpkin pie for nutritional value, make your own pumpkin-flavored foods by adding canned pumpkin and spices. These products will provide the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body craves this fall.

To get you started on your culinary journey, here are a few healthy pumpkin recipe ideas:

• Pumpkin pie overnight oats
• DIY pumpkin spice latte
• Pumpkin pie greek yogurt parfaits
• Roasted pumpkin seeds

Complement your wellness routine with Atlanta’s plastic surgery experts

Diet and exercise are a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, but sometimes you need a little boost to reach your aesthetic goals. Our board certified Atlanta plastic surgeons can help you look great just in time for the holidays and complement your existing wellness routine with a variety of cosmetic treatments, like liposuction, microneedling, and more. Find a procedure perfect for you by scheduling a consultation with us. Happy fall!

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!