Atlanta, Georgia, September 13, 2023 /PR Newswire/—The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, located in Alpharetta, was nominated in numerous categories and won several awards in this year’s Atlanta-area Best of 2023 awards: female board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cristen Catignani won Best Plastic Surgeon-Body in My Alpharetta, and the practice as a whole won Best Plastic Surgery for the Nose in Atlanta and Best Non Surgical Body Sculpting in My Alpharetta and My Johns Creek/Duluth.

“We are honored to be recognized for excellence in both plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments by our community,” said Dr. Joseph Bauer, founder of The Swan Center. “Our team has been serving Atlanta patients for over 25 years; these awards are further testament to our range of skills and dependably excellent results.”

Dr. Catignani added, “As a mom myself, I connect with what my patients are going through after pregnancy or weight changes, and I’m passionate about creating an environment where they feel empowered and can achieve results that help them feel confident again.”

“We are honored to be recognized for excellence in both plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments by our community.”

Dr. Joseph Bauer

Dr. Catignani regularly performs body cosmetic surgeries such as tummy tuck, liposuction, and mommy makeover in addition to breast reshaping procedures. 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dean Fardo also practices at The Swan Center, specializing in procedures for the face—including nose plastic surgery, or rhinoplasty, for which the practice was awarded.

“It is an honor for The Swan Center to be chosen for our rhinoplasty results, as I work very closely with each patient to understand their goals and provide their desired results,” said Dr. Fardo. “Offering this transformative, detailed procedure brings me great satisfaction as a plastic surgeon.”

It is an honor for The Swan Center to be chosen for our rhinoplasty results, as I work very closely with each patient to understand their goals and provide their desired results

Dr. Dean Fardo

The practice also houses a medical spa, where a team of highly trained injectors and aestheticians provide non-surgical body sculpting treatments such as injectable butt lifts with Sculptra®.

“Our medical spa team is thrilled to be recognized in the non-surgical body sculpting category,” said Jordan Dupree, RN, BSN, an experienced aesthetic injector. “Our Alpharetta and Atlanta-area patients appreciate the range of highly advanced options we offer to provide amazing results with little to no downtime.”

Individuals who would like to learn more about the offerings at The Swan Center can visit the practice’s website or call 770-667-0904 to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, nurse injector, or licensed aesthetician.

About The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery: The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery in Atlanta is a practice of board certified plastic surgeons that specialize in cosmetic surgery procedures. The group’s commitment to patients and quality of results have made it one of the busiest plastic surgery practices in the Southeast, located at 4165 Old Milton Pkwy, Suite 200 East, Alpharetta, GA 30005. The Swan Center can be reached by phone at 770-667-0904 or online at www.swancenteratlanta.com.

Media Contact: Wendy Jackson, Practice Administrator — wjackson@swancenteratlanta.com, 770-667-0904 

We’re big fans of dermal fillers as a way to combat the effects of aging, like volume loss and wrinkles. Restylane® Lyft is a favorite for giving the face a smoother, more youthful appearance—and a new study has shown that you can enjoy your results for a year or longer!

Subjects agree: Lyft offers long-lasting improvement

Researchers from Galderma Laboratories conducted a study of 188 patients with mild-to-substantial loss of youthful “fullness” in the mid-face. Each test subject was randomly selected to either receive injections of Restylane Lyft or partake in the control group with no treatment at all.

85% of the study group reported continued high levels of aesthetic improvement at the 12 month mark

Using the Medicis Midface Volume Scale (MMVS) to define the success of the procedure, researchers found that those who received injectable treatment experienced significant improvement compared to those who had no treatment. While that was not surprising, the length of time results lasted for patients is newsworthy: 85% of the study group reported continued high levels of aesthetic improvement at the 12 month mark.

See results for yourself

When you’re considering any cosmetic treatment, it’s normal to wonder if your money will be well spent and worth the results. Will you still look great two months down the line? What about 6 months after treatment? Now we know most patients can expect a full year of benefits from one filler treatment, making it a great value. Another great option: pair Restylane Lyft with Sculptra and enjoy even longer lasting results with instant gratification

If you’d like to learn more about our Atlanta dermal filler options, contact us today. We would be glad to help you discover the right products for restoring volume to your face.

Comparing Men and Women Over a Lifetime

In a thoughtful article on gender differences in aging, writer Samantha Olson of Medical Daily notes that aging affects physical, emotional, psychological, and even spiritual health—and outlines how these changes affect men and women differently.

Puberty. Although some gender differences exist early in childhood, major physical differences first emerge during puberty. Girls enter puberty between the ages of 10 to 14, while boys experience puberty when they are 12 to 16 years old. This time period results in increased release of certain hormones, causing growth in height and weight, muscle development, voice changes, and breast development in women.

Middle adulthood. Physical appearance continues to change in middle adulthood, with the first wrinkles and gray hairs typically appearing in the 30s or 40s. Because men and women’s skin is biologically dissimilar, the effects of aging appear differently.

Some key differences in men and women:

• Male skin is generally thicker and firmer due to having more collagen and elastin, so men’s skin thins at a slower rate.
• Men’s facial and body hair acts as a natural barrier against sun exposure. This helps protect the skin from UV damage and can delay the appearance of fine lines.
• Women over age 40 tend to experience more stress about age-related changes in appearance. In a survey of more than 1,000 adults, 33% of the women said they were concerned about weight changes, sagging, and wrinkling, compared to 21% of men.

Older age. As people move into their older years, skin becomes less elastic, contributing to the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. Muscle strength diminishes, causing belly pouches and droopy arm skin. Signs of aging in men typically begin with the formation of wrinkles on the forehead and loss of definition around the jawline.

Some key differences in men and women:

• After menopause, female skin thins significantly.
• For women, the delicacy of the skin around the eyes, mouth, and neck contributes to more wrinkles and drooping in those areas.
• After the age of 50, surveys have shown that men have more difficulty coping with physical aging, perhaps because physical slowing and increased frailty begins to impact their everyday activities.

See the Differences

For an illuminating look at gender differences in aging, watch these fabulous videos by photographer Edouard Janssens, which show various men and women from age 1 to 100 years.

Treating Signs of Aging

Although aging happens to everyone, there is no standard timeframe or process by which age-related changes emerge. For many, signs of premature aging can cause psychological distress, difficulty getting ahead in the workplace, and feelings of unattractiveness.

If the age-related changes to your body are affecting your confidence, you’re not alone—feeling self-conscious about signs of aging is normal. For those looking to make changes or restore a more youthful appearance, cosmetic surgery and nonsurgical treatments are becoming increasingly popular options that can benefit both men and women.

“I believe that addressing aging concerns can make a tremendous difference in a person’s confidence,” explains Dr. Dean J. Fardo MD. “As a facial surgeon at The Swan Center, I’ve helped so many women and men age gracefully through a variety of facial plastic surgery procedures.

At The Swan Center, we work closely with patients to identify areas of concern and determine the best treatment plan for reversing visible signs of aging and restoring body confidence.

Here at the Swan Center, we’ve helped thousands of Atlanta plastic surgery patients navigate the wide range of available treatments and procedures.

We put together the following guide to help you understand the level of invasiveness for various treatment types, and what effect they may have on your busy lifestyle.

What’s an invasive procedure?

The term invasive is typically used to describe surgical procedures that require incisions and appreciably alter skin or underlying tissues at the time of the procedure. As such, this class of procedures requires bed rest for a few days up to a few weeks. Surgical procedures usually include the option for general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation.

Examples of common invasive plastic surgery procedures:

• Rhinoplasty (nose enhancement or repair)
• Breast augmentation (placement of breast implants)
• Facelift surgery (improvement of sagging skin on lower face and neck)
• Liposuction (fat reduction)

Total healing time: Two to six months, depending on the procedure, with patient rest averaging one to two weeks.

Results: Varies between one to six months.

The risks involved with invasive plastic surgery procedures are usually greater than non-invasive options. However, these procedures are particularly effective at delivering results and are considered safe when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.

So, what does minimally invasive mean?

Minimally invasive treatments require significantly less or no downtime and very little discomfort, but often involve a puncture or even a small incision. Minimally invasive procedures are considered less risky than other methods and do not require general anesthesia.

Examples of common minimally invasive options:

• Dysport®, Restylane®, and dermal fillers (injectable treatments)
• Skin procedures such as scar revision or dermaplaning
• Deep skin peels

Healing time: Zero to ten days, with patient returning to work immediately or within a few days.

Results: Varies between a few days to two weeks.

These cosmetic treatments are growing in popularity because patients can return to normal activities quickly, the risk of infection or complication is low, and the results can be impressive.

What about non-surgical options?

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments involve no needles, no punctures, and no anesthesia. Foreign objects do not enter your body at any time and the entire cosmetic treatment is done externally.

These types of treatments typically involve very little downtime, with patients being able to resume unrestricted normal activity very quickly after treatment. Non-surgical treatments may occasionally be considered invasive on some level, depending on how they affect both the treatment area and underlying tissues.

Examples of common non-surgical treatments:

• Laser treatments (such as fractional skin resurfacing or hair removal)
• Light chemical peels

Healing time: Anywhere between one day to two weeks, with patient typically feeling and looking back to normal within a few days.

Results: Varies between one week to three months.

Non-invasive treatments

Many skincare treatments are considered non-invasive because they do not puncture the skin or otherwise impact the underlying tissues. These treatments are quite comfortable and often relaxing. There is no downtime whatsoever.

Examples of common non-invasive treatments:

• Facials (to improve quality of skin through cleansing, exfoliation, & hydration)
• Medical-grade skincare (products used at home or applied professionally to improve skin)

Healing time: Usually minimal, with patient resuming normal activity immediately

Results: Typically, results can be seen immediately or within a few days

Non-invasive treatments are especially effective when used in conjunction with other procedures. Be sure to ask which treatment combinations are most appropriate for your skin type and goals.

How do I know what’s right for me?

We hope we’ve cleared up some of your questions here, but the best way to learn about effective cosmetic treatments is to talk to a trusted professional. Our board certified surgeons and skincare experts can guide you through the process and help you determine which treatments are a good fit for you.

The Swan Center offers private consultations for potential patients. We can answer all of your questions and develop a safe and effective treatment plan that suits your needs.