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. 

Can you treat wrinkles at home?

While at-home treatments simply can’t deliver the kind of transformation that is possible with plastic surgery or injectables, certain products can help slow the signs of aging and soften fine lines. The team at MindBodyGreen recently discussed various tactics for reducing wrinkles at home; here are our favorite ideas from their list:

• SPF. You’ve surely had the importance of wearing sunscreen impressed upon you from a young age, but we’ll reiterate it here: sunscreen is one of your first and best lines of defense against wrinkles because it blocks the sun’s harmful UV rays from damaging elastin fibers in your skin.
• Smart topical products. Medical-grade skincare products can further protect your skin while providing essential nutrients such as retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids, niacinamide, anti-aging peptides, and/or growth factors. But with so many options, it’s important to consult with a medical skincare professional to help determine which products are appropriate for treating your unique skin concerns. (Working with a medical practice will also save you from wasting time and money on OTC skincare: while some products include similar nutrients, the concentrations are much lower, making it unlikely you will see any real results.) From Revision Skincare to ZO Skin Health, shop our favorite skincare products here. Our skin care specialists tailor at home regimens to fit your specific needs. We recommend a personal consultation to get you on track to proper skin health.
• Supplements. When it comes to supplements, many are not medically proven; however, one supplement long-known for its ability to support skin health is vitamin C. Vitamin C helps promote collagen production and is needed for its synthesis and maintenance. Making sure you get enough vitamin C in your diet will likely improve your skin’s overall health—just make sure to choose a high-quality, trusted supplement brand.

Incorporating these at-home techniques should provide some noticeable wrinkle protection and modest reduction over time, but if you really want to see smoother, more youthful skin fast, it’s time to head to a true medspa.

At-home treatments simply can’t deliver the kind of transformation that is possible with plastic surgery or injectables, but certain products can help slow aging and soften fine lines.

How can a medspa treat wrinkles without injectables?

A true medical spa offers a variety of physician-supervised treatments designed to remove layers of dead skin cells, hydrate skin, and encourage collagen production. Here are a few of our favorite non-injectable medspa treatments for wrinkles and lines:

• A HydraFacial can help you achieve softer, smoother skin in a relaxing treatment that involves zero needles or downtime. The treatment utilizes a gentle, deep-cleansing jet of water infused with nourishing antioxidant serums to exfoliate, cleanse, and finally replenish your skin’s essential nutrients. For an added rejuvenating boost, your HydraFacial can be customized to include a connective tissue growth factor designed to promote natural collagen and elastin production and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Unlike some skin treatments, HydraFacial is also completely safe for patients who have darker complexions, as well as for those with skin issues such as melasma.

• Radiofrequency microneedling delivers high-intensity radiofrequency energy deep into your skin via an array of insulated needles. This warms the deep dermis to stimulate new collagen fiber growth and tighten skin, leading to visible skin improvements that improve over the following months. This hard-working treatment has been touted by celebrities for its ability to quickly diminish fine lines and other blemishes, like sunspots and acne scars.

• Laser skin resurfacing may sound intimidating, but it’s one of the most effective methods of treating wrinkles and lines on the face and body. Laser skin resurfacing utilizes focused beams of heat and light energy to encourage newer, healthier skin growth. At The Swan Center, we use the HALO Hybrid Fractional Laser because it provides the fully rejuvenating benefits of an ablative laser but with less downtime.

What’s the best way to permanently get rid of wrinkles?

Unfortunately, short of having surgical procedures at intervals, there’s really no way to permanently remove and prevent wrinkles. However, since deep lines—like nasolabial “smile” lines—are caused in part by volume loss, dermal fillers can go a long way in reducing their appearance.

We know you are probably reading this in an effort to avoid fillers, but before you write injectables off, let’s consider the main reasons people give for wanting to avoid them:

• Fear of poor results: Many people assume injectable fillers create a fake, puffy look because they have only noticed patients with poor results. Consider, however, that you’ve likely seen lots of good injectable work without realizing it—after all, most celebrities make use of them. And the truth is, retaining a completely natural look is possible: skilled injectors who understand advanced techniques consistently achieve this goal. For example, when treating the nasolabial folds, a physician who is fully versed in facial anatomy will often take an indirect approach with fillers, treating surrounding areas to naturally lift the tissues below (rather than only treating the immediate area which can lead to the “duck face” look).
• Fear of needles/pain: A skilled injector will take a number of steps to reduce pain and anxiety during treatment. If this is an issue for you, talk to your provider and consider trying a minor injectable treatment first.
• A perception that fillers can be harmful: While it is true that some unscrupulous providers have injected patients with harmful substances, legitimate filler products have a long history of safe use on millions of patients.
• A desire to avoid “unnatural” substances: It would be easy to assume injectable fillers must be made of foreign substances, but hyaluronic acid—the key ingredient in our go-to dermal filler, Restylane—is already produced naturally in your body. Fillers simply boost the amount you have, placing it right where you most want it.

We advocate for dermal fillers because they can achieve structural appearance changes that no other non-surgical option offers. For example, plumping the cheeks with fillers will not only help reduce smile lines but also give a lifted look to your entire face, reflect more light into your eyes, and enhance your face’s symmetry.

But do I need dermal fillers to get rid of wrinkles?

There are essentially three options to choose from when it comes to fighting wrinkles:

• Utilize medical-grade skincare and medspa wrinkle treatments as a way to slow aging and soften the appearance of fine lines.
• Use dermal filler injections; they are the safest, most effective way to immediately reduce the appearance of wrinkles (and you can choose a completely natural hyaluronic-acid based formula).
• Have a surgical lifting procedure; while surgery requires an investment of time and money, a skillfully performed facelift can treat deeper folds and wrinkles, turning back the clock about a decade.

While the most ideal long-term results ultimately come from using a combination of all of the above techniques, if you want to completely avoid fillers, we suggest being extra attentive to your skincare routine, seeking regular medspa treatments, and having a surgical procedure when skin laxity becomes more apparent.

Wrinkle reduction in Atlanta

At The Swan Center in Atlanta, our board certified plastic surgeons and skilled aestheticians have the skill, experience, and technology to help you reverse and prevent the signs of aging with or without injectables. To make a skincare plan that meets your goals and comfort level, contact us today or call (770) 667-0904.