The highly anticipated return of the wedding season is in the air, and we are excited to share the joy of it with you! We want to help map out our skin prep recommendations for the milestone event so that your glow can be seen both on the big day and in keepsake photos. Here are some of our tips and approaches to build a personalized plan to prime the skin for the special day. You, deserve to be beautiful in all of the moments and frames.
Skin health is a priority
One of the most desirable skin goals for many women (and men) is to have a clear and radiant complexion for their wedding day. The skin is the largest visible organ in the body, and we understandably link even and smooth skin with skin health. Makeup just highlights our features so optimizing the underlying canvas is important!
Skin care routine as the foundation
When it comes to skin care, it is not one-size-fits-all! We recommend establishing a consistent routine with thoughtfully selected basics at a minimum: a moisturizer, cleanser and sunscreen. Add-on strategies would be a topical vitamin C for its antioxidant benefits (e.g. protects against UV damage, helps build collagen and elastin fibres in the skin), and topical retinol or vitamin A for its positive aging effects (e.g. stimulates collagen production, reduces the appearance of pores, smooths skin tone).
Some individuals may benefit from exfoliation, although less is more to not irritate or damage the skin. Generally, chemical exfoliants are gentler; salicylic acid and glycolic acid are popular ingredients to consider. For more, see our media feature.
Targeted treatments – timing is key
There’s no top treatment because a skin plan for the wedding day is highly personalized depending on the goals, values and budget of the individual. If there is enough lead time, laser treatments are often popular as they can offer natural and targeted solutions for a variety of skin concerns such as acne scarring, uneven skin tone or facial redness. Timing is important - in general about 6-9 months before the wedding day - as laser treatments may require a series and cumulative benefits are fully clinically visible often several months after treatments.
If the goal is to look refreshed, cosmetic injectables such as neuromodulators (e.g. Botox Cosmetic®, Xeomin®) can reduce facial wrinkles, while dermal fillers (e.g. Juvéderm®, Belotero®) can deliver a non-surgical lift, hydrating or contouring effect. Generally, the lead time for injectables should be 3-4 weeks in advance.
A word of caution - it is not a good idea to try a new treatment or skin care product a few weeks before the wedding day. There may be skin reactions, a need to tweak injectable treatments, or insufficient time to see the cumulative results of laser procedures.
Don’t forget the merits of some fundamentals (and really, non-negotiables) accessible to and important for everyone: stay well hydrated with water, get sufficient sleep, maintain a well-balanced diet and engage in regular exercise. Healthy habits definitely contribute positively to skin health and appearance!
A consultation is the first step and planning is key, as always. Our team can guide you – with a timeline - towards strategies so that your confident and beautiful self shines through on your special day, and beyond.