Here’s Your No-Stress Wedding Skin Care Solution!
You’ve found the partner of your dreams, the perfect venue, your perfect wedding dress or suit; why not also have the skin of your dreams too? We are here to help!
Wedding season is right around the corner, and here at Northeast Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center, we understand the importance of wanting to be the most beautiful and radiant version of yourself for that special day. It is easy to get lost in endless options of skincare products at the drugstore, or the many influencers promoting things on TikTok and Instagram. There’s enough stress involved with wedding planning – let us take the stress out of wedding skin care!
How Long Before My Wedding Should I Get Skin Treatments?
One of the biggest mistakes we see with soon-to-be brides and grooms is not allowing enough time before the big day to achieve the skin they want. Certain procedures and treatments need time to work, and knowing this in advance can set you up for success. Ideally, it is best to meet with your dermatologist at least six months before your wedding day, since some treatments may take longer than others to achieve your desired result.
Work with your dermatologist to evaluate what exactly you want out of your skin care. With their help, you can set specific (and achievable) goals for yourself—whether these are reducing acne, increasing collagen production, diminishing fine lines or wrinkles, or simply hydrating the skin. Setting a plan allows us to create a routine and timeline that makes sense for you and puts you on track toward an attainable result for your wedding day.
What are some of the most common things brides and grooms come to us to address before the big day?
Wrinkles
Between the stress of planning all the last minute details and the anticipation of the big day, many brides and grooms look more tired than they’d like. Lines between the eyebrows or around your eyes (crow’s feet) can add to the look of exhaustion.
We typically recommend Botox, Dysport, or Jeuveau for these skin imperfections. Treatment should be performed two to three weeks before the wedding day.
These products are especially effective in treating wrinkles in the upper face as well as relaxing and smoothing lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows. Results tend to last three to four months (depending on how fast your body metabolizes the product), so you will still be looking fresh throughout your honeymoon!
Best time for wrinkle treatments: Two to three weeks before the wedding
Excessive Underarm Sweating
Excessive underarm sweating (known as hyperhidrosis) can be a real confidence killer. Sweat stains on your beautiful wedding dress or suit can really put a damper on your ability to enjoy your wedding! Thankfully, there are both prescriptions and cosmetic options to treat this condition:
We recommend starting topical therapy at least a month out from your wedding day.
Dysport, Botox, and Jeauveu can be beneficial treatments for this condition. Injections are made into the underarms. This can help reduce sweating in the area for up to six months for most individuals. We recommend you come in at least three weeks before your wedding for optimal results. There may be a slight risk of bruising and swelling that can last up to a week, but with ample planning will be gone before your big day.
If you are looking for more permanent results, MiraDry might be right for you. MiraDry is a nonsurgical, FDA-cleared treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to painlessly reduce the number of underarm sweat and odor glands, eliminating excessive sweating. While one treatment will give patients around 80% reduction in sweat, some patients would like more control and will undergo a second treatment. Because of this we recommend having your MiraDry treatment six months before your wedding in order to allow multiple sessions to be done if needed.
Best time for treatment: One month before for topical treatment and injectables; six months before for MiraDry
Acne
Acne is one of the most common conditions that people come in to treat before a wedding. Stress can often lead to an increase in breakouts, and let’s face it – we all want perfect skin for our big day. There are many wonderful treatment options to help get acne under control, but it does take time for these regimens to work. We advise coming into the office at least three months before your wedding, but six months is even better. If you are worried about correcting acne scars you may need to plan for more time.
Best time for treatment: Three to six months before the wedding.
Dull Skin
Everyone wants that “newlywed glow” before their big day, and there are several ways to help elevate the tone and texture of your skin.
Microdermabrasion and chemical peels can be great for brightening and rejuvenating the skin. We recommend coming in two weeks prior to your wedding day.
Microdermabrasion uses a minimally abrasive instrument to gently exfoliate your skin, removing the thicker, uneven outer layer. This can lead to brighter, more even complexions.
Chemical peels come in various types and strengths and can help with everything from minimizing fine lines to minimizing the appearance of pores and brightening your complexion.
Best time for treatment: Two weeks before the wedding.
Submental Fullness (double chin) or Bra Fat
Having a double chin or bra fat in wedding photos is something many of us fear, but those stubborn pockets of fat can be treated effectively, leaving you worry free for photos. Kybella and CoolSculpting are two great ways to target these areas and get you picture perfect. These treatments should happen at least six months prior to the wedding, but specific treatment options will vary and are listed below.
Kybella– Kybella is an injectable treatment that dissolves fat cells to reduce small areas of excess fat. Kybella is injected in a series of treatments. On average, patients need at least two treatments. The results can take two to three months to be noticeable.
Coolsculpting– CoolSculpting is a noninvasive way to target fat by freezing unwanted fat with no downtime. Most patients need two treatments and it can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks to see results, so it is recommended that treatment be done six months prior to the wedding.
Best time for treatment: Three months before the wedding for Kybella; six months before for CoolSculpting.
Brown Spots
Brown spots sometimes can be difficult to cover with makeup, making that perfect glow hard to achieve. Brown spots (or freckles) can be treated with a laser known as Yag. As discoloration or brown spots commonly present on the face, neck, and chest, these are all areas that can be treated. Treatment should occur three to four months before your big day, so be sure to keep that timing in mind when scheduling your consultation.
Best time to treat: three to four months before the wedding.
Facial Redness
Redness on the face can be difficult to cover up with makeup. Men can find it even more challenging, as coverage and concealing options are more limited. Whether redness is caused by stress, heat, or a skin condition called rosacea, redness can be reduced significantly by using a laser known as PDL (Pulse dye laser). Multiple treatments may be needed and treatments are typically spaced out, with four to six weeks in between. We recommend coming in at least three to five months in advance of the wedding to allow plenty of time to squeeze in a few treatments and achieve your best results before your big day.
Best time to treat: three to five months before the wedding.
As you can see, there are many options when it comes to rejuvenating your skin before your magical day.
Schedule a consultation as soon as you can, and let us help you achieve an ideal treatment plan and timeline. We know how hard you have worked for this day, and we want to help you feel your absolute best!