Given that we’re in the throes of winter, it may seem early to discuss wedding season. From the perspective of your skin clinician, on the other hand, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about it.
Why?
Because creating significant change in the skin takes at least 3-6 months of consistent treatment and homecare. If you have existing skin conditions that need to be cleared before the big day, this may mean starting even sooner to ensure you’ll have your dream skin when it truly matters. Here, we share our ultimate wedding skin prep timeline as recommended by our experts at Clinica Lase.
Plan Now for the Perfect Glow
So Brides, why should you consider booking a skin appointment early?
Skin Cycle Considerations
One of the primary reasons for this timeline is the skin's natural cycle. Our skin typically follows a 28-day rejuvenation cycle, where old cells are shed, and new ones come to the surface. So by starting your skincare treatments three to six months in advance, you're allowing your skin to go through several cycles, leading to clearer, brighter and smoother skin for the big day.
Time for Tailored Treatments
Another reason is that this time frame allows for a customised skincare regimen to be developed and adjusted as necessary. Having several months in hand ensures you can try different treatments and products and pick the ones that work best for your skin type. This time frame also allows the skin to recover from initial reactions to new treatments, minimising the risk of last-minute skin issues.
Allergy Tests
Speaking of reactions, having a few months to spare allows for detecting and handling potential side effects or allergic responses. This proactive approach reduces the chances of unexpected skin problems cropping up closer to your wedding day. Never had a chemical peel or laser treatment before? Trying this for the first time just before your wedding day may not be the best idea.
Maximising the Effects
Starting treatments early also maximises the effects of more intensive treatments, like micro-needling, chemical peels or laser procedures. These treatments often require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results and can sometimes cause temporary redness or peeling. Starting a few months ahead of your wedding day allows your skin to recover entirely and reveal its full radiance.
How soon should a bride start skin treatments?
At Clinica Lase, we generally begin our bridal treatment plan at least six months in advance to ensure optimal results are achieved. If this isn’t possible, then it is simply the earlier, the better. Our team of expert dermal clinicians will customise an individualised plan for every bride to ensure you get the very best results regardless of timing.
What are some common bridal skin goals?
Every bride-to-be envisions looking her best on her special day, often including specific skin goals. While everyone's skincare journey will be unique, here are a few common goals many brides share in their quest for wedding day radiance.
Reduce Redness
Many brides aim to reduce skin redness, whether caused by sensitivity, rosacea or broken capillaries. Treatments can help soothe and calm the skin, leading to a more even-toned complexion on your wedding day.
Minimise Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Youthful skin is often a goal, with many brides seeking treatments to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This can involve a range of solutions, from topical creams to more intensive procedures such as laser or anti-wrinkle injections.
Smooth Skin Tone and Reduce Pigmentation
Another common desire is a smooth, even skin tone free from pigmentation spots. Various treatments can help reduce hyperpigmentation, creating a more balanced and uniform skin tone.
Improve Volume and Contouring
Some brides may seek to enhance their natural features with treatments that improve facial volume and contouring. This could involve volume-restoring treatments or fat-dissolving injections, which can subtly reshape and redefine features for a refreshed, youthful look.Reduce Redness
Rejuvenate for that Bridal Glow
Above all, brides-to-be often strive for that elusive "bridal glow". This typically involves treatments that rejuvenate the skin, promote cellular renewal, and impart a natural, healthy radiance.
What do you recommend for a bridal skincare routine at home?
The most important thing is to use a high-quality cosmeceutical product range and add in lots of antioxidants and vitamins such as A, B and C. This will ensure the skin is nice and healthy to give that ultimate glow. We also recommend the Dermaroller home roller, which helps to deliver better penetration of your cosmeceuticals.
Hydration is also super important. In addition to regular moisturising, you can get a humidifier for your sleep area. We’ll also link here to the other blog with the list of tips.
Our Ultimate Pre-Wedding Skin Prep Timeline
Please note our skincare experts have designed this timeline as a general guide to help brides-to-be navigate their journey to radiant skin. However, the uniqueness of every individual's skin means that a one-size-fits-all approach is seldom the best route.
As always, ask help from skin experts to customise any skincare plan for you.
12 Months Before Your Wedding
A year before your wedding day marks the perfect time to focus on your skincare objectives. Write down your goals – is it fairer skin? Or perhaps a less oily complexion? Write this down.
Then schedule your initial consultation with skincare pros like Clinica Lase to discuss your goals. With vast expertise in skincare, we're excited to hear about your wedding plans and even more thrilled to assist you in reaching your skin goals before the big day.
During the consultation, we will begin formulating your personalised treatment plan, factoring in your unique skin needs and concerns. Our mission is to guide you on the journey to achieving optimal skin health and radiance, ensuring that you glow confidently on your wedding day.
Also, if you're considering enhancing your natural beauty with cosmetic injectables, starting this process a year ahead gives you plenty of time to see the results, assess how your skin responds and decide if you're happy with the outcome.
8 Months Before
Consistency is key to beautiful skin, and now is the perfect moment to ensure your daily regimen is working towards your skin goals.
First, ensure that sunscreen application becomes second nature. This is essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and prevent premature ageing, pigmentation and redness. Second, use moisturisers diligently to keep your skin hydrated and supple. Don’t forget to extend the love to your neck and décolletage. These areas are often overlooked but can show signs of ageing or sun damage.
Finally, schedule regular facials at this point. These treatments can help deeply cleanse your skin, improve circulation, and provide hydration and nourishment. Regular facials not only contribute to the overall health of your skin but also allow for relaxation and self-care during the exciting, albeit sometimes stressful, wedding preparations.
6 Months Before
The six-month mark is about introducing more intensive treatments, such as laser facials, and ensuring a smooth schedule for your pre-wedding skincare journey. This is beneficial if you have specific skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, fine lines or uneven skin tone.
This is also the critical time to establish a relationship with a professional skin care clinic if you haven't already done so. Remember, clinics like ours at Clinica Lase have busy schedules. So booking at least six months before your big day ensures you secure the desired dates for your treatments.
Also, by linking up with a clinic at this stage, you allow ample time for skin assessment, treatment planning and execution of procedures that could significantly enhance your skin health and appearance.
3 Months Before
Three months out, we would be looking to conduct treatments that produce the most dramatic effects over a longer period, such as skin needling (to improve texture, even out fine lines and reduce pore size), chemical peels (this is individually customised to each client depending on their skin needs) and some laser facials.
You may also consider anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, Clear + Brilliant, and even eyebrow tattooing at this time.
1-2 Months Before
What to Do
When we’re 1-2 months out from the day, we focus on treatments such as plumping and hydrating, regenerating, exfoliating and smoothing out the skin’s surface. With your consent, we would use Oxygen facials, Clear + Brilliant or dermaplaning.
Two months out, we would continue with the chemical peels but start to combine them with LED light therapy.
One month out from the big day, we would reduce the chemical peels to a very mild formula, continue with LED light therapy and begin oxygen therapy facials.
What to Avoid as Your Wedding Gets Closer
Avoid experimenting with any new treatments at this point. If you have planned ahead, you have mostly reached your goals at this point. Avoiding new stuff can help prevent adverse reactions.
In the two weeks leading up to the wedding, we would not recommend treatments with significant potential downtimes, such as injectables or skin needling. Similarly, we would always advise not to have strong peels, which could also cause irritation or breakouts.
One Week Before the Big Day
In the days before the wedding, we usually use a combination of LED light therapy, chemical peels and oxygen facials in the lead-up to the big day. However, due to the instantaneous nature of the results, we suggest an oxygen therapy facial one to two days prior to the wedding for that ultimate glow.
The Day Before
Hydrate, soothe and moisturise. The big day is almost here!
On Your Wedding Day
Make sure your skin is exfoliated to ensure an even makeup application. Our go-to product for a bride on the day of the wedding is the Aspect Fruit Enzymes Mask. A total must-have! Also, moisturise and use water-based skin care products–nothing heavy.
Plan Your Bridal Skin Treatments with Clinica Lase
As much as we preach preparation, if you’ve left making your skin appointment a little late, that’s ok! We will always do everything possible to ensure you are glowing at the altar! Contact us today, and we’ll assemble the perfect bridal skin care regimen for you.