As summer quickly approaches, we’re entering into one of the biggest seasons for brides and grooms to be to take to the altar. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or opting for casual nuptials, the spring and summer months are some of the most optimal to tie the knot. If you’re one of the many getting married soon, your mind is likely swimming with thoughts about what needs to be done ahead of the Big Day. But, in the midst of all the event planning, it’s important to not neglect the most important part of the day: you. To help make sure you’re looking and feeling your best when the big moment arrives, here are some expert-approved pre-wedding skin treatments to get you glowing.
Featured Experts:
- Joel Schlessinger, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE
- Daniel Schlessinger, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE
- Nathan Hoffman, DDS is a board-certified cosmetic dentist in Chicago, IL
- Raman Mahabir, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Tucson, AZ
- Lee Ann Klausner, MD is board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York
- Jeffrey B. Wise is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and hair restoration specialist in Wayne, NJ
- Heidi A. Waldorf, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
The Best Pre-Wedding Skin Treatments
Six Months Before
Filler and Neurotoxins
While New York facial plastic surgeon Lee Ann Klausner, MD affirms that every patient is different, she does agree that filler and injectable wrinkle-reducers are the most popular pre-wedding in-office treatments. “I would consider them at least three to six months in advance so the patient has the chance to see the benefit and know they are happy with the result,” Dr. Klausner says. New York dermatologist Heidi A. Waldorf, MD adds that, “Assuming you’ve had neurotoxins and filler before, plan your immediate pre-wedding ‘tox and filler at least four weeks—I prefer six weeks—in advance. It generally takes two weeks for neurotoxins to take effect and a week for any filler swelling to settle, so this gives time for tweaks.”
Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD adds that, “Each person is different, but many of my patients come for injectable treatments to smooth wrinkles and plump the facial contour like Botox and dermal fillers, as well as light therapy treatments for unwanted pigmentation and dullness like IPL, MOXI or BBL HEROic.”
Laser and Resurfacing Treatments
As Tucson, AZ plastic surgeon Raman Mahabir, MD explains, laser and resurfacing treatments can work wonders for renewing one’s complexion before a big event, but they do require ample planning. “One of my favorite pre-wedding treatments is Clear + Brilliant laser sessions. They require very little down time, but do need a bit of planning, ideally 5-6 (but minimum 2-3) sessions at least a month apart. Clear + Brilliant is a good example of quick, gentle treatments that are cumulative and really produce nice results with no social downtime, so the last treatment can be done just a few days before.”
“Some patients also use their wedding as an opportunity to address persistent skin concerns they’ve always wanted to correct like acne scarring, texture issues, skin tightening or large pores,” adds Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD. “For these patients, they are looking for laser treatments like HALO or even semi-ablative laser resurfacing treatments like Fraxel. Fraxel can take up to a month or two to recover from, so it is not a procedure that should be performed anywhere within four to five months prior to a wedding.”
Hair Rejuvenation
“In our practice, we often cater to not only the bride or groom but also their parents,” says Wayne, NJ facial plastic surgeon and hair restoration specialist Jeffrey B. Wise. “For instance, if a groom wishes to have a fuller head of hair for his wedding, it’s advisable to plan for a hair transplant or other hair restoration treatments at least six months in advance. This six-month timeframe is generally recommended for such procedures.”
Three to Four Months Before
Body-SculptingTreatments
Now’s the time to focus on the pre-wedding skin treatments below the neck. “Fat-reduction treatments like Kybella for under the chin or CoolSculpting for body contouring should be completed four months prior to the patient’s wedding day,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “Initial results for Kybella are typically visible a month after the first treatment, but in some cases, multiple treatments are required for the best results. CoolSculpting results can take anywhere from 1-3 months (or more) to be fully visible, with multiple treatment sessions sometimes required as well.”
One Month Before
Teeth Whitening and No-Prep Veneers
“Our primary recommendation is a professional in-office whitening treatment,” says Chicago, IL cosmetic dentist Nathan Hoffman, DDS. “This is ideal for those content with their smile but looking to brighten it for the Big Day.”
If you need a bit more than just a whitening treatment to get your smile in tip-top shape before your wedding, Dr. Hoffman also recommends no-prep veneers. “Many soon-to-be-weds opt for my specialty, Nano Prep Veneers, right before an event. These ultra-thin yet durable ceramic coverings are placed over teeth, offering numerous benefits, notably their natural translucency. Light passes through them much like natural teeth, providing an authentic appearance. The key lies in my conservative prep technique, honed over years of experience. By lightly polishing the tooth, we create an ideal surface for veneer placement, preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible. The results are so natural-looking and the integrity of the original teeth is maintained, which makes it the perfect treatment to enhance your smile before your special day.”
One Week Before
Facials
Once you’ve handled all of your months-in-advance treatments, medical-grade facials the week of the Big Day are a great way to really solidify that newlywed glow. “The week of the wedding is usually all about the final touches to perfect your skin and enhance the results any in-office treatments you’ve done,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger. “During this week, you can get hydrating facials and dermaplaning for exfoliation and peach fuzz removal. One of our patient favorites for a quick, renewed ‘glow’ is the DiamondGlow treatment, which is a dermabrasion treatment that rejuvenates and brightens skin and provides lymphatic drainage to decrease puffiness.”
Dr. Waldorf adds that “getting a Hydrafacial the week of the wedding to feel ‘poreless’ and glowy thanks to its gly-sal peel, extractions and infusions is a great option. Or, for a more significant lasting glow up, do a combination Hydrafacial and Clear + Brilliant to add the results of a ‘baby Fraxel’.”
