Skin Treatments for Brides-To-Be

Wedding season will be upon us before you know it! So whether you're a blushing bride-to-be or will be hitting the dance floor as a wedding guest, a clear, glowing complexion is always your best accessory. Consider some of my favorite pre-wedding skin care tips:

Six weeks before the wedding:

• If you have broken blood vessels or dark spots on your face, see your dermatologist for a light treatment called IPL. Optimal results may require several sessions, and sessions need to be spaced at least three weeks apart - so start as soon as possible. Only have time for one treatment? No worries. Even that will make skin more radiant and decrease the size of visible blood vessels. IPL treatments do cost around $500, but it's absolutely worth it!
• Any wrinkles can be smoothed with Botox or dermal fillers like Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm. Get these treatments at least three weeks before the big day in case you bruise or need a touch up here and there.
• Develop a routine that's tailored to your specific needs. If possible, get started four to eight weeks before the big day. The sooner you start treating your skin right, the better it will look for this summer's weddings.

Two weeks before the wedding:

• Try this trick, a favorite among dermatologists: Apply a thick coat of your usual retinoid (like Retin-A, for example) to your skin seven to 10 days prior to a big event. Your skin will be red and start to peel about four to five days later, but by day six or seven, you will have a noticeable glow. Essentially, it's like a mild at-home peel. Try this trick a few weeks prior to the wedding to see how you react, though the week of a big event should not be the first time you try this.
• If you've had a chemical peel in the past - and reacted well - that can also be a great way to reveal fresh, glowing skin. Peels do cause redness, though, so schedule your appointment at least a week before the big day.

The week before the wedding:

• At this point, you should absolutely not be trying anything new! You never know when you'll discover a new skin care allergy or break out from an untested product - and that's a stressor no one needs before a big event.
• Avoid facials. Close to their big day, many brides want to hit the spa for a little rest and relation. But studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of people break out after a facial - hardly very relaxing! Opt for a pampering massage instead.
• Does your pre-ceremony primping include a bikini wax? Ask your dermatologist for a topical antibiotic to prevent bacteria from invading those newly open follicles, which can lead to redness and pus-filled bumps. If you don't have a dermatologist, look for the over-the-counter product Tend Skin.

The night before the wedding:

• I'll say it again: Do not use any products that you have not used before. Do any experimenting at least two or three weeks before the wedding, so you can just use the tricks and products you liked on the big day.
• After removing your make-up, use a mild facial scrub such as Clinique 7-Day Scrub. Spray a coat of facial water like La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water on your face, then lock in that moisture with a hydrating night cream that works for you.
• Apply Clinique's All About Eyes on your lids and underneath the eyes. It's rich with anti-inflammatory ingredients and moisturizers to cure a wide range of eye woes, from fine lines to puffiness.
• Get at least eight hours sleep (if you can!). A lavender-scented bath can help you relax and induce sleep.
• Apply petroleum jelly to lips and feet to get them extra smooth and well moisturized. Cover your feet with socks to lock in moisture while you sleep, and your toesies will look fantastic in those strappy sandals!

The day of the wedding:

• On the big day itself, use the regular skin care routine that works for you.
• Don't forget to put together a kit so you'll look great all night long! Ask your makeup artist for a little extra powder to apply to your T-zone as the day wears on - Dior and Chanel both make face powders with a dash of shimmer, if you want to add extra glamour to your look. Oil blotting tissues like Boscia Blotting Linens are super convenient and easy to tuck into the tiniest of purses. And for a real wedding-day treat, I love Bobbi Brown's Bridal Kit.

Wishing you great skin, and a joyous wedding season!

From Yahoo health