Preparing Your Skin for Wedding Season

Wedding season is almost here, and our dermatologists at The Pearl Dermatology have put together a plan to help you look your best for your special day. Ideally, it is best to meet with your dermatologist at least 6 months before your wedding day, as some treatments may take longer than others to achieve your desired result. During your initial consultation, it is important to address all of your skin concerns with your doctor as well as the goals you would like to achieve from treatment. This will help us to create a plan & timeline as to when you should come in for each specific procedure. Over the years we have helped so many brides achieve their fairytale look, and we have compiled a list of the most common conditions that women like to have corrected or treated before their big day. Below you will find examples of the treatment we can provide to help you look and feel your best depending on your specific goals and skin condition.

1. Wrinkles in the Upper Face

Regardless of how old you are, wedding planning can age you. Between the stress of planning all the last minute details and the anticipation of your big day, you may be looking in the mirror and feeling less like a glowing bride and more like a tired woman. Whether you have lines between your eyebrows or unwanted crows feet that you would love to get rid of, we have you covered. We typically recommend Botox or Dysport for these skin imperfections, and treatment should be performed 2-3 weeks before your big 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 3-4 months (depending on how fast your body metabolizes the product), so you will still be looking fresh throughout your honeymoon! If this is your first time trying Botox or Dysport, we recommend coming in 3-4 months before your wedding for a “test drive” of the product so that we can determine how your body responds to the treatment and how much product you need to achieve your desired result.

2. Excessive Underarm Sweating

Between the stress leading up to your big day and the excitement, dancing, and even the weather during your wedding and reception, sweating can quickly become an unwanted issue. Sweating under the arms can be particularly bothersome as it can cause staining on your gown as silk repels water rather than absorbing it. It also retains body odors more than other types of fabric, which could make dancing and socializing in close quarters a little uncomfortable and embarrassing. Fortunately, Dysport and Botox can be beneficial treatments for this condition as well. Botox injected into the underarms can help reduce sweating in the area for up to 6 months. Our board-certified dermatologists recommend you come in 2-3 weeks before your wedding for optimal results. There may be a slight risk of bruising and swelling that can last up to 3-7 days, but will be long gone before your big day.

3. Dull Skin

Everyone wants that newlywed glow on their wedding day, and often you need more than just makeup to achieve this look. The Spectra “Hollywood Laser Peel” is our go-to treatment to help remove dead cells that accumulate on the top layer of the skin which can often create a dull appearance. Within hours, your skin can appear softer and more radiant. Not only does the Spectra treatment help to create a radiant and healthy glow, but each treatment can also help improve the appearance of melasma, acne, acne scarring, reduce pigmentation, pore size, fine lines, and wrinkles. We recommend coming in a week before your event to prepare your skin for your big day and more importantly, your makeup artist. Give your skin a fresh new glow that will make all the difference on your big day, and come in for a Spectra Hollywood Laser Peel!

4. Submental Fullness or Double Chin

Having a double chin in wedding photos can be a fear for many brides, especially if you have a stubborn pocket of fat under your chin. With the help of Kybella, Coolsculpting, or AccuTite products and a skin tightening treatment such as Ultherapy or Morpheus, we can get you in picture-perfect shape in no time. During your consultation, you can discuss the various products and treatment options with your dermatologist so that together you can create a customized treatment plan. Usually, this needs to happen 6 months prior to the wedding, but specific treatment options will vary and are listed below.

• Kybella– Kybella is injected in a series of treatments ranging from 2-5 treatments. These results of fat reduction with Kybella are permanent; however, the final results can take 2-3 months after the final treatment to be seen. ⠀
• Coolsculpting– CoolSculpting is a noninvasive, innovative way to contour your body by freezing unwanted fat away with no surgery, scalpels or downtime. It can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to see results, so it is recommended that treatment be done 3-4 months prior to the wedding.
• Accutite– This treatment option is minimally invasive and is able to address hard to reach areas of the face and body without the need for surgery or unwanted scarring. It is great for precision fat reduction and skin contraction and can be done quickly in our office. Results can take 6 to 8 weeks to be noticeable, so it is recommended to come in 3 to 5 months prior to the wedding for treatment.

For patients with skin laxity, we recommend adding Ulthera, Morpheus, and/or AccuTite to your treatment regimen to produce a skin tightening effect. Talk to your dermatologist about which options are right for you.

5. Brown Spots

Similar to redness, pigmentation and sunspots on the face and body can be treated using IPL, also known as Photofacials. For more intense pigmentation and/or photodamage, your doctor may recommend a fractionated 1927 nm thulium laser (LaseMD, Fraxel DUAL, or the Clear and Brilliant Permea) alone or in combination with IPL. It is often necessary to have multiple treatments depending on the desired result. As discoloration or brown spots can occur commonly present on the face, neck, and chest we recommend treating all three areas to create a smooth, even appearance. This is something very important to consider if you’ve chosen a strapless gown! Treatment should occur 3-4 months before your big day, so be sure to keep that timing in mind when scheduling your consultation.

6. Redness and Wrinkles

Redness on the face can be difficult to cover up with make-up alone for women. Men can find it even more challenging as coverage and concealing options are more limited. Whether it is caused by stress, heat, or a skin condition called rosacea, redness can be reduced significantly by using laser & light treatments such as those used a Photofacial. We typically recommend a series of 3-5 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart depending on the amount of visible redness. It is important to consider visiting your dermatologist at least 3-5 months in advance to allow plenty of time to squeeze in a few treatments and achieve your best results before your big day.

Do you have more than one issue that needs to be addressed? No problem! Many of our patients seek to simultaneously reduce redness, fine lines, and/or shallow acne scars. To address all of the issues, we offer combination therapy with Photofractional therapy. During this treatment, an IPL is performed using the Lumenis M22. Immediately afterward, a light resurfacing laser called the Resurfx is performed to stimulate collagen. Downtime is minimal with a few days of mild redness and swelling.

There are many options when it comes to rejuvenating your skin before your magical day. In addition to the treatments already mentioned, we also offer fillers that can help restore volume and reduce facial lines. Fillers need to be injected 3-4 weeks before the wedding for the best results. These may be an appropriate form of treatment depending on your specific skin type, condition, and goals, which you can discuss with your dermatologist during your consultation. Contact The Pearl Dermatology today for more information and to schedule a consultation!