The road to nailing a bridal glow starts from a dedicated skincare regimen a few months in advance. It is never too early to start working on your skin but if all the wedding prep has placed your skincare regimen on the backseat. The good news is that a slew of clinical treatments can help you look and feel your best even if you have a handful of months before the wedding. Ahead, Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder of Yavana Aesthetic Clinic, draws up a handy roadmap.
The popular pre-bridal treatments to try in 2023
In her work with brides-to-be, Dr Agarwal has found that bridal skincare goals commonly revolve around achieving healthy, vibrant and even-toned skin. “This usually includes getting acne and related scars in control, minimising pigmentation and treating any other skincare concerns through a customised product regimen and treatment plan,” she shares. For those looking to embark on a pre-bridal skincare regimen, she recommends discerning the specific skincare goal they are working towards and then considering treatment options accordingly.
1. For treating acne:
To keep skin concerns like acne, acne scars, blemishes and fine lines at bay, your dermatologist will suggest chemical peels, dermal infusions, microneedling radiofrequency—preferably six months before the wedding. The latter employs a needle to create microwounds in the skin and trigger accelerated production of collagen, while chemical peels remove the top layer of the skin causing smooth, healthy skin to surface from within.
2. For pigmentation:
For those looking to deal with pigmentation, tan removal, open pores and skin rejuvenation, treatments such as skin brightening lasers and skin boosters can be used over the course of three months. These treatments work on targeting skin pigmentation at a deeper level that topical formulas are unable to penetrate.
3. For hair growth:
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a popular option for addressing hair loss however, it needs to be planned in advance as it can take time to stop hair loss and trigger new hair growth. Likewise, hair removal lasers should be scheduled a year in advance to witness the desired results.
4. For facial contouring:
For contouring the face and treating any deep upper face wrinkles, botulinum toxin is a worthy candidate. Dermal fillers can also be used to treat volume loss, lines around the nose, mouth and under-eye area. Newer technologies like hi-definition focused ultrasound and monopolar radiofrequency can be used to contour and give jawline definition and improve under-eye bags—these treatments should be done three months before the wedding to see optimal results.
Dos and don’ts to observe in your pre-bridal skincare regimen
While modern advancements in skincare technology can place the glowing, radiant skin of your dreams within your reach, Dr Agarwal advises a word of caution. “Avoid aggressive treatments with prolonged downtime as well as experimenting with new ones around one or two months before the wedding. Treatments like CO2 laser, tattoo removal and deep chemical peels for the face and body should specifically be avoided three months before the wedding,” she cautions. Among other skincare dos and don’ts, here is what she advises:
- Focus on your diet and exercise is crucial for brides as processed food high in unhealthy fats and sugar can lead to inflammation and the breakdown of collagen, increase in oil production, congested pores and increase in skin pigmentation. In these cases, you will start noticing sudden breakouts, dull and dry skin as well as discoloured patches along with sudden hairfall and hair thinning.
- Follow a consistent skincare regimen to see good results. Consult a dermatologist as early as you can before the wedding, so you can work together on your desired skin and hair goals.
- Don’t experiment with products and home remedies, especially close to the wedding day. Avoid using too much makeup at least a month before your main events as it can lead to skin congestion and affect skin health.
