A Guide For Beautiful Skin On Your Wedding Day
You are the radiant focal point on your ‘big day’. Everything has to be right. The location, the dress, your hair… But how can you make sure your skin also looks gorgeous?
Ask me about a stressful time in my life, and I immediately think about the weeks prior to my wedding. Having just given birth (with all the sleepless nights that go with it), with a wedding dress requiring material for a body weighing 15 kilos more and the ‘wonderful’ idea of celebrating the wedding reception with around 250 guests in a beautifully adorned marquee tent in the meadow behind our house.
Those who follow my blog will know that stress delivers very little beauty to the skin. Add to this hormonal changes and this will give you an idea of the state of my skin…
Perhaps it’s taking my profession a bit too far, but my biggest nightmare was to be saying ‘yes’ with a big spot on my chin. Fortunately all was okay on the big day; my dress, the tent and my skin were all to be celebrated. I would now like to share my wedding-skin tips with you. Very important: start early and do not try out new products or treatments just before the wedding day.
6-8 months before the wedding
Determine your skin type
Beautiful skin begins with a mild and effective skincare regime. Make sure you start this at least 6 months before. You should definitely not start trying out new products a couple of weeks before your wedding day. No matter how good the promises displayed on the packaging are, or even how well a product works for your next door neighbour; what works very well for one person can cause irritation, redness and spots for another. This has everything to do with your skin type and –characteristics.
Do you, however, not know what type of skin you have? Do the skin analysis or book an appointment with a skin therapist. It is not such a strange idea. You’ll be surprised how much misunderstanding there still is about one’s own skin. In this way a troubled and blemished skin is invariably associated with oily skin and the medicine used for it- whereas that is by no means always the case.
5 step plan with exfoliant
If you know your skin type you can begin with a suitable skincare regime. Even though each step- from cleansing to protection- is equally important, regular use of an exfoliant can give your skin a terrific boost. This product, which has an acid base, helps dead skin cells to loosen more easily and can cleanse the skin more deeply without damaging the skin barrier, which can happen with a scrub. A good exfoliant with sufficient concentrations of salicylic acid or glycolic acid can also help to reduce pimples and pigmentation spots.
4-6 months before the wedding
Start optional facial treatments
Do you have a few pigmentation spots you would like to get rid of? Or those visible thread veins on your cheeks? Do you suffer from acne or rosacea? Don’t wait until just before the big day, but begin at least half a year before with possible facial treatments such as chemical peels and/or laser treatment. For a good result you will need to undergo more treatments which will require time in between.
Bear in mind that it is even more important to protect your skin daily with a minimum SPF 15 – even in winter. Laser treatments and peels with high concentrations of acids make the skin extra sensitive to sunlight.
2-4 months before the wedding
Now is a good time to start thinking about your bridal make-up. It may be a good idea to book an appointment for a trial make-up. This is not only to see if you are happy with the beautician, but also to make sure you do not react to the products used. This is even more important if you have sensitive skin. In fact, it is not strange to ask if she, for example, will use your own favourite foundation and mascara. You could also ask if you can try out the make-up to be used on the wedding day, a couple of times, to exclude any (late) skin reactions. An allergic reaction to a product may arise after two uses but also after ten uses.
1-2 months before the wedding
Be sure to have your last facial treatment one to two months before the wedding. Don’t have a treatment in the week before the ceremony. The last thing you want is red, swollen or even flaky skin. And stick to the same skincare routine that you’ve followed for the last few months; don’t try out a new product.
A week before the wedding
Are you afraid you may suddenly get an outbreak of spots? For a sense of security ask your doctor for a prescription for corticosteroid cream in this week. If, after all your hard work and preparation, an enormous spot comes up in the last few days before your wedding, you can halt the inflammation with this. Although it is easier said than done, with all last minute arrangements, it is best to stay as relaxed as possible. In most cases it is the stress which causes a big outbreak just before or right on your wedding day.
Face mask
Very relaxing – also for your skin – is to apply a face mask together with your friends. Here is a recipe for a home- made calming and hydrating mask. Although the risk of a reaction to this mask is low, try it out for the first time a few months before your wedding day…
Kind regards,
Jetske
Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology
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