We all want to look our best for weddings, especially if you’re the one getting married. Beyond what to wear, how can you help your skin look its best?

We broke it down into what you can do ahead of time, and what you need to keep doing, including some pro tips from one of our own doctors, Lauren Moy, MD of Moy Fincher Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology, a Golden State Dermatology Affiliate. She combines firsthand experience with professional expertise!

Advance Planning

If you have any skin concerns, meet with a dermatologist as soon as you know the general timing for your wedding. You’ll need a plan to address your concerns (acne scars, hair removal, tattoos, wrinkles). While some treatments are quick, others may involve recovery time. And if you’re having more than one treatment, you’ll want to coordinate those for the best results.

For example:

• Lasers: Whether you want to improve skin texture and tone, remove tattoos, or address wrinkles, multiple laser options can help. Some have no recovery time, like Clear + Brilliant or IPL Fotofacial. Others may need to happen in a series, so you’ll want to plan recovery time in between appointments.
• Dermal fillers: Designed to fill in wrinkles and lines, dermal fillers are a gel-like substance injected under the skin by a qualified medical professional. Some also stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, and/or enhance moisture in the skin. Just like lasers, a variety of dermal fillers are available, so you’ll want to discuss the options.

Here’s a real-life plan from Dr. Lauren Moy. You can see why starting early is a good idea.

-Undergo PicoSure laser for sunspots, 2-3 months before the wedding.

-Receive a series of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) injections under the eyes to help brighten and tighten the skin (especially for photos).

-Get a series of 3-4 microneedling sessions, stopping 4-6 weeks before any events.

-Touch up routine Botox® injections 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

“The key is knowing which tool is best,” said Dr. Lauren Moy, “and how soon to start so you have a few weeks to recover.”

Routines = Radiance & Health

Routine health habits and skin care = radiant skin and a healthy body. Even though it’s tempting to steal time from good habits (like sleep), treat those as the foundation for all your other preparations.

Stay Hydrated: Did you know that when you’re dehydrated it can cause cloudy thinking? That’s the last thing you need when preparing for a wedding! Hydration has a multitude of other benefits, too, like keeping joints cushioned, helping get rid of waste, and protecting you from outside irritants.

Manage Stress: The extra expectations and family involvement of weddings can add up – and show up in your skin. Conditions from eczema to rosacea to psoriasis can be triggered by stress. Take time to breathe, to meditate, take walks, laugh! We each have different ways of managing stress; find a few that work for you.

Block the sun: Many brides want to be tan on their wedding day, but sun exposure = long-term wrinkles and increased signs of aging, plus a higher risk of skin cancer. The worst thing you can do is indoor tanning. It’s hard to unwind years of social programming that tanned skin is beautiful skin, but the reality is — it’s damaged skin.

Don’t skip sleep: Sleep repairs the body. It’s that simple. Treat sleep like the rarest spa treatment money can buy and make sure you get it every night!

Maintain (and maybe boost!) skincare:  If you have a great skincare regimen, keep it up. If you want to try a new product, do it months ahead of time, just in case you have a reaction. “I cycled between a hydrating retinol (RoC Retinol Correxion® Line Smoothing Max Hydration) twice a week and a growth factor serum (Neocutis) 5 times a week,” said Dr. Moy. “I liked this routine so much I’ve been doing it ever since!” 

Stay active: Regular exercise improves blood flow and can boost collagen production, both of which give skin a healthy glow. Plus, physical activity reduces stress and helps you sleep more soundly. Even a 20-minute walk can do wonders for your body (and your mind).

“I have a workout habit,” said Dr. Moy, “but in preparation for my wedding I ramped it up a bit more with a special workout program. It helped my dress zip up and helped me feel more confident.”

For the Bridal Party

It’s not just the bride who wants to glow. Maybe the mother of the bride wants to look extra lovely in photos, or maybe the groom does. Or perhaps the date on the calendar is a good nudge to take action on something (like sun damage) that’s been bothering you.

Any of the treatments or healthy habits here also apply to anyone who wants to feel confident for the big event.

“My mom had a CO2 laser treatment around the eyes and erbium laser on the face to brighten and tighten her skin,” said Dr. Moy. “She did that about 4-6 months before our wedding. My husband did an Erbium laser 3 months before to help take away sunspots and also to brighten his skin and minimize fine lines gently and naturally.”

If you’re interested in how a dermatologist can help before your wedding, call your closest GSD clinic for a consultation. You can find a clinic near you here.