7 Recommended Pre-Wedding Day Treatments, According to a Harley Street Dermatologist

Posted on 25th May 2023

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With wedding season fast approaching, brides-to-be are putting in a lot of effort to ensure they look their best on their big day. However, between guest lists, financial commitments, venue organisation, food hire and back-to-back appointments with other suppliers, skincare can take a backseat. Many people don’t realise how much damage stress and anxiety can have on the skin, leading to issues such as dull complexion, dark circles, premature ageing, and breakouts. To help brides achieves a flawless and radiant complexion for their wedding day, we spoke to Dr Hiba Injibar, consultant dermatologist at Dermasurge Clinic, who shares her 7 recommended pre-wedding day treatments.

1. Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that uses small needles to create tiny punctures in the skin, which stimulates the skin’s natural healing process and collagen production. This treatment is effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars, giving you a smooth complexion for your wedding day. Microneedling is also beneficial for improving skin texture and glow, giving the skin a more youthful appearance. Most patients can expect to see an improvement in just 3 treatments, spaced 30 days apart, so I would recommend microneedling 3-6 months before your wedding day. Though the skin may appear red for 2-3 days after microneedling (like a mild sunburn) there is no downtime, making it the perfect option for brides with busy schedules.

2. Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser Skin Resurfacing is an innovative treatment that can effectively address a range of skin concerns, including wrinkles, sagging, pigmentation problems, lines, and even some forms of pre-skin cancer. In just a few sessions, it can help brides achieve their dream flawless complexion, making it a popular pre-wedding day treatment. With a controlled depth of penetration, laser skin resurfacing can safely and effectively treat both superficial and deeper skin issues, even in the most delicate facial features. The ResurFX treatment utilises thermal energy to remove the damaged outer layers of the skin, revealing fresher, healthier skin beneath and stimulating the skin’s natural repair functions. This treatment is highly effective at smoothing the skin, evening out tone, and brightening the complexion, with the skin repair process continuing for up to 6 months post-treatment. The side effects are mild and tolerable, with redness, swelling or temporary bruising for a few days after treatment.

3. Chemical peels

Chemical peels are a popular pre-wedding day treatment that exfoliates the skin by applying a chemical solution to remove the outer layers of damaged skin. The treatment involves applying the solution on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off. The duration of the peel depends on the strength of the solution, with lighter peels taking only a couple of minutes and deeper peels taking up to 10-15 minutes. This type of treatment can help to improve skin tone, acne, scarring, wrinkles, fine lines sun damage and pigmentation. In general, the downtime required after a light chemical peel is around 3-5 days, while medium-depth treatments may require 5-7 days, and deep peels can require up to 10 days of downtime. Patients should avoid direct sunlight for 1-2 weeks after the treatment, so this treatment is best scheduled a month before your wedding day and honeymoon.

4. HydraFacial

HydraFacial has become a buzzword in the world of skincare, and it’s a particularly popular treatment for brides-to-be. The HydraFacial is a non-invasive, multi-step treatment that combines the benefits of hydra dermabrasion, chemical peel, and automated painless extractions. The procedure helps to detoxify, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin, leaving it with a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. The treatment uses a special machine to infuse nourishing serums into the skin, which can be customised to address specific skin concerns such as acne, fine lines, dull skin, dry texture, and hyperpigmentation. One of the biggest advantages of the HydraFacial is that it is gentle enough to be done on the day of the wedding with no downtime, and can provide an instant boost to the skin’s radiance and glow.

5. Non-surgical Liquid Facelift

Many patients looking for firmer, smoother skin often think that expensive and invasive surgical procedures are their only option. However, with a non-surgical liquid facelift, patients can achieve facial volume restoration and lift without going under the knife. The treatment involves combining botulinum toxin anti-wrinkle injections with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, which are injected into specific areas of the face in controlled doses. This allows for a subtle tightening and addition of volume to the skin, while respecting the natural facial structure. The effects of the treatment can last up to 18 months, but repeat treatments may be necessary for prolonged results. Some temporary side effects, such as bruising, swelling, redness, and tenderness may occur for a couple of days post-treatment. The non-invasive and effective nature of liquid facelifts has made it a popular choice for brides looking for a rejuvenated appearance before their big day.

6. Vampire Facial (PRP)

PRP, also known as the “vampire facial,” is a minimally invasive treatment that involves extracting a small sample of the patient’s blood and processing it to obtain platelets rich in growth factors. These platelets are then injected into the treatment area, stimulating the skin’s natural defence mechanisms, and promoting the production of collagen and HA. PRP has numerous benefits for brides before their wedding day, including improving texture, reducing scarring, and enhancing elasticity. It is suitable for use on various areas of the body, including the face, neck, hands, and even the eyes.  There is only 24 hours of downtime, where patients should expect some bruising and swelling, before returning to their daily routines.

7. Profhilo

Profhilo is a safe and effective non-surgical treatment that’s designed to address skin laxity, rather than just wrinkles and creases, making it a great option for mature brides. The treatment is composed of 100% Hyaluronic Acid (HA) which deeply nourishes dermal cells and restores skin firmness. Profhilo works by moisturising the skin from the inside out, resulting in the elimination of any crepey tissue. The entire process takes less than 30 minutes and does not require any downtime, unlike more invasive surgeries. It is typically used on facial areas, but can also be used to rejuvenate the neck, decollete, arms, knees, and hands. After undergoing the treatment, it’s normal to experience some redness, itching or tenderness in the treated area, but these side effects typically dissipate within 24 hours. For brides, it’s recommended to undergo a second treatment of 2ml about a month after the initial treatment for optimal results.