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Feel even more beautiful on the big day

Many women spend years thinking about what their wedding will one day look like—down to the last centerpiece, bridesmaid bouquet and cake. These visions of a picture-perfect day don’t usually include blemishes, dark under-eye circles, fine wrinkles or misshapen eyebrows, which is why many are now turning to skin and beauty treatments to ensure the day is just as they imagined.

“In recent years, more brides are opting to undergo cosmetic procedures in preparation for their wedding day,” said Geisinger dermatologist Dr. Christine Cabell. “Knowing how to prepare, when to have treatment done, what to expect during and how to care for yourself afterward are all important to ensuring you look and feel the best.”

Here’s how to get a little help looking your best on your wedding day.

Botox

Most people have heard of Botox, an injection used to smooth out wrinkles and firm up your skin.

“If you’re considering getting Botox, you should know the effects are not immediate,” said Dr. Cabell. “It can take up to seven days to see the full effect of your injections. If it’s your first time getting Botox, you may want to try it several months before your wedding to see if you like it. Then, you can get it done again a few weeks before your big day.”

For best results, make sure to get Botox no later than three weeks before the wedding.

Facial fillers

Facial fillers, also called dermal fillers, are a safe, temporary solution to fill out your lips, areas of your face and fine lines around your eyes, nose and mouth or to enhance cheekbones.  They can help smooth and fill out areas of your face to give you picture-perfect skin.

Most facial fillers last six to 12 months but there are a few that can last two to three years. The procedure normally takes no longer than 30 minutes. In some cases, they may cause redness, bruising, swelling and tenderness at the site of the injection. The injection is not painful, but you may feel a pinching or burning sensation.

Schedule your appointment for filler at least four weeks before your wedding so it has time to heal and settle.

Chemical peels

Your skin needs to look clear and bright on your wedding day, but it takes a lot of abuse day-in and day-out. If the top layer of skin has been damaged by acne scars or sun spots, try a series of chemical peels starting a few months before your wedding.

“A chemical peel is a process that uses a chemical solution to exfoliate and peel off the top layer of skin on the face, neck or hands,” said Dr. Cabell. “The skin underneath is usually smoother and less wrinkled, giving it a more youthful appearance. Peels differ in ingredients and how deep they can penetrate, so one is chosen depending on the needs of your skin.”

After a chemical peel, your skin will temporarily be more sensitive to the sun. Chemical peels are not recommended for people who have infections, a skin disease, cut or broken skin, sunburn, herpes/cold sores, are nursing or pregnant or have taken the acne medication Accutane in the last six months.

Get a series of 3 or 4 peels at monthly intervals to achieve maximum results. Schedule the last peel at least three weeks before your wedding to allow enough time to heal. 

Lasers

If a deeper treatment is desired for skin texture improvement or brown pigmentation, the Fraxel Dual laser may be your treatment of choice. This laser goes a bit deeper than the peels to freshen skin, diminish fine lines and improve pigmentation. This is also done in a series of three treatments with approximately a week of redness and light peeling each time. Your last treatment should be done at least a month before the wedding.

Hair removal laser is another treatment that brides have been seeking lately. Hair removal requires multiple treatments as well and should be started at least six weeks before the big event.

Deoxycholic Acid

Brides and grooms alike are choosing the have the newest treatment for submental (under the chin) fat deposits. This treatment is done with a series of injections and is very successful. Start this treatment about 6 months prior to the wedding.

Microblading

In the beauty community, eyebrows are a huge focus right now. Prominent and well-shaped eyebrows can help frame your face and give you a striking appearance—perfect for your wedding pictures. But if you find that your eyebrows are thinner or smaller than you’d like, microblading adds shape and definition.

“Microblading is a semi-permanent process that uses several tiny blades to create a tattoo on the outermost layer of skin,” said Dr. Cabell. “It uses small strokes to create a fine, feathered look to enhance eyebrow shape, color and definition. For best results, get the procedure at least six to eight weeks before your wedding to give it time to heal.”

Microblading, like any other tattoo, varies depending on who does it. Your results will depend on your skin care clinician. Do research to find the best professional. When you go for an appointment, bring images of eyebrows that you like. Your brows may appear darker at first, but the pigment will lighten over time. Finally, make sure you follow aftercare recommendations.

Dr. Christine Cabell is a dermatologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment cancerous skin lesions with Mohs micrographic surgery and cosmetic enhancement procedure. She sees patients at 1155 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cabell or another Geisinger dermatologist, please call 570-275-6401 or visit Geisinger.org.

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