Revisiting My Bridal Skin Era

What I’d change about my treatment lineup now that I work in medical aesthetics

I started my bridal skin prep two years before working in medical aesthetics. It was the first time I had ever heard the word “microneedling,” and it’s when I learned to associate it with baby soft skin. Thanks to friends, medical providers, and even wedding planners, I knew enough to hit the major categories (laser hair removal being the most obvious). Now, there’s a few things I’d do differently.

My wedding was in the fall of 2022 when I was 29. Here’s what I did, what I got right, and what I’d add to the list.

Laser Hair Removal

Before my wedding, I focused on laser hair removal for underarms. The process is straightforward but the timeline is longer than most people expect. A full treatment cycle is 8 to 10 sessions, 6 to 8 weeks apart. This allows for the treatment to occur at different stages in the hair growth cycle, targeting all hair that needs to be removed. The math comes out to over a year from start to finish.

I started too close to my wedding and only had time for 2-3 sessions. I still found it worthwhile since a few sessions can meaningfully reduce hair thickness and re-growth. Plus, it allowed me to skip a few days of shaving each week and heal razor bumps. If I had a redo, I’d start a full year out and add more areas.

One other thing I did not know at the time: not all LHR is created equal. It’s a pretty commoditized service and notorious for groupon deals. Some people lament that the service doesn’t actually eliminate hair growth as promised. I would start by checking the equipment that your clinic of choice uses. SkinSpirit uses the Candela Gentle MaxPro, which in addition to being painless (thanks to a cool air shot), actually works on the hair. I would avoid any clinic that is frequently transporting their laser equipment, as this can affect the settings and general effectiveness of the service.

Medical-Grade Facials

This is how I discovered the DiamondGlow facial, which has been a staple ever since. Developed by Allergan, DiamondGlow uses a diamond-tipped wand to simultaneously exfoliate, extract, and infuse the skin with targeted serums. There are five different serums your provider selects based on your skin’s needs. I gravitate toward the hyaluronic acid serum for hydration, especially in the months leading up to an event.

One thing I got right: pairing the facial with dermaplaning. Dermaplaning performed professionally in-clinic prevents accidental skin damage that can occur if you DIY it at home. It removes peach fuzz and leaves a smooth canvas for your makeup. Love.

Neuromodulators — My First Botox

My wedding was also when I started Botox. I had developed forehead lines that were visible at rest — not deep yet, but there — and I wanted to soften the movement around my eyes.

Only after my wedding did I learn about and get the courage to try masseter Botox. I told myself it was about the clenching — and it was — but the round-faced tween who still lives inside me was equally sold. Treating the masseter does two things for me: it reduces my clenching and creates a slimming effect in the lower face. If I were to do this for wedding prep, I would treat the masseters 4 months before the wedding — enough time for the results to kick in (the masseter is a large muscle and it takes a little longer to atrophy and slim) and enough time to course correct if needed.

This is all to say — give yourself runway to get this treatment right. Results take a few weeks to fully develop and a good injector will see you for a two week follow up to touch up. A good injector will also NOT treat you for the first time 2 weeks before your wedding.

If I Were Doing It Again

A few treatments weren’t available when I got married in 2022 or weren’t on my radar yet. With the knowledge I have now, these would have been on the list.

SkinVive. Some of the sun damage from my sailing years affected the tissue on my lips — something that becomes more noticeable when they’re less hydrated. SkinVive is a hyaluronic acid-based injectable, but with lighter weight HA vs. fillers used for volume. It’s placed more superficially to improve hydration and skin quality. It would have been a quiet, natural-looking addition to my prep, especially for the lips.

Latisse. I’ll have a full post on my brow journey at some point, but the short version: prescription-grade lash and brow growth products like Latisse produce results that are hard to replicate any other way. I got natural-looking microblading done more than eight months before the wedding, which I’m happy I did — and I’m equally happy I didn’t go back for a touch-up closer to the date. Fuller, more defined brows by accelerating natural hair growth would have been the move.

I’m currently trading notes with my co-workers, also brides, on their wedding prep journey. More on their routines soon. In the meantime, a couple more wedding photos, just for fun…(thanks to the magical Heather Waraksa!)