Bridal beauty: the 12 week skin countdown

That clock is counting steadily down ’til it reaches the most photographed day of your life. Avoiding key pitfalls and prepping well should see your skin glowing just in time for “I do.”

Organising a wedding is a huge undertaking; so much so that where budget permits, an actual professional can be hired to do it. If you’re making those checklists and booking those vendors yourself, I salute you – it’s no mean feat.

One thing you may be factoring into the evermore complicated equation is your beauty plan. Tanning, waxing, hair colouring, nail lengthening… there’s a lot to think about. Skin is a core part of that plan, and three months out is when the prep starts to really go up a notch.

Sinead Gallagher is a registered general nurse and co-owner of Renew Skin Clinics, a popular spot for pre-wedding pilgrimages. Sinead says that when it comes to a three-month bridal skin countdown, a 360 approach is needed. There’s no point spending the earth doing peels and laser with the pros if you’re not taking care of things at home. “Skin health is a combination of things,” says Sinead. “A good home care regimen is vital, and you need to give products time to take effect.”

As well as home skincare, Sinead says a holistic look at supplementation and diet is required to make sure you’re giving your skin the best chance. “Nutraceuticals are making huge inroads into maintaining excellent skin and hair health, as well as aiding sleep and general wellbeing. The obvious things like drinking lots of water and a good diet are also really important,” she advises.

Depending on what your specific needs are, Sinead says a tailored approach is always best, and the three-month window is key. “It really depends on what problems, if any, are happening with the skin,” she explains. “If a bride suffers from break-outs, open pores and blackheads, we’d generally recommend a course of peels, which are typically done every two weeks for a course of six treatments.

“If they have a redness of the skin and some visible telangiectasia (red veins), intense pulse light (IPL) would be advised. Often, we would do peels and IPL in a course together to have a bride’s skin looking its best for the big day.

“You will always be looking at the photos of your wedding, so invest in your skin – it’s going to represent you for a very long time!”

Photography by Jason Lloyd-Evans.

For more expert advice on bridal skincare, check out the July/August issue of IMAGE Magazine, out now. 

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