All eyes are on you for your wedding day so it’s important that your skin looks its best. To ensure your complexion is glowing and you’re feeling your best self don’t overlook your beauty regime which includes skin prep for the big day. And this is where we can help get the most beautiful results which will last you well into the honeymoon and for months ahead. Below are our inside secrets for skincare treatments, products and timeline.

12 Months Before - Time to Plan

The first step is a thorough skin analysis. We use the most advanced equipment to get results and devise a personalised treatment plan. Depending on your skin concerns, there are variety of treatments to choose from.

Some of our most popular treatments include:

- IPL for pigmentation and redness

- Fractional laser for pores, texture and redness

- Three For ME - address several major skin concerns, such as sun damage, pigmentation, wrinkles, facial veins, acne scarring, and enlarged pores. This this treatment is great for aging skin and stimulates new collagen and elastin.

Skincare

For most skin conditions, topical medical grade skincare alone will make a significant difference. It is important to choose high-quality skincare products with clinically proven ingredients; we offer an online skin consultation as with so many brands and products it can be overwhelming and confusing to choose effective skincare. A personalised skin care regimen will be prescribed to correct your skin concerns and to help you maintain healthy, youthful, and radiant skin.

Cleanse

Most people destroy their skin barrier by using harsh and ineffective cleansers. We always recommend using a gentle cleanser. Cleansers with active ingredients may benefit certain skin issues, but they should only be used 2 - 3 times per week. Our favourite is Skinceuticals Gentle Cleanser. It removes impurities without stripping away the skin’s vital lipids and leaves your skin feeling clean, soft and supple without any greasy surface residue even after rinsing.

Antioxidant

Antioxidants, apart from SPF, are one of the most important ingredients to have in your skincare. They limit production of free radicals which are responsible for the breakdown of collagen, which causes fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dark spots. Our bestselling Skinceuticals CE Ferulic delivers 8x environmental protection, helps prevent free radical damage and improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loss

Serums

Serums deliver high concentrations of specific active ingredients to the skin. Retinol serums are the number one option for skin rejuvenation. Retinol increases skin cell production, unclogs pores, exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production. For beginners, we recommend Allumier Retinol Resurfacing Serum 0.25. Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum. Sphere-infused serum for the face and eyes smooths stress lines, reduces under-eye puffiness and dark circles, and renews vibrancy immediately and over time.

Moisturisers

Beautiful and glowing skin is impossible without a healthy skin barrier. A damaged barrier is one of the most common causes of skin issues such as acne, eczema and rosacea. To heal damaged ski, a barrier it is vital to choose the correct moisturiser. It should contain soothing and repairing ingredients. Biologique Recherche Crème Dermo-RL is a super-rich moisturising cream recommended for very dry and lipid-deficient skin or anyone exposed to harsh, cold climates.

SPF

SPF is one of the most important skincare products in your skincare. We always say - “Prevention is better (and in many cases easier!) than the treatment. Most of the skin concerns such as pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity can be prevented by using high-quality sunscreen. To all our clients here at the Skin Lab we always recommend SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF 50+. It provides true broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection to the skin to help protect skin from the damaging UVA rays.

1-2 Months Before the Big Day

Glowing skin is on every bride’s wishlist. If you only got a few weeks left, we recommend supercharging your skin’s hydration with an injectable hyaluronic acid. Profhilo is a specially developed injectable treatment that is designed to deliver high levels of ultrapure hyaluronic acid directly into the skin, creating an instantly glowing appearance.

It will also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to increase hydration and firmness across the face. While traditional dermal fillers also involve injecting hyaluronic acid into the treatment area, Profhilo differs in that it doesn’t give the volume that fillers provide, and it doesn’t change the structure or movement of your face. It is simply about rehydrating the skin and making it appear more radiant.

Anti-wrinkle injections are another popular treatment option at our clinic. Anti-wrinkle injections relax the muscles and inhibit nerve signals – stopping the contraction. It sounds scarier than it is, and in essence, these injections stop the muscle’s ability to contract, giving you a fresh look.

The impacts aren’t visible straight away, therefore it is important to

give plenty of time before your event.

3-5 Days Before - The Final Boost

With only a few days left, your skin will benefit from a final touch-up - Hydrafacial. It will make your skin like a glowing canvas - perfect for your wedding make-up application. It is safe for all skin types and can be used to treat skin concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, congested pores, sun damage, and uneven skin tone. Each treatment can be enhanced with an addition of a booster - a high-performance solution for instant, visible results. For instant radiance opt for Murad Vita-C Booster. It will accelerate skin’s surface renewal, minimize the look of dark spots and brighten your complexion.

Finally, it is important to remember that everyone’s skin concerns, goals and needs are different. No two skincare plans will ever be the same. The advice given above is very basic, and will differ depending on a particular skin concern. Also keep in mind, diet and lifestyle habits play a huge role in the health of your skin. It is not an overnight journey, it requires commitment, dedication and patience (and an excellent aesthetician!). Get in touch if you would like to begin your skin journey with the Skin Lab. For skincare and more information on treatments please visit www.theskinlab.ie