Get Ready for Your Big Day with Elase
Tying the knot soon? As you count down the days to your big day, you’re likely already imagining the perfect dress, shoes, and hair. But what about your skin? Achieving that bridal glow takes time and effort and planning your pre-wedding skincare regimen can be just as important as every other detail of wedding planning. After all, how you look impacts how you feel!
To help you navigate this journey, we brought together a team of Elase providers to answer all your pre-wedding aesthetic questions. In this guide, we’ll delve deeper into advice on which treatments to do, the timing of when you should book appointments, and more expert tips to help you navigate this exciting experience.
Understanding Your Wedding Timeline
The first question all our providers start with is, “When is your big day?” Understanding your timeline, whether it’s 9 months or 4 weeks away, is an important element in putting together a comprehensive and personalized plan. If possible, we recommend starting your skincare journey 6 months to a year before your wedding day. This timeline allows you ample time for your skin to respond to treatments and ensure optimal results without rushing the process.
That said, if your big day is only a month away, there are still some treatments our providers can administer to leave your skin glowing and radiant! This guide will be an overview of what to expect for most people, but we always recommend that each person come in for their complimentary consultation because we all have different skin concerns, goals, and timelines. Every Elase provider is trained in delivering a one-of-a-kind experience because your skincare experience should be as unique as you are!
Understanding Your Wedding Budget
When planning a wedding, after timeline, budget is usually the next big question to factor when developing your customized treatment plan. We know that weddings can be expensive, so understanding how much you’re interested in spending on treatments and skincare products will help our providers determine a plan that you are most comfortable with!
Start with a Skincare Routine
A solid skincare routine forms the foundation of pre-wedding aesthetics. As Brooke Waters, Medical Aesthetician, RN, at Elase Ponte Vedra and Town Center, says to her clients, “80% of skin health is what you do at home.”
Skincare and aesthetics go hand-in-hand. Maintaining a daily skincare routine will help the results from your aesthetic treatments last longer and be more effective.
What Elase Recommends: Start with gentle cleansers, hydrating serums, and moisturizers tailored to your skin type. Wear sunscreen every day to protect against UV damage and prevent premature aging.
Common Aesthetic Treatments for Brides
For brides (or any individual preparing for a significant event!), achieving that coveted glow often involves a combination of careful planning and tailored aesthetic treatments. Whether you’re looking to enhance your natural beauty or address specific skin concerns, there’s a range of options available to help you look and feel your best on your special day. If you’re new to aesthetic treatments, facials are a great way to start your skincare journey and for your providers to get to your skin type and quality. If you’re looking to tackle specific skin issues and you have the time and budget, then your provider may consider more intensive treatments such as injectables, lasers, microneedling, and peels.
If you want radiant, luminous skin and don’t have major skin issues, then monthly HydraFacials or DiamondGlow treatments are excellent choices. Which one is right for you — HydraFacial or DiamondGlow? The biggest difference lies in the method of exfoliation. HydraFacial utilizes mild chemical exfoliation, while DiamondGlow employs microdermabrasion for a more physical exfoliation. If you’re worried about potential breakouts, DiamondGlow might be the safer option, as HydraFacial can sometimes lead to purging and increased risk of breakout.
If you want refreshed, smooth skin, try wrinkle relaxers to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
If you want to enhance facial symmetry or accentuate your favorite features, try dermal fillers.
If you want to address skin texture or acne scarring, try microneedling. It typically requires 4-6 treatments before significant results are noticeable. For more aggressive treatment, microneedling can be combined with chemical peels during 1 or 2 of those sessions. If budget allows, consider microneedling with exosomes for added growth factors.
If you want to treat hyperpigmentation or sun spots, try lasers. The Moxi laser is a great introductory laser for those not familiar with the treatment. Broad Band Light (BBL) is also an effective treatment to break up pigment and reduce redness.
If you want to address acne, try a series of BBL or SylfirmX sessions.
By discussing your goals and budget with a qualified skincare provider, you can develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and ensures you’ll radiate confidence as you walk down the aisle.
Timeline: What To Do 1 year, 6 months, 2 months, and 2 weeks Before your Big Day
1 Year Before / Your First Visit
During your first consultation with an Elase provider, they will discuss your goals for the big day. Some common questions they might ask are:
- How do you want to feel?
- What do you want your skin to look like?
- Are there specific skin concerns you want to address?
Depending on how you answer these questions, your Elase provider will come up with a tailored treatment plan.
For example, if you’re new to aesthetic treatments, your provider may recommend starting with a HydraFacial or DiamondGlow with dermaplaning. These types of aesthetic treatments will help you achieve radiant, glowing skin and dermaplaning will help your makeup sit better on your big day. If you want to address skin concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, or uneven texture, then your provider may recommend more intensive treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling, or lasers.
What Elase Recommends: It’s important for our providers to see your skin how it is naturally. Try to come into your initial consult with a fresh, clean, and makeup-free face.
6-8 Months Before The Big Day
Depending on your treatment plan, this is when your provider may start to administer injectables such as wrinkle relaxers or dermal fillers. By getting these treatments well in advance, you allow ample time for any potential swelling or minor adjustments to settle, ensuring a natural-looking outcome. This timeline also gives you the opportunity to work with us to create a customized treatment plan that enhances your natural beauty.
Typically, wrinkle relaxers last anywhere between 3-4 months and fillers can last up to 6 months. If you are doing more intensive services to treat hyperpigmentation or skin texture, your provider may also begin these lasers or microneedling sessions.
What Elase Recommends: If you’re undergoing multiple sessions of a treatments, then a Beauty Bank membership ensures you get the most value for your investment — enjoy 10-15% off every visit! Plus, there are no hidden fees, your monthly membership cost goes directly to cost of your treatment or products.
4-6 Months Before The Big Day
If your treatment plan includes services like Sylfirm X to tighten skin or BBL to decrease hyperpigmentation, then your provider will most likely recommend multiple sessions to ensure you get the results you desire. 6-8 months before the big days, you will likely be receiving the second session of this treatment.
2-3 Months Before The Big Day
This is when you’re likely to receive the last round of your treatment plan, if it includes injectables, lasers, or microneedling. It provides just enough time for your face to fully recover and for any final adjustments to be made before the big day. By this point, you should have a clear idea of how your skin is responding to the treatments and whether any additional sessions or modifications are needed.
This timeframe often coincides with other wedding-related events such as showers or bachelorette parties, making it essential to ensure your skin radiates a healthy glow for these special occasions as well!
1 Month Before The Big Day
This is when you’ll focus on any little ouch-ups as you approach the final stretch before your wedding day. Schedule any necessary follow-up appointments for injectable treatments to ensure they settle properly and achieve the desired outcome. Continue with regular skincare maintenance and avoid introducing any new products or treatments that may disrupt your skin’s balance.
2 Weeks Before The Big Day
Two weeks before your big day, our providers highly recommend indulging in a rejuvenating facial treatment. The HydraFacial Deluxe is a popular option among our clients. This 80-minute service offers a luxurious experience, encompassing a soothing massage, gentle dermaplaning, and effective lymphatic drainage. Not only does this facial leave you feeling deeply relaxed, but it also helps reduce puffiness, ensuring you look and feel your absolute best as you approach your special occasion. Plus, the dermaplaning will ensure your skincare products penetrate your skin better and help your makeup go on smoother.
The Week of The Big Day
This is when it’s crucial to prioritize self-care to ensure you look and feel your best on your special day. This means sticking to your regular skincare routine that you’ve been diligently following for months to maintain the health and radiance of your skin. Additionally, make hydration a priority by drinking plenty of water throughout the week to keep your skin hydrated and glowing. Adequate sleep is equally important, as it allows your body and skin to rest and rejuvenate, minimizing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Remember, taking care of yourself in the days leading up to your wedding will not only enhance your physical appearance but also contribute to your overall well-being and confidence as you walk down the aisle.
Expert Advice: Insights from Elase Providers
KELLEE MURRAY, Advanced Aesthetic Injector, DNP | St. Augustine
“My goal is to empower brides to feel like the best version of themselves.”
Kellee emphasizes the importance of thorough planning, considering goals and budget, and prepping the skin with medical-grade skincare for a smooth, glowing complexion. Addressing concerns like texture, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars is essential, along with considering injectables and treatments like microneedling or BBL for optimal results. Facial balancing, enhancing best features, and starting treatments months in advance are key strategies. Kellee recommends starting the injectable journey early, with Botox six months prior for makeup prep and touch-ups closer to the wedding. She suggests trying a lip flip before lip fillers and emphasizes collaborative beauty on a budget for lasting results, aiming to empower brides to feel their best on their big day and beyond.
BROOKE WATERS, Medical Aesthetician, RN | Ponte Vedra and Town Center
“If you’re planning to do multiple aesthetic treatments for your wedding, like a monthly HydraFacial, I highly recommend joining our membership so that you can get the best value during each visit!”
Brooke emphasizes the importance of an in-depth aesthetic consultation to address goals and skin concerns, focusing on achieving brighter, glowing skin, smaller pores, and clearer complexion. She tailors treatment plans based on lifestyle, budget, and timeline, recommending medical-grade skincare and corrective treatments like Hydrafacial, Moxi laser, microneedling, and chemical peels. Brooke advises starting treatments well in advance of the wedding, with younger brides starting 6-12 months prior and older brides starting 12-18 months ahead. She stresses the significance of consistent monthly facials and recommends a HydraFacial as a regular check-in point, followed by corrective treatments if needed.
AUDREY COLEMAN, Advanced Aesthetic Injector, PA-C | St. Augustine
“When coming in for a consultation, know that this is a safe space. Talking about our appearances can be hard and uncomfortable so please know that our relationship with you is centered on trust. I want to help you feel confident on the inside and out.”
Audrey’s approach revolves around ensuring brides both look and feel their absolute best from every angle, understanding the importance of meeting expectations within a budget. She focuses on achieving facial harmony through dermal fillers and toxins, enhancing best features while maintaining a natural look. Audrey emphasizes the significance of preparation for consultations, encouraging clients to bring photos and arrive with a clean face for a comprehensive assessment. She establishes a safe and trusting environment to discuss concerns openly, customizing timelines and treatments for optimal results. With a tailored approach, Audrey collaborates with aestheticians and the aesthetic coordinator to provide a full spectrum of care, including volume restoration and muscle refinement, aiming to enhance the bride’s natural beauty while instilling confidence both inside and out.
CAMBRIA DELGROSSO, Master Aesthetician | American Fork
Cambria, a nurse with five years of experience, focuses on creating a tailored skincare plan based on the timeline leading up to the wedding and the bride’s specific skin concerns. She suggests starting with microneedling treatments, typically 4-6 sessions spaced four weeks apart, to address texture and scarring. For a more aggressive approach, she recommends combining microneedling with chemical peels or exosomes for added growth factors, with the option of Sylfirm X for optimal skin tightening. For brides seeking a pre-wedding glow, Cambria recommends treatments like Diamond Glow or HydraFacial two weeks before the wedding to exfoliate, brighten, and hydrate the skin, with dermaplaning to assist with makeup application. She advises against major treatments too close to the wedding date, ensuring the bride looks and feels her best without any risk of adverse reactions.
LAYTON HEAPS, Master Aesthetician | American Fork
Layton emphasizes the importance of a two-week cutoff before the wedding for skincare treatments. During the consultation, she assesses the skin’s condition, considering any recent breakouts and or skin concerns. She recommends treatments such as dermaplaning to enhance product absorption, often paired with Diamond Glow or HydraFacial for a radiant complexion with no downtime. For specific concerns like acne or hyperpigmentation, Layton suggests tailored approaches, such as chemical peels, or a series of treatments like BBL or microneedling, depending on age, skin concerns, and budget. She also highlights the benefits of products containing hyaluronic acid for skin plumping and hydration.
Create Your Bridal Skincare Plan with Elase
Ensuring your skin is radiant and flawless on your wedding day requires careful planning and expert guidance. By collaborating with our skilled providers, you can create a personalized skincare regimen tailored to your goals, timeline, and budget. Whether you’re aiming to address specific concerns like acne scars or hyperpigmentation, or simply want to achieve that radiant bridal glow, Elase offers a range of treatments and products to help you look and feel your best on your wedding day.
Don’t leave your bridal skincare to chance – book a free consultation with our team today and embark on your journey to bridal beauty with confidence!
