Wedding Skincare Advice For NYC Brides and Grooms
In our opinion, there is nothing more rewarding than helping a couple and their loved ones get ready for all the wedding festivities – this is one of the most photographed moments in a lifetime! Having great-looking skin that makes everyone feel comfortable and their very best? Priceless.
For expert skincare advice for the wedding party and guests, Dr. Nussbaum answers some of the most frequently asked wedding-prep questions we get:
1) How far in advance should one start thinking about their skin before the wedding day?
Dr. Nussbaum: At a minimum, 3-6 months ahead of time. This obviously depends upon your goals and our goals and how we need to go about getting you that picture-perfect skin. It’s never too early to start thinking about getting your skin in check, though, so I often recommend booking a consultation appointment with your dermatologist not long after you’re engaged to give us all plenty of time to get your skin where you want it to be!
2) What are the best treatments for achieving that day-of glow?
Dr. Nussbaum: I usually combine a series of Clear and Brilliant laser treatments with a few chemical peels to create the perfect bridal glow. Both treatments work to improve the skin’s texture and tone with gentle exfoliation and collagen stimulation, but are not too aggressive.
3) A bride or member of the wedding party is struggling with acne, what’s the best solution for getting wedding-ready skin?
Dr. Nussbaum: Don’t worry, that’s what my team is here for! 3 months prior to the wedding we would begin a series of chemical peels containing retinol (assuming that you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding), and combine that with a topical regimen that includes the Marnie Nussbaum, MD Glow Pads which contain glycolic and salicylic acid to help promote clear skin.
4) What is the latest date a bride can do a clinical treatment before the wedding?
Dr. Nussbaum: It depends upon the treatment. For injectable wrinkle reducers like Botox, I recommend doing them 4 weeks prior to the wedding so that it settles into the skin for a natural but refreshed aesthetic. Clear and Brilliant laser resurfacing is best done 2-3 weeks prior to make sure any remaining exfoliation is completed. A light peel should be done up to 2 weeks prior. The HydraFacial can be done the week of!
5) It’s 24 hours before the wedding and someone has a pimple. What do you recommend?
Dr. Nussbaum: Call your dermatologist (me) immediately for a cortisone injection! It will bring down the swelling and inflammation within 24 hours. If you are not able to see a dermatologist, ice the lesion for a few minutes to decrease inflammation, then crush an aspirin and add a few drops of water to create a paste and apply to the pimple for 5-10 minutes (aspirin contains salicylic acid which will help get rid of excess oil and dead skin cells), then apply a tiny amount of hydrocortisone 1% cream to decrease inflammation. Lastly, a good concealer will do the trick!
(Note: cortisone cream should only be used in last minute situations to decrease inflammation. Consistent use all over the face can cause acne).
6) Any advice related to skincare regimens/products?
Dr. Nussbaum: Do not start any new regimens less than 3 months prior to the wedding. I usually recommend a vitamin C serum in the morning to boost collagen production, reverse cell damage and decrease pigmentation as well as retinol at night to increase skin cell turnover, decrease acne and deliver that perfect glow. Also, I would add my daily Glow Pads to chemically exfoliate, decrease the appearance of any fine lines and create a clear complexion. Finally, a good moisturizer twice a day is critical to maintaining hydration and supple skin!
Top tip? Do not start any new product less than three months prior to your big day and if a break out occurs call your dermatologist immediately!
7) Any advice for the groom’s skin?
Dr. Nussbaum: Grooms forget their skin needs to be in perfect condition too! The biggest issue I see with grooms is ingrown hairs from shaving so my first piece of advice is to get your shaving routine down to a science two months prior to the wedding. Cleanse the skin twice daily to remove debris and bacteria. Make sure to use a shaving cream that agrees with your skin and then shave with the grain of the hair which causes less friction than against the grain (which gives a closer shave but can cause ingrowns!). If you are experiencing ingrown hairs, a dermatologist can prescribe an antibiotic topical lotion to apply after shaving which will decrease any breakouts or inflammation. Lastly, moisturize twice daily to create glowing skin!
(p.s. if you can get your groom to use a vitamin C serum in the morning – go for it!)
8) Any final tips or advice?
Dr. Nussbaum: All my brides know they are VIPs in my practice – clear skin for your big day is a must and I am on call 24/7 for the bride-to be! There are always solutions to any last minute skin issues (and non-skin issues!) and getting creative is a part of my job that I love the most!
