The Blushing Bride's Guide to Glowing Skin

A pre-wedding plan for flawless wedding day skin.

Aug 7, 2009

by Carolyn Anger

It's your day in the spotlight. Your red carpet moment. Your time to shine. And the last thing you need is a breakout or dry, lackluster skin marring your otherwise perfect day. Get cracking on your wedding day complexion by consulting an aesthetician or dermatologist to discuss your concerns and make a skincare plan of action.

From effective deep cleansing facials to more aggressive treatments for acne, scarring and discoloration, here's a roadmap to skincare services that will get you primped and pretty for the big day.

Oxygen Facials

It's no secret that some of Hollywood's freshest faces owe their camera-ready complexions to oxygen facial machines permanently camped out in their bathrooms. Get your own healthy dose of oxygen at Bliss Scottsdale. Bliss's Triple Oxygen Treatment wakes up dull, tired skin with a deep cleanse, exfoliating fruit acid wash, oxygen wrap, extractions, calming oxygen milk mask, hydrating enzyme pack and of course a spray of vitamin infused oxygen. The treatment may cause a bit of redness from extractions for about a day but will appear less congested and brighter for a few weeks after the treatment. Cost: $160 for 75 minutes.

Acne Facials

If you aren't quite ready or willing to brave lasers or more invasive skincare treatments, acne facials are a good option to detoxify skin and diminish acne breakouts. The Purity Facial at Red Mountain Med Spa (in Scottsdale and Mesa) specifically targets adult acne with a deep cleansing, enzyme exfoliation and a warm vapor mist with a calming, antibacterial masque. Blemishes and redness begin to fade after one treatment and to see full results treatments should be performed every two weeks until skin is clear. Cost: $80 for 60 minutes.

Chemical Peels

For uneven skin texture, sun damage and acne scars, consider a chemical peel. Peels remove damaged layers of skin and can be performed weekly or monthly depending on skin type. Stronger peels can leave behind a few side effects including redness, peeling and mild irritation. If you're new to peels or looking for an effective peel with little or no downtime, try an Organic Acid Peel at Bravo Salon & Day Spa in Scottsdale. These pure, organic peels contain all natural ingredients that do not harm or irritate skin. One treatment deeply cleanses, makes pores appear smaller gives skin a dewy, younger looking appearance. Results are visible within 24 to 48 hours and last up to 6 months. Keep in mind that after your treatment you cannot wash your face or go out into the sun for at least a day and make sure to cover up with sunblock for at least two weeks after your peel. Cost: $199-$395 for 60 minutes.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion treatments quickly exfoliate the top layers of skin where damage, scarring and fine lines reside. A rough, pen-like device is run over skin in small areas to dig in and vacuum away dead cells to uncover fresh skin that can easily soak up nutrients from a facial or cleansing agents of a peel. Dolce Salon & Spa (in Chandler, Peoria and Scottsdale) offers Microdermabrasion treatments combined with facials or peels to best fit your skin type. Microdermabrasion alone does not cause skin to flake, peel and only mild irritation is sometimes visible after a treatment. Leaves skin looks refreshed, glowing and resurfaced up to a few weeks after a service and to maintain or enhance results, several treatments are recommended on a weekly or monthly basis. Cost: Microdermabrasion with peel $175 for 45 minutes, microderm with facial $150 for 60 minutes.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Also referred to as the lunch time laser, Affirm Laser Skin Resurfacing is a quick, no fuss laser treatment that fights scarring, skin pigmentation, redness and fine lines by heating up deep layers of skin tissue. Each treatment lasts about 45 minutes and requires little set up, topical application and most patients report little or no pain after each procedure. Stop by Paradise MedSpa & Wellness in Phoenix for a quick treatment between errands to soften fine lines, expression marks and acne. Several treatments about four weeks apart are recommended for full results but improved skin tone and texture can be seen after just one treatment. Cost: $500 for 45 minutes.

LED Light Treatments

Feel like you've purchased every acne product out there but things just seem to be getting worse with pre-wedding jitters? Get down to the root of acne, rosecea and hyperpigmentation with LED blue light photodynamic therapy. During your treatment, Levulan (a naturally occurring substance in the body) is applied to your complexion then left on for a few minutes to soak into acne causing tissues. Then, a blue light laser treatment is run over skin to target and shrink acne. Zethina Cosmetics & Skincare in Glendale offers stronger LED light treatments alone or acne facials with a boost of LED that includes extra cleansing, skin tone improvements and light moisture. Depending on the severity of acne three or more treatments may be required to see full results. Temporary swelling and redness may occur after treatment but diminishes in a few hours. Cost: LED Light Treatment $100 for 45 minutes, Acne Facial/LED Treatment $115 for 60 minutes.

Icing on the Cake

Before you take those final steps toward wedded bliss, here are a few last-minute beauty treatments to keep you glowing and stress-free.

For bare shoulders that shimmer, try the organic Hawaiian Papaya-Pineapple Enzyme Wrap at VH Spa for Vitality + Health at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, which is topped off with a deep conditioning treatment for your tresses.

For trip-proof, honeymoon-ready toes, try colored or pink and white acrylic toes at Azur Nail Studio, Scottsdale.

For no-sweat, tear-resistant makeup, try Rolf's airbrush makeup, a spray-on foundation that binds to skin giving a smooth, non-cakey finish that won't budge.

For lasting, gorgeous lashes, try the customized eyelash extensions at Sachi Salon & Day Spa in Scottsdale, which look and feel more natural than falsies.

This article sponsored by Arizona Weddings Magazine and Website. Visit arizonaweddings.com for everything you need to plan the perfect wedding.

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