Pre-Wedding Skincare Advice from Dr. Whitney Bowe

Pre-Wedding Skincare Advice from Dr. Whitney Bowe

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As a 28-year-old, who still gets break-outs as bad (and sometimes worse!) as I did when I was 16, my skin is one of my biggest pre-wedding concerns.

While I know my make-up artist will be able to work wonders, no matter what kind of Everest-proportioned pimple appears on my chin on our wedding morning, I'd rather spend the time around our big day feeling fresh and glowing, rather than feeling the need to cover my skin up.

Whether you have constant acne, stress break-outs, or big spots than never seem to shift, your skin can sadly have such a damaging effect on your confidence.

Photo by Brian Reilly Photography via Bridal Musings

So, with 10 months to go until our wedding, and a determination to get my skin in check (with time to spare!), I reached out to celebrity dermatologist and acne expert, Dr. Whitney Bowe, for her top tips on helping you look and feel great in your own skin, on your wedding day.

As she says, 'Out of all the factors to deal with on your wedding day, the state of your skin shouldn't be one of them.'

Here, here!

1. Start Early

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Start your skincare regimen ahead of time. No woman wants to wake up with breakouts on her wedding day. Starting to treat acne at least 3 months before the wedding can make a big difference when it's time to walk down the aisle. I've had numerous women start crying in my office because of the stress surrounding what they feel they have no control over: the state of their skin. There is absolutely a way to get acne under control leading up to the big day. I recommend Aczone Gel for many of my bride-to-be patients. It's gentle and non-irritating and seems to work especially well on adult women.

2. Pre-Wedding Peel

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Try a glycolic peel. Start using a weekly at-home peel with glycolic acid several weeks prior to the wedding. This will help exfoliate away the dead skin that piles up and lightens dark marks on the face in a gentle manner for a more even skin tone. If you're looking for more dramatic results, visit your dermatologist for a medical-strength glycolic peel one week before the big day.

3. Keep Calm

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Relieve stress. Take a few minutes every day to unwind by practicing yoga, exercising, listening to calming music or doing some deep breathing to help relax. Many people are more prone to breakouts during stressful times because stress hormone in the blood can bind to oil glands and make them more active while under extreme stress.

4. Back to Basics

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Don't forget the basics: moisturizer and sunscreen. Start using a daily moisturizer with sunscreen in the months leading up to the big day. Dry skin is prone to inflammation, which can make skin look haggard and create texture irregularities (translation: rough skin). But SPF is also key, because you don't want uneven splotches of pigment on the skin, which are even more likely to occur if you're taking a birth control pill. Hormones plus sun can mean brown, uneven patches of skin.

5. Stick to What You Know

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Be cautious with new products. Steer clear of any new products or ingredients one full month prior to the wedding. It's tempting to experiment with new products leading up to your special day, but you don't want to discover that you have an allergy or sensitivity that you can't fully clear up in time to walk down the aisle. Other ingredients to avoid are those that are known to clog pores, like cocoa butter.

6. Think Nutrition

Photo by Clarence Chan Photography via Bridal Musings

Eat foods that are good for your skin. Avoid high glycemic index foods, which includes items with lots of refined carbs, like white pasta, pretzels, corn flakes, cookies and cakes. Also avoid skim milk. High Glycemic Index (GI) foods and skim milk have both been linked with breakouts. Do indulge in foods loaded with antioxidants like green tea and dark colored fruits and vegetables and healthy omega-3 fatty acids including salmon, flaxseed, almonds and olive oil to ensure you have a healthy glow.

7. Ask the Experts

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Talk to your dermatologist. Whatever your skin concerns may be, it's important to It's best to get a head start and treat any issues that concern you as soon as possible so that you feel great when you walk down the aisle! speak to your dermatologist to find a regimen that is right for you.

Photo by Ashley Ludaescher Photography via Bridal Musings

See more Pre-Wedding Health & Beauty Posts.

Such great tips, whether you have acne or are prone to break-outs, and it applies to grooms as well as brides!

I'm definitely going to work on reducing my skimmed milk intake (I drink a lot of milk!), and upping my Omega-3 and flaxseed. If that doesn't work, I'm off to the dermatologist!

Thanks so much to Dr. Whitney Bowe for sharing her expert advice, you can find more of her insights or make an appointment to see her, over on her website.

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