Nine Months From Your Wedding
So you're past the testing phase and probably starting to recognize what works best for you. Continue your skin care regimen and note any changes at this point. Perhaps you're not seeing the results you want or maybe your skin is a little on the sensitive side; now's the time to do some fine-tuning with your active ingredients. While you may want to be a little more aggressive with the anti-aging ingredients in the beginning, it's important to remain consistent the closer you get to the big day.
Miller notes the importance of establishing a relationship with your esthetician early on: This way before the wedding, they know your skin and can provide a treatments that offer a great glow without any adverse side effects or downtime.
As for the injectables, it's your call: It may be time to visit your derm, it may not be. Every person's body breaks down the injectables differently (somewhere in the 3-6 month range).
Image via Imaxtree
Six Months From Your Wedding
As with the nine month milestone, you'll want to continue your skin care routine and tailor it as needed to continue achieving the results you want. At this point, you may want to up the ante with your retinol—a stronger version like Cosmedix Serum 24, $50, is one of Miller's faves.
Miller also likes adding in some at-home tools and devices to complement your skin care regimen as well as your treatment plan with your esthetician. Miller likes LED devices, as they "can helps boost collagen and elastin production, reduce inflammation, kill bacteria that causes breakouts, and help with over all skin rejuvenation." A favorite of his is the LightStim — red lights help with anti-aging and blue lights help fight acne. Microcurrent devices also make a wonderful addition: Per Miller, "They assist in lymphatic drainage, stimulation of ATP (like an energy pack for our skin cells), and help create and lifting effect." A good option is the NuFace Trinity, $325, which you can use in the comfort of your own home for only five minutes per day.
Oh and since another three months have passed, you may want to touch-up the injectables — though again, it changes from person to person.
Image via Imaxtree
Three Months From Your Wedding
With just three months to go, consistency is more important than ever. Do you notice any negative changes in your skin? Talk to you esthetician — you may need to adjust your routine slightly (though beware of any major overhauls; they might cause your skin to rebel). Continue eating healthy, taking any vitamins or supplements and, yep, check in if it's time for injectables. This is essentially a cut-off point for any aggressive treatments; you're not going to want to tackle anything requiring major downtime from here on out.
Image via Imaxtree
One Month/One Week From Your Wedding
Okay, you're getting super close: Just keep consistent with your eating, sleeping and skin care habits. If you are due for injectables, get them now to avoid any possible mishaps closer to the wedding date. You may want to try out teeth whitening and sunless tanning options; now is the time because you have four full weeks to perfect your pearly whites and your faux glow.
In the final week, finish strong with your eating and skin care habits. According to Miller, if you are prone to hormonal breakouts, avoid sugar and dairy. He also says to resist alcohol in the days leading up to your wedding because alcohol dehydrates and can cause inflammation in the skin. Lastly, if you have under eye bags, avoid salty food and try to get enough zzz's to prevent this from worsening.
Most importantly of all, this final stretch should be about finding balance and maintaining a routine that you can and will want to keep up. The goal is to be your healthiest, happiest self on this joyous day. When you take the right steps to prepare, and allot plenty of time to do so, you'll definitely reap the benefits, especially when you see your luminescent glow in those wedding photos!
Image via Imaxtree
