Bridal Skin Series | Bridal Beauty Countdown

The International Dermal Institute has the most informative classes! I love heading over there when they have guest speaker events. The last class I attended was called Perfecting Bridal Skin. I learned the best way to incorporate services for brides-to-be, and how to address their skin concerns head on. There was also a live demonstration on prepping and applying bridal make-up which was a ton of fun!

Being that wedding season is quickly approaching, I'm going to break up all of the bridal information into a few separate posts since I have so much new information to share!

First thing I want to talk about is developing a game plan and scheduling your treatments for the big day. Whether you are the bride to be or a member of the bridal party, you are going to want to look and feel your best! Looking good doesn't just happen over night; trust me, it takes time. Planning is everything!

Here is a basic countdown on what you should be doing to make sure you are looking your best for the big day:

12-15 Months Prior

At-Home Skincare Regimen

Solidify your skincare treatment plan. Remember, consistency is key! I cannot stress how important it is to get on professional at-home products. Experts agree that 80% of the results you see on your skin come from what you are doing day to day, at home on your skin. Let's be clear on what are considered professional products; just because you are purchasing an expensive product, does not mean it is going to address specific skin concerns you might have for your big day. Professional products cannot be purchased at department stores due to the fact that they contain active ingredients that are not suitable for a multitude of skin types. Get in touch with your esthetician so she can point you in the right direction as to which products to use. 

Laser Tattoo Reduction

Laser tattoo reduction lightens and removes tattoos without damaging the surrounding tissue. It is scheduled every 4-6 weeks. Please keep in mind that it takes time to remove a tattoo, and rate of removal depends on several factors.

6-9 Months Prior

Laser Hair Reduction

This treatment permanently reduces unwanted hair. Scheduled every 4-6 weeks. Remember, the lighter your skin and the darker your hair the better the results will be. My favorite areas to treat with laser hair reduction are the underarms and the brazilian area. Who doesn't want to be hair-free for their wedding and honeymoon?!  

Cosmetic Injections & Fillers

This may not be for everyone, but if it is, make sure you schedule your first treatment 6-9 months prior to the big day. Injections like Botox or Dysport can help you achieve a wrinkle-free look just about anywhere on your face. Between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes to minimize crow's feet are popular injection sites. Clients also request to have the lines around their mouth and their necks treated as well. Also, something to keep in mind, when Botox and Dysport are injected into the underarms and hands it reduces excessive sweating. Facial fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse are available to enhance your lips and cheeks, replace lost volume in the face (due to aging), smooth wrinkles, and fill in scar depressions (including acne scars).  

4-5 Months Prior

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

This treatment helps removes age spots, moles, angiomas (red spots), rosacea, acne lesions, and spider veins. Common treatment area include the face, neck, chest, arms, and upper back. IPL works best in a series of treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. 

Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels

These non surgical treatments are great at treating uneven skin tone and texture, or discolorations caused by acne or sun damage. These work best in a series of treatments, usually spaced about 4 weeks apart, over the course of a few months.

4 Weeks Prior

Spray Tanning
A major pre-wedding no-no is sun exposure! Nothing ages and dehydrates the skin more than the sun does! Spray tanning gives your skin a nice healthy looking glow. Having a good tan accentuates your features and is also very slimming. A nice even tan can minimize the appearance of stretch marks and varicose veins and blends any imperfections. Try spray tanning at least one month prior to the big day so that there are no surprises.

Eyelash Extensions

This is a wonderful treatment to consider! Not only will your new lashes look great in pictures, but you can keep them fluttering worry-free on your honeymoon.

Trial Run for Hair and Makeup

Request a trial run for your hair and makeup. If you plan on spray tanning, make sure you are the color you plan on being on your wedding date as you are on the trial run.

Last treatments in all of your series.
Last appointment for injectibles, if using.

1-2 Weeks Prior

Any facial done within two weeks should be for cleansing and/or hydrating only.

Do not schedule a facial any sooner than one week prior to the wedding.

Practice stress management techniques.
Keep your pillowcase extra clean.

Stay away from dairy and sugar.

Avoid wine as much as possible.
Hydrate! Water! Water! Water!

4-5 Days Prior

Hair Removal

Get all remaining hair on your body waxed, including your brow, to prevent redness or irritation on the day of.

2 Days Prior

Spray tan, if that is something you have planned on doing.

Fill eyelash extensions, if you've decided to have them.

1 Day Prior

Deep-conditioning treatment on hair.
Exfoliate and moisturize your entire body.
Manicure and pedicure.



No matter what regimen you decide on remember to talk to your esthetician and/or skincare professionals and thoroughly communicate your needs and concerns. I hope that you'll use this countdown all the way until your wedding day as a helpful guide of when to schedule your beauty treatments!

So... What are your favorite ways get wedding-ready???

Carrot-Oat Breakfast Cookies

In the past I have posted about my favorite, cookies for breakfast!

Click here to check out that post.

But just to recap... I occasionally receive a small recipe booklet in the mail from Ralph's (or Fry's here in Arizona) grocery store. They have done a lot over the years to appeal to the more health conscious customers, and so far all of the recipes I have tried have been very tasty!

These cookies are healthy'ish, at least in my opinion anyway. They are high in Vitamin A and are naturally sweet without using anything but maple syrup and coconut oil to sweeten it. I made a few tweaks to this recipe to make the cookies a tad bit healthier. The original recipe called for using canola oil, but I used coconut oil instead. I found the original recipe to be a bit runny, so I suggested to use 1/4 of ground flax seed in the recipe as well, which the original recipe did not call for. I'm glad I found a good reason to add in so much flax seed, as it provides a ton of Omega-3's and has numerous health benefits.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Bake Time: 10-12 minutes | Total Time: 30-32 minutes
Makes About 20 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole-wheat four
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup Grade B maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup grated carrots
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine flour, oats, baking powder, nutmeg and salt in the work bowl of a stand mixer outfitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until well blended.

Add maple syrup, coconut oil, eggs, coconut, grated carrots, walnuts and cranberries. Stir just to blend.

Arrange the cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.

Transfer to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.

Let cookies cool completely before removing from baking sheet.

Serve immediately or store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Lightening Lift Peel

As someone who suffers from an uneven complexion, I am particularly drawn to the Lightening Lift® peel by IMAGE Skincare. It is made up of an organic aloe vera gel base and contains a 50% blend of Lactic and Kojic Acid. Lactic acid is an AHA exfoliator, while Kojic acid is a skin lightener and tyrosinase inhibitor (reduces hyperpigmentation). Several other ingredients also make this peel attractive including echinacea angustifolia stem cells that stimulate the synthesis of new collagen and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). A botanical blend of coffee and peppermint aid in cell renewal and balance. Essential oils like eucalyptus and ylang ylang help detoxify and oxygenate the skin. Natural skin brighteners like luminescene, bearberry, licorice, and mulberry are used to enhance this peel as well. Lastly, a natural protective complex made up of mallow extract, arnica, green tea, comfrey, and blackberry help nourish the skin.

As someone who personally takes an interest in essential oils and natural products, I believe this peel is an excellent choice. I personally loved the way it felt on my skin. It is hydrating, brightening, lightening, and tightening. I feel like it significantly reduced my fine lines. It is a great superficial peel, perfect for those who are not interested in treatments that require downtime. I personally did not have any irritation whatsoever from this peel. It is perfect for a first-time peel, and for preventative anti-aging. It should be a top choice for those seeking younger looking, even toned, illuminated skin. The Lightening Lift peel should be done a total of 6 times, at 2 week intervals, for optimal results. It can be left on the skin anywhere from one to ten minutes, depending on the clients tolerance. It is also one of the most cost effective chemicals IMAGE has to offer, which is also a big plus for clients who want great looking skin on a budget!

An Introduction to Chemcial Exfoliation

A chemical exfoliation, also commonly referred to as a chemical peel, is when a chemical solution is professionally applied to the skin in an effort to remove the outer layers of the skin and address different types of skin conditions.

Popular ingredient choices for chemical exfoliations are Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA's). AHA's and BHA's dissolve dead skin bonds, stimulate cell renewal, fight hyperpigmentation, liquify excess oil in pores, and clear up acne. They also help to minimize fine lines and refine pore size. These acids allow your skin to better receive the benefits from your home skin care regimen. Although these acids are all similar, different acids help target certain skin conditions more specifically.

Prepping your skin is crucial to the success of your chemical exfoliation. Two week prior to receiving your exfoliation you should begin using a glycolic based cleanser to prepare your skin for an professional grade exfoliation. You should also discontinue use of products like Retin-A and hydroquinone two weeks prior to your service. Properly prepping your face will produce a more uniformed penetration, and contribute to faster cell turnover. It also decreases your risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

There are many different types of chemical exfoliation, varying in strength of active ingredients. They have key differences such as pH level, how much skin is removed, and how deep the chemicals penetrate.  When considering a chemical exfoliation it is important to consider two main factors: the pH level of the product and the percentage of the product. The pH level indicates how deep the product will penetrate. For example, the lower the pH, the greater concentration of acid. The percentage of the peel determines how effective the product will be at breaking up the intercellular glue.

There are four different depths of chemical peels: very superficial, superficial, medium, and deep.

Very superficial peels exfoliate the stratum corneum (top layer of the skin) and include manual scrubs, gommage, enzymes, microdermabrasion, and very low percentage AHA's and BHA's.

Superficial peels are usually made up of: AHA and BHA peels (which include glycolic, lactic, tartaric, malic, mandelic, and salicylic acids), Jessner's Solution Peels, and low percentage trichloroacetic acid peels (TCA).

Medium depth peels penetrate deeper into the skin to and typically take longer for redness and peeling to subside. They include:  70% glycolic acid peels, 35-40% TCA peels, and the Obagi Blue Peel.

Deep peels are usually derived from Phenols, C02 lasers, Levulan, and dermabrasion. Results are nothing short of incredible; drastically reducing hyperpigmentation, scarring, and deep lines. This type of peel can look and feel very painful; swelling, scabbing, and peeling are typical. These procedures are done in a doctors office under general anesthesia or twilight sedation. They require a significant amount of down time as well.

It is normal to have some redness, followed by dryness and itching. Peeling may also occur before your healing process is over. After your peel you should avoid touching your face until the following morning. You should wash your face with a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin. Avoid using washcloths or anything abrasive on your skin for 5-7 days after your treatment.  Strenous exercise should be avoided for 24-48 hours. It is also recommended to avoid wearing makeup until peeling subsides, or using a mineral based makeup if necessary. Sunblock, like always, is an absolute must! Results and post care do vary depending on the type of treatment, so it is important to follow the advice of your esthetician or doctor.

What Ingredients Are Best For Me?
Glycolic Acid - Targets thicker, oiler, congested, pigmented, fine lines, anti-aging

Lactic Acid - Targets pigmented, dry, dehydrated, fine lines, anti-aging

Malic Acid - Targets mature skin; anti-aging, firming, toning

Tartaric Acid - Targets mature skin; strengthens collagen and elastin, firming and toning

Mandelic Acid - Targets sensitive, acne-prone, pigmented skin

Citric Acid - Targets pigmented and uneven skin tone

Salicylic - Targets acne, uneven skin tone, oily, fine lines, texture

Jessner - Targets fine lines, wrinkles, photo damage, firming, toning, texture, dehydration

TCA - Targets mature skin; strengthens collagen and elastin, maintains 3-dimensional alignment of dermis (deeper layer of skin), scars, folds, wrinkles, texture, and tone.

The PicoSure Laser for Tattoo Reduction & More

Tattoo reduction is on the rise, and having a laser platform proficient in removing tattoos as well as being able to effectively provide additional skin treatments is an excellent investment as a clinical esthetician, in my opinion. I couldn't be more excited to be getting training on this! It is estimated that approximately twenty percent of people with tattoos regret at least one of their tattoos! Laser technology has come a long way over the years. It is much less painful now, and significantly more effective. the It's no wonder that there was a forty-three percent increase in the number of tattoos reductions in 2012; and those numbers continue to rise.

Tattoo reduction lasers work by delivering short, powerful pulses of energy to the tattooed skin, which shatters the ink into particles. The body's natural immune system then responds by flushing away the shattered ink over the course of several weeks. PicoSure utilizes extraordinarily short pulses; a picosecond, or one trillionth of a second in length. Other lasers utilize nanotechnology, which delivers pulses in nanoseconds, or one billionth of a second. Until PicoSure was developed, Q-Switched lasers were considered standard for tattoo removal. Q -Switched lasers use photo-thermal energy to break up the tattoo ink, which cause heat and injury to the surrounding tissue. The photo-mechanical pressure wave technology utilized by the PicoSure laser enables tattoo ink to be broken into smaller particles. This translates to faster clearance with decreased recovery times.

The PicoSure laser platform has a combination 755nm/532nm wavelength to treat a full spectrum of colors, and it is currently the only platform in its class to provide that type of coverage. The 755 wavelength reduces purple, brown, and black ink. This includes stubborn blue and green tattoo ink as well. The 532 wavelength also effectively reduces red, orange, and yellow tattoo inks.

The same photomechanical laser technology safely be used on the décolleté, face, hands, legs, and more to treat various types of skin conditions. The PicoSure laser can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne scars. The PicoSure laser also effectively treats conditions associated with pigmentation in the skin, such as hyperpigmentation and freckles. All of which are in high demand by today's consumers.