7 Non-Surgical Pre-Wedding Treatments for the Richmond Bride
The countdown to your big day has begun, and your calendar is likely filled with venue bookings, caterer tastings, and dress fittings. But amidst the whirlwind of “I do” preparations, don’t forget the bride-to-be!
Here, female board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos shares some of the most popular non-surgical treatments Richmond brides choose for a radiant bridal glow, plus when you should get them to see optimal results. These treatments are designed to enhance your natural beauty and require minimal to no downtime. Ready to learn how you can walk down that aisle feeling like the best version of yourself? Let’s dive in!
1. Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles with Botox and Daxxify
Botox and Daxxify can soften fine lines and wrinkles for brides of all ages. These neuromodulators temporarily reduce muscle contractions in treated muscles to soften or eliminate expression lines and wrinkles, so you appear refreshed and worry-free—even though you may have some pre-wedding jitters. Botox-type injectables can also be used to treat excessive sweating, so you (and the groom) can avoid embarrassing sweat stains!
If you are new to Botox or Daxxify, we recommend trying a neuromodulator 8-12 months before your wedding. This will allow plenty of time for your injector to refine your treatment so you feel completely confident in your appearance. For brides short on time, 3-4 months would give you enough time to ensure you are happy with the results, schedule a touch-up appointment before the wedding, or, alternatively, let the effects naturally wear off in time. Let your injector know this is your first experience with neurotoxins so they can conservatively inject the desired treatment areas.
For brides who are already enjoying the anti-aging effects of Botox or Daxxify, ideally give yourself a 2-week buffer between your maintenance appointment and special events, such as bridal showers, the rehearsal dinner, and of course, your wedding day so the product has time to fully take effect and any slight swelling or bruising has resolved.
Dr. Aboutanos uses a personalized approach and carefully places neuromodulator injections in optimal locations according to your unique anatomy, facial expressions, and overall goals.
Choosing a highly-experienced injector is paramount to ensure your anti-aging results appear natural and you can still fully express yourself on one of the most memorable days of your life!
2. Enhance and define your features with dermal fillers
Dermal fillers can give your appearance a subtle boost or achieve a more noticeable transformation.
Here is how many brides, whether young or “young-at-heart,” use fillers to enhance their appearance:
Volumize and define lip contours
Lift and plump the cheeks
Define the cheekbones
Rejuvenate aging hands
Soften the appearance of scars on the face and body
Fill in static lines and wrinkles (nasolabial folds and marionette lines)
If you are trying filler in a new area, treatment should be planned about 6 months before your wedding to give you plenty of time to decide if you are pleased with your enhancement or would like to adjust. (Most fillers last for about 6 months before gradually dissolving, but unsatisfactory results can be reversed with hyaluronidase.)
There are several formulations of dermal fillers, and each is designed to have the appropriate consistency to naturally add volume in specific locations or to achieve certain effects. Your injector should be knowledgeable about each formulation and choose the appropriate options to create the look you envision for your big day.
3. Boost your glow with VirtueRF microneedling
VirtueRF microneedling combines the collagen-inducing benefits of traditional microneedling with the skin-tightening advantages of radiofrequency energy (RF). The treatment uses tiny, hair-like needles to create micro-punctures in the skin and deliver RF energy. The increased collagen production is amplified by RF energy to gradually improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, large pores, and pigmentation irregularities. You will also notice a smoother, firmer skin texture for a more youthful, radiant complexion—and enjoy an ideal base for makeup application.
We typically recommend 3 treatments to see optimal results, so you’ll want to schedule your first treatment about 10 months before you need to be photo-ready. Your final treatment should take place about 6 months before the big day so you can enjoy the full effects of the collagen remodeling process. That said, if you only have time for one treatment, you will still achieve noticeable results!
If performed by an inexperienced provider, microneedling can potentially damage your skin and even cause scarring. Ensure your provider is trained on the precise depths the needles need to penetrate to achieve the best results possible while avoiding any unwanted side effects.
4. Get silky smooth skin with laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is an excellent option for brides wanting to be stubble-free for their wedding, honeymoon, and beyond. Laser hair removal uses laser energy to target the darker pigment in the hair follicle (note that lighter colored hair may not be targeted by the laser). Controlled heat damages the follicle and helps prevent future hair growth without damaging the surrounding skin. It can target hair on the legs, underarms, bikini line, face, and more—you’ll be able to ditch your razor and cancel those painful waxing appointments for good!
Most patients who are good candidates for laser hair removal need 4-6 treatments per area (you may need fewer sessions if the hair is sparse), and your sessions should be spaced 4-6 weeks apart to avoid irritating your skin. Your hair also grows at different rates, so a series of treatments is necessary to target all the hair in the treatment area. Start laser hair removal sessions around 9 months before your wedding so you have plenty of time for touch-up sessions as hair growth can vary widely from person to person.
A qualified laser technician will give you an accurate estimate of how many sessions you will need so you can plan accordingly.
5. Refresh and resurface with laser skin rejuvenation
Laser skin rejuvenation is highly versatile and significantly reduces aesthetic skin concerns and improves your skin’s overall health and appearance, a plus for any bride soon to be at the center of attention and captured in hundreds of photos. Depending on your timeline and the level of improvement you’d like to see, there are different laser options to choose from.
CO2RE laser skin rejuvenation
CO2RE is a powerful laser treatment that can benefit multiple skin types and address a broad range of skin concerns, including:
Fine lines
Deep wrinkles
Sun damage
Scars (including acne scars)
Large pores
Age spots
Rough skin texture
Pigmentation irregularities
This treatment deeply resurfaces the skin; you’ll need to plan for about 5-7 days of swelling and peeling. You’ll also need to follow all aftercare instructions, like avoiding UV exposure for a few weeks to prevent a prolonged recovery time or potential scarring. Most brides feel the initial side effects and social downtime are well worth the dramatic improvements to their skin. You’ll want to schedule CO2RE laser treatments at least 6 months before your big day to allow your skin ample time to heal and rejuvenate.
UltraClear laser skin rejuvenation
UltraClear is safe for all skin types and offers a gentler approach to achieve clearer, brighter skin by targeting specific skin concerns like:
Redness
Rosacea
Scars
Sun damage and age spots
Discoloration
Minor lines and wrinkles
UltraClear is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin and can be customized to achieve different levels of improvement. Some Richmond laser skin rejuvenation patients are pleased with a single treatment, while others see optimal results after an additional treatment.
UltraClear’s minimally-invasive approach may be ideal for brides who do not want the recovery time required for more invasive laser treatments and prefer a series of treatments to achieve their aesthetic goals. To enjoy optimal results, give yourself about 3 months between your final treatment and your big day.
6. Lift and tighten with a thread lift
A thread lift offers a non-surgical alternative to a traditional facelift. Tiny incisions are made to insert the dissolvable threads beneath the skin to lift and suspend the cheek area in a naturally higher position. This effect instantly tightens sagging skin in the mid-face and jawline for a more youthful and sculpted appearance. The threads also stimulate collagen production for a naturally supple skin appearance and longer-term rejuvenation—the results of a thread lift can last up to 2 years! Most patients prefer about 3 days of social downtime to let minor swelling resolve on its own.
You’ll see an instant lift to your appearance, and the full effects of the enhanced collagen production will be apparent after about 6 months, so consider getting your thread lift about 6 months before you say “I do.”
7. Protect and nourish your skin with physician-only skincare
Medical-grade skincare is formulated with more potent, high-quality ingredients to help you repair damage and maintain a healthy, radiant complexion faster than you can achieve with drugstore brands. Using these products can enhance the results of your other treatments and help to prevent future skin issues.
Your skincare regimen should be personalized based on your unique skin type, existing skin concerns, and your goals. Work with a skin specialist to avoid spending money on the wrong products and achieve the improvements you desire as quickly as possible. Start using medical-grade skincare at least 6 months before the festivities begin to allow your skin to adjust and reap the full benefits—that said, it’s never too late to start taking better care of your skin!
Choose the female plastic surgeon Richmond brides trust to be wedding-ready
Dr. Sharline Aboutanos would be delighted to help you along your pre-wedding beauty journey. Whether you have a treatment already in mind or need help selecting the right one for you, Dr. Aboutanos will provide guidance and ensure your treatments are safe, effective, and tailored to your unique needs and goals. Call Dr. Aboutanos at (804) 355-3410 or contact her online—your dream wedding look is just a few treatments away!