With all eyes on the bride, it's no wonder she
wants a glowing complexion on the most gazed
upon day of her life. Some experts say that
the secret to silky, wedding day skin is to
start working on it right after the engagement.
"This is the perfect time to establish new skincare
habits," says Dr. Dean Toriumi, president
of the American Academy of Facial Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). "To
begin, ask a facial plastic surgeon for an assessment
- your surgeon is armed with treatments to control
the signs of aging and improve skin's clarity."
The AAFPRS also recommends continuing with an
at home treatment: wash twice a day with a gentle
cleanser and use an a.m. moisturizer with SPF
15 and alpha-and-beta-hydroxy acids. At night,
treat skin to a more intense moisturizer. But
when things get too serious or when over the
counter treatments aren't working to rid fine
lines, wrinkles or discolorations, it may be
time to seek help from a pro.
"Treatments such as Botox and chemical peels
continue to be popular options for brides, especially
women in their 30's and 40's," adds Dr. Toriumi.
It's no wonder then that this year the AAFPRS
reported Botox as the most undergone-surgical
procedure among women -- with a 60 percent increase
since 2000. Additionally, microdermabrasion,
chemical peels, filler injections and laser
resurfacing were also common non-surgical
choices for women in 2001.
However, AAFPRS surgeons remind "Botoxed" and
"chemical peeled" brides that such procedures
should be done weeks in advance as swelling
and redness may occur. Brides should also be
well informed before undergoing any procedure,
because no matter how minimal it may seem, it
is still a medical technique that may have risks
involved.
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