P R ELUDE
BEAUTY
New Year, New Skin
The top skincare treatments of 2021 for your ultimate, Big Day glow up BY MIRELLA CAMERAN
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hen it comes to skincare, there is a lot one can do. The secret however, is to look like you have done nothing at all except be born with beautiful skin and a perfect complexion. That is easier said than done with so many products and devices now available, both in office and at home. So how does a bride choose from a mountain of skincare options? A busy bride needs someone to guide her when it comes to skincare and skin treatments. Consultations are often complimentary, as they are at Audubon Dermatology, so there is no reason not to go and see a professional whose job it is to be up to date on the latest and greatest. “It’s really easy to spend time and money on products and services that won’t make any noticeable difference,” says founding partner Dr. Deirdre Hooper of Audubon Dermatology. “So go and see a board certified dermatologist ideally a year or six months before the wedding and we can assess what is best for your skin, your time and your budget.” Dr. Hooper says her bridal clients are “most concerned about skin quality and achieving a beautiful, lit-
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from-within glow, so we often create a plan which combines topical products like retinoids with some light resurfacing using either chemical peels, a laser treatment or some microneedling.” Lasers are often incorporated into a skincare plan because of their ability to achieve results quickly with less downtime than other options. Fractional and IPL lasers treat a range of issues including early signs of aging, such as fine lines, dullness and pore size. They can also treat discoloration such as freckles, sunspots, veins and facial redness. “For acne, a blue light laser treatment penetrates to the hair follicle killing the bacteria that causes the acne in the first place,” Dr. Hooper says. “Red LED light lasers are anti-inflammatory so we can use those for healing. They penetrate into your skin and stimulate collagen and elastic. The science behind them is strong.” As far as at-home laser treatments, Dr. Sarah Jackson, co-founder of Audubon Dermatology says, “At home devices can work but you have to buy the right ones to deliver the correct doses of LED light, and know exactly how much time you
need on the treated area. Always protect your eyes and avoid dark skin patches, as some lasers can make these worse.” Dr. Sean Weiss of Sean Weiss Facial Plastic Surgery has this advice, “A HydraFacial is a fast and efficient treatment and delivers more even and radiant skin after just one treatment. The smooth result and added hydration lasts from 5 to 7 days. “This facial makes a difference. It removes dead skin cells, extracts impurities and infuses the skin with cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing serums, which we customize for your unique skin condition and needs. “Microneedling is another option for brides. It creates microinjuries to cells by creating tiny holes in the skin and uses the body’s healing process to improve the quality and texture of the skin. Chemical peels treat many conditions such as uneven pigmentation and a dull appearance. “Dermal fillers can be particularly effective for thin lips, or hollow temples and flat cheeks. Botox offers very natural-looking outcomes for dealing with frown lines between the brows and forehead.” Dr. Hooper has a final piece of advice for brides. “It’s important that brides don’t forget their neck, back and décolletage areas: they should try on their dress and take a photo so we can see all the areas that will be exposed and ensure that they glow from head to toe.”b
