Look your best for your next special event

Overview: If you want your skin to look radiant for a special event, you’ll need to plan ahead for treatments and care.

What’s on the calendar a year from now? A wedding? Your high school reunion? If you have a special event in your future, it’s likely you’ll want to look your very best, and that starts with skincare.

The best results come by planning several months ahead rather than trying to do a quick fix right before an event. It’s important to improve your skin quality first and then add treatments to create a healthy glow. Consult a specialist about a skin care plan that fits your needs and budget.

Six to 12 months before your event

This is the best time for collagen-stimulating and skin-rejuvenating treatments that deliver noticeable, long-lasting improvements.

• BroadBand Light (BBL) or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treats sun damage, redness, age spots, and uneven tone. Typically, three to five treatments are scheduled about four weeks apart. Results continue to improve over several months. These treatments aren’t appropriate for every skin type or pigment condition, so individualized evaluation is important.
• Clear + Brilliant improves texture, fine lines, pores and overall radiance.  Three to six treatments (scheduled six to eight weeks apart) will deliver noticeable improvements. Some mild redness and peeling should be expected, so start early.
• Microneedling with or without platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stimulates collagen and softens fine lines and acne scars. Typically, three sessions will be scheduled four to six weeks apart.
• Medical grade skincare products can make a dramatic difference if you follow a morning and evening routine every day.
• Morning routine: Cleanser, vitamin C serum, antioxidant, moisturizer, minimum SPF 30 daily.
• Evening routine: Cleanser, retinoid (Retin-A or retinaldehyde if appropriate), growth factor serum, moisturizer.

Choosing an injector - If you're considering injectable treatments for the first time, you should find a well-trained, qualified injector.

• Botox (neuromodulator) softens forehead lines, crow’s feet and frown lines. Schedule a trial treatment six months ahead to see how you like the results. Adjustments can be made, if needed, before you have your final treatment three to four weeks before the event, with an assessment around two weeks.
• Dermal fillers can restore volume in cheeks and lips, and definition in the chin and jawline can also be enhanced. Allow two to three months before any event due to swelling.
• Sculptra can restore facial volume loss by stimulating collagen gradually. Early planning is important as the best results are achieved after several months.

One to two months before your event

During this time, you’ll focus on skin polishing. Treatments to consider include:

• HydraFacial for deep cleansing, hydration and instant glow.
• Professional chemical peels to improve brightness and texture. Avoid aggressive peels close to any event.
• Dermaplaning to remove peach fuzz, brighten and create smoother makeup application.

Two weeks before your event

Consider these options:

• HydraFacial or a gentle enzyme facial
• Dermaplaning
• LED light therapy

This isn't the time to experiment with new treatments, so avoid deep lasers, medium or deep chemical peels, first-time injectables and aggressive microneedling.

One week before your event

• Schedule a hydrating facial if desired.
• Maintain an excellent skincare regimen.
• Stay hydrated and get adequate sleep.
• Avoid excessive alcohol and prolonged sun exposure.

What not to do

Don't wait until the last month before your special event to begin a new skin care routine or treatment plan. While you can improve hydration and glow quickly, treatments that make skin look younger in photographs, such as collagen stimulation, pigment correction and skin texture improvement typically require three to six months to achieve their full effect. The goal is not to look dramatically different, but to look like a well-rested, radiant version of yourself in person and in photographs.

Treatment selection and timing depend on your skin type, medical history, medications, previous treatments and tendency toward bruising, scarring or pigment changes. Final recommendations will be pending a formal consultation with a MercyOne provider or aesthetician. Contact one of our MercyOne locations today to get started on your skin care journey for that next big special event!

This blog was medically reviewed by a Mercyone provider.