Wedding planner, check. Venue and catering, check. Bridal wardrobe, glam team and botanical decor, check, check, check. The list of things to prep and plan for leading up to actually walking down the aisle can be a seemingly endless, ever-evolving one—an exciting albeit exhausting process that starts at least a year before the big day.
While many focus on securing a scintillating space way in advance, as well as the dress (or two, or three), another to-do “item” worth prioritising early is your skin. As a bride-to-be, I can honestly say a clear, glowing and lifted visage—and smooth curves—hold just as much (if not more) confidence-boosting power as a perfectly tailored dress (or suit).
In the first instalment of this pre-wedding prep series, here’s our pick of aesthetic treatments that brides and grooms can consider doing six to twelve months before saying “I do”.
6 to 12 months before your big day
During this period, you have the luxury of doing treatment programmes that work on much deeper levels of the skin—and pockets of stubborn fat. These can range from facial therapies that repair damage and boost collagen production which will in turn resurface complexions and create a tauter, plumper mien; to body contouring treatments that require a full set of sessions for optimum results.
Ulthera, the needle-free, contouring face lift
“One of the best treatments to address sagging skin and to give a “facelift” is none other than Ulthera or commonly known as Ultherapy,” says Dr Harold Ma, medical director of Freia Medical. This non-invasive treatment remains a gold standard to stimulate collagen production, which in turn lifts and tightens up skin, and sculpts facial contours. Brides or grooms to be who want to achieve a taut, coveted “V-shaped” face should consider Ulthera. Ulthera uses micro-focused ultrasound to deliver precise doses of energy to the very layer that plastic surgeons work on to tighten the skin while performing surgical facelifts. Ulthera is often touted as a premium, non-surgical facelifting option to address signs of ageing associated with skin laxity. Ulthera’s effects are long-lasting with further improvements seen up to 12 months after, giving you longer mileage and great returns in a single hour-long treatment.
Ulthera, from $1,900 per session, available at Freia Medical
Dermapen microneedling, the collagen boosting skin refiner
If you’re looking to improve your skin tone and texture, microneedling should be a part of your pre-wedding beauty regimen—that’s what doctor Sylvia Ramirez, Medical and Scientific Director of Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Singapore says. “Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling vertically punctures the skin, resulting in micro-trauma. This prompts an immune response in the skin, stimulating collagen production”, she explains.
It also improves fine lines and wrinkles and reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks, with significant results visible after three to six treatments, scheduled two to eight weeks apart. Your skin’s condition will continue to improve over the next six to 12 months after multiple sessions, and there is a one-to-two day recovery period after each session, where your skin is pink and when you can’t wear make-up.
Dermapen microneedling, from $412 per session, available at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Singapore
NeoGen Plasma, the rejuvenating eye lifter and complexion enhancer
Available at Freia Medical, this skin renewal treatment helps diminish the appearance of unwanted blemishes such as age spots, sunspots and any surface scarring including deeper wrinkles, acne scars, old surgical scars and even stretch marks. With a series of four to six sessions, visible results can be seen in tightening of skin and subtle lifting (not the same effects as an Ulthera session). It is also clinically proven to reduce the deposition of elastin material for more than 12 months post treatment, making this a go-to treatment six to 12 months before your big day.
Perhaps one of the highlights of this treatment is its ability to “lift” tired, droopy eye lids. Expect rejuvenation to ageing eyes, droopy eyelids, dark eye circles, wrinkles, crow’s feet and overall “fresher” looking eyes. It can be applied directly to the upper and lower eyelids, as well as the wider peri-orbital region, areas that are often difficult to treat, as other technologies failed to deliver consistent results or cannot be safely applied to treat these sensitive areas effectively. You will experience some shedding of unwanted dead skin cells for newer and brighter skin cells underneath to show through, hence not one to do days before the wedding.
NeoGen Plasma, from $400 per session, available at Freia Medical
CoolSculpting, the non-surgical body shaper
Referred to as the “queen of body contouring”, Coolsculpting is basically Spanx in treatment form, aimed at reducing any unwanted bulges for smoother curves and a more sculpted physique. This procedure employs patented fat freezing technology that breaks down stubborn fat cells—in the abdomen, thighs, hips, bra line, upper arms and even under the chin—which are then metabolised and naturally eliminated by the body over the next few months. Data shows between 20 to 25 percent fat decrease in these troubled spots. And depending on your goals for shaping, these quick, non-surgical procedures may require more than one session, but considering that there’s no need anaesthesia and only minimal downtime with mild redness or tenderness for a day or two, it’s totally worth it.
CoolSculpting, from $350 per session, available at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Singapore
X-Lift Body, the neck-to-toe skin tightener
For maintenance or to tighten sagging skin deficient in laxity, consider our X-Lift Body treatment. This FDA-approved Exilis Ultra radio frequency technology to tighten, firm and re-texturise skin. The treatment has a built in temperature monitoring device to achieve clinically significant heat levels to guide over the area of concern. You will feel a warm sensation as the radio frequency (RF) energy is delivered to heat deep tissue. Exilis Elite uses a “layering” advanced cooling technique to protect the skin while energy is delivered to various depths in the skin tissue. The Exilis Elite also works to stimulate collagen by disrupting its fibres and jump-starting collagen production; experience it with our X-Lift Intensified Treatment (facial).
X-Lift Body, $350 per session, available at Freia Medical
