Wedding Beauty Makeovers

Every bride wants to be her most beautiful on her wedding day. If you’re considering cosmetic surgery

or treatments before your big day, start planning now.

Invasive surgeries that reshape the body – like breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tucks – are the most in-demand procedures for brides-to-be. If you’re interested in these procedures, start at least six months before your wedding to allow time for the initial consultation, surgery and recovery time, said Jodi Pierret, clinic manager for Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota.

Each surgery will significantly change the way your wedding dress fits. Wait until after surgery and recovery time to schedule final alterations on your dress. “For breast implants, you need time for your breasts to reshape themselves,” Pierret said. “You need a good four weeks (after surgery) before you’d fit into your dress appropriately.”

If you’re considering a facelift or neck lift, schedule those procedures six months or more before your wedding. Facelifts can be done on the entire face or just the upper face or just the lower face.

Non-invasive treatments, such as Botox® and fillers, improve skin’s appearance and remove fine lines, and can be done four to six weeks ahead. They’re popular with brides, grooms, wedding parties and parents of the bride and groom.

For spring and summer brides, chemical peels can remove dry, dull winter skin to give a youthful, glowing appearance. Brides can also look into fillers that plump up their cheeks. “Fillers give you more prominent cheekbones, as well as removing fine lines and wrinkles,” Pierret said.

Botox® is well-liked by both men and women. Many brides, grooms, wedding parties, and parents get Botox® to soften or remove wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyes, Pierret said. Botox® lasts for approximately three months; and fillers can last six months to a year.

Parents and grandparents of the bride and groom have been interested in eyelid lifts. This procedure removes excess skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids.

A good skin care regimen is a must for everyone. Look to the professionals for a medical grade skin care line, including retinol for exfoliation, vitamin C, moisturizer and sunscreens. This regimen takes four to six weeks to begin showing results. Botox® at a younger age can also help prevent wrinkles in the future.

“If you’re even considering any surgical procedure, or even Botox®, get in for a consultation as early as possible,” Pierret said. “Planning ahead is the answer … your photos will turn out spectacular and you have them for a lifetime.”