Start early
The first step to achieving the best skin for your upcoming wedding is to set aside enough time to prepare. Don’t make the mistake of waiting a week before the wedding and then expect glowing, healthy skin. A general rule is to begin your new skin regimen three to six months before the wedding ceremony, even a year ahead, if possible. This is because some skincare issues can be treated quickly while others may require weeks or months. Therefore the sooner you begin identifying your most common skin issue and begin treating it, the better results you can expect.

Identify your skin’s problems
Some menacing problems that hinder your complexion are dry or oily skin, clogged pores, pimples and acne, dark under eye circles, uneven pigmentation and wrinkles around the eyes. Minor clogged pores, minor pimples, dry skin or oily skin may require nothing more than the proper skincare regimen. However, more significant issues may need cos-metic dermatological procedures or medications. These include moderate or severe acne, wrinkles and dark under eye circles. Brides can get consumed in all the wedding preparations and forget about themselves. The first step to keeping your skin healthy is plenty of water and sleep. Sleep, proper diet and adequate hydration should be top priorities, since lacking any of these leads to dull, lifeless skin. Drinking eight to 10 glasses of water daily will help hydrate skin keeping it more luminous.

The right skin care programme
After identifying your skin problems, begin a skincare regimen targetted to your skin type. Oily, dry, or combination skin all should start by having a basic cleansing and moisturising system:

• A good cleanser appropriate for your skin type in the mornings – oily skin a more foaming cleanser, dry skin can use cream based cleansers.
• Make-up remover-cleanser at night.
• Daily moisturiser – preferable with anti- oxidants.

What else one can do
This is an ideal time to consult der-matologists. Tell them your wedding date and your skincare goals. They may recommend treatments such as glycolic peels, prescription medication, or other cosmetic dermatology treatments that can help achieve perfect skin. Also dis-cuss if the skin products you are using now are right for you. Finally, you can also call on them in the days or week before your wedding if there is a sudden breakout or pimple.

The last minute pimple
It is not unusual, with all the stress, to wake up to a new pimple right before your big day. If a whitehead appears, use a hot compress, followed by a cold compress. Then, apply a tiny dab of benzyl peroxide or even a tiny dab of toothpaste, the white cream variety, not the gel. If your skin is irritated, apply cool cotton pads soaked in milk or chamomile tea, followed by an application of cool water.

Avoid absolutely
It’s very easy to get excited and want to try treatments or creams at the last minute. Realise that it is never a good idea to introduce new products or treatments at the last minute. Skin may not have time to adjust, so avoid all temptation to begin something new right before. Examples of some things to avoid doing for the first time are, using glycolic products, retinol products, chemical peels and facials, waxing. They should be introduced a minimum of one month before your big day. Of course if you have been using such products or treatments all along, it is okay to continue but try to stop one week before. Instead, the week of the wedding, focus on stress reduction, exercise, diet, sleep and drinking plenty of water.