According to tradition, having “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” will bring good fortune to brides on their wedding day. Except this year, “something new” takes on a whole new meaning.
Influenced by celebrity weddings, more and more brides-to-be are splashing out on high-tech treatments at ourHarley Street Skin clinicto look picture perfect for their big day. Slimmer bottoms, flatter tums and a bigger bust are at the top of the wedding wish list for our clients. Most brides want to slip into their dress without going on a drastic diet or spending hours at the gym, so body contouring and spot-reducing procedures are among our most popular requests.
At our clinic, we’ve also seen a 60 per cent increase in women saying “I do” to more unusual prenup procedures. Something that definitely fits into that category is the vogue for pre-marital earlobe reduction. You might be surprised by the idea of it, but it’s often the little tweaks that have the biggest impact, particularly when a bride’s hair is up and she’s got gorgeous diamond earrings to show off.
Some women are conscious about having stretched ear piercings, usually after years of wearing heavy earrings, and are worried this will detract from their appearance on the big day. As I explain to such clients, there is a solution to the problem, as long as they have at least nine months and £1500 to spare.
In the first treatment session, one of our specialists uses radiofrequency to remove excess skin on the inside of the piercing. The remaining tissue is brought together and stitched to close the hole. We advise not re-piercing the healing tissue for six months. Finally, we use filler to plump up the lobes, creating the perfect setting for any earrings.
Hands are another area of concern, with brides eager to have beautifully smooth fingers for a ring to slip onto. I’ve worked with brides of all ages, from their 20s to their 70s, and older ladies can be particularly self-conscious about having all eyes on their hands.
For anyone wanting to combat dry, crepe-y fingers and scrawny hands, I recommend using collagen-stimulating Ellanse. This involves up to 20 micro-injections on the backs of the hand to restore volume and banish any bulging veins. It can be combined with a course of IPL to zap age spots. You’ll need to get started six months before, though, and allocate around £750 of your wedding budget.
Sleeveless bridal gowns remain as popular as ever, which means toned arms are one of our most wanted wedding treatments this year. Our ‘sleeveless lift’ involves a combination of body threads and radiofrequency to smooth and tighten upper arms without surgery. Again, it needs to be started six months in advance, and it’s not cheap at £2,000-plus, but it can be a brilliant bridal confidence booster.
Brides of all ages are eager to look bright-eyed as they embark on their new chapter, and one treatment I often suggest is our £750+ “Injectable Concealer”. This uses a light-reflecting hyaluronic acid filler to smooth the under-eyes and improve dark circles. I advise doing it three months ahead, to ensure it’s settled.
Most brides treat their makeover as an investment, not just for their big day but also as a chance to change what they are dissatisfied with about themselves. However, I once refused to treat a young bride-to-be who came to the clinic with a list of procedures her fiancé wanted her to have. You should only ever do a treatment for you, and because you want it. Never, ever do a treatment to please someone else, and particularly not the person you're marrying. They should love you for who you are.
If there’s one other big tip I would give to brides, it’s to plan ahead. Approach your beauty prep with as much care and attention as the wedding itself. If you’re tying the knot over the next couple of weeks, don’t attempt to book any last minute treatment, especially injectables. Your skin needs some time to heal and to settle.
A beautiful woman once came to see me the week before her wedding wanting lip filler, and I very gently explained she had really left it a bit too late. Bruising and swelling are very common with lip fillers, and you can just bet it’s going to happen at the worst possible time.
I refuse to take any risks, because it’s my job to help brides to look exactly as they should on their big day – refreshed, natural, happy and glowing. And with so many clever treatments on offer, I can definitely play a role in creating the perfect wedding day. But, sorry, I can't help with the table plan. Trust me, there are some things that can't be smoothed out with a jab of Botox…
It’s not just brides who put maximum effort into their wedding day look. We’re seeing bridesmaids and proud mothers taking their beauty preparations just as seriously as the leading lady herself. In fact, we’re currently treating an entire wedding party on both sides of the family to make sure they all look their radiant best on the big day. And yes, that does include the groom!
For more information on Lesley and her team of doctors, visitharleystreetskinclinic.com
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