Wedding season is here and Dr. Angela has answers to many of the questions that new brides have that a facial plastic surgeon is sure to know!
Chances are you know someone who is getting married this spring and summer! Everyone wants to look their best for these special occasions. With so much on our minds during these times, we sometimes forget all the things we can do for ourselves to ready for the big day!
I frequently get asked “I have “X” weeks/months until the big event. What can I do?” Just like planning the event itself, you will want to allot time for any of the rare, but possible things to happen. Planning ahead pays off in beauty, as well as weddings! Here is a timeline to help you decide what is the best way for you to “freshen up”!
Beyond 3 months
With more than 3 months of recovery time, in most cases, you will be in the clear for most facial rejuvenation procedures. When considering rhinoplasty, you want to wait at least 3 months. Ninety percent of swelling resolves in 3 months, but the remainder persists for a year. So, you are not at your final result until a year later, but (with most people) you should be ok to take pictures at about 6 months.
Three months
Laser resurfacing or skin-tightening treatments, like Ultherapy, can be considered at this point! Skin tightening treatments, like Ultherapy, depend on your body’s creation of new collagen. Therefore, they improve over a period of months. Generally, the effect peaks at 3-6 months. So, you want to plan for at least this amount of time after the procedure before showing off your new look!
One month
Eyelid surgery or facelift surgery can be great ways to look refreshed. The recovery for normal activities from these surgeries is about 2 weeks. However, you should give yourself one month before a big event to make sure you are looking fantastic and any bruising will be resolved.
1-2 weeks
Botox/Dysport take 3-7 days to take effect. Just like the soft tissue fillers, bruising can occur and can take 7-10 days to resolve. Because you will want to look your absolute best, you may want to allow 3-4 weeks before the event in case a touch up is needed. Botox/Dysport lasts about 3 months, so you want to make sure you don’t wait too long after the injection or it can start to “wear out”.
Days to a week before the event
Soft tissue fillers, like Restylane, Juvaderm, Radiesse, Belotero, have immediate effects. You will be able to see softening of lines before you leave the office! These can be placed in the folds between your nose and mouth, below your mouth, the lips, cheeks and any low spot. Keep in mind that you will probably swell the next day and even with the most meticulous injection techniques bruising can occur! You should allow 7-10 days before an event to let any bruising subside, should it happen.
Planning makes for beautiful weddings and faces! Any of these options can be combined and work best tailored to the needs of each patient.
By: Dr. Angela Sturm