Skin Care Article: When You Should Say, 'I Don't,' Before a Wedding

When You Should Say, "I Don't," Before a Wedding

Strapless wedding gowns and backless bridesmaids’ dresses are driving brides to insist on tanning as part of wedding preparation. But friends shouldn't make friends tan.

Skin cancer caused by tanning is on the rise. The American Academy of Dermatology expects more than 1.3 million cases this year.

Brides who think they need a “base” tan to look stunning at the wedding should think twice before going into a tanning booth, advise the skin experts at Borba. Tanning only leads to problems in the future, such as skin cancer and wrinkles.

The same advice goes for anyone who thinks they need to tan before going on a cruise or attending a class reunion.

The harmful effects of tanning last far longer than posing for wedding photos. Young people tanning today probably won’t see immediate skin damage and falsely think there’s no problem. Yet risk for skin cancer accumulates over time.

The "I dos" before the ceremony

So, rather than taking the easy way out and trying to hide any skin problems beneath that “healthy-looking” tan on your wedding day, start a few weeks before your wedding to follow skin care regimen including the following practices:

• Drink plenty of water – at least 6 to 8 glasses per day.
• Enjoy a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Be sure to get lots of sound, restful sleep. A good 8 or 9 hours a day is what your body–and skin–need to recharge.
• Take high quality supplements including a vitamin & mineral supplement and an Omega 3 essential fatty acids supplement.
• Practice a daily skin care regime, including moisturizing, gentle cleansing–using a non-soap cleanser–and exfoliating.
• Exercise regularly.
• Treat yourself to a facial.
• Keep stress levels to a minimum.
• Limit intake of caffeine and alcohol.
• Avoid excess exposure to extremes of temperature.
• Apply a facial mask suited to your particular skin type regularly. (Once a week is good.) You can either make your own mask using natural ingredients or find an over-the-counter mask geared to your skin type. Find recipes for homemade masks one various Web sites, including:
  
  www.stretcher.com/stories/04/04jun28c.cfm
  www.101lifestyle.com/beauty/bodycare/skin/facemasks.html

Don't go to extremes

Remember that this is no time to experiment with caustic chemical peels or other unfamiliar, chemical-based products that could cause an unsightly flare-up at the worst possible time and might even lead to permanent scarring. Instead, follow a healthy, natural beauty regimen.

That way, when you walk down the aisle, guests will focus on your glowing, healthy skin and radiant smile.