For most brides-to-be, having the perfect dress is the number one priority on her list. For me, it’s glowing skin.
I’ve been to more weddings than I can count and the one thing that’s always stood out to me was the bride’s glow. You know which glow I’m referring to – her skin is perfect, (flawless in fact), her hair is gorgeously lush and her smile mimics that of an A-list celeb on a red carpet.
Love these robes!
I get married in two weeks time (25th October 2023) and my mission, besides having the best time with my family and husband-to-be is to have my skin in tip-top shape on the morning of my wedding. And so far, it’s going brilliantly.
My Wedding Skin Game Plan
The wonderful team at Dr. Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, a Skin Science and Aesthetic Couture centre in Granger Bay Court, Cape Town invited me for a few treatments to get my skin on track for the wedding.
The exquisite reception area at the Skin Science Centre at Dr Nerina’s.
Once I arrived, the team made me feel right at home. They’re all so charismatic and friendly – I felt like I knew them for ages. After having images taken of my skin, I had a thorough VISIA Skin Analysis consultation with Senior Skincare Specialist Sammy, where we discussed my main concerns.
It’s no secret that I am a rosacea sufferer – my redness has been part of my life since my early twenties and it’s something I’ve learned to live with. However, Sammy reassured me that there are ways to help better my condition. Vitamin C for example, is an ingredient I should not be including in my skincare routine as it’s known to aggravate my rosacea. Having monthly IPL (Intense Pulse Light) sessions will help the damaged cells regenerate and improve the overall texture and tone of my skin while helping to keep my rosacea at bay. Making certain lifestyle changes is essential when keeping your rosacea under control such as cutting out or having limited amounts of alcohol, spicy food, processed meats, cheese, dairy, chocolate, hot drinks.
Yikes.
The list is endless. But you get the picture.
Cue The Glow Getter Treatment
Sammy suggested that I experience their signature Glow Getter treatment. There are three different parts to this 75-minute experience:
The first step after a cleanse was a superficial chemical peel. Don’t feel intimidated by the word chemical by the way, chemical peels are in fact fruit acid based, are pain-free, and your skin feels sensational afterwards. They help improve the texture of your skin (hello smoothness!) and kickstart the growth of new skin cells. New skin cells mean regenerated tissue, which results in a flawless, OMG-kinda glow.
After the chemical peel, it was time for the Lumecca IPL (Intense Pulse Light). This light delivers gently bouts of heat into the upper layer of your skin. The overall experience is pain-free, although, on my main redness areas (cheeks and nose), I felt a slight sting. This was normal though! Fellow rosacea patients – you’ll experience the same thing but it’s over in the blink of an eye. After each heated IPL pass, Sammy used the cooling part of the device to quickly calm down the area and it was blissful. IPL is a crucial part of the treatment to target the redness, stimulate the cell growth, and improve your overall complexion. It also helps with pigmentation and any form of sun damage.
Side note: I only started trying IPL this year. I wish I’d done it sooner! I’m completely hooked.
The last step of the Glow Getter treatment included a soothing, brightening sheet mask to calm the skin and give added hydration.
This sheet mask was so soothing - I didn’t want to take it off.
Why I Loved This Treatment
The results are immediate! My skin was glowing beautifully after the treatment and there was zero downtime. If you’re concerned about redness, chat to the team about applying a tinted moisturiser with SPF to your skin post treatment.
In my element. Sammy has magical hands!
The team also provided me with a care box of product minis to use over the next few days after the treatment. This was a great touch!
So special!
Price of Glow Getter Treatment: R3550 for 75 minutes
My ‘Glow-To’ Tips For Your Wedding Day:
- Visit a reputable aesthetics clinic a few months before your big day and come up with a ‘wedding skin plan’. Talk to them about your main concerns and set time aside each month to treat your skin in preparation for the big day.
- Drink at least 2L-3L of water per day to keep your body and skin hydrated.
- Unless instructed by your skincare professional, avoid using new skin products leading up to the day to avoid reactions.
- Wear SPF50 everyday (this should happen regardless) to protect your skin from the sun.
- If you have rosacea like me, try and limit your intake of the foods and beverages mentioned above in order to avoid triggering the redness.
- Make sure you’re getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing!
I’d like to thank the entire team for this pre-wedding spoil. My skin has never been happier. I can’t wait to visit again!
Post Glow Getter bliss!
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
Visit the website here: www.drnerinawilkinson.co.za/ - There are so many treatments to choose from. Browse the site for more info.
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Contact details:
Call: (021) 422 411
Address: Suite 201, 2nd Floor,
North Wing,
Granger Bay Court,
Beach Rd,
V&A Waterfront
South Africa