Your wedding day is a defining moment you'll look back on for years to come, and, let's face it, who wouldn't want to look fabulous for such as momentous occasion?

Today, the whole notion of getting married is inextricably linked with improving your appearance. Whether it’s shifting a few pounds, whitening your teeth or toning your triceps for a strapless wedding dress, you’ll be pushed to find a bride-to-be not in the throes of a beautifying process of some form.

And why not? After all, this is your moment to shine. Moments after saying ‘I do’, you’ll find yourselves the stars of your very own photo shoot. Few couples opt for the formulaic wedding photos of yesteryear; today wedding photography is all about stunning imagery that wouldn’t look out of place in a glossy magazine – and you are the models.


Wedding beauty Cornwall - Devon

Your wedding day is a defining moment you’ll look back on for years to come, and, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to look fabulous for such a momentous occasion?

All manner of treatments and therapies are now available for the bride and groom-to-be on a quest for aesthetic improvement. From a dull complexion to wonky teeth, your bugbears can be can preened, enhanced and groomed, leaving a new, improved you for the nuptials.

But remember, this isn’t about changing yourself. A growing number of brides are taking more extreme routes to achieve their vision of bridal perfection – a new US TV show, ‘Bridalplasty’, even sees brides competing to win cosmetic surgery procedures in a bid to look like the ‘perfect bride’ – and it’s easy to lose perspective.

Remember, your spouse-to-be fell in love with you the way you are – lined skin or flawless, wonky teeth or straight.

SKIN

Dr Matt May of derma:skin examines the new wave of non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Being beautiful for your wedding day doesn’t mean going under the knife for an extreme makeover. Modern cosmetic procedures ensure that you can transform your appearance in a strictly non-surgical way, making the entire process safer, affordable and more natural looking.

The number of non-surgical cosmetic treatments performed in the UK topped the million mark in 2009. As they are becoming a widely accepted and effective way of tackling any number of skin issues and facial flaws, an increasing number of couples are indulging in cosmetic treatments in preparation for their nuptials. With such a wide range of treatments available and the press heralding a new miracle on a regular basis, making the right choice can be confusing to say the least.
 
The key to finding the therapy best suited for your skin lies in the hands of an experienced cosmetic practitioner. Like any good marriage, the partnership between you and your practitioner should be based on honest discussion. Look for someone who is well trained, open about the cost of any proposed treatment and realistic about the results that can be achieved. If you are being promised celebrity looks on a shoestring then delve a little deeper.
 
In practice, a combination of techniques is employed over a number of sessions, gradually treating the area in question to produce a subtle and natural improvement. This reduces complications and downtime compared to more invasive and dramatic surgical procedures. The time frame of this treatment schedule should be taken into account at an early stage so that you achieve the desired effect in plenty of time for the wedding day. I recommend a period of at least six months.
 
A new and effective treatment that is gaining huge popularity is the Dermaroller. This technique stimulates new collagen growth that plumps the skin to rejuvenate the complexion. It also dramatically improves the appearance of fine lines, patches of pigment and sun damage as well as acne scars and stretch marks. The procedure takes about an hour and involves rolling micro-needles over the face under local anaesthetic with minimal discomfort and side effects.


Wedding beauty Cornwall - Devon
 
Similar rejuvenating effects can be achieved with advanced skin care products and facial peels. These products have revolutionised the area of non-invasive cosmetic skincare. New pharmaceutical formulations have produced safe medical grade treatments for a range of skin types and flaws.

Modern peels are a bit of a misnomer as they rarely result in any shedding of the skin – in most cases they produce a transient redness lasting a few hours. A course of between three and six peels is recommended to tackle the majority of complaints in conjunction with advanced skin care regimes.
 
Although Botox and collagen injections have attracted some negative press recently they still produce stunning results to smooth out wrinkles and re-contour all areas of the face. In the right hands, they can naturally plump-up lips, volumise drawn-looking cheeks and fill deep-set lines.

The type of product used and the experience of the practitioner are paramount to these injecting procedures so it pays to pry before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure that the practitioner understands the final look that you want and they know the right products that will achieve it. Then you can rest assured that you will emerge nothing short of a brighter beauty as a result.
derma:skin
07779 095978 www.derma-skin.com

SOTHYS COLLAGENE HYALURONIQUE FACIAL
Fantasising about flawless wedding day skin? This anti-ageing treatment can certainly help, leaving you with a firmer, tauter and restructured complexion. A blend of AHAs and glycolic acid strip dead skin cells and impurities, and a massage of intensive serums penetrate the epidermis to smoothing and rejuvenating effect. A course is recommended for optimal results.
Sorcha Cubitt
01736 367269 www.sorchacubitt.com

MICRODERMABRASION
This intense exfoliating treatment freshens and revitalises the complexion. Often referred to as a lunchtime peel, a fine mist of oxygen crystals is fired at the skin to partially or completely remove the dead outermost layer. A series of treatments will help reduce scars and blemishes while improving the appearance of fine lines, leaving your skin softer, smoother – and ready for that close up.
Sorcha Cubitt
01736 367269 www.sorchacubitt.com

AGE DEFYING FACIAL
Designed to help combat the signs of ageing and sun damaged skin, this blissful treatment utilises special facial massage techniques and moisture-rich ESPA products chock full of anti-oxidants. A supremely relaxing experience, you can look forward to a refreshed, nourished and peachy complexion for the big day.
Fistral Spa
01637 852221 www.newquay-hotels.co.uk

TOTAL HOLISTIC BODY CARE
The modern wedding gown tends to reveal a little more than your face – whether you’ll be exposing your arms, back, legs or a cheeky bit of cleavage, ensure your skin is supple and glowing. This treatment is the ultimate luxury for mind, body and soul. Commencing with full body brushing and exfoliation to stimulate and soften your skin into silky condition, a de-stressing face, scalp and body massage will instill an inner calm that shines through every pore.
Fistral Spa
01637 852221 www.newquay-hotels.co.uk

ST. TROPEZ SELF TAN
Planning to team your wedding gown with a golden glow? Unless you’re a seasoned fake tan aficionado, then it’s wise to put your bridal tan in the hands of an expert. St. Tropez is a reliable and natural-looking option for brides, which lasts for seven to ten days. This relaxing treatment includes exfoliation, moisturisation and application for a rich and sun-kissed finish.
Carlyon Bay Hotel Spa
01726 812304 www.brend-hotels.co.uk/TheCarlyonBay

FAKE BAKE
If you want to infuse your bridal body with a little colour, then head to the Kalmora Spa for some celebrity-style treatment. Using the renowned Fake Bake tanning lotion that is favoured by stars such as Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, this deep and long-lasting formula promises to deliver a natural-looking colour – minus any telling hints of orange. Voted the best self-tanning range by The New York Times, Fake Bake promises an even, sexy glow that will ensure you dazzle on the day.
Kalmora Spa, Plymouth
01752 222374 www.kalmoraspa.com


Wedding beauty Cornwall - Devon


EYELASHES

NOVALASH EYELASH EXTENSIONS
A set of thick, luscious lashes is a bridal beauty staple. If your lashes could do with a little va-va-voom for the big day, extensions might be the way to go. Novalash eyelash extensions are applied on a lash-by-lash basis to the natural lash for a fuller and thicker flutter. They last for several weeks – with in-fills required every three weeks – so you can enjoy being a lash-batting beauty for the honeymoon too. What’s more, you won’t have to worry about smudging your mascara during those emotional moments.
The Great Escape
01872 277802 www.thegreatescapeonline.co.uk

EYELASH TINTS AND EXTENSIONS
Offering an extensive array of treatments, Dartmouth’s exotic South Beach Spa is well worth a pre-wedding visit. Their complete line of natural beauty therapies contain uniquely Fijian plant extracts such as sugar cane, pineapple, papaya, passionflower and green coconut to restore your senses to blissful equilibrium.

Though there’s dozens of treatments to choose from, why not wow your groom by investing either in an eyelash extension or eyelash tint? Both will maximise the colour and curve of your lashes, lengthening them for an ultra sexy flutter that will guarantee screen siren looks and stunning close-up shots.
South Beach Spa, Exmouth
0845 388 9960 www.southbeachspa.co.uk


HANDS

COFFEE AND FRANKINCENSE HAND RITUAL
Let’s face it – your hands are going to be the centre of attention from here on in, whether it’s all and sundry gushing over your engagement ring or the obligatory snaps of your intertwined, freshly wed hands. Ensure they’re camera ready with this nourishing and softening treatment, which includes an olive grain scrub, a blend of oils lavished on your hands and lower arms, and a manicure to finish.
The Cornwall Spa and Estate
01726 874055 www.thecornwall.com

SEA SPA MANICURE
You might be feeling fresh faced, but don’t neglect an all-important area of the body that many brides overlook: the hands. Although a standard manicure will neaten and polish your nails, you can restore a baby-soft touch by indulging in something a little more therapeutic.

Treat your palms and digits to some royal treatment with Downe Health Spa’s sea spa manicure. Including an invigorating hand massage with a seaweed-based hand cream and paraffin wax, the condition of your skin will be instantly improved as you’re afforded a little respite from all that manic wedding planning.

Cleansed with lemon, lime and essential oil-infused water, your nails will be buffed and shaped before a marine salt exfoliant with moisture-binding seaweed and olive oil banishes dead cells. A hand and arm massage revitalises tired muscles; followed by a warm paraffin wax treatment, you can look forward to hands that are soft, well groomed and polished to perfection.
Downe Health Spa, Hartland
01237 441881 www.downespa.com


FEET

GARRA RUFA FISH THERAPY
An unsightly pair of feet caked in dead skin is not a good look for that magical Cinderella moment when you slip into your gorgeous bridal shoes. Thanks to a little help from some rather industrious fish, you can count on smooth feet for the nuptials right through to the honeymoon.

The Great Escape Beauty Salon in Truro now offers Garra Rufa fish therapy. On submerging your feet into a tank, 200 little fish will literally suck your feet into silky condition, removing dead skin and rejuvenating healthy skin. As a bonus, the sensation is akin to having a foot massage so you can sit back, relax and let the fish work their magic. And the squeamish amongst you needn’t worry – the inch-long fish have no teeth!
The Great Escape
01872 277802 www.thegreatescapeonline.co.uk

Essential Chiropractic has recently added a Garra Rufa fish spa to their list of treatments. On submerging your feet into a tank, 200 little fish will literally suck your feet into silky condition, removing dead skin and rejuvenating healthy skin. As a bonus, the sensation is akin to having a foot massage so you can sit back, relax and let the fish work their magic. And the squeamish amongst you needn’t worry – the inch-long fish have no teeth!
Essential Chiropractic, Torquay
01803 612591 www.essentialchiropractic.co.uk


Wedding beauty Cornwall - Devon


TEETH

You’ll be expected to smile on your wedding day. A lot. And if you’re self-conscious about your teeth, the thought of being followed by the wedding paparazzi all day is a fairly unpleasant prospect.

Fixing the appearance of your teeth will have a profound impact on your confidence – both on your wedding day, and life beyond. Dominic Kiernander of Pearly Whites in Truro gives the low down on the latest cosmetic dentistry treatments available at his practice.

Position
Thanks to advances in dentistry technology, it’s never been so easy to bid goodbye to wonky teeth.
Invisible braces There are two options: Clearstep or Invisalign. Both systems use a series of clear positioners, which are like thin, virtually invisible gum shields which move the teeth into position. Clear braces take as long, if not longer, than traditional train track braces.

Quick braces If you want straight teeth without the hassle of two-three years of braces, celebrity favourite ‘Six Month Smiles’ is the answer. These clear plastic brackets and tooth-coloured wires gently move teeth into a better position. The treatment usually takes four-six months and up to nine months in severe cases.

Really quick braces If time really is of the essence, the revolutionary Inman Aligner will move the front four teeth in as little as six weeks. This removable brace works by squeezing the front four teeth into the correct position.


Wedding beauty Cornwall - Devon

Colour
It’s amazing what a little tooth whitening can do for your smile. The best treatment is a professionally supplied tooth whitening gel using custom made trays to fit your teeth, which are like a soft, thin gum shield. It must be worn for five-eight hours per day (or overnight) for approximately a fortnight to achieve the desired result.

Shape
By shaping the teeth and adding white filling, it is often possible to avoid costly crowns and veneers, while getting a better result, preserving more of the natural tooth and reducing future costs. Make sure that your dentist has taken courses in adhesive dentistry and is using good quality filling material.

Gaps
There is a series of options for replacing missing teeth: dentures, bridges and implants, which, being the closest replacement for natural teeth, is possibly the best solution.

If you’re thinking of getting some dental treatment before your wedding, start as soon as possible and only after careful discussion with your dentist. I would always recommend a visit to the hygienist a week or two before your wedding. This will lift off any staining and give you a pristine smile – just in time for those flash bulbs.

Pearly Whites
01872 276666 www.pearlywhitesdentalpractice.com

Words Rebecca Matthews and Hannah May

Copyright WED Magazine 2011