If you’re looking for a timeline for pre-wedding skin treatments, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed. Planning a wedding in its entirety is basically a full-time job. Between dress fittings, deciding on the perfect bridal mani, and panicking over what flowers to choose – skincare can easily fall off the radar. But as a beauty writer who’s tested more serums than I can physically store on my bathroom shelf, I knew one thing: I wanted to feel like the glowy, confident version of myself walking down the aisle. I needed to get my wedding beauty prep right.
Let’s be clear – no one needs to change how they look for their wedding. Your partner’s marrying you, not your skincare routine. But it’s easy to get swept up in the bridal chaos. I bought a whole wardrobe of white outfits (which I’m now trying to rewear), swatched every nude lipstick under the sun to find the shade, and yes – went all in on pre-wedding bridal treatments.
My skin has always been dry, flaky and a bit unpredictable. Not majorly acne-prone, but textured – with under-the-skin bumps that make makeup sit unevenly, no matter how many hacks I try. And since I’d booked an incredible makeup artist, I wanted my skin to be as smooth and prepped as possible.
I’d been following Millicent Rose on Instagram for months. Her before-and-afters were on another level – think glowy, Hailey-Bieber-worthy skin that stops you mid-scroll. Her Fitzrovia clinic? It was like walking into my very own Pinterest board. But more than the aesthetic, it was her approach that sold me. Millicent doesn’t do fluffy facials – she’s all about tailored treatments, barrier support and real results.
“We always recommend starting your bridal skin journey six to twelve months before the wedding,” she told me. “It gives us time to treat concerns properly and allow the skin to settle – not just for the day, but all the lead-up events too.”
Working alongside her is Dr. Anna-Maria Katsimigos, the clinic’s aesthetic doctor and GP registrar. She handles tweakments like Botox, skin boosters and profile-balancing filler – and takes a subtle, no-pressure approach. “Timing is everything,” she said. “We want to trial things a few months out so there’s room to tweak. The goal isn’t to change your face – just help you feel your best.”
Here’s everything I learned from these two powerhouse women in perfecting the ultimate timeline for pre-wedding skin treatments.
SKIP TO:
What in-clinic treatments do you typically recommend for brides and when should they be done?
Millicent says: “I always tailor treatments, but here’s a general guide:
- 6–12 months out: Address deeper concerns like acne, pigmentation, texture or lifting with microneedling, exosomes, or chemical peels and devices such as HIFU and Thermage for collagen boosting and sculpting.
- 3–6 months out: Focus on monthly facials – our Lift + Glow, Hydra30, or Skin Reset work beautifully to boost hydration, lymphatic drainage and tone.
- 4–6 weeks out: Final targeted facial to refine texture, even tone and deeply hydrate.
1 week before: A gentle, calming glow facial – no extractions or actives – just nourishing, lifting and luminous.”
What’s the biggest skincare mistake you see brides make in the lead-up to their wedding?
“Trying something new too close to the wedding. Whether it’s a new facialist, a last-minute product, or a random TikTok hack – now isn’t the time. The skin thrives on routine and calm. Any changes should happen months before, never the week of.” – Millicent Rose.
How do stress and hormones impact skin in the final weeks, and what are your tips for managing that?
Millicent adds: “Stress can show up as breakouts, dullness, or sensitivity – especially around the jawline and cheeks. Hormones fluctuate from adrenaline and cortisol, which can also lead to puffiness, dryness, or inflammation.
My go-to remedies:
- Prioritise sleep and magnesium-rich foods
- Use a cold compress or ice globe massage for puffiness
- Stick to a simple, soothing routine – no surprises
- Breathe deeply. Remember, your skin reflects what’s going on inside – so be gentle with yourself.”
What in-clinic injectables do you recommend for brides, and when should they be done?
According to Dr. Anna-Maria Katsimigos: “Anti-wrinkle injections leave the skin wrinkle-free and smooth. I would advise at least 4–6 weeks before the wedding, plus trialling this 4–6 months prior if it’s your first time having treatment to ensure you love the results.
Skin boosters like polynucleotides and Profhilo provide skin hydration and stimulate collagen to improve texture and tone, giving skin an extra glow boost and allowing for flawless makeup application. I recommend three treatments, spaced 2–4 weeks apart, and again, for any injectables, leave at least 4–6 weeks before the big day. Ideally, start these 4–6 months prior.
Profile balancing with hyaluronic acid dermal filler – if needed – can make a big impact using small, strategically placed amounts to improve facial balance and harmony. I’d recommend this at least 8–12 weeks before the big day. A full assessment will be done during your consultation to determine if and where it’s needed.
Hyperhidrosis treatment is also worth considering if you’re having a wedding abroad in the heat. It helps prevent excess sweating on the day – I’d advise this 4–6 weeks in advance.”
My full bridal timeline for pre-wedding skin treatments:
Three months before: kickstart glow & firmness
What I had done (in-clinic) – Exosomes + Microneedling: I went for microneedling to tackle my dry, dull skin. It felt scratchy rather than painful, and for a couple of hours I looked like I’d overdone it in the sun, but that faded quickly. Millicent paired it with exosomes – tiny skin-healing messengers that work especially well after microneedling because they can sink deeper into the skin. They help speed up recovery, boost collagen and make the glow last longer.
Millicent says: “Ideally, I like to start brides on microneedling, exosomes or chemical peels six to twelve months before, so we have time to tackle deeper concerns like texture, acne or pigmentation. But even at three months out, you’ll still see a noticeable difference in tone and glow.”
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