Beauty Section - Countdown to Perfect Skin

A timeline to give your complexion that big-day glow

When should you begin working on troubled skin? The minute problems arise, A six-month prenuptial framework, however, is a good ballpark figure for confronting a number of conditions, as you will note from the following.

6 Months Before

Get yourself to a dermatologist if you've got problems with:

Acne. Two prescription topical drugs, Retin-A and its derivative, Renova, are especially useful, as well as the increasingly popular glycolic acid products.

Minor scars, such as those due to facial acne or chicken pox. The current treatment of choice: carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, with its dermabrading action, although interest is increasing in the Erbium-Yag laser, which helps eliminate scars through a thermal, or heating, effect.

Unwanted hair on your face, body, or bikini line that you'd like to banish permanently. Now is the time to begin a series of laser hair-removal treatments or electrolysis appointments. Consult your dermatologist or seek out a licensed hair-removal specialist.

Blackheads and whiteheads. If you want legitimate—and long-lasting-results, see your doctor now. "You can't come in a month before your wedding, say my face is a mess,and expect dramatic change."

If you can afford it, you should also:

Get a professional facial. Since treatments can bring up deeply clogged pores—and subsequent breakouts-you had better pencil in several follow-up sessions as well.

Join a gym. Try a six-month membership, if you're not already enrolled in some form of shape-up program. All that exercising will not only ease stress but-an added benefit-is bound to enhance skin.

2 Months Before

Dry or oily skin is a lot easier to handle as you get closer to the wedding day, says Dr. Adrian. You can go a long way, for instance, to treating dry skin with moisturizers, and combating oily skin with something like the prescription Lachydrin, which contains alpha hydroxy acids.

1 Month Before

Have your last prenuptial facial.

1 Week Before

Shun the sun or protect skin with sunscreen (something you should always do, of course). Tan lines and/or a red face can be difficult to hide.

On the Big Day

What do women worry most will happen on their wedding day? we came up with the two worst scenarios—and their solutions:

Spotty Blemishes or Breakouts
Whatever happens, don't squeeze. It will only make matters worse. Far better to brush on a little concealer-just a drop-that's the same color or slightly darker than your skin. If it's really scarlet, apply three to four layers, then go over it with a yellow-based powder to cut the redness.

Circles Under the Eyes
Brush on concealer-no more than one shade lighter than your natural skin tone, blending outward. When you've applied two to three coats, blend inward toward the corner of eyes. Then touch up with yellow-based powder to avoid caking.