This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive
The Perfect Bridal Beauty Guide
You were certain you planned for everything -- from the flowers on the tables, to the songs the band would play -- and everything in between.
But experts say if you haven't planned ahead for your bridal beauty and grooming routines you could end up with some wedding-day blues.
"In an effort to look and feel their best I've seen brides try to do too much a day or two before the wedding and not enough in the two to three weeks prior. And the end result can be a litany of problems that really could have been easily avoided," says Liz Seccuro, creative director of Dolce Parties, a wedding and event planning company in Greenwich, Conn., and New York City.
Planning Ahead
Securro says overloading on beauty and grooming routines just days before you say "I do" can not only leave you looking and feeling less than perfect, it can also increase your stress on the very day you want to look poised and serene.
The answer, say experts, is to plan ahead -- setting a schedule that anticipates some of your most important health and beauty needs. While ideally, experts say you should begin three to four months before your wedding, even 30 days is adequate for the most important self-care rituals.
To help you know what to do and when, WebMD asked several experts to help us prepare the following guide.
Beautiful Bridal Skin
Perhaps nothing is more beautiful than the natural glow of happiness that becomes every bride. But to help that glow along, experts at Bridal Guide magazine say schedule a series of monthly facials beginning as early as six months before your wedding. To help ensure your skin looks picture perfect on your wedding day they advise your last facial to be no later than two weeks before the big day.
And while a professional facial is a fabulous way to pamper yourself, Seccuro suggests brides to do their homework before choosing a facialist.
"There is a misnomer that says if your face looks red and your skin looks bad when you finish a facial it means it worked -- but that's not true," says Seccuro.
To be sure your skin will look better -- and not worse -- Seccuro advises making your appointment in person and look at those leaving the salon.
"If their skin isn't glowing and they don't look great -- look elsewhere for your facial," she says.
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.

