While common skin ailments are troublesome no matter what stage of life you’re in, they can feel especially exacerbated when you have a wedding on the horizon. You’re of course your own worst critic and things are often not as bad as you perceive, but the idea of high-definition photography and hundreds and pairs of eyes examining you can leave even the most low-key bride nervous. Lucky for us, Danuta Mieloch, Esthetician and owner of Rescue Spa (soon opening an NYC location!), filled us in on what you can do to correct almost any problem plaguing your appearance. Keep in mind that according to Danuta, “It takes daily self-discipline to cleanse, exfoliate, treat, moisturize, and protect your skin to achieve the goal of perfection. The sooner you get started, the better!”

Sunspots
While avoiding direct sunlight should always be the goal, this isn’t always a practical (or fun!) solution.  However, unsightly skin damage very well may result. “Lighter skin tends to develop freckles and sunspots, whereas darker skin becomes patchy and shadowed. Luckily, there are several options to correct this, but know that not all spots can be treated equally.”

Many treatments like hydroquinone and RetinA can be rather harsh and actually increase the problem. To be on the safe side, start with a balancing and regulating skincare regimen while slowly introducing more acting ingredients. “Retinol is not as harsh as RetinA, and should be used up to two nights a week. This will work especially well when alternated with Vitamin C and IPL treatments. Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50 Pigm 400 is a product you can safely use daily. Rather than hydroquinone, it uses kojic acid and niacinamide to effectively reduce pigmentation while still respecting and protecting the skin.”

Unfortunately with this ailment, patience is the key. “Whenever pigmentation doesn’t respond quickly to treatment, it  means the damage is deep and will take time to surface. Often times during treatment it can appear darker before it begins to lighten.”

Breakouts
Acne doesn’t just plague the face, and spots on the chest and back are certainly not what you want people looking at when you’re in your dress. “To cleanse hard to reach places, rely on the genius Aquis Back Scrubber. Lotion P50 1970 should be applied across any problem area to remove every trace of sweat and oil buildup, the major cause of acne. To further treat, try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All Over Blemish Solution.”

If you’re noticing this problem more than normal leading up to your wedding, you very well may have your amped up SoulCycle routine to blame. Make sure to shower as soon as possible after every workout.

Acne Scars
While some at-home exfoliating treatments will help to lessen scarring caused by acne, serious results are best achieved by the pros. “This is especially well treated by clinical laser treatments as well as regular professional microdermabrasion to soften and smooth your skin,” explains Mieloch.

Keratosis Pilaris
Unless your dress is long-sleeved, you want your arms to be in tip-top shape before your walk down the aisle.  Those pesky red bumps that plague so many is a condition called keratosis pilaris, caused by a buildup of keratin. “My go-to treatment is P50 Corps as well as dermalac lotion to remove the dead skin cells,” says Mieloch. “Follow with a good body moisturizer since this condition is more likely to appear if you have dry skin.”

Written By: Casey Sharbaugh
Photographed by Paul Reynolds Photography