Treatment Timeline For Wedding

Whether you're walking down the aisle or standing beside someone who is, there’s one thing we know for sure: wedding-day skin deserves a little extra love! At Defy, we’ve helped countless brides, grooms, moms, and wedding party VIPs prep their skin for the big day. From soft, radiant glow-ups to treating long-term concerns like acne, melasma, or texture, the key is always the same: timing. So, consider this is your go-to guide for when to schedule what, so your skin looks and feels its absolute best - without any last-minute surprises.

6+ Months Out: Lay the Foundation

This is the time to zoom out and look at the big picture. What are your long-term skin goals? Do you want to tackle sun damage? Calm inflammation? Smooth texture? We’re building a plan here - not a quick fix - and your skin needs time to respond.

The Best treatments to start now:

BBL (BroadBand Light) Laser:  If you're dealing with sun spots, redness, or broken capillaries, this is your window. BBL works best in a series (think 3–4 sessions spaced about a month apart), and results build gradually over time. You’ll notice brighter, more even-toned skin with each session. It’s especially great for those with rosacea or sun damage that’s built up over the years. And while BBL is non-invasive, it’s powerful - consistency is key. Give yourself time to complete the series, and you’ll be rewarded with a long-lasting glow that truly photographs beautifully.

Moxi Laser: This non-ablative (aka “gentle”) laser is fantastic for refining tone and texture! It’s gentle enough for most skin types but powerful enough to stimulate collagen and soften pigmentation. Moxi pairs beautifully with BBL as part of a long-term glow strategy. Together, they’re known as the “power couple” of pre-wedding skin prep - addressing both surface-level brightness and deeper structural support.

Medical-Grade Skincare Regimen: Now’s the time to dial in your at-home routine. We'll guide you through which actives make sense for your skin and timeline - vitamin C for brightening, retinol for cell turnover, and hydrators to keep your barrier strong. A thoughtful home routine maximizes your in-office results and ensures your skin is supported every step of the way.

4 Months Out: Treat & Transform

By now, we’ve likely made great progress with tone and texture, so it’s time to lean into collagen-boosting, glow-inducing treatments that give your skin that smooth, plump, photo-ready quality.

This is a great time for:

Microneedling with PRP:  Microneedling stimulates collagen, refines pores, softens acne scars, and smooths fine lines. It’s one of our favorite tools for building skin density and improving overall tone. We usually recommend a series of 2-3 spaced 4-6 weeks apart. You’ll want your last session to be at least a month before the wedding.

VI Chemical Peel: This medium-depth chemical peel is ideal for treating melasma, acne, or stubborn pigmentation. The VI Peel offers dramatic results with 5–7 days of visible peeling - so don’t schedule one too close to your wedding. Around the 3-4 month mark is perfect!

Consultation for Botox or Filler: If smoothing fine lines or subtly enhancing features is part of your plan, let’s talk now. We always build in time for touch-ups and ensure everything settles naturally and beautifully.

2 Months Out: Refine + Maintain

With major concerns addressed, it’s time to focus on maintaining your progress and adding polish.

Botox, Daxxify, or Dysport: This is your golden window for wrinkle-relaxing treatments. It takes about 7–14 days for full results to kick in, and by doing it at this stage, we still have time to tweak anything if needed. 

Hydrating Custom Facials: Now’s the time to nourish and strengthen the skin barrier. Think enzyme masks, LED light therapy, and lots of hydration. If you’ve been doing more active treatments up to this point, this is where we pivot to calming, glow-building care.

Barrier Support + Hydration Boosters: If your skin is feeling at all sensitive, flaky, or dry, we’ll adjust your skincare routine to prioritize hydration, barrier repair, and gentle exfoliation. We want skin that’s balanced, plump, and smooth - not sensitized or stripped.

2–3 Weeks Out: Last Looks

We’re now in “fine-tuning” mode - no aggressive treatments, just strategic tweaks to keep your skin glowing and most importantly - healthy.

Dermaplaning + Gentle Custom Facial: This is one of our favorite combos pre-event! Dermaplaning removes peach fuzz and surface dead skin, so makeup goes on like a dream. 

HydraFacial: A Hydrafacial is a favorite for its de-puffing, brightening, and firming benefits - all with zero downtime. 

1 Week Out: Keep it Calm

At this point, the goal is to maintain and protect your skin. This is not the time to experiment with a new product or try something you saw on Instagram - no matter how good the before-and-after looks. Your skin has come so far, and this final stretch is all about preserving that progress.

Stick to what your skin knows and loves. Gentle, nourishing care is your best friend this week.

Do:

-Stay consistent with your skincare routine - cleanser, moisturizer, SPF, and a hydrating serum if your skin loves one

-Drink plenty of water, prioritize rest, and take stress off your plate where you can (we know, easier said than done)

-Ice rollers, cryo globes, or cold compresses can be a lovely tool to de-puff the face - especially around the eyes and jawline

-Use a deeply hydrating mask the night before your event

Don’t:

-Try a new exfoliant, active serum, or trendy skincare gadget

-Schedule any in-office treatments like peels, lasers, or injections

-Over-cleanse or over-exfoliate - this can strip your barrier and lead to last-minute dryness or redness

Remember: calm skin is beautiful skin. Give it love, not surprises. 

At Defy, we believe wedding skin isn’t about looking “perfect.” It’s about feeling confident, radiant, and like the very best version of yourself - not just on your wedding day, but in every photo, event, and moment leading up to it. We’re here to help you plan your skincare journey - whether that’s six months of transformation or one relaxing facial before the rehearsal dinner. 

Whether you're interested in filler, Botox/Dysport, collagen-boosting skin treatments, or want to learn more about our Defy Annual Membership (a perfect choice for those who want to transform their skin without the price tag over the course of a year!), we’d love to see you in our Bethesda medical spa soon.