A Bride’s Guide to Skin & Smile Preparation with Dr Sasha

When you first begin wedding planning, it’s natural to think about the big-ticket items like the venue, your dream dress, and the flowers. But two things that will be captured in every single photograph – your skin and your smile – often don’t get the attention they truly deserve.

To help navigate the world of bridal prep, we sat down with Dr Sasha, an experienced aesthetic dentist and former Izabella Bordignon bride, to give you her insider knowledge on how you can prep your skin and smile for your big day. 

Your Smile

The first thing Dr Sasha says to every bride is this: whatever treatments you are considering, start earlier than you think you need to. Many facial and dental treatments take weeks or months to show their full results, and cramming everything into the final stretch won’t work.

“Timing is SO important. Many facial aesthetic treatments take a few weeks to months for effective results to appear and the same goes for dental treatment. I always advise heading in for a consultation a few months in advance so the dentist can provide a bespoke treatment plan ensuring all aspects are covered.”

Her general guidance is to begin at least six months prior to the wedding. Before any cosmetic dental work can begin, a full oral health assessment is key as your gums and teeth need to be in good health before any aesthetic treatment can begin and a thorough check-up from the dentist allows them to put together a bespoke plan tailored to your needs.

Teeth Whitening

When it comes to your teeth, Sasha’s approach is rooted in health first. While many brides consider veneers or composite bonding to refine their smile’s shape, teeth whitening remains the most popular request. However, she warns against the “instant” whitening treatments often marketed online or in high-street clinics.

Instead of light-activated systems that can cause extreme sensitivity and quick colour regression, Sasha advocates for custom-made, ultra-seal bleaching trays. This method uses regulated whitening agents over a period of weeks, providing a much more stable and natural result.

Her professional tip? Aim to reach your ideal shade about two weeks before the wedding. This ensures any temporary sensitivity has completely vanished, leaving you free to sip champagne without any discomfort!

Your Skin

Dr Sasha views bridal skin preparation as a bespoke journey rather than a one-size-fits-all checklist. To achieve a wedding makeup finish that looks like a second skin, she recommends a combination of regenerative treatments and subtle enhancements, each requiring a specific lead-up time to reach their peak effect.

Profhilo for the “Bridal Skin Glow”

If you are looking for that elusive “lit-from-within” radiance, Profhilo is a favourite. This high-concentration hyaluronic acid injectable acts as an internal moisturiser, bio-remodelling the skin to improve elasticity and hydration. It is the perfect choice for brides who don’t have major skin concerns but want their complexion to look dewier and more vibrant. Because it requires two to three sessions spaced several weeks apart, this is a treatment to start well in advance.

Polynucleotides for Targeted Repair

For brides dealing with specific concerns like acne scarring, rosacea, or persistent dark circles, Sasha recommends Polynucleotides. Unlike traditional fillers that add instant volume, these are bio-stimulating agents derived from salmon DNA that repair the skin at a cellular level. They are particularly effective for plumping the delicate under-eye area, ensuring your concealer sits smoothly on the big day without creasing.

Subtle Botox for a Refreshed Look

The goal for wedding-day Botox is to soften dynamic lines around the forehead and eyes while maintaining full facial expression. Sasha advises first-timers to trial these six months out to see how their muscles react, followed by a final “refresh” four to six weeks before the wedding. This ensures you look rested and “softened” in your photos without feeling frozen.

Microneedling and Texture Refining

To refine skin texture and minimise the appearance of pores, Microneedling is super effective. By creating micro-punctures, it triggers the skin’s natural healing response to boost collagen and elastin. Since the best results are seen after multiple sessions and several months of healing, this should be one of the first treatments on your timeline.

At-Home LED & Red-Light Therapy

For a non-invasive daily boost, Sasha is a firm believer in FDA-approved Red-Light Therapy. Regular use of an LED mask can reduce inflammation, boost collagen, and speed up the healing of any minor blemishes. She even suggests extending this to the full body through infrared saunas, helping you feel “snatched” and healthy from head to toe.

The Timeline

One of the most important things to understand about all these treatments is that they require time – not just for results to develop, but to allow any side effects like bruising, redness or swelling to fully resolve. 

“I advise completing all facial aesthetics treatments at least four weeks before your big day. Your skin needs time to adapt and regenerate – things don’t happen overnight. Patience is key.”

• 12 months before: Book your dental and aesthetics consultations. Start building your bespoke treatment plan.
• 6 months before: Begin Botox (if a first timer), Profhilo, and LED red light therapy. Start daily supplements and establish your skincare routine.
• 4–6 months before: Begin polynucleotides and microneedling if required.
• 3–4 months before: Botox top-up for experienced users.
• 6 weeks before: Begin teeth whitening with your custom trays.
• 4–6 weeks before: Final Botox if needed. All laser treatments must be done by now.
• 4 weeks before: All facial aesthetics treatments complete. Focus shifts to hydration, sleep, and nutrition.
• Final weeks: Stick to your established bridal skincare routine. No new products. Keep it simple.

What to Avoid

Knowing what to avoid in the weeks leading up to your wedding is just as important as the preparation itself. Dr Sasha advises against any abrasive or intensive facial treatments close to the day – microneedling, facial peels, facial waxing and laser treatments should all be completed in advance. 

“If you are not used to using retinols, I would strongly advise against attempting to start just before your wedding day as application of this can lead to skin reddening and peeling. Avoid introducing any new topical treatments to your regime and keep it simple focusing on hydration and your established skincare routine.”

Beauty From Within

Bridal skin and smile treatments are just one part of the story. Dr Sasha speaks from personal experience when she says that the most important preparation she did happened away from any clinic, in her everyday habits that help to nourish the skin from the inside out.

“Hydration is the foundation of everything. Aim for at least two litres of water every day and make sure you have reached that before the ceremony. SPF 30 or higher, applied morning to your face, neck, and hands, is the single most impactful thing you can do for your skin long term as it protects every investment you have made with your treatments. A daily Vitamin C serum completes this essential trio to skin care health.”

As for supplements, Dr Sasha takes type 1 and type 3 collagen with Vitamin C, a multivitamin, Omega fish oil, iron, and zinc, every day without fail. Consistency is key here, and a few weeks of supplements will not produce the results that daily commitment will. 

On the fitness side, she encourages brides to look beyond cardio. Strength and conditioning training when done consistently improves bone density, strengthens the pelvic floor and gives the body a more toned, defined look that no treatment can replicate. Begin this at least six months before the wedding for best results. 

From the Bride Herself

When we asked Dr Sasha what made the greatest difference to her own confidence on the day, her answer was perhaps surprising in its simplicity.

“Knowing that I had completed all my wedding prep – skin and smile treatments – four weeks in advance. This made me feel so much more relaxed. I knew I would not be subjecting my skin to any more bruising, redness, swelling or peeling.”

With the treatments behind her, she could focus on the daily rituals that support everything from within: drinking her two litres of water, eating high-protein lean meals, taking her collagen supplements, and maintaining her exercise routine.

One Piece of Advice for Future Brides

“Start early – as soon as you are engaged, start getting those consultations booked. And remember beauty starts from within. As much as facial aesthetics have amazing results, if you are not eating well or exercising enough, you will never feel as content with your skin.”

Begin with the daily foundations – supplements, nutrition, strength training, SPF – at least six months before the wedding. Layer in your treatments according to the timeline above. And trust the process: preparation, patience, and time are the three ingredients that no shortcut can replace.

Ready to Start your Wedding Skin Prep?

Book a consultation with Dr Sasha for your smile, or enquire with the Izabella Bordignon team to begin planning your bridal hair and make-up journey.