6 Beauty Treatments You Should NEVER Do Before Your Wedding

By Jennifer Tzeses

In the quest to look plucked, polished, and perfect, many brides will go to extremes. (I have a friend who had the veins in her legs removed before her big day!) Maybe you wouldn't go that far, but there are plenty of common beauty treatments you should avoid before your bridal debut. I asked Bella Schneider, celebrity esthetician and owner of LaBelle Day Spas and Salons in San Francisco, to give us the lowdown on what not to do in the days before your wedding.


Spray tans
These often take a day or two to develop full color, which in some cases means an intense (even orangey) hue that you weren't exactly expecting. Even worse, if you get a spray tan a day or two before your wedding the color can rub off on your dress (yikes!). Consider a trial run two or three months before your wedding day so you can gauge exactly how far ahead of your wedding you should get sprayed. You can also try an instant bronzer like LORAC Tantalizer Firming Body Bronzing Mousse, $32 (it's water-resistant and won't transfer onto your clothes) -- but make sure you give this a test run, too. And of course, you can just embrace your natural skin tone. There's nothing wrong with being pale!


Chemical peels
A chemical peel smoothes and improves the texture of your complexion using a solution that causes dead skin to slough off and eventually peel. The downside: It takes at least seven days to mature, meaning, your skin may get worse (irritation, flaking, and redness are all likely side effects) before it gets better. A month before the wedding is a safe bet for this treatment, but you may still want to do a trial run a few months before to see how your skin reacts.


Facials
In some cases, estheticians may not get all the debris out of your pores, which can cause post-facial breakouts, redness, and irritation. Get one a few months before your wedding day to see how your skin reacts, especially if you're a facial first-timer or have sensitive skin. You need to give your skin time to adjust, so plan a facial at least 10 days before your wedding.


Deep tissue massages
Thanks to all the hoopla surrounding your celebration, a deep tissue massage probably sounds like the perfect way to unwind and relax. But here's a surprise: It could actually leave your muscles feeling sore and tender -- and in some cases even bruised. If you're looking for a little R&R, try an aromatherapy or Swedish massage instead of a deep tissue. These treatments are less intense and will help you relax the week leading up to your nuptials.


Facial waxing
Waxing any area of your face right before your wedding can be a recipe for disaster. The trauma to your skin may cause unsightly bumps and redness that are almost impossible to cover up with makeup. Get your brows or upper lip waxed about two weeks ahead of time, that way your skin will have time to recover.


Keratin treatments
No woman wants to fight frizz on her wedding day, which is why many brides-to-be get a Keratin treatment to ensure smooth hair. However, you don't want to do this the week of your wedding (two weeks before is OK). For the treatment to take hold, you can't wash your hair -- or even so much as run your fingers through it -- for 72 hours.


Which of these extreme beauty treatments would you do (or not do) for your wedding?
Lash extensions
Botox
Breast implants
None of the above