The Knot Chicago Weddings Spring Summer 2020_downmagaz.com

FASHION + BEAUTY
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PROBLEM: Skin Discoloration
Whether you have sun damage or dark spots
from other causes like hormonal changes,
hyperpigmentation can be tough to get rid of.
Previously, dermatologists relied on two
therapies to combat it: Intense Pulse Light
(IPL) therapy and hydroquinone (a skin
bleach). The major drawback to these
methods? The first doesn’t protect against
future dark spots, and the other can be too
harsh for certain skin types. However, thanks
to growing interest in treating this common
skin issue, those aren’t the only options
anymore. “The Alexandrite laser is the best
treatment for hyperpigmentation,” says
Dennis Gross, a dermatologist in New York.
“It works by targeting the pigmented areas
with light, breaking them up.” You’ll need a
series of two or three treatments to see
results, and recovery time can vary from two
to five days. To address dark spots without
the help of a professional, Gross recommends
investing in a high-dose vitamin C serum,
which can take up to eight weeks to show
results. “I developed the Clinical Grade IPL
Dark Spot Correcting Serum, which corrects
dark spots but also protects against future
pigmentation forming,” he says. Pro tip:
To get the most out of these treatments,
wear SPF and stay out of the sun.
PROBLEM: Under-Eye Bags
Real talk: No matter how much sleep you get,
under-eye bags can make you look chronically
exhausted. With age, the tissues and muscles
surrounding the eyelids weaken, causing the
fat that helps support the eyes to move into
the lower eyelids. The result? Puffy eye bags.
If yours are minor, fixing them can be as easy
as some topical TLC and a change of diet. “In
addition to an eye cream, apply cool compresses
to your eyes and limit fluid and sodium intake
before bedtime,” says Konstantin Vasyukevich,
MD, a facial plastic surgeon in New York.
If these solutions don’t work, a surgical
procedure called a lower blepharoplasty is an
option. “This removes fat through a small
incision on either the outside or inside of the
eyelid, rejuvenating the eyes,” Vasyukevich
says. Obviously, going under the knife requires
more planning than just splurging on a fancy
eye cream, so plan wisely. The side effects
of blepharoplasty are minor (irritated eyes and
bruising), but recovery time depends on
the extent of the procedure and can range from
three to seven days.
SHOPPING LIST
SKIN CARE
ESSENTIALS
Try these beauty musts
for at-home fixes for
a variety of skin woes.
EYE CREAM
Dab on this caffeine and
peptide complex
to counter under-eye
puffiness and bags.
Depuff and Define eye
cream, $149, MZSkin.com
VITAMIN C SERUM
Add this powerful serum
to your morning regimen
to fade dark spots.
Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot
Correcting Serum, $92,
DrDennisGross.com
HYALURONIC SERUM
Use this hydrator to plump
skin, filling fine lines—
no needles necessary.
HA5® Rejuvenating
Hydrator serum, from $120,
SkinMedica.com
AHA PEEL
Exfoliate away dead skin
in minutes with a blend
of alpha hydroxy acids.
AHA 30% + BHA 2%
Peeling Solution,
$8, TheOrdinary.com
ACNE TREATMENT
Apply a pea-size amount
daily to clear up
breakouts and prevent
future ones.
Differin Adapalene gel 0.1%,
$29, Walmart.com
RETINOL CREAM
Slather this onto your
face, neck and
décolletage for a brighter,
firmer complexion.
Wonder Cream, $120,
AmarteSkinCare.com
PROBLEM: Hollow Under Eyes
Basically the opposite problem as eye bags,
hollow under eyes can also make you
look sleep deprived, and are caused by loss
of facial volume (read: superficial fat
and muscle) that happen with age. The
big con where this issue is concerned?
There’s no DIY solution. Instead, Vasyukevich
recommends using injectable fillers under
the eyes. While the word “filler” may conjure
images of pouty-lipped Instagram celebs,
these injectables are actually super effective
at making up for lost facial volume and
can last anywhere from six to nine months.
Here’s how they work: Once injected, filler
(hyaluronic acid is the most popular kind)
sits under the skin, immediately plumping up
hollow areas and smoothing out deep
creases and wrinkles. Although there isn’t
significant downtime associated with this
treatment, timing it right is important. Plan
to get filler around four months before
your wedding so you won’t look less (ahem)
refreshed at your prewedding events.
PROBLEM: Fine Lines + Wrinkles
Facial wrinkles across the forehead, between
the brows, at the outer corners of the eyes
and around the mouth typically appear in
your mid-30s and become deeper with time.
If your fine lines aren’t severe, applying
a hyaluronic acid serum that draws in water
from your skin can reduce their appearance.
“Skin Medica has a long-releasing hyaluronic
acid, which erases wrinkles, even under
your eyes where your makeup can collect
and draw attention to fine lines,” says
Sabrina Fabi, a dermatologist in San Diego.
(We recommend stashing a tube in your
emergency kit to reapply throughout the
day.) If your lines are more significant,
consider botulinum toxin. Commonly
referred to as Botox (fun fact: Botox is
actually a brand name of one of the most
popular versions of botulinum toxin),
this injectable also goes by the name
Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau. When used
for antiaging purposes, it smooths out
wrinkles caused by the repetitive activity of
the facial muscles. “Neurotoxins take two
weeks to take effect, but if you have deeper
lines, there’s an added benefit of repeating
treatment,” Fabi says. Bottom line: You’ll
probably want to have two treatments
before your day, so don’t wait more than five
months before your wedding date to try it.
COURTESY OF VENDORS