I’m a bride who loves injectables—here are the dos and don’ts of getting them ahead of your wedding

Your wedding day is a time where you want to look like the very best version of yourself; that's certainly true for me as I approach my big day. I want to look well-rested (despite not being as rested as I should be) and glowy. As such, my beauty routine includes injectables. It’s not something everyone opts for, but as someone who works in the industry and has tried plenty of treatments, I’ve seen just how transformative a few tweaks can be.

Whether you're a seasoned pro, and want to know how to make the most out of your appointments, or if you're a newbie to it all, I’ve rounded up everything you need to know about getting injectables ahead of your wedding.

Dos of wedding injectables

Go to someone reputable

Now is not the time to get a few quid off by going to someone cheap, and likely not great. You should always go to someone reputable with up-to-date qualifications.

Firstly, you want to ensure you don't get any complications as a result of your injectables, and if you do, your injector needs to know how to deal with them. It sounds obvious, but a lot of backstreet injectors don't know what to do in case of a contraindication. "Make sure when you look at their before and afters. You want to look like their patients, and as natural as possible—and you can tell that immediately when you see their work. They're going to highlight their best results, so you want to make sure you like it," says Dr Ash Soni , founder of The Soni Clinic.

You also want someone who has spent a significant amount of time training in the industry. An injector who has had years of experience will deliver a better result than someone who did a 1-day online course (yes, the latter exists and isn't illegal in the UK, shockingly). Check their qualifications are legitimate. For example, "plastic surgeon" isn't a protected term in the UK, meaning any doctor can use it. Make sure you visit someone like Dr Soni who has completed years of dedicated training to become a fully qualified, GMC registered, plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Once you find someone you trust, Dr Soni recommends having a consultation and seeing how you feel during the appointment: "Do you trust them implicitly with your face? Make sure what they're saying correlates with your aesthetic goals."

Give yourself plenty of time

One of the main things that Dr Soni sees in-clinic are brides who want a glow-up before their big day, but they've left it too late to do many of the treatments he would have recommended. If you know you want to amp up your skin for your wedding, visit your injector as early as possible. This means they can create a tailored plan for you, giving ample time for the treatments to get to work. For example, you might choose a collagen-stimulating treatment like Sculptra or polynucleotides, which take a minimum of three months to see results. You may also want to get a skincare routine created for you to maximise injectable results.

Get to know all types of injectables

Many people think injectables are just for the face, but there are plenty of other areas they can be used. One of the most common ways Botox can be used, aside from the face, is to treat excessive sweating under the arms. Brides opt for this if they're particularly bothered by excessive sweating because it can stain clothing (particularly white, such as wedding dresses).

You can also use collagen injectables on other areas of the body, such as hands and neck, if those are areas you wish to treat.

Don'ts of wedding injectables

Don't experiment

Now is not the time to experiment for the sake of it. Reversing injectables isn't always guaranteed, and it can take time, so if you're not sure you want a treatment, hold off until after the big day.

It's best to be 100% sure you'd like a treatment and not be pressured by any injector to try something.

Don’t get treatments too close to the wedding day

Even gentler treatments like Hydrafacials shouldn’t be done for the first time too close to your wedding day. If you've had them before and know exactly how your skin is going to react, then great! Otherwise, don't risk it.

There’s always a chance with any skin treatment that you may react and experience irritation and redness. So, just before the big day, just let your skin be, and use what you know works.

Don't give in to pressure

You should never feel pressured into getting a treatment or injectable that you don’t want. It sounds obvious but it’s hard to say no when you’re in the moment. Your injector should never pressure you into any treatment; even if it’s one you’ve booked in for. You’d much rather lose a little deposit money than go through with a treatment you end up regretting—promise.

My tried and tested pre-wedding skincare essentials