Glowing Down the Aisle | Destination Wedding Skincare Tips

Nestled amidst the azure waters of the South Pacific lies Kokomo Island, a paradisiacal haven offering unrivalled beauty and serenity. Dr Kate Jameson, the visionary founder of Youth Lab Australia, recently embarked on an illuminating journey to this luxurious retreat. With an aim to rejuvenate and protect her skin in this exotic setting, she tailored her skincare routine with the expertise of Youth Lab, a beacon of advanced cosmetic care in Australia. In an exclusive feature, Dr Jameson shares her insights and the secrets behind maintaining a luminous glow even amidst the sun-soaked escapades of Kokomo Island, Fiji.

Pre-Trip Treatments

In anticipation of your journey to Kokomo Island, what pre-trip treatments and procedures do you incorporate to ensure a perfect, vacation-ready glow, tailored for the tropical climate?

“Preparing for a tropical getaway like Kokomo Island involved some thoughtful planning for my pre-trip treatments to ensure my skin looked its best. Not only did I want to look refreshed and clear-skinned for the trip, but I was also preparing my skin for my secret elopement!” – Dr Kate Jameson

My main skin goals were for it to look clear, hydrated and glowing without makeup, which can prove to be more troublesome than it is worth in a tropical climate like Kokomo Island. I also wanted to ensure my skin was properly prepped for my wedding day makeup, and that it glowed from within.

Halo Laser

Whilst I wouldn’t recommend any type of laser treatment directly before a vacation in the sun, I did have my yearly Halo Laser in June, four months prior to the scheduled trip. I credit my annual treatment for drastically improving and maintaining the quality of my skin. The Halo effectively plumps out the skin from the inside, revealing fresh new skin with healthy levels of collagen and elastin.

Hydrafacial

Our most popular treatment, the Hydrafacial is a one of its kind facial rejuvenation procedure with a multitude of benefits for the skin. I had regular Hydrafacials in the months leading up to the trip to assist with improvement in my skin tone and texture as well as keeping on top of any congestion.

Healite II LED

The machine I wish I had at home! I was under the Healite whenever I had the chance, as it uses low-level light therapy to promote skin healing and rejuvenation and is scientifically proven to improve the levels of collagen and elastin in the skin. This results in visibly younger and healthier skin, smoothed fine lines and wrinkles, improved tone and texture, improved elasticity and younger, more refined-looking skin.

Bio-Remodeling Injectables

This treatment is an absolute game-changer in the world of injectables. Bio-remodelling changes the structure and function of the skin from within and offers skin rejuvenation, collagen and elastin stimulation and deep hydration from a single treatment. This treatment is vastly different from other injectables such as dermal fillers and collagen stimulators and is not used to volumise, fill or lift the skin. The product remodels the skin, improving the cellular environment which in turn reduces the visible signs of ageing.

Injectables

I timed my regular injectable treatments so they were at their optimal level of performance for the trip and my wedding day. This helped with eliminating the more stubborn fine lines and wrinkles and replacing lost volume in certain areas such as the cheeks.

During Travel – Maintaining the Glow

Envisioning the secluded splendour of Kokomo Island, Fiji, what products fortify your skin against the effects of the sun and this exclusive destination’s lush, humidity-laden ambience?

I could very easily fill an entire suitcase with only skincare products, but for this special trip, I wanted to ensure that I packed products that were going to be effective in this particular climate.

SkinCeuticals’ Phloretin CF Serum is a must-have in my at-home skincare collection. It contains an array of ingredients that all work in combination to deliver exceptional results and it is the perfect antioxidant for those who are suffering from or are prone to pigmentation.
The ingredients include phloretin, 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), and ferulic acid which are proven to target atmospheric ageing, visibly reducing environmental damage to the skin and premature signs of ageing. The antioxidants work to neutralise free radicals and address damage caused by exposure to UV rays, infrared radiation and ozone pollution. Complementing the antioxidant protective benefits, Phloretin CF improves the appearance of discolouration, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.

PCA Hyaluronic Boosting Serum and Overnight Mask are the perfect combination of products to promote that coveted holiday glow.
The boosting serum is the holy grail of hydration. An absolute favourite amongst the Youth Lab team and clients, this extremely effective hydrating serum is designed for multi-leveled hydration and boosts the skin in three ways – delivering moisture to the surface, deeply replenishing hydration deep in the dermis, and boosting the skin’s own HA production.
The overnight mask is a luxuriously thick and hydrating moisturiser in the form of a mask. Hyaluronic Acid and Panthenol make this the ideal nighttime moisture boost to add to your skincare routine. It delivers intense hydration and nourishment overnight and increases light reflection, giving the skin a dewy glow while also calming and soothing any redness or irritation. I applied this mask mid-flight to ensure the cabin air didn’t dehydrate my skin.

The most important product, especially when embarking on a sun-filled holiday, is of course SPF! My current favourite and the product I lathered myself in while away was the Ultraceuticals Ultimate UV Protective Daily Moisturiser, SPF 50+ Hydrating formula. This moisturiser offers superior protection against both UVA and UVB rays, coupled with a boost of hydration. I love that it is a non-whitening and fast-absorbing formula (a non-negotiable for wedding makeup and photos!) and incorporates a rich blend of moisturising ingredients like shea butter, panthenol, and nicotinamide to enhance the skin’s natural barrier. Regular use as directed can help prevent signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness, giving your skin a more youthful and radiant appearance. Additionally, it may help reduce the risk of solar keratosis, sun spots, and some types of skin cancer, making it a must-have in your daily skincare regimen.

Infused with vitamin B5 to revitalise the skin, the SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Serum is crafted to replenish essential nutrients, promoting a smoother, younger-looking appearance. Perfect preparation for those makeup-free days when in a tropical climate. The oil-free formulation deeply moisturises and enhances radiance, thanks to its effective use of hyaluronic acid—a natural hydrator that helps retain moisture in the skin. Alongside vitamin B5, it offers potent antioxidant protection.

Another favourite at Youth Lab, the Aspect Fruity Enzyme Mask is an amazing zero downtime exfoliating mask. It uses fruit enzymes to gently remove dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother and more radiant. Perfect for pre-event skin preparation. I used this the night before my elopement to ensure a smooth finish for makeup application the following day.

Being in a tropical environment, I wanted a lightweight moisturiser that still relieved my skin after a day in the elements. Ultraceuticals MD Bio-Repair Moisturiser ticks those boxes with its bio-lipid moisturising formula that is designed to visibly plump, smooth and restore suppleness to dehydrated skin. Applying this product each night after a day in the sun was a welcomed relief.

As you revel in the charms of Kokomo Island, how did you protect your skin to maintain your vacation-ready glow amidst the climate and sun exposure during your visit?

The treatments within my skin treatment plan were chosen and timed carefully to ensure my skin was looking its best without putting it at risk during the extra sun exposure. I always protected myself with a hat when in direct sunlight, and if that was not possible ( ie – during swimming) I was extra diligent with my SPF application. In the days in the lead-up to my wedding day, I avoided the sun altogether during the middle of the day and found shaded spots to sit when outside to reduce the risk of any redness.

After Travel – Post-Sun Glow Maintenance

After your retreat at Kokomo Island, could you share the post-travel skincare rituals, including treatments from Youth Lab, that helped rejuvenate your skin after exposure to the sun and the unique environmental elements of the island?

Upon my return, my skin was in great condition, however, some pigment was starting to appear, which can be unavoidable after a vacation in the sun no matter how diligent you are! I felt my skin needed some resurfacing, but it wasn’t quite ready for a treatment as intense as the Halo Laser just yet. With this in mind, I scheduled myself for a Youth Lab exclusive treatment, the 3D Skin Remodelling System. This unique treatment was designed by myself and the outstanding Youth Lab Dermal team and combines popular and effective treatment modalities of BBL, Clearsilk Laser and the Halo/Aura Laser. My goal was to see a reduction in the minor pigmentation that had appeared post-holiday. The added benefits of this treatment? It also improves tone, texture, fine lines, and pore size, resulting in clear, refined and rejuvenated youthful skin.

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