Pre-Holiday Cosmetic Treatments to Look Your Best

As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to celebrating with family, friends, and colleagues. With festive gatherings and photo-worthy moments just around the corner, we all want to look and feel our best. Luckily, a variety of cosmetic treatments are available to help you achieve radiant, refreshed skin, just in time for the holidays. Here are five popular pre-holiday treatments—Botox, dermal fillers, superficial chemical peels, CoolPeel using a CO2 laser, and rejuvenating facials—that you can pencil in before your parties and celebrations to help you achieve a fresh, glowing look that lasts through the season.

1. Neurotox for a Smooth, Youthful Look

Neurotoxin treatment, like Botox, is a go-to treatment for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes, forehead, and between the eyebrows. Results typically begin to appear within 3-5 days, with full effects visible after about two weeks. Tox can soften expression lines, giving your face a more rested and youthful appearance—perfect for those holiday photos! And with results lasting three to four months, you’ll be able to enjoy your refreshed look well into the new year.

Suggested Timeline: Schedule your ‘tox appointment at least two weeks before holiday events to allow the results to fully develop and any minor redness or swelling to subside.

2. Dermal Fillers to Restore Volume and Contour

If you’re looking to add subtle volume or enhance contours, dermal fillers offer a safe, effective way to achieve a natural-looking boost. Common areas treated with fillers include the cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, and jawline. Fillers can restore youthful volume, smooth out deeper lines, and enhance facial harmony. The results are immediate, though they continue to improve over the first week as the filler settles.

Fillers can last anywhere from 6-18 months, depending on the type and location, so you can enjoy the effects long past the holiday season.

Suggested Timeline: Book your filler treatment at least two weeks before holiday events to ensure any initial swelling or bruising has fully healed.

3. Mini Chemical Peel for a Radiant Glow

A “Mini” superficial chemical peel is a fantastic way to achieve brighter, smoother skin with minimal downtime. These peels use gentle acids, like salicylic or mandelic acid, to exfoliate the skin’s surface and remove dead cells, revealing a fresh layer of skin. The result is a healthy glow that reduces the appearance of minor imperfections, like uneven texture and fine lines.

A superficial mini peel is mild enough to work within days, making it ideal for those who want results without long recovery time.

Suggested Timeline: Schedule a superficial peel about one week before your event for optimal glow and minimal flaking.

4. CoolPeel with CO2 Laser for Texture and Tone

CoolPeel, a more advanced treatment option using CO2 laser technology, targets skin imperfections like sun damage, fine lines, and texture irregularities. CoolPeel allows for precision treatment with minimal downtime compared to traditional CO2 laser treatments, making it suitable for those with a tight pre-holiday schedule.

The laser stimulates collagen production, resulting in smoother, firmer skin over the following weeks. You can expect initial improvements within a week, but results continue to enhance over time.

Suggested Timeline: To allow for any redness to subside and results to start showing, consider getting a CoolPeel treatment 2-3 weeks before your event.

5. Hydrating and Rejuvenating Facials for an Instant Boost

A hydrating or rejuvenating facial can be an excellent quick-fix for skin that’s been affected by stress, travel, or seasonal dryness. Facials target dullness, uneven skin tone, and dehydration, giving you an instant boost of moisture and brightness. With options like clarifying or hydrating masks and custom serums, your skin will be refreshed, plumped, and ready to shine.

Facials have little to no downtime, making them a great option for a last-minute treatment a few days before your big event.

Suggested Timeline: For a quick, radiant boost, schedule a facial 1-3 days before your holiday gatherings.

Making the Most of Your Pre-Holiday Treatment Plan

Combining these treatments, tailored to your unique skin goals, can yield super-fast, super-fantastic, and natural-looking results. To get the most out of your pre-holiday plan, consult with a board-certified dermatologist at CLARA to determine which treatments are right for your skin type and desired goals.

Happy holidays, here you come!