Non-invasive treatments you can get this season—just in time for holiday parties
It’s the holidays. You want to look good. No, you want to look smashing! So many photo ops. So many people you haven’t seen in awhile. So many parties! Ahhhh! What to do?
From fillers and Botox to peels and lasers, there are a bevy of medspa treatments you can receive to tighten, plump, smooth, and correct–leaving you looking fresh and dewy all season long. Let’s take a look.
Two to Three Weeks Out
Fillers: The Restylane and Juvederm families– offer a lot of options these days for plumping your lips and filling in areas on your face that have lost volume due to diminished collagen production. Dermal fillers are also great for scars and wrinkles. Bonus, results can last up to 6 to 12 months. Some of the new offerings such as Restylane’s Refyne, Defyne and Juvederm’s Volure can provide immediate difference using new technologies resulting in a more natural and soft appearance and feel.
Laser Hair Removal: Who has time to shave when there is all that cooking, decorating, and wrapping of presents to do? Take shaving off the table by undergoing laser hair removal. To achieve full effectiveness, a course of six or more treatments will be needed, but at least it will help slow down hair growth immediately.
Chemical Peels: “Chemical peels are a great quick and easy treatment that can be personalized to address a variety of complexion and skin tone issues,” said Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, a nationally renowned cosmetic plastic surgeon based in Southampton and Woodbury, Long Island, and Manhattan, New York. “While some can be quite drying, others are perfect for those cooler months and can be performed just before the holiday season to achieve a smooth and glowing complexion.” Chemical peels can treat sun damage and skin discoloration, improve skin elasticity, exfoliate the skin, increase cell turnover, reduce pore size, control breakouts, and improve skin’s color, tone, and texture.
Microneedling/RF Microderm “Microneedling is also a great option for patients in the weeks leading up to the holiday season,” Dr. Greenberg said. “This minimally invasive medspa treatment is designed to stimulate the body’s own natural collagen production, providing for skin tightening with very minimal recovery.” There are many options on the market today such as the Venus Viva that can even reduce acne scarring.
One to Two Weeks Out
IIPL/Photofacial: “Leading up to the holiday season, most patients are concerned with how to look younger, and my answer consistently is ‘let’s get rid of the sun damage,’” said Dr. Greenberg. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) can do just that by zapping those red and brown spots on your face. IPL is also a good treatment option for large pores, rosacea, age spots, and broken blood vessels. Keep in mind, those brown spots will get darker before they eventually slough off.
Botox/Dysport: Got wrinkles? No problem. “Botox and Dysport both use a natural protein to smooth out frown lines that are typical between the eyebrows as people age,” said Dr. Greenberg. “It can also diminish the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and in the forehead area.” Sessions usually last about a half hour and results can last for up to four months.
Last Minute Fix
HydraFacial: A HydraFacial is always a fantastic option for patients who are looking for a quick skin tune-up before a big event or holiday party. “With no downtime, a HydraFacial will clean out a patient’s pores, reduce irritation and inflammation, exfoliate dead skin cells, and most importantly offer a patient glowing and hydrated skin,” explained Dr. Greenberg. “This new-age facial can also infuse your skin with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and peptide blends that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each patient.” You can even get a HydraFacial 24 hours or less before a big event!
Quick Tips
- Schedule immediately. Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule a procedure. The holidays are the busiest months for medspas.
- Make sure your fillers and/or Botox get done at least a week in advance to give them time to take effect.
- Your skin can get really dry this time of year, so moisturize well or consider a hydrating facial.
- Book with qualified and experienced professionals!
- Follow recovery instructions, drink lots of water, eat lots of veggies, and get proper rest to help maximize your treatment results.
Another Reason for “Looking Your Best” during the Holidays
“Chronic stress levels can impact your well-being in a number of ways, one being taking a toll on your physical appearance. There are several options to minimize the impact not only emotionally but physically as well. Making time for yourself and addressing an area of concern can positively impact your self-esteem, which in turn improves your self-confidence and makes stress easier to manage,” said Dr. Deanna Dial, a licensed practicing psychiatrist in Flower Mound. This can be as simple as treatments such as Botox/Dysport or a Hydrafacial.
By LaRue V. Gillespie
