Getting that home-for-the-holidays glow has never been easier.
That said, it’s important to know what treatments to get — and when — to look one’s very best in time for that big seasonal get-together.
“People don’t want to look overdone for the holidays — they want to look like a rested, refreshed version of themselves,” Joie Tavernise, the founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare, told The Post. “I always emphasize thoughtful timing and customization to have glowing skin so that results look natural, settled and effortless when it matters most.”
Getting the timing — not to mention the results — of treatments just right is key to avoiding irritated skin, visible injection sites or redness. (No Rudolph noses here!)
Read on for expert advice on the most popular facial enhancers to get before the holidays, as well as just how far in advance to plan them.
Lip filler
To avoid a visible lip injection site fiasco — as some experts have speculated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt may have faced during a recent Vanity Fair photo shoot — it’s crucial to go to the right injector at the right time before heading home for the holidays.
Used to enhance shape, symmetry and hydration, lip filler — typically a hyaluronic acid-based solution injected with a sharp needle for precision or a flexible cannula syringe for smoother results — is a good choice for those looking to pump up the volume on their pout in a subtle way.
“Most patients aren’t looking for dramatic change — they just want lips that look balanced and refreshed,” said Adashev. “Because swelling and minor bruising are common, lip filler should be done about two to three weeks before holiday events.”
To avoid these risks altogether, Kim recommends that her patients try the alternative of a Botox “lip flip,” an injection to the upper lip muscle.
“It will make the top lip look a little bigger, and you don’t have all the bruising and swelling that you would with lip filler,” she said.
Under-eye filler
There are few facial tweaks that are more controversial than under-eye filler.
Designed to improve hollowness and tired-looking eyes by restoring volume with hyaluronic acid, Tavernise emphasized that the treatment — which is known for its potential to cause unsightly side effects like bruising, lumps and puffiness — requires “a conservative, customized approach.”
“I recommend six to eight weeks before the holidays to ensure everything is fully settled and looks refreshed, not treated,” said Tavernise.
Kim, on the other hand, rarely recommends this treatment to her clients — holiday season or no.
“Under-eye filler can actually make the problems of hollowness and discoloration worse,” Kim said. “I usually dissolve more under-eye filler than I actually do.”
For those who do decide to try the treatment, make sure to visit an experienced injector to procure the most natural-looking results.
Botox
The days of “botched Botox” and frozen faces have mostly been left in the early 2000s, with today’s injectors taking a more conservative, streamlined approach to address fine lines and wrinkles.
Still, it’s important to determine exactly what areas of the face could benefit from treatment before the holidays to produce a “you, but better” kind of result.
“Botox takes about two weeks to fully kick in, so give yourself time — and also to do a touch-up if you need to,” advised Kim. “I’d probably do it three to four weeks ahead of an event just to make sure everything is settling in OK.”
Adashev added that Botox works by relaxing the facial muscles that cause expression lines, such as frown lines and crow’s feet.
“Botox doesn’t change how you look — it just helps you look more rested,” said Adashev. “It takes about two weeks to fully take effect, making that the ideal timing before the holidays.”
For those short on days before Christmas, Daxxify — an FDA-approved alternative to Botox that tends to visibly kick in more quickly — is a viable option.
Microdermabrasion
A gentle exfoliating treatment that refreshes the skin by removing dead skin cells, microdermabrasion is a non-invasive way to address dull skin, texture issues and fine lines.
It’s a fitting “lunchtime” treatment for teens to seniors, though those who are older may need a gentler touch due to thinner skin, and requires little downtime — but caution is still needed, as redness and swelling can be immediate side effects. It’s also not suited for those with active acne or rosacea, as it can cause irritation.
“I often recommend microdermabrasion to patients who want a quick glow with no downtime,” Tara Adashev, a nurse practitioner at Neinstein Plastic Surgery, told The Post. “It smooths texture and helps the skin look fresh and healthy. Because results are immediate, it can be done about three to seven days before the holidays.”
Tavernise recommends a slightly more conservative approach.
”This is a great pre-event treatment and can be done one to two weeks before the holidays to allow the skin to glow without sensitivity,” she said.
Chemical peel
Chemical peels can range from mild to moderate to high strength, so it’s essential to know what type of acid, its concentration, and just how deep it penetrates before determining how far in advance to plan it before a holiday bash.
Described by Adashev as a “reset for the skin,” peels are best for those with discoloration, fine lines and tone issues. That said, certain formulations — like the widely popular Jessner peel — can be customized to fit one’s specific skincare needs.
“A light-to-medium peel is best done three to four weeks before the holidays, giving the skin time to regenerate and reveal a healthy glow without lingering peeling,” advised Tavernise.
Anni Kim, a Beverly Hills-based celebrity nurse injector, is not a fan of chemical peels as a pre-holiday treatment.
“It is very unpredictable how long the skin is going to peel for,” Kim told The Post. “The last thing you want to do is show up to a family event and have flakes of skin peeling off.”
