Have you got your Christmas prep nailed? Maybe you’ve wrapped all your presents, ordered your turkey…but wait, what about your Christmas skin prep? When is the right time to have that chemical peel? Can you drink at the company Christmas party hours after a treatment? Don’t worry, we’ve provided a quick Christmas skin prep guide so you don’t have to add it to your list.
Whether you’re planning a Hydrafacial, considering injectables, more advanced treatments, or a combination of both, the key to great results is prep and timing. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure you’re glowing when the Christmas festivities begin!
Timing Your Dermal Filler Treatments
The good news is that dermal fillers offer instant results. However, we recommend 1-3 days of recovery, depending on the treatment area, as you may experience slight swelling or bruising, which can take up to 3 days to resolve.
If you’re planning on having lip fillers, we recommend allowing at least a week for your lips to settle and start to look more natural. The final lip shape and volume can take between 2-4 weeks. It’s important to also note that on the day of treatment, you won’t be able to apply makeup after your treatment.
For at least 24 hours after treatment, avoid the following:
- Alcohol
- Strenuous exercise on the day of your treatment
- Prolonged heat exposure, such as in saunas or hot yoga
- Aspirin and ibuprofen
- Massage or facials
Some filler treatments have a higher probability of causing swelling and bruising, your medical practitioner will be able to advise.
Be Patient with Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Unlike dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections take a bit longer to show results. While there’s no downtime with this treatment, the effects take 5–10 days to start working their magic, and the finished result can often take up to 14 days. To ensure you’re in peak condition for events, be sure to schedule your anti-wrinkle injections at least 2 weeks in advance.
The aftercare for anti-wrinkle injections is similar to that of dermal fillers, with key guidelines to follow for optimal results.
Injectable Skincare: Profhilo® & Polynucleotides
Both Profhilo and Polynucleotides are exceptional injectable treatments for Christmas skin prep, offering deep hydration and improving skin elasticity.
Profhilo® uses hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen and elastin, resulting in a smoother, firmer complexion. For optimal results, schedule your treatment at least 2 weeks before your event. With Profhilo®, we recommend 2 treatment spaced 1 month apart. However, after the first treatment, many patients still experience refreshed, youthful-looking skin.
Polynucleotides, a treatment that has quickly become a favourite, are regenerative injectables often used in areas showing early signs of ageing, such as under the eyes, around the mouth, or even across the full face, providing a refreshed, plumped-up appearance.
What makes Polynucleotides great for pre-event preparation is their ability to restore hydration without any downtime. The long-term benefits can take a few months, and we often recommend 3-4 treatments. However, many patients have said the immediate skin hydration is noticeable.
For both treatments mild redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site can occur, usually resolving within a few hours to days. Aftercare for both treatments is similar to dermal fillers.
For The Smoothest Skin
For a fresh, glowing complexion just in time for the festivities, consider dermaplaning. This gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells and peach fuzz, instantly leaving your skin smooth and refreshed with no downtime. Dermaplaning is perfect as a pre-event treatment because it also allows your skincare and makeup to glide on effortlessly.
We recommend booking dermaplaning 1–3 days before an event for the best results. Dermaplaning can also be added on to your Hydrafacial treatment for an enhanced skin boost.
The Chemical Peel Effect
What we love about a pre-event chemical peel:
- Brighter Skin: Immediately after a peel, skin looks fresher and more radiant as dead skin cells are removed.
- Smoother Texture: Peels help exfoliate the skin, reducing rough patches and promoting a smoother surface.
- Improved Tone: They can reduce the appearance of pigmentation, sun spots, and mild scarring, leading to a more even skin tone.
- Clearer Skin: Chemical peels can help reduce acne by unclogging pores and reducing oil production.
What’s important to remember is that chemical peels come in various strengths, with stronger treatments leading to more visible peeling. However, the peeling doesn’t start immediately, it usually starts gently around 48 hours post-treatment and can last for 4-5 days. So, with this in mind, we always advise having a peel at least a week before any event to make sure the peeling has subsided. You will usually see the best results 7-10 days after the treatment.
If you’re concerned about visible peeling, consider a low-intensity peel that will provide a radiant glow without significant shedding, depending on your skin’s suitability.
We recommend always consulting a skin expert before booking a chemical peel to make sure it is the right strength for your skin type and you work your way up to the strongest.
Schedule Microneedling a Week Before Events
Microneedling is a fantastic treatment that delivers long-term skin rejuvenation and ‘collagen banking’. A series of treatments are usually recommended to offer the best results, however, even a single session can deliver superficial results, such as improved skin texture and hydration.
What is also an important consideration when booking a microneedling appointment is the pre and post-treatment prep and aftercare.
Pre-treatment prep:
- Avoid tanning products for 4 weeks before microneedling to prevent pigmentation issues, skin sensitivity, and treatment interference.
- If you are currently on or have taken antibiotics in the last 4 weeks, please reschedule your booking.
- Avoid active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, BHAs, or exfoliating products for 7 days before microneedling.
Post-treatment, expect some redness, which typically fades within a couple of days. To ensure you’re looking fresh for your upcoming events, plan to have microneedling at least a week before any big celebrations.
Get a Glowing Boost with a HydraFacial
Maybe you’ve left everything to the last minute? Don’t worry, it happens, December is not called “silly season” for nothing. For an instant glow with no downtime, try a relaxing Hydrafacial treatment. This non-invasive facial deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin using unique Vortex-Fusion technology. It removes dead skin cells and impurities while infusing nourishing serums to leave your skin glowing and refreshed.
For an extra indulgence, you can book an extended Hydrafacial which includes a booster and LED therapy.
The HydraFacial treatment provides instant, visible results with no peeling, making it the perfect choice to get party-ready without any recovery time, plus a fantastic base for flawless party glam. Just remember to wait 24 hours before applying makeup to let your skin fully absorb the benefits of the serums.
Booking Your Treatments
To make sure your treatments are perfectly timed for your festive events, you can book directly online.
If you’re unsure which treatment is best for your skin in the run up to an event, contact our friendly knowledgeable team or book a skin analysis with our skin expert. We can’t wait to help you with your Christmas skin prep so you can look your best.
