Your Holiday Glow Guide
November 2025
Weekly Planning to Get Your Skin Ready for the Holiday Season
It’s hard to believe we’re so close to the holiday season after the long, hot summer, but it’s officially time to start skincare treatments that will get you ready for the holidays.
Family gatherings, company parties, and festivities with friends will have you putting in face time and posing for photo ops – and since some treatments work best over time, plan ahead to achieve a healthy, radiant holiday glow.
Here is your step-by-step guide to planning a skin care routine that will have you looking your best and feeling your most confident in time for the holidays.
Step 1: 6-8 Weeks Before the Holidays
6-8 weeks before the holiday season and start of the new year is the ideal time to begin cosmetic treatments that require more downtime, multiple treatments, or that gradually improve your skin’s appearance.
If you’re looking for more dramatic changes to your skin, here are some treatments to begin as soon as possible to be ready for the holidays:
Laser and Light Treatments: These treatments can effectively diminish skin discoloration and reduce the appearance of rosacea, redness, brown spots, and sun damage. Some of Optima’s more advanced lasers can even out uneven skin textures, fine lines, wrinkles, and help with scarring. There are several types of laser and light treatments for specific outcomes. Here’s what you need to know about timelines and downtime for laser and light treatments to help prepare for holiday events and celebrations:
- BroadBand (BBL™) is a form of light intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy sends light energy into the skin to correct color and even out skin tone. It has virtually no downtime and results in healthier, more vibrant skin. BBL™ therapy is ideal for treating conditions like brown spots, sun damage, and redness. While visible results are seen 2 weeks after a single BBL treatment, a series of three treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart is recommended for optimal results. The most common feedback from patients after this treatment is that they feel like there is less cover up on the skin. It is a good idea to get these treatments started as soon as possible for “makeup optional” skin this holiday season.
- A HALO® laser uses different wavelengths to target both the surface of skin, and deeper tissue to stimulate collagen. This therapy is ideal for treating more severe sun damage, brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring. Often, improvements will be achieved with a single treatment, however your provider may recommend more depending on your specific skin care goals. Expect downtime of at least 5 days, with a visible improvement to skin, and peak results setting in 3 months post treatment.
- Fraxel is a laser treatment designed to improve skin tone and texture by targeting brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring, while also stimulating collagen production over time. It shares some similarities with the HALO® laser, as both treatments resurface the skin and promote rejuvenation, but they differ in their specific technology and depth of treatment. Your provider can help you decide which treatment is best for you.
- VBeam® is a pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment that targets redness in the skin and is ideal for addressing conditions such as rosacea, spider veins, and port-wine stains. A series of sessions is often recommended depending on the condition being treated and your skincare goals, so starting early helps ensure your skin looks its best for the holidays. Visible improvements typically appear within 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. Depending on the treatment area and the severity of redness, mild swelling may occur for a few days, so it’s best to plan accordingly.
Microneedling with PRP or Exosomes: This treatment combines microneedling with either platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or exosome-derived growth factors to rejuvenate skin at a cellular level. The treatment works by stimulating collagen and elastin production to improve skin texture, minimize fine lines, and promote a smoother, more radiant complexion.
You may notice an immediate healthy glow following a single session; however, true collagen remodeling and skin tightening develop gradually over time as your body’s natural healing response takes effect. A series of three treatments, spaced about four weeks apart, typically provides the most significant and long-lasting results. For best results, it is recommended to begin your microneedling series at least four weeks before a special event or the busy holiday season.
Chemical Peels: From light peels to deeper resurfacing options, chemical peels can brighten skin, minimize fine lines, and reduce uneven pigmentation.
Because peeling and redness can last for days or weeks depending on the intensity of the chemical peel, scheduling 4-6 weeks out is best to be ready for the holidays.
Step 2: 3-4 Weeks Before the Holidays
With the holidays approaching, 3-4 weeks beforehand is the right time for treatments that deliver results relatively quickly but still need a window of time to settle.
Botox® / Dysport®: Neuromodulators like Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® and Daxxify® work by gently relaxing the muscles that cause expression lines—softening the appearance of forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines for a smoother, refreshed look.
You will start to notice results within just a few days, with your full results appearing around the two-week mark. The effects typically last for three to four months (and sometimes longer, depending on the product and your individual response), helping you maintain a natural, rested appearance without looking “frozen.”
Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers are a safe and effective way to restore volume, enhance facial contours, and smooth deeper lines and folds for a naturally refreshed appearance. Over time, our skin gradually loses collagen and elasticity, leading to hollow areas or deeper wrinkles. Fillers work to gently replenish that lost volume, helping you look like yourself—just more rejuvenated and well-rested.
Results are visible immediately after treatment, though it’s common to have some mild swelling or occasional bruising that typically resolves within a few days. To ensure your skin looks its best, it’s a good idea to plan your filler appointment 3-4 weeks before any big event or holiday celebration, so your results have time to fully settle.
Sculptra®: Different from dermal fillers, Sculptra® is a unique, collagen-stimulating injectable designed to gradually restore volume and firmness to the skin for results that look natural and last. Unlike traditional fillers that add instant volume, Sculptra® works by stimulating your skin’s own collagen production—helping to rebuild the underlying structure and improve overall elasticity and smoothness over time.
Most patients begin to see subtle improvements a few months after treatment, with continued enhancement as new collagen forms. For optimal, long-lasting results, a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart is typically recommended. Because Sculptra® works progressively, it’s best to plan ahead if you’d like to see your full results in time for a special event or upcoming season.
Step 3: 1-2 Weeks Before the Holidays
In the final weeks as holiday events are approaching, keep it simple with skin-refreshing treatments that deliver an instant glow with minimal downtime.
HydraFacial® and DiamondGlow®: These advanced facials deeply cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin, leaving it radiant and refreshed. They are perfect for a pre-party boost and can be customized to accommodate your skin’s needs.
Dermaplaning: This treatment gently removes dead skin cells and fine facial hair, making it easier to apply makeup and helping skincare products absorb more effectively. The result is brighter, smoother skin – and a great holiday glow.
At-Home Skincare That Lasts All Holiday Season
Your skin can get a major boost from professional treatments, but it is also important to maintain a consistent at-home routine to extend treatment results and keep your skin healthy and glowing all season long.
- Gently cleanse your skin twice daily to remove dirt, makeup, and excess oil.
- Apply a hydrating moisturizing cream to keep skin soft and protected from cold, dry air.
- Wear a daily sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher – the sun can still damage skin on cloudy days and in the winter.
- Use products that contain retinoids, vitamin C, or hyaluronic acid to support brighter, healthier skin. Ask your provider for guidance on the right products for your skin.
Glow Into the Holidays With Optima Dermatology
See one of our expert, board-certified providers to get a skincare plan that’s designed around your unique needs and timeline.
Whether you’re looking for long-lasting results or a last-minute refresh, we’ll have you feeling radiant and confident for the season ahead.
Book your treatments now to ensure you can glow confidently into the holidays!