Rest and rejuvenate: How injectables can keep you looking refreshed this season

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in the chaos and forget to take a moment to take care of yourself. From holiday gift shopping to party planning to racing from event to event, there's hardly time to breathe let alone rest during the holidays. The unfortunate result is that we may not look quite as refreshed and rejuvenated as we'd like to during these festive occasions.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to help you look refreshed and radiant for the holidays with little to no downtime at all. One such option is noninvasive treatments like injectables. From neurotoxins to dermal fillers to hyaluronic acids, injectables are a quick and relatively painless method of touching up your appearance just in time for the flurry of holiday photos, videos and get-togethers.

If you're interested in learning more about how injectables can help you look your best and truly glow this holiday season, we're here to help. We've reached out to two experts in their field, Karen Horton, MD, MSc, FACS, FRCSC, and Emily Sespaniak, NP, for their insight on this topic as well as tips and tricks to make the most of your treatment before the holidays.

The joy and rejuvenation of injectables

The holidays may be about joy, wonder and time spent with others, but it can quickly prove to be hectic, stressful and overwhelming. So many men and women have little time to do anything at all outside of their normal day-to-day routine, let alone take the time to prepare their skin to look its best for holiday parties and photos. Luckily, modern plastic surgery has a variety of noninvasive and nonsurgical options that can help to refresh the appearance with little to no downtime at all.

"With holiday events and parties just around the corner, the end of the year is definitely the busiest time for practices such as ours," said Horton. "While it's a fun and exciting time of year, for many it can also be stressful and tiring. Nonsurgical treatments can help restore a natural skin glow, plump up lips, smooth out lines and give your look a 'refresh' without the downtime of surgery."

For those who have regularly scheduled injectable treatments, getting a touch-up at the onset of the holidays is a great way to work in your next treatment.

"We always recommend trying to book your quarterly neuromodulator treatment a few weeks in advance of your busiest weeks or holiday parties to allow time for results to fully settle in," said Horton. "It's also a great time to start transitioning skincare to more hydrating products to nourish dry winter skin."

In looking at new and exciting treatments in the field, there is one that is top of mind for both Horton and Sespaniak.

"We are loving the results of SkinVive, a new injectable that just hit the market by the makers of Juvederm," said Sespaniak. "This unique injectable boosts the skin's hydration and has very little downtime. Virtually everyone can benefit from this product! Results can be seen as soon as two to three weeks."

While injectables may be a great option for many to prep for the holiday season, it's important to keep in mind that not every option is best.

"If you're new to filler, we advise waiting until after any important events to have treatment for the first time," said Sespaniak. "This is especially important if you're planning to have filler in areas that are most prone to bruising and swelling such as the lips or undereye area. Trying to fit this in immediately before a big holiday event is tempting fate, and the last thing you want to have to worry about is feeling self-conscious about bruising in your holiday photos!"

Tips and tricks to maximize your results

As with any surgical or noninvasive procedure, there are a few key methods that you can easily employ in order to maximize your results with injectables before the holidays really kick in.

Start with skincare

Great results always start with an amazing base. In the case of injectables, implementing a well-rounded skincare routine can help extend the length between your treatments and keep your skin glowing.

"To really get the most out of your injectable results, we recommend investing in a well-rounded medical-grade skincare routine that you can maintain at home between treatments," said Horton. "Medical-grade skincare products are generally available at a board-certified plastic surgeon's offices and contain the highest concentration of active ingredients – as compared to department store products that are heavily marketed but less 'medical.'"

Keep up with your full self-care routine

The health and appearance of your skin come from so many aspects of your day-to-day life, not just your skincare routine. Every bit and piece plays a part!

"In addition to diligent skincare, proper hydration, a well-rounded diet, regular exercise and good sleep hygiene are vital to maintaining the skin's health and vibrancy," said Sespaniak.

Make sure to plan ahead

So many of us are so busy during the lead-up to the holiday season that we will often forget to schedule out our touch-up appointments. Start planning ahead for next year now by booking your holiday 2024 appointment with your specialist.

"Plan your annual beauty regimen in advance so you don't find yourself scrambling to get an appointment at the end of the year," said Sespaniak. "Busy practices and skilled injectors are booked up weeks and sometimes months in advance!"

Limit your sun exposure

While many of us may be aware that sun damage can cause premature aging, it may come as a surprise that it can have a negative effect on your pre-holiday skin treatments.

"For injectables and other skin rejuvenation procedures like laser treatments and microneedling, we recommend booking your treatments ahead of time in order to plan for social events or sun exposure that might impact treatment outcomes," said Sespaniak.

Staying refreshed for the holidays

Remember, don't ever get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that you forget to take a moment for yourself. For a last-minute pick-me-up to refresh and rejuvenate before the holidays, injectables are an easy, effective noninvasive option with minimal downtime that can get you glowing in no time at all.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.