Glow by the Holidays: Skincare Treatments to Start Now

The holiday season is just a few months away, and with it comes a calendar of festive gatherings, parties, and photo opportunities. Everyone wants to look their best during this time of year, but achieving radiant, glowing skin isn’t something that happens overnight. The key to a holiday-ready complexion lies in starting a thoughtful skincare regimen and professional treatments early – specifically in September. This timeline gives your skin the time it needs to recover, rejuvenate, and deliver the best results.

From advanced in-office treatments such as injectables, microneedling, and chemical peels to simple yet effective at-home skincare routines, this guide will outline everything you need to help your skin shine bright for the holidays.

Why Start Skincare Treatments Early?

Your skin undergoes cycles of renewal every 28 to 40 days, depending on your age and lifestyle. To achieve visible, long-lasting improvements, it’s essential to give your skin time to adjust and regenerate. Procedures such as chemical peels or microneedling take time to deliver optimal results, often requiring multiple sessions spaced weeks apart.

Starting early also ensures adequate recovery time, especially for treatments that might cause temporary redness, peeling, or sensitivity. By scheduling your skincare plan for September, you’ll be right on track for glowing skin by the time the holiday season kicks off.

Professional Skincare Treatments to Consider

For those looking to make noticeable improvements, professional skincare treatments are a highly effective solution. Here are some of the best options to begin now for stunning, holiday-ready skin.

Neurotoxins and Dermal Fillers

Neurotoxins (such as Botox and Dysport) and dermal fillers (such as the Juvéderm family of fillers) offer fast, effective solutions for achieving a more youthful, refreshed appearance just in time for the holidays. Neurotoxins relax targeted facial muscles to smooth expression lines, like crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles, while dermal fillers restore lost volume, plump lips, and enhance facial contours. Together or alone, these treatments can create subtle but significant improvements, resulting in smoother skin and balanced features.

What They Treat

• Fine lines and dynamic wrinkles
• Volume loss in cheeks, temples, and lips
• Marionette lines and nasolabial folds
• Facial asymmetry or hollow areas

Why Start Now

Both neurotoxins and fillers deliver quick results – neurotoxins begin to work within a few days and reach full effect in about two weeks, while fillers offer near-instant plumping and contouring. There’s minimal downtime, so you can return to your routine quickly, but getting treated ahead of your first holiday events allows for best results and time for any minor swelling or bruising to resolve.

CoolPeel CO2 Laser Treatment

CoolPeel is an advanced CO2 laser treatment designed to resurface the skin while minimizing the discomfort and downtime associated with traditional laser procedures. Utilizing the Tetra CO2 laser, CoolPeel targets only the superficial layers of your skin, revealing smoother, younger-looking skin without excessive heat damage.

What It Treats

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Sun damage
• Rough or uneven skin texture
• Enlarged pores

Why Start Now

CoolPeel treatments are quick (typically five to 15 minutes for a full face) and have minimal recovery – most redness and tenderness subside in just a few days. Starting now allows any mild side effects to resolve, so your skin appears clearer, brighter, and more radiant just in time for the holiday season.

Microneedling

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, involves the use of tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This process stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen and elastin – two ingredients essential for smooth, firm, and youthful skin.

What It Treats

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Uneven skin texture
• Enlarged pores

Why Start Now

Microneedling results improve more than time as collagen production continues for several weeks post-treatment. To maximize its benefits, you may need three to six sessions spaced about a month apart. Starting in September ensures your final results will be ready to shine come December.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel removes the outermost layers of skin, revealing the fresher, healthier skin underneath. Depending on your skin type and concerns, you can choose from light, medium, or deep peels.

What It Treats

• Hyperpigmentation or sunspots
• Dullness
• Fine lines
• Rough texture

Why Start Now

Light and medium peels typically require minimal downtime, but deeper peels may cause redness and peeling that lasts for several days or weeks. Starting your treatments early allows your skin to recover fully while revealing a smoother, brighter complexion just in time for the holidays.

Hydrafacial

Hydrafacial is a cutting-edge, multi-step facial treatment that deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates your skin in one session. Using a specialized device, Hydrafacial removes impurities and infuses your skin with nourishing serums, leaving your complexion instantly refreshed and glowing. It’s gentle enough for all skin types yet powerful enough to deliver noticeable improvements in texture and clarity.

What It Treats

• Dullness and uneven texture
• Clogged pores and mild acne
• Dehydrated or dry skin
• Fine lines and enlarged pores

Why Start Now

Hydrafacial requires little to no downtime, making it an excellent option to kick-start your holiday skincare routine. Scheduling regular treatments in the weeks leading up to your events can help maintain a consistently radiant, hydrated complexion – so you’ll look your best at every celebration.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing uses concentrated beams of light to remove damaged skin cells and stimulate collagen production. This treatment is highly effective for improving texture and tone and can even address more stubborn skin concerns.

What It Treats

• Sun damage
• Deep wrinkles
• Uneven tone
• Scars

Why Start Now

Laser resurfacing often requires several weeks of recovery because of redness, flaking, or mild discomfort. Starting now gives your skin plenty of time to heal and glow before the holiday rush.

At-Home Skincare Tips for a Radiant Complexion

Professional treatments can deliver dramatic results, but a consistent at-home skincare routine plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing those benefits. Here’s how you can support your professional treatments while prepping your skin for the holidays.

Prioritize Hydration

Dry, flaky skin is a common culprit behind a dull complexion. Incorporate a rich moisturizer with hydrating ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.

Pro Tip: Use a humidifier at night to prevent excessive dryness caused by indoor heating as the weather cools down.

Exfoliate Regularly

Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and improves product absorption. Choose a chemical exfoliant with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to dissolve debris without scrubbing too harshly.

Pro Tip: Limit exfoliation to two to three times per week to avoid over-irritating your skin.

Introduce Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that brightens the complexion, fades dark spots, and boosts collagen production. Incorporate a serum with at least 10-20% vitamin C into your morning routine for glowing skin by December.

Pro Tip: Pair your vitamin C serum with sunscreen to enhance its effectiveness and protect your skin from free radicals.

Don’t Skip Sunscreen

Even in the fall, UV rays can contribute to hyperpigmentation and premature aging. Protect your skin daily with a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing SPF 30 or higher.

Pro Tip: Choose sunscreen with added antioxidants to double up on protection against environmental stressors.

Nourish Your Skin from Within

A balanced diet rich in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and antioxidants can work wonders for your skin. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day to maintain a plump, dewy appearance.

Pro Tip: Green tea and foods such as salmon, avocados, and berries are fantastic additions to a skin-friendly diet.

Your Holiday Glow Starts Today

The path to radiant, holiday-ready skin starts long before the celebrations begin. By incorporating both professional treatments and a solid at-home routine this September, you’ll allow plenty of time for your skin to repair and rebuild, ensuring optimal results.

Whether you’re opting for Botox, microneedling, CoolPeel, or diligently applying your vitamin C serum, consistency and preparation are key. Reach out to one of DESSNA’s board-certified dermatologists or licensed medical aestheticians to create a customized plan that addresses your unique skin concerns.

With a little dedication, you’ll step into the holiday season with confidence, compliments, and – most importantly – a glow that shines as brightly as the festive lights.