What better time to hone in on aesthetic treatments than your yearly sabbatical from the glaring sun? Whether you’re aiming to look and feel your best for that big holiday party, New Year’s celebration or for no reason at all (do you really need one?), the fall and wintertime are uniquely well-suited seasons for treating yourself to skincare and aesthetics treatments.
Looking your best when it matters the most requires strategic thinking and timing. Laser, liposuction and skin-tightening treatments all come with unique timelines and follow-up schedules. Understanding the results these treatments provide, how many sessions are typically required, and how long it takes for results to peak is key when preparing for big holiday events.
How to Time Your Laser Treatments
Fine lines and wrinkles can appear more prominent in the wintertime due to the dehydrating effects of cold weather on the skin. This makes laser treatment options like ProFractional laser an even more attractive option during the winter. As mentioned, you’ll want to time your sessions carefully in order to arrive fresh-faced to that holiday party.
ProFractional Laser Resurfacing
ProFractional laser resurfacing uses precisely controlled light energy to create tiny channels in the skin. This prompts a healing response from the body, stimulating collagen production and rejuvenating the skin. This treatment addresses fine lines, sun damage, uneven texture, pigmentation issues and more for a naturally refreshed aesthetic.
Treatment Schedule: Most patients benefit from one to five sessions spaced three to six weeks apart. Dr. Smith will customize your treatment plan around your goals and skin concerns.
Results Timeline: You’ll notice initial improvements within one to two weeks as your skin heals. However, the most dramatic results appear over three to six months as collagen production gradually increases.
Holiday Timing: Approximately six weeks after your final ProFractional session, your skin will reveal its improved texture and radiance. If you plan on having multiple sessions, make sure to account for the gaps in between in order to hit peak results when you intend to.
Micro Laser Peel
The Micro Laser Peel is a highly advanced facial rejuvenation treatment platform that gently removes the thin outer layer of skin to reveal healthier skin beneath. This comfortable, minimally invasive treatment addresses fine lines, uneven skin texture, oversized pores, hyperpigmentation and other skin concerns with minimal downtime.
Treatment Schedule: Many patients report excellent results after just one session, but some benefit more from two to three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart.
Results Timeline: Micro Laser Peel produces immediate results, including significant improvement in your skin’s brightness and texture, that build over two to four weeks as the skin’s regeneration cycle is completed.
Holiday Timing: Three to four weeks is the ideal gap between your last Micro Laser Peel session and the event you’re preparing for. This allows for complete healing and glowing, clear skin.
BroadBand Light (BBL) Treatment
BBL treatment uses light energy of multiple wavelengths to comprehensively address a wide range of skin concerns, including uneven pigmentation, redness, sun damage and excess hair. This is an excellent treatment option for the patient with a variety of mild to moderate skin concerns.
Treatment Schedule: Two to five sessions is the ideal range for most patients. Sessions are typically spaced three to four weeks apart, and annual touch-ups can help you maintain year-round results.
Results Timeline: BBL takes just a few days to start showing improvements, with significant benefits surfacing within two weeks. As the weeks go on, targeted hypopigmentation spots and discoloration should continue to fade.
Holiday Timing: Wrapping up your BBL series approximately four or five weeks before your holiday event will allow enough time for any temporary redness to resolve, revealing even-toned and radiant skin.
Body Contouring for a Confident Fit
Body contouring treatments target stubborn, diet-resistant fat deposits to create more attractive contours in various areas of the body like the love handles or thighs. Post-treatment swelling is a key factor to manage when timing your body contouring treatments to look your best in your holiday event outfit.
Liposuction Procedures
At Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics, Dr. Smith offers various personalized liposuction techniques to remove unwanted fat deposits. These minimally invasive procedures can dramatically improve your body contours.
Treatment Schedule: Most patients achieve their desired level of contouring after a single procedure. However, some opt to have touch-up treatments several months later for enhanced results.
Results Timeline: Depending on the area and the amount of fat removed, you’ll notice an immediate change in your body contour. However, initial swelling will mask your results. Final results are typically visible between three and six months.
Holiday Timing: Spacing your liposuction procedure at least two to three months before your holiday event will allow for the healing process to run its course. By this time, you can confidently wear a form-fitting dress or any other outfit you choose for holiday parties and get-togethers.
FaceTite and AccuTite
FaceTite and AccuTite use radiofrequency energy to eliminate fat cells while tightening the skin for natural-looking contours. FaceTite is typically used on larger areas like the jowls and the chin, while AccuTite precisely targets more delicate areas around the mouth and eyes.
Treatment Schedule: Most patients need just one session to achieve excellent results, but these procedures can be repeated on an ongoing basis as desired.
Results Timeline: Swelling may partially obscure early results, but they should still be visible immediately. Soon after the first month, significant changes should be taking hold, with continued improvement for six months or more as collagen activity increases.
Holiday Timing: Planning your FaceTite or AccuTite procedure approximately eight to ten weeks before your holiday event will allow the swelling to resolve while giving the collagen activity enough time to create a defined, fresh look.
Skin Tightening for a Firm and Lifted Look
Skin tightening treatments improve skin laxity without surgery. These procedures stimulate collagen production to create firmer, more youthful-looking skin over time.
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to treat wrinkles, skin laxity, acne scars and texture irregularities. This versatile treatment can be used on multiple areas of the face and body.
Treatment Schedule: The typical treatment plan consists of three treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart. Some patients can achieve their goals with one or two sessions.
Results Timeline: You’ll notice initial improvements within days as skin texture begins to smooth. Progressive tightening and wrinkle reduction continue for three to six months as collagen remodeling occurs.
Holiday Timing: Begin your Morpheus8 series at least four months before your target date. Complete your final session six to eight weeks before your holiday event to allow for optimal collagen production and skin tightening.
Nova Volume Lift and Silhouette InstaLift
A powerful yet gentle alternative to surgical procedures like the face lift, Nova Volume Lift and Silhouette InstaLift address facial skin laxity with a fraction of the recovery time. Thread lift procedures use biocompatible sutures to lift sagging skin, creating a rejuvenated aesthetic. Dr. Smith is the only board-certified surgeon in Minnesota performing these advanced techniques.
Treatment Schedule: Most patients achieve their desired lift with a single session. Results can be maintained with touch-up treatments as needed.
Results Timeline: You’ll see immediate lifting effects, though some swelling may initially mask results. Full results become apparent after two to four weeks as tissues settle into their new position.
Holiday Timing: Schedule your thread lift procedure four to six weeks before your holiday event. This allows any swelling to resolve while ensuring your lifted, more youthful contours are perfectly defined for photographs and celebrations.
Combining Treatments for Comprehensive Results
Combining treatments is an excellent way to broaden or enhance skin-boosting benefits, but managing a combined approach requires special attention to timing if you’re looking for results to peak at a specific point.
Lasers and Injectables
Pairing laser treatments with Botox or dermal fillers allows for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. However, these treatments should be spaced appropriately to avoid complications.
Timing Strategy: Injectable treatments are typically spaced either two weeks before or two weeks after laser procedures. This prevents interference with healing and ensures optimal results from both treatments.
Body Contouring with Skin Tightening
Combining liposuction with skin tightening treatments like Morpheus8 addresses both fat removal and skin laxity for comprehensive body contouring.
Timing Strategy: Perform liposuction first, then begin skin tightening treatments six to eight weeks later. This allows proper healing while maximizing the benefits of both procedures.
The Exosome Advantage
Dr. Smith offers cutting-edge exosome therapy as an add-on to many treatments. This revolutionary technology increases elastin production by 300% and fibroblast activity by 180%, accelerating healing and enhancing results.
Enhanced Timeline: Treatments combined with exosome therapy often show faster results and reduced downtime, potentially allowing for slightly adjusted timing schedules.
Start Early, Arrive On Time: Choose Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics to Get Holiday-Ready
To the savvy skincare opportunist, winter is anything but an “offseason.” If you can accurately gauge how long your aesthetic treatments will take to reveal peak results, you can achieve that look you’ve always wanted just in time for the big holiday event.
At Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics in Wayzata, near Minneapolis, Dr. Leslie Smith combines extensive surgical experience with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional results. As a board-certified cosmetic surgeon recognized as one of Minnesota’s top practitioners, Dr. Smith offers personalized treatment plans designed around your goals and timeline.
Don’t wait until the last minute to start your holiday transformation. The earlier you begin planning, the more options you’ll have for achieving your ideal results. Contact Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics at 952-460-1970 to schedule your complimentary consultation or use our appointment request form and discover how proper timing can help you look and feel amazing for every holiday celebration ahead.