The festive season is fast approaching, and many patients want to look their best to end the year on a glorious note. However, not all aesthetic treatments provide immediate results, as some work gradually to deliver longer-lasting skin rejuvenation. This begs the question: which treatments are ideal to book now to have you looking effortlessly more radiant before Christmas Eve?
That is why we have created a list of top pre-holiday aesthetic treatments that have proven, time and time again, to deliver fast results with minimal downtime.
1. Botulinum Toxin (Botox)
In 1987, Dr Richard Clark in the UK first treated a patient with strabismus using botulinum toxin. Around the same time, it began to be explored for cosmetic use to reduce facial lines. In 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved Botox for the cosmetic treatment of glabellar lines (frown lines between the eyebrows).
Since then, it has become one of the most well-known (and arguably one of the most popular) aesthetic treatments around the globe. With good reason, of course, as Botox is a quick lunchtime procedure that comes with practically zero downtime. Side effects after treatment are usually mild, typically involving temporary redness or swelling.
Most patients start to notice results within a few days, with full results developing over roughly two weeks, meaning a treatment in early December gives you that smooth, fresh look just in time.
2. Dermal Fillers
Another option worth considering is dermal fillers. These fillers are a go-to for subtle volume enhancement. Whether you want slightly plumper lips, lifted cheeks, or smoothing of nasolabial folds, these gels replenish lost volume and can be administered in under an hour. They are also ideal if you are struggling with hollows beneath the eyes (the “tear troughs”) to soften the appearance of sunken or darkened areas, leaving you with a brighter, rejuvenated under-eye area and a rested, youthful look.
The results are immediate, though final settling may take a week or two as swelling subsides. When it comes to downtime, there is very little, and patients often return to daily life directly after treatment. Mild swelling or bruising may linger for a couple of days but can be managed with ice, arnica, or red‑light therapy. Therefore, we advise patients not to book a filler appointment a day before a big event.
3. Skin Boosters
Skin boosters like Profhilo and Sunekos remodel the skin from within, offering deep hydration and improved skin quality with minimal downtime. Unlike dermal fillers, which add volume, or Botox, which relaxes muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles, Profhilo consists of high-concentration hyaluronic acid that hydrates and remodels tissue (bio-remodelling) to lift and tighten the skin. Sunekos, on the other hand, combines hyaluronic acid with specific amino acids to stimulate collagen and elastin production (biostimulation), improving skin texture, elasticity, and glow.
As with any injectable treatment, slight redness or small injection bumps may appear, but these usually settle within 24 to 48 hours. You can return to normal activities almost immediately. Results are also gradual rather than immediate. Therefore, initial improvements can typically be noticed within 1 to 2 weeks, with optimal results generally visible 4 to 6 weeks after the first session.
For best results, we recommend booking an appointment at least five weeks ahead of major events to ensure your skin is fully revitalised.
4. HydraFacial
For patients seeking smooth, radiant, deeply refreshed skin without injections, a HydraFacial treatment is a next-generation favourite. It helps improve dullness, reduce the appearance of fine lines, enhance texture, and support long-term skin rejuvenation by promoting healthier, more resilient skin.
This multi-stage detoxifying facial uses advanced vortex-fusion technology to simultaneously cleanse, exfoliate, extract impurities, and infuse the skin with nourishing serums, all in one beautifully efficient treatment that gives your skin immediate and visible results.
With only mild, temporary redness for some patients, and virtually zero downtime, you can typically walk out glowing and ready to take on the day.
5. Light Chemical Peels
For a refreshed, radiant complexion, superficial chemical peels (using mild acids such as glycolic or lactic acid) are great for refining skin tone and texture and reducing pore size.
Our patients love our Blue Peel Radiance from the world-renowned Obagi skincare range. It is a quick and efficient acid-based facial peel that exfoliates and helps improve overall complexion, as well as tightens and smooths the skin, providing brighter-looking results after just one use. However, the best results are visible after six sessions, something to potentially add to your New Year’s resolutions list.
Because the recovery is short, patients do not need to take extended downtime, making it perfect timing for prepping for festive gatherings. Rejuvenated, even-toned skin also provides a stunning base for holiday makeup.
Final Festive Thoughts
Our team of experts recommends booking a consultation to ensure that treatment choices align with each patient’s goals and to maximise the chance of achieving the desired results smoothly and successfully.
However, for patients wanting to look and feel their best during the festive season, having a few strategic tweakments (as guided by our team) can deliver a radiant finish with minimal recovery time. With smart timing and the right aftercare, patients can be glowing just in time for Christmas.
