Every autumn the same question comes up at consultations. Is there still time to have a treatment before Christmas, and will it look settled for the party season? The honest answer depends entirely on which treatment you have in mind, because they settle at very different speeds. This guide gives you a realistic timeline so you can plan sensibly rather than booking too late and worrying.
Why timing matters more than people think
Almost every treatment looks different in the first few days than it does once it has settled. Swelling, slight bruising and the gradual way some treatments develop all mean that having something done the week before an event is rarely wise. Building in a settling period is the difference between feeling confident at a Christmas party and spending it hoping nobody looks too closely.
Dermal fillers: allow around four weeks
Lip filler, cheek filler and jawline filler show their result relatively quickly, but swelling can take a couple of weeks to fully resolve and the final look settles over the following weeks. A sensible rule is to allow around four weeks before an important occasion. For a mid December event, that means booking by mid November at the latest.
Profhilo and skin boosters: think eight to ten weeks
Skin quality treatments work differently. Profhilo is usually given as two sessions about four weeks apart, and the improvement in hydration and firmness builds gradually over the weeks that follow. Skin boosters behave similarly. To look your best for Christmas, the first session ideally happens in early to mid October. If you are reading this later than that, it is more honest to think of these treatments as a January glow rather than a December one, and that is a perfectly good plan.
Chemical peels and microneedling: plan for recovery
A chemical peel or microneedling involves a short renewal phase in which the skin may be flushed or lightly flaking. Allow at least two weeks before an event, and longer for a course. The upside is that autumn and winter, with their low sun, are the ideal season for these treatments.
A simple way to plan
Work backwards from your date. If it is less than four weeks away, filler is still realistic but skin quality courses are not. If it is more than ten weeks away, almost everything is on the table. And if the honest answer is that there is not enough time, a good doctor will tell you so rather than treat you anyway. Dr Mirali Patel, who is registered with the General Medical Council and holds a Level 7 Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine, would always rather you looked settled and natural than rushed.
Planning your pre-Christmas treatment
If you would like to work out what is realistic for your dates, a consultation is the place to start. You are welcome at the Streatham clinic or the Sydenham clinic, and appointments in the run up to Christmas fill quickly, so booking early is sensible.
Maternity Leave Notice
Dr Mirali will be taking a short maternity break from 1st October to 1st December.
During this time, please be patient with responses, as there may be a slight delay in replying to messages and enquiries.
On Monday 23rd November, Dr Mirali will open her availability on Glowday for bookings in December.
Thank you so much for your patience, understanding and continued support.