When to start skin treatments before Christmas

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How far ahead should I start skin treatments before Christmas?

Around eight weeks is a sensible starting point for treatments delivered as a course, because skin works on a timetable of weeks rather than days. Measurements on forearm skin found that cells took roughly 20 days to pass through the skin's outer layer in adults under 35, and about 28 days in adults over 60 [1]. Barrier recovery after disruption also slows with age [1]. Deeper change takes longer: after fractional laser resurfacing, new collagen continues to form over three to six months [3].

Count back from your first important date, not from 25 December. If your work party is on 12 December, week 8 starts in mid-October.

This is a general planning framework, not a prescription. Your doctor decides the sequence after seeing your skin.

How far in advance should I get filler before an event?

Allow at least two to four weeks between dermal filler and an important event. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists bruising, redness and swelling among the common side effects of fillers, says most appear shortly after injection, and notes that many resolve within a few days to weeks [5]. Booking in the Refine phase gives that time to settle and leaves room for a review appointment if anything needs adjusting.

At 23MD, dermal fillers are always planned after a doctor's assessment, aiming for a subtle, balanced result.

How long before Christmas should I have a facial?

That depends on the facial. A no-downtime treatment your skin already knows can sit in the final weeks, but anything new is better booked at least two weeks before, so an unexpected reaction has time to calm down.

A course-based facial needs more notice. HydraFirm, Dr Kersh's signature treatment, combines a hydrating facial with radiofrequency in one appointment and is given as a course of four, then top-ups every three months. To complete the course before December, start it in the Regenerate phase. For other options, see our bespoke facials.

Is it too late to start polynucleotides?

Not necessarily, but expect the result to keep developing after Christmas rather than peak on the day. Polynucleotides are injectable treatments made from purified DNA fragments, intended to support the skin's own repair. A 2026 systematic review of seven small randomised trials (183 participants) found improvements in some skin measures as early as two weeks in some studies and at two months in another, with no serious treatment-related side effects reported [4]. The authors were clear that the trials were small, used different products and protocols, and that stronger evidence is needed [4]. We would describe the evidence as promising but early.

Polynucleotides are usually planned as a course, so with fewer than eight weeks your doctor may suggest starting now and finishing in the new year. The same thinking applies to radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, which uses fine needles and heat to prompt collagen renewal. In studies, results were often assessed one to six months after the final session, there is no single standard protocol, and redness usually settled within hours to a few days, although one study reported an average of around a week [2]. For a closer look at the evidence, read Polynucleotides examined.

What can I do 2 weeks before a party?

Two weeks before a party, focus on protection, hydration and a steady routine rather than new treatments. Nothing aggressive, and nothing your skin hasn't had before.

• Protect. The NHS advises sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with at least four-star UVA protection, and notes that you can burn in the UK even when it's cloudy [6]. This matters most after resurfacing, or if you are spending the holidays somewhere sunny, including Dubai in winter.
• Hydrate. Keep your products simple and familiar. This is not the week to try a new active ingredient.
• Rest. Regular sleep supports your overall health, and late nights tend to show.

The 23MD view

"I would always rather plan skin than rush it, as many layers of the skin need to be addressed in sequence at the right time. The concept of combining treatments to regenerate, rejuvenate, and restore, is a key ethos at 23MD. My approach, Treatment Stacking, looks at skin, lines, volume and bone together, aiming to rebalance the face rather than take it over. Before Christmas, that often means starting a regenerative course early and keeping the final fortnight calm, with only treatments the skin already knows. Every plan begins with a 45 to 60 minute first consultation, where we look at your skin, your history and your calendar, and talk through the benefits and risks of each option. Suitability and results vary from person to person." — Dr Suha Kersh

Have a particular concern about your skin? Explore it with our Skin Analyser: upload a photo and receive a personalised skin assessment, built on Dr Kersh's clinical approach. It gives general information to help you prepare for a consultation; it doesn't diagnose, and it doesn't replace seeing a doctor.

Who this is for, and who it isn't for

• For people with a date in mind who are happy to follow a doctor-led schedule.
• Not for anyone looking for a quick fix the week before an event.
• Not for people with an active skin infection, a cold sore flare or certain medical conditions until a doctor has assessed them.
• Not a substitute for personal medical advice. This article is general education only.

Frequently asked questions

How long before an event should I have laser resurfacing? Laser resurfacing usually belongs early in the plan, because recovery depends on the device and depth used and new collagen develops over three to six months [3]. Your doctor will say whether there is enough time before your date.

Can I have RF microneedling before Christmas? RF microneedling belongs in the Regenerate phase. Redness usually settles within hours to a few days, but one study reported around a week, and results are often assessed months later [2].

Do I need sunscreen in winter? Yes. The NHS notes that you can burn in the UK even when it's cloudy, and recommends at least SPF 30 with four-star UVA protection [6]. In Dubai, winter sun is strong, so daily SPF matters even more.

Will my skin look different straight away? Some people notice a change in glow or hydration soon after certain treatments, but changes linked to collagen take weeks to months [3]. Results vary, and no result can be promised.

Have a date in the diary? Tell our Treatment Stacker your goal, your timeline and your clinic, and it will draft a sequenced pre-Christmas plan for a 23MD doctor to review. It gives general information to help you prepare; it doesn't diagnose, and it doesn't replace a consultation.

Talk to a 23MD doctor

An early conversation gives you the most choice. Our doctors will talk through what is realistic in the time you have, without pressure. Suitability and results vary, and your doctor will discuss benefits and risks at consultation.

• London: Plan with our London team on WhatsApp (+44 7714 307850) · 23 Elystan Street, Chelsea
• Dubai: Plan with our Dubai team on WhatsApp (+971 50 876 2323) · The Court Residence, 39B Street, Jumeirah 1

23MD is a doctor-led clinic in Chelsea, London (since 2015) and Jumeirah 1, Dubai (since 2023).

References

1. The aging skin barrier. Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2025;75(5):345–346 (citing Grove et al., forearm skin). https://library.scconline.org/v075n05/20
2. Niaz G, Ajeebi Y, Alshamrani HM, Khalmurad M, Lee K. Fractional radiofrequency microneedling as a monotherapy in acne scar management: a systematic review of current evidence. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2025;18:19–29. doi:10.2147/CCID.S502295. https://www.dovepress.com/article/download/98918
3. Waibel J. Fractional laser resurfacing now and in the future: clinical, cellular, and histologic review. Cosmetic Dermatology. 2012;25(1):43–47. https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/Document/September-2017/025010043.pdf
4. Alhussain AM, Albusayys ST, Alfhadi MA, et al. Polynucleotides and polydeoxyribonucleotides for skin rejuvenation, postoperative scar prevention, and wound healing: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Cureus. 2026;18(7):e112403. doi:10.7759/cureus.112403. https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/review_article/pdf/512241/20260710-252748-uc019b.pdf
5. US Food and Drug Administration. Dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers
6. NHS. Sunscreen and sun safety. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/