With festive diaries starting to fill up, a beauty expert says those considering tweakments should allow plenty of time for consultation, healing and results before the party season begins.
Anyone considering a cosmetic treatment ahead of the festive season is being encouraged to plan early, according to a beauty expert. With Christmas party calendars beginning to take shape, Louise Walsh, founder of Plasma Pen, says timing is one of the most important factors for those opting for skin-tightening and rejuvenation treatments.
She says many people underestimate how long some procedures can take to heal and settle, particularly treatments designed to stimulate collagen production.
Louise said: "Every December I see people book a skin-tightening treatment the week before a party and expect to look polished on the night.
"Anything that works by stimulating collagen needs time to heal, and then more time to show results."
According to Louise, plasma fibroblast procedures typically involve a short healing period before improvements continue to develop over several weeks. She says visible crusting can take between five and 10 days to subside, while final results may continue to develop over six to eight weeks. As a result, individuals hoping to have treatments before festive events may benefit from planning appointments well in advance.
Louise recommends allowing six to eight weeks before a key event for treatments designed to tighten or rebuild skin. For procedures involving visible healing, she suggests leaving at least two to three weeks before an important occasion. In the final days before a party, her advice is to avoid experimenting with unfamiliar treatments or products.
She said: "Your skin should only meet products and treatments it already knows before a big night."
Louise also encourages anyone considering aesthetic treatments to book a consultation first and ensure their practitioner is fully qualified and insured.
She said: "The aim isn't to look different.
"It's to feel like yourself, only more rested, when life is at its busiest.
"Planning ahead means you can focus on enjoying the celebrations rather than worrying about recovery time."