Let it Glow! | Party Season Skincare Tips

Dr Kate Jameson, founder and medical director of Youth Lab, Australia’s leading medical aesthetics clinic specialising in non-surgical aesthetics and skin rejuvenation, gives an inside into how to get your complexion through the holiday season (and keep it that way long after).

It is starting to feel like Christmas. The holiday season is in full swing, champagne is flowing and social events are on the horizon. This time of year can be stressful, with late nights and more unhealthy lifestyle choices, and can result in your skin feeling dull and lacklustre. Preparing your skin in the lead-up to the holidays will ensure your festive glow lasts well beyond the party season and will keep you feeling confident and radiant.

In our clinics, we often see clients who suffer from breakouts, lacklustre skin tone and dullness as well as discolouration and pigmentation during the party season. Leaving your skin woes to the last minute can cause even more stress and in turn make the skin look even worse.

No matter what your skin or beauty concerns, or the time frame restrictions, we have the perfect skin solutions to get you glowing and picture-perfect for your Christmas festivities.

8 weeks out

 8 weeks out from a big event or the festive season, now is the perfect time to invest in a more intensive treatment that will deliver dramatic results and target a multitude of skin sins.

For the big wow and flawless filter effect on the skin the combination of Halo Laser resurfacing and BBL (broad band light) work on all aspects of the skin to improve deep lines, and wrinkles, lift and brighten pigmentation, uneven skin tone, redness and pesky blood vessels, reduce pore size and encourage elasticity and firmness of the skin.  You not only get an immediate result but these treatments are the gifts that keep on giving with collagen and elastin renewal continuing for up 6 months post-one treatment.

The expected downtime of this combination treatment is 5-7 days of visible redness like sunburn, mild to moderate swelling, darkening and micro-crusting of pigmentation and rough sandpaper-like feel to the skin until the skin sheds the old layer and reveals a vibrant and glowing refreshed surface. During this time-intensive exercise activities and sun exposure should be avoided.

For a lighter downtime alternative guests can opt for the AURA Laser facial resurfacing, a milder version of the Halo Glow, and  BBL Photofacial combination which results in 24-48 hours of visible redness, minimal to no swelling and milder textural micro-crusting which is less visible and only requires avoiding intensive activities for 48 hours. A more vibrant and glowing complexion is visible from 7 days.

4 weeks out

 Your skin is starting to feel fresh, major skin concerns have been addressed and you are well on your way to looking amazing for those big events. Now is the perfect time to look into cosmetic injectables.

Cosmetic injectables such as anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers and collagen stimulators can be used to give a natural and enhanced look, without looking fake or ‘done’. They can be used to enhance your natural features, stimulate your skin’s natural collagen and deeply hydrate your skin. The use of anti-wrinkle injections will not only smooth out stubborn lines and wrinkles but can also provide a softening and mattifying effect on the skin which in turn can help makeup application and give the skin a photo-ready finish.

Dermal fillers such as cheek and lip enhancement can also be used to enhance your beauty and naturally sculpt your features. Small volumes will look natural and your skin and lips will appear more hydrated and subtle.

The results from anti-wrinkle injections can take up to 2 weeks to take effect and dermal fillers need 2 to 3 weeks to heal and integrate into the skin, meaning by the time the event season arrives, your results will be at their peak effect. Ultimately the sooner you start the better as this gives plenty of time for any fine lines to soften and smooth out.

For those not yet ready for injectables, products such as PCA exlinea peptide serum is a beautiful alternative. This peptide spot treatment serum minimizes the appearance of expression lines and hydrates, smooths and firms aging skin. It mimics the results of anti-wrinkle injections having a similar effect on the appearance of expression lines due to repeated facial muscle movements.

2 weeks out

With only 2 weeks to go, we need to ensure any treatments or products do not cause irritation or “downtime”. By this stage, any major skin concerns will be resolved and the focus should be on hydration, texture, barrier function and overall luminosity. After all, no one wants to be peeling or flaking during a party!

To boost your pre-party glow the best advice is to focus on lighter and less intense treatments, often in supercharged combinations for radiant skin with very little downtime.

Exclusive to YouthLab, the HydraSilk laser facial is one of the most popular treatments that combines the rejuvenating benefits of the Clear Silk laser, the hydration and exfoliation of the Hydrafacial and Healite II LED for a deeply relaxing and revitalizing experience. This hybrid treatment is perfect for those seeking noninvasive exfoliation and deep cleaning of pores with no downtime, plus hydration and antioxidant boosting, collagen stimulating and anti-ageing benefits for a glowing complexion.

Clear Silk laser primarily works to deeply heat the skin. This stimulates the body’s own collagen production and healthy cellular activity, increasing oxygen to the cells and providing a natural rejuvenation, without the downtime or risks associated with more intensive laser treatments.

Using a 1064nm laser delivering a micro pulse of laser energy to the skin, there is no damage to the skin or the surrounding tissues and you can continue with your normal activities after the treatment.

2 weeks before any big event or celebration is also not the time to be introducing active products into your regime. Focus on hydration and restoration. A firm favourite is the PCA Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum which is a cult classic working to naturally boost the skin’s own hyaluronic acid while delivering deep hydration for immediate results.

1 week out

The final cherry on top of your pre-event plan is a relaxing and revitalizing facial, such as the  Oxygenating Trio facial. Also known as the Red Carpet Treatment, is a multi-step antioxidant therapy that combines relaxation and indulgence with clinical results.  Oxygenating antioxidant therapy promotes a radiating healthy glow by stimulating oxygenation, nutrient exchange and circulation within the skin. The skin benefits as moisture and oxygen molecules bond to the tissues causing a gentle plumping effect.

The Oxygenating trio involves working into the skin as an activator, detoxifier and oxygenator and blends key ingredients and antioxidants to stimulate the tissue. Vitamin ampoule infusions boost the penetration of potent active ingredients, customized to each individual, deeper into the skin along with luxurious hydrating and firming masks which complement the oxygenation effects.

The result of this process leaves sluggish, dull or stressed skin refreshed, radiant with a healthy glow – ready to take on the world.

Intensifying the treatment with Healite LED therapy is highly encouraged both for relaxation and increased collagen stimulation.No downtime, just glowing and healthy skin.

The night before

Now is not the time to use a new product or head to the clinic for a last-minute facial. Relaxing at home with a good book and an at-home mask and LED is all that is needed. To maintain your treatment results, collagen stimulation and continue the ultimate glow of your skin, regular usage of at-home LED masks and an application the night before of my favourite PCA Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask is encouraged.

As not all at-home LED devices are created equal. The Déesse Pro™ Express is the industry leader for a reason. This device uses FDA-approved technology, boasts full European regulatory compliance and uses two clinically proven wavelengths of light (633nm red & 830nm Near Infrared), clinically proven to reduce fine lines, and inflammation, stimulate collagen and ultimate cell function at home. This treatment can be performed for 10 minutes four times per week to mimic in-clinic treatment.

Simply put the mask on and lounge on the couch for 10 minutes and your skin will be ready to take on party season.