Timing Is Everything: When to Get Botox® and Dermal Filler for Flawless Holiday Photos

As you make your way through your holiday to-do list and spend no small amount of time making sure everyone else’s needs and wishes are met, don’t forget to treat yourself to something special, too.

One of the ways many of our clients treat themselves over the holiday season is through cosmetic injectables, including Botox® and dermal fillers. This approach to aging and skin revitalization is not only wildly popular — with more than 10 million cosmetic injectable treatments performed in the United States in 2024 alone — but it’s also quick and easy. If you give us just an hour, we can make you photograph-ready this holiday season.

To ensure you get the most out of your holiday cosmetic injectable treatment, the skilled team at Orange Coast Dermatology wants to cover a few key points to keep in mind regarding timing.

The magic of dermal fillers — instant results

There are many reasons to love hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers, and near instant results are certainly at the top of many lists.

HA is a substance that’s naturally found in the human body, especially in your joints, where it provides lubrication. HA is a fantastic lubricant because a quarter teaspoon of HA can hold up to 1.5 gallons of water.

So, when we inject HA dermal fillers into areas that can use a little lift or boost in volume, they can go to work immediately to:

• Fill in deep nasolabial folds around your mouth
• Reduce the appearance of marionette lines in your chin
• Smooth out uneven areas, such as bumpy chins and under-eye areas
• Plump thinning lips
• Smooth out vertical lines around your lips
• Add volume to your cheeks
• Lift sagging skin around your jowls

Again, these results are immediate — you walk out with a more youthful version of yourself than when you came in.

That said, some minor bruising is possible with the injection of dermal fillers, so consider that when scheduling your appointment. A good rule of thumb is to get dermal fillers at least a week before a big event.

Botox needs a little more time

Our recommendation for timing for your dermal fillers works brilliantly if you're also getting Botox®. This cosmetic injectable is a neurotoxin that relaxes dynamic wrinkles around the top half of your face, including:

• Forehead lines
• Crow’s feet
• Brow (frown) lines

Botox has even been FDA-approved for relaxing the rope-like cords between your neck and your chin, called platysma bands.

Although it takes us only minutes to administer your Botox injections, you must wait four to seven days for your results, so remember this lag time when scheduling your cosmetic injectable.

And just like with dermal fillers, you can develop minor bruising around the injection sites, so you’ll want to account for that. Please note that you can lower your risk of bruising by applying cold compresses over the injection sites after you visit with us.

We hope this information helps guide you in scheduling your pre-holiday makeover. Our feeling is that you shouldn’t leave this to the last minute. Instead, why not contact one of our offices in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, or Mission Viejo, California, today to schedule an appointment?