The holidays crept up quickly, and you may have already booked your appointments for last minute facials or filler in preparation for annual gatherings and family photos, but after the holidays, your appointments may be more focused on revival than readiness. These are some of the top skin and body treatments following the holidays after rightfully indulging in salty foods, mingling with distasteful family members and having much-needed rest time before 2026 takes the wheel.
1. Laser Resurfacing
Because there is less sun exposure during winter and time off from work during the holidays, the cooler temperatures and room for downtime offers a safer and more comfortable recovery period for laser resurfacing treatments requiring anywhere between 2 weeks or 4–6 weeks for deep, ablative treatments.
While there are factors to consider during the holidays when undergoing these treatments, such as alcohol intake, sleep schedule and sun exposure, the Skin of Color Society highlighted that laser therapy can pose a higher risk for cell damage or discoloration in darker skin due to higher melanin content in the epidermis competing with the target chromophore.
Laser treatments provide a safe and effective way to resurface and rejuvenate your skin while taking advantage of cooler months for optimal healing.Courtesy of shevchukandrey at Adobe Stock
Ugonabo offers tips when treating dark skin with lasers:
- Apply low density, gradually increasing as needed
- Use topical steroid post-procedure
- Prime the skin before treatment with topical hydroquinone 4%
2. Detox Facials, But Using the Ocean’s Secret
Facials fueled by antioxidants and other barrier repairing properties are indulgent at all times of the year for self-care, but become especially effective after wearing heavy makeup and eating foods high in sodium that cause the face to swell during the holidays. These facials work well alongside lymphatic drainage—another method used to reduce swelling and condition the skin to easily absorb these properties.
In addition to puffiness, high sodium intake causes dehydration. The mermaid facial, implementing salmon sperm (PDRN) alongside hyaluronic acid and vitamins to combine regenerative and hydrating compounds that help repair and stimulate the skin, has emerged to restore hydration and elasticity. Many medspas pair this facial with microneedling. This combo makes it an ideal treatment for quickly reviving tired, stressed skin.
Some mild redness or sensitivity can last 24 to 48 hours with this facial, and it is advised to avoid sun exposure, heavy makeup and strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours, as microneedling punctures the skin to trigger wound healing. Harsh ingredients, like retinol and vitamin C should be avoided for 24 hours as well.
3. IV Hydration & NAD+ Therapy
As many individuals use the holidays to spend time with people who matter most and revive from burnout as a new year approaches, many are looking for ways to address fatigue and boost energy for the year ahead.
IV therapy is typically used for hydration, hangovers and skin wellness, infusing patients with essential vitamins and electrolytes for a quick revival. Namely, NAD+ IV therapy restores energy metabolism, repairs DNA and supports cellular function, as NAD+ coenzymes reduce with age and are crucial for cellular resilience. In case you missed it, NMN, a direct precursor to NAD+, is back to being used in supplements as of Sept. 29, after three years since the FDA revoked NMN until it was reviewed as a drug. Medspas have already begun using it alongside NAD+ IV, and also as a standalone energy boost.
For those considering NAD+ therapy, they should know that even though NMN is more accessible, evidence is still evolving, so patients should use medically guided dosing and choose high-quality, third-party-tested products. NMN may also offer added benefits for people using GLP-1 medications, another common treatment potentially supporting metabolic resilience, stabilizing energy levels and helping counteract muscle-loss risk as appetite and calorie intake decrease.
Around the holidays, medspas offer more than pampering—they provide a post-season reset. Laser treatments take advantage of cooler months for safer healing, detox facials refresh stressed, dehydrated skin and IV drips restore energy and nutrients after indulgent weeks. These services help rejuvenate body and mind, leaving you revitalized and ready to step into the new year feeling your best.
