We all want to sit at the holiday table looking fresh and radiant, which is why Botox treatments and filler injections become especially popular during this season. However, alongside the excitement, it is important to understand that preparing for an aesthetic treatment also requires proper planning. A small mistake can lead to a disappointing result right in the middle of the celebration.
Which common mistakes can ruin the result—and what should you do instead?
1. Mistake: Scheduling too close to the holiday
The most common mistake is scheduling treatment two days before the holiday evening. With Botox, the final result is visible only after about two weeks. With hyaluronic acid fillers, swelling or redness may also appear for several days.
Solution: Schedule the treatment at least two to three weeks before the event. This way you can enjoy a natural result, and if a small correction is needed—there will be enough time to do it.
2. Mistake: Treating a wrinkle without addressing the source of the problem
Many patients ask to treat just one wrinkle, but sometimes the wrinkle is only a symptom. For example—loss of volume in the cheeks can cause sagging skin and create wrinkles on the forehead or around the eyes.
Solution: A holistic view of the face and professional expectations with the doctor. The treatment must address the whole problem—not only the wrinkle itself but also the volume loss or imbalance that caused it.
3. Mistake: “The more, the better”
The tendency to think that a larger amount of material will provide a better result is wrong. Overfilling in the lips or cheeks can create an artificial, disproportionate, and even “puffy” look.
Solution: The goal of injection is subtlety and natural improvement, not creating a completely new look. Precise, measured, and professional work is the secret to a fresh and harmonious appearance.
4. Mistake: Returning too quickly to sports routines
Intense exercise after treatment increases heart rate and blood flow, which can cause fillers to migrate from the exact spot they were injected. The result may be asymmetry or bruising.
Solution: Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours after injection, and avoid massage or pressure on the face in the first few days.
5. Mistake: Neglecting skin protection
Even if the treatment went well, sun exposure without sunscreen can shorten the duration of the results, cause faster breakdown of fillers, and even accelerate pigmentation.
Solution: Daily use of sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher, even in winter or on days without direct exposure to the sea or pool.
6. Mistake: Not coordinating with other events
Many patients schedule treatment close not only to the holiday evening but also to family photoshoots, weddings, or vacations. The appearance of swelling, bruises, or other marks can be problematic for such events.
Solution: Take into account the entire family and social schedule. A safety margin of two to three weeks will ensure you arrive at the event looking natural, fresh, and flawless.
In conclusion, Botox and fillers are effective and safe treatments in professional hands, but to achieve the best result—it is important to plan correctly and avoid common mistakes. The key to success lies in accurate timing, gentle work, skin protection, and aligning expectations with the doctor. That way, you can enjoy the look you always wanted—at exactly the right moment.
Dr. Sivan Mercer, specialist in dermatology, aesthetics, and laser treatments