The first holiday invitations usually land around now. If your first party is in early December, today is roughly six weeks out. That's enough time to do almost anything on our menu, as long as you book it in the right order.
We get the same question every season, and again every spring when wedding season starts: "How far ahead should I come in?" The answer depends on the treatment. Some come as a series of visits spaced weeks apart. Others have little or no downtime and can happen a few days before. Here's how we plan it at our North Raleigh office.
The short version. Start anything that comes as a series (biostimulators, microneedling, IPL) three or more months out. Book tox and filler two to four weeks before. Save the HydraFacial for two to three days before, and dermaplaning can happen the day before. Never try something for the first time right before the event.
The Timeline at a Glance
| How far out | What to book | Why that timing |
|---|---|---|
| 3+ months | Biostimulators, a microneedling or RF microneedling series, an IPL series | Each is a series spaced weeks apart, so the last session should be well behind you |
| 6 to 8 weeks | First-time tox or filler, a trial of a medium-depth peel | Leaves room for a follow-up visit and a touch-up if you want one |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Tox, filler, your last IPL or microneedling session, The Perfect Derma Peel | Tox and filler take about two weeks to settle, and any peeling or flaking is finished |
| About 1 week | A superficial peel such as our Signature ZO Glow Peel, a custom facial | Any light flaking or redness is long gone |
| 1 to 3 days | HydraFacial (two to three days is the sweet spot), dermaplaning (the day before is fine) | Little or no downtime, so there's nothing to recover from |
Three Months or More: Treatments That Build
If you have a wedding on the calendar, this is where your plan starts. These are planned as a series of visits, and you want the last one finished well before the date.
- Biostimulators. A typical plan is two to three sessions about four to six weeks apart. Changes are gradual, over weeks rather than days, which is why they need the most lead time. Sarah performs these.
- Microneedling and RF microneedling. Most people do three to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Plan for the series to finish a month or more before your date.
- IPL photofacial. Usually three to five sessions about four weeks apart. Treated spots often darken before they flake off over 7 to 10 days, which is the last thing you want the week of photos. Fall and winter are our busiest IPL seasons, so a holiday or early spring date works well.
Two to Four Weeks: Tox and Filler
This is the window most people mean when they ask about Botox before a wedding. Tox isn't instant. It usually takes three to five days to start showing and about two weeks to fully settle. We also schedule a free follow-up 14 to 21 days after treatment. Booking two to four weeks out gives you the full effect plus time for that check-in.
Can you get tox too early? You can. Tox usually wears off over three to four months, so if you book more than about three months ahead, it could be fading by the big day. For a December party, a November appointment is about right.
Filler follows similar timing. It's visible right away, but you might have mild swelling, tenderness, or bruising for a day or two, and it takes about two weeks to settle. Two to four weeks out keeps any bruising well behind you.
If it's your first time with either one, move it earlier. Six to eight weeks out lets Sarah see how your face responds and adjust at the follow-up if needed, long before anyone takes a picture.
Peels and Microneedling Close to the Date
The Perfect Derma Peel is a medium-depth peelA peel category stronger than a superficial or lunchtime peel. It usually comes with several days of visible peeling. with three to five days of visible peeling. You'll want to wait until the peeling stops (usually five to seven days) before you wear makeup. Book it at least two weeks out. Our Signature ZO Glow Peel is a superficial peel, usually with a day or two of light flaking at most, so a week before is comfortable.
What about microneedling a week before an event? It's cutting it close. Skin is usually pink for 24 to 48 hours, and you'll skip makeup and active skincare for 48 to 72 hours. If you've had it before and know how your skin reacts, a week can work. RF microneedling comes with more recovery (redness and mild swelling for 48 to 72 hours, and no makeup for three to five days), so we'd give that one more room.
The Week Of: HydraFacial and Dermaplaning
For a single HydraFacial, two to three days before is the sweet spot. That leaves a small buffer in case your skin is pink afterward. The day before or even the same day can work, though we'd talk it through first. If you have more runway, Amy would rather see you three or four times in the couple of months beforehand, spaced a few weeks apart, than once the night before.
Dermaplaning has no downtime, so the day before a wedding, reunion, or photo shoot is fine. Just keep out of direct sun for 48 hours and skip harsh exfoliants and retinoids for a couple of days. It can be booked alongside a HydraFacial or a custom facial if you want one appointment that week.
Don't Try Something New Right Before
This is the rule we care about most. The week before a wedding isn't the time for your first peel, your first filler, or your first anything. Even treatments with little downtime can surprise you the first time, and you want to know how your skin responds before it matters.
If you're curious about something new, try it at least a couple of months out. Then if you love it, repeat it on the timeline above. If you don't, there's time to switch plans.
Planning for a Wedding
If you have six months before a wedding, you have room for treatments that come as a series, not just the week-of appointments. A plan like that might pair an IPL or microneedling series early, a tox appointment three to four weeks before, and a HydraFacial or dermaplaning the week of. Between visits, Amy is happy to look at your current skincare and talk through a simple routine. And wear sunscreen every day, especially after treatments that leave skin sensitive to the sun.
Have a date on the calendar? Tell us the date and what you have in mind, and we'll map out what to book and when. Consultations are free at our Falls of Neuse Road office in North Raleigh.
For full details and current pricing, see our full treatment menu, or read how long Botox lasts if you're planning repeat appointments around several events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I get Botox before an event?
Two to four weeks. Tox usually takes three to five days to start showing and about two weeks to fully settle, and that window also leaves time for your free follow-up. If it's your first time, aim for six to eight weeks.
Can you get Botox too early before a wedding?
Yes. Tox usually wears off over three to four months, so booking more than about three months out can mean it's fading by the day itself.
Can I get a HydraFacial the day before an event?
You can, and some people do. Two to three days before is the sweet spot because it leaves a small buffer. If you want it closer, we'll talk it through first.
Is microneedling one week before an event too close?
It's cutting it close. Skin is usually pink for a day or two and you'll skip makeup for 48 to 72 hours, so a week only works if you've had it before. RF microneedling needs more room.
When should I get a chemical peel before a wedding?
For a medium-depth peel like The Perfect Derma Peel, at least two weeks out, since peeling lasts three to five days. Our Signature ZO Glow Peel, a superficial peel, is usually fine about a week before.
Should I try a new treatment before a big event?
Not right before. Try anything new at least a couple of months out so you know how your skin responds, then repeat it on schedule if you like it.