There are times when we think, OK, maybe celebrities really are just like us—then a closer look at their blindingly white teeth, poreless complexions, and perfectly symmetrical features quickly reminds us: yeah, not so much. Still, it helps to remember that these otherwordly attributes aren’t so much the result of genetic blessings as they are 24/7 access to the best skin-care experts in the world.
Ahead, we asked seven celebrity skin pros to reveal exactly what treatments their A-list clients turn to, right before they hit the red carpet.
Laser Genesis
We know what you’re thinking—a laser right before a major event? According to New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, this particular laser is one of the most popular quick-fix options for her A-list celebrity and model patients. “It’s a 1064 YAG laser, but unlike other, similar ones, it’s customizable even to very sensitive skin types and causes no redness or irritation,” she explains. There’s virtually no downtime—so much so that she performs this the day before big events. “It gives the skin an incredible glow, shrinks pores, and minimizes fine lines,” Dr. Jaliman says. Not to mention that it gets her celebrity clientele in and out of her office fast—it takes just 15 minutes to treat the entire face, she says.
Microinjections
All the experts we spoke with agree that cosmetic injections are always done well before the big day. (This, in order to make sure there both is enough time for the results to kick in and are no side effects such as bruising or swelling.) But microinjections, superficial injections into the surface of the skin, can be done in the days leading up to a big event. Dr. Harold Lancer, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, who counts Jennifer Lopez and Megan Fox among his many famous patients, microneedles hyaluronic acid (he uses a diluted version of the HA filler Restylane Silk) into the neck, cheeks, and chest five days prior. “It’s one of the best things you can do, because it’s very predictable, can be done on all ethnicities, and effectively smooths out the skin and addresses overall crepiness,” he explains, adding that both his male and female patients often undergo this treatment.
Beverly Hills, California, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, who works with stars such as Nicole Kidman and Angela Bassett, says it’s all about what she calls dermatox—injecting neurotoxin more topically, into the upper layers of the epidermis. This helps minimize the look of pores and fine lines and tightens skin—the perfect way to get the face ready for close-ups, a must in the era of virtual red carpets and Zoomed awards shows, she says.
New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank combines both neurotoxin and hyaluronic acid in the Aquagold treatment, an incredibly popular option among his clientele (which includes Madonna and Marc Jacobs). “We take a slurry of Botox and diluted hyaluronic acid and use microneedling to get it into the top layer of the skin,” he explains. Botox helps shrink pores and leaves skin radiant, while the hyaluronic acid creates an immediate plumpness, he says, noting that because there’s minimal downtime, it can be done 48 to 72 hours before a big event.
Cryofacials
Cryotherapy yields nearly instantaneous results, so it’s no surprise that it’s popular for red-carpet prep. Jamie Sherril, better known as Nurse Jamie, a beauty brand founder and cosmetic injector who treats Molly Sims and Jenna Dewan, incorporates it as part of her Ice Queen treatment. “The cryo facial reduces pore size, brightens the skin, and decreases wrinkles and lines. We combine it with our hydrating, growth-factor-infused neck and décolletage silicone wraps, to get our stars ready to rock a strapless gown,” she says.
Dr. Frank pairs cryotherapy with a laser treatment in his med spa’s signature Paparazzi Facial. “We start with the Aerolase, a light laser that brightens and helps even out skin tone. That’s immediately followed by a cryofacial, which helps to calm any acne or inflammation,” he says. The combination yields results within 24 hours, which last for a few days; most celebrities opt for this treatment 48 hours before hitting the red carpet.
Exilis Ultra
This treatment, a combination of radiofrequency and ultrasound energy, offers long-term benefits when it comes to stimulating collagen production and combating wrinkles. However, it also has temporary, short-term effects that make it a great option before a big event. “The heat created causes some immediate swelling that makes skin look plumper and also leads to an immediate contraction of the tissue. Together, they smooth out the look of wrinkles and make for a lifted appearance that lasts for anywhere from two to four days,” says Dr. Frank. Similarly, Beverly Hills, California, board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif, of Botched fame, says he also uses radiofrequency for skin tightening in the days before a major event, as does Nurse Jamie.
Red LED Light
This is something that can be done even hours before you need to be ready, says Dr. Lancer, who notes that many of his celebrity patients come in for red LED light therapy the morning of an awards show. He is quick to note that it does have to be a very high-quality, intense LED light in order to work but says the results can be significant, with no downtime involved.
It’s also a go-to treatment for Ana Ibarra, a licensed aesthetician and certified laser technician at the Northwestern Med-Spa in Chicago who works with red-carpet staple Giuliana Rancic. “Red-light therapy increases blood flow to the skin, leaving it healthier and more radiant, and even helps to even out skin tone,” she says. To really up the ante, she applies a hydrating face mask to her client’s skin and leaves it on while treating them with the red LED light.
HydraFacial
Both Dr. Nassif and Ibarra say this popular facial is one of the more requested fast fixes, especially right before a red carpet. “A HydraFacial improves both the overall texture and tone of the skin. The deep exfoliation clears pores and allows for better penetration of any serums or products you use after the fact,” explains Ibarra, who adds that she’ll often dermaplane her client’s skin, for an extra bit of superficial exfoliation, prior to a HydraFacial.
Dr. Nassif follows the HydraFacial with his own Hydraglucan Booster, a topical serum that further increases the glow you get from the treatment while also adding a hefty dose of hydration, to make skin look even better.
Emsculpt Neo
Let’s not forget that celebrities want both their faces and bodies to be red-carpet ready. When it comes to the latter, Nurse Jamie, Ibarra, and Dr. Frank all mention Emsculpt Neo as one of the most popular options in the days and weeks right before a red carpet. “It’s the first and only noninvasive body-shaping procedure that provides simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building in a 30-minute session,” explains Nurse Jamie. While the best results come after multiple sessions, Dr. Frank says that even one treatment can make exposed arms and legs look more toned and/or help celebs fit into gowns better.
