Medical aesthetics aficionados know that one generally needs to be patient to see the results of an in-office cosmetic treatment. But the reality is that we live in a world of instant gratification: Two-day shipping is now standard, wine deliveries arrive within mere minutes of ordering, and you can see loved ones halfway around the world simply by tapping FaceTime.
During the frenzy of a busy social season, that yearning for satisfaction can quickly shift from impatient to frantic, in hopes of looking our best for every in-person appearance. And honestly, why shouldn’t we be able to walk out of a provider’s office and see instant benefits? Of course, we can’t expect total transformations from one appointment without significant recovery time, but there are a handful of professional procedures that can deliver right-now radiance. Even better, they require practically no downtime—making it a genuine possibility to hit up your derm in the AM, then show up looking stunning at an evening soirée.
With the help of board-certified dermatologists Dr. Dennis Gross in New York City and Dr. Ava Shamban in Beverly Hills, California, we’re breaking down six in-office treatments to try for an instant (or nearly instant) glow.
Botox
Ever heard of the “Botox glow”? Neuromodulators (including Dysport and Xeomin) can be used in two different ways to help amp up your skin’s radiance, often delivering results within 24 to 48 hours of treatment, if not sooner, with full results kicking in at about two weeks. The first technique is the traditional method: “Neuromodulators are injected into the skin overlying the muscle, to help the muscle relax, resulting in a weaker line or wrinkle,” explains Dr. Gross. “A weaker line or wrinkle will give the patient an overall smoother, more awake, and more refreshed look.” Think about it—a wrinkled piece of satin fabric is pretty lackluster, but one that’s been ironed seems to glow from within, not unlike a freshly ’toxed forehead.
The second method goes by a few names—including micro-infusion, intradermal toxin treatment, or “Botox facial”—and consists of the superficial application of a neuromodulator to the skin’s surface with dermastamping or microneedling. “Depositing the ingredients directly into the epidermis has a very different effect from when [it’s] injected into the muscles,” says Dr. Shamban, who notes that these toxins work for skin resiliency and radiance as well as eliminating wrinkle formation. In addition to limiting sebum production, Botox facials can treat some patients’ acne-related scarring or inflammation. “In others, it helps to balance, brighten, and reduce overall pore size while improving texture and treating overall skin imperfections,” she adds.
Regardless of which method you and your provider choose, know that the results of your Botox injections will last three months, give or take. While downtime is uncommon, it’s usually due to swelling or bruising at the injection site, both of which are often minor and fade within a day. To minimize your risk of both, avoid drinking alcohol the night before and after your treatment. If you’re especially concerned, Dr. Gross also notes that you can ask your injector for a red LED treatment post-injection. “This will help bring down any inflammation and redness,” he says. “Red LED builds collagen, which will helps prolong the effects of Botox.”
IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy
IPL—aka the photo facial—is “a treatment of choice for a ‘go-and-glow,’” says Dr. Shamban. This procedure uses a broad spectrum of light wavelengths to heat up skin tissue, addressing dark spots (including post-summer sun damage), uneven skin tone, and skin redness. “It works best on light skin because it searches [for] and targets pigment or melanin,” says Dr. Shamban.
As long as you avoid retinoids, chemical exfoliants, and other potent actives for the first 48 hours post-treatment, you can basically expect zero discomfort or downtime. “The ultimate payoff is cumulative over time with a series [of treatments], but you will see the first dividend immediately,” says Dr. Shamban, adding that the initial glow lasts for a few weeks. However, if your complexion is on the darker side of the Fitzpatrick scale, avoid this treatment and try one of the others on this list—melanated skin can suffer from both hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation when exposed to powerful heat.
Chemical peels
If you’re already a power user of at-home chemical peels, you know how this treatment works, but let exfoliating authority Dr. Gross refresh your memory: “Typically, dead skin cells are naturally shed every 28 days,” he says. “However, this process slows down as you age. [Peels] work on multiple levels of the skin, to safely remove the top layer of dead, dull skin cells, revealing the new, radiant skin underneath. It is not uncommon for patients to come in for the peel on their lunch break and head back to the office,” he adds. It’s gentle enough to get once a month.
If you can’t get in to see Dr. Gross for his signature Alpha Beta Professional Peel (which uses a cocktail of acids, including glycolic, mandelic, and salicylic), he recommends looking for a professional peel that similarly works by blending multiple acids rather than a harsh, single-acid peel, which could compromise the moisture barrier—leaving your skin parched, irritated, and flaky. “Your skin is an organ, and you shouldn’t damage it and expect it to improve—you wouldn’t do this to your heart or lungs,” he points out.
Of course, you should work to keep your glow going at home with over-the-counter peels. “I love the idea of ‘microdosing’ peels in between your in-office treatments,” says Dr. Gross, who explains that this will ensure you continuously stimulate cell turnover and collagen production—the key to healthy, youthful skin. Just make sure you’re protecting your fresh new skin from damage with sunscreen.
Dermal fillers
Consider a traditional balloon: When it’s fully deflated, it looks dull and saggy. But when inflated, it looks taut, with almost luminous shine. When injected strategically by a qualified provider, dermal fillers such as Juvéderm, Radiesse, and Restylane can do the same, especially in the lips, cheek contours, and under the eyes. “By creating contours and providing dimensions in key areas of the face that have hollowed due to volume losses, we can fill and restore, lift, and allow positioning for optimal light reflection,” says Dr. Shamban.
A unique technique Dr. Shamban uses specifically for inherent skin radiance (rather than a glow acquired through plumper skin) is hyperdilute Radiesse, or HDR. “This is a beautiful way to support skin revitalization rather than volumizing,” she says. The calcium hydroxyapatite–based filler is diluted with a mixture of saline and lidocaine, then injected superficially under the skin. This stimulates new collagen, supporting a gradual tightening and thickening of the skin. “HDR will reveal a smoother, firmer skin appearance, with more snapback elasticity and an overall younger appearance, for face, neck, or body,” adds Dr. Shamban. Bonus: this treatment typically lasts longer than traditional filler injections.
Just be sure to see a qualified provider for this expert procedure; they will also be able to reduce your chance of needing (minimal) downtime due to swelling and bruising.
Vivace radiofrequency microneedling
While you might think that repeatedly stamping dozens of gilded needles into your face would cause significant trauma that necessitates days of downtime, that’s not the case with this derm-beloved treatment. Though Vivace’s tiny needles are indeed inducing micro injuries, the additional radiofrequency and LED work in tandem to induce tissue tightening and healing for nearly instantaneous recovery, so it can be performed the morning of a major event.
Like any microneedling treatment, Vivace leaves microchannels in the skin; take advantage of this by using quality skin care post-treatment, which will maximize your glow. “While the channels are open, a serum can be infused into the skin—a leave-on silicone sheet mask to follow ensures that the dermis is plump and dewy,” says Dr. Shamban.
Expect to see smaller pores, smoother fine lines and wrinkles, and improvements to texture and tone as well as an instant plump and dewy glow that will last for at least two days. “While visible in one treatment, the compounded benefits from a series are outstanding,” she adds. If your skin tends to be especially sensitive, let your provider know before treatment. They may leave your sheet mask on longer or expose you to further red LEDs for accelerated recovery.
CO2Lift carboxy therapy
This innovative technology essentially tricks your skin into quickly improving itself—without the invasive injections of traditional carboxytherapy. Instead, the benefits come courtesy of a thick gel mask loaded with carbon dioxide. (There are at-home mask options available online, but the professional version will deliver the safest, best results.) “When a large amount of carbon dioxide is applied to a targeted area of the skin, there is a forced spontaneous release of oxygen,” explains Dr. Shamban. This is known as the Bohr effect: As the mask stiffens, your skin believes it’s experiencing an oxygen deficit, so it floods itself with oxygen in order to avoid trauma.
When this happens, your skin immediately improves, showing off seemingly countless benefits. CO2Lift conditions and hydrates, tightens skin, reduces puffiness and dark circles, minimizes pores, and smooths wrinkles, all while staving off future signs of aging by speeding up your cellular metabolism. “As it effectively and efficiently discharges wastes, it has a great impact on eliminating skin dullness, brightening and evening tone with a hydrated, super-luxe glow,” Dr. Shamban adds. Though it may sound too good to be true, Dr. Shamban advises that CO2Lift is safe for all skin types and people of all ages and ethnicities and requires zero downtime—“the ultimate in insta-glow.”
