The holiday season has come and gone—as may have your well-intentioned New Year’s Resolutions. According to one survey of 2,000 Americans, the average person abandons a resolution after just 32 days (although 68% of people report ditching it even sooner). But if your goals for 2023 center around your skin or body, the start of the New Year is the perfect time to consider a cosmetic procedure and tackle any concerns you may have, says New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ryan Neinstein.
“People have a positive mindset and an increased desire for a fresh start. It’s a great time to explore both lifestyle changes and cosmetic treatments that will make you feel better, on the inside and outside,” adds Dr. Lyle Leipziger, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Great Neck, New York. Ahead, eight great options to try while you’re still in that resolution-focused mindset.
Laser skin resurfacing
All of the doctors we spoke with agreed that laser resurfacing is one of the best things to do at the start of the New Year. For starters, whether your complexion concerns revolve around dark spots, wrinkles, redness, or all of the above, there’s a laser for that. Secondly, “Winter is the best time to undergo these treatments. Both fractional ablative lasers, like the Fraxel Dual, and non-ablative lasers, like the Erbium:Yag, are safest when performed on non-tan skin, and staying out of the sun is a crucial part of post-procedure care,” explains Dr. Gabriela Soza, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
It will also take some time to achieve the best results; many people need more than one session, typically spaced four weeks apart, notes Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston. Bonus points if your New Year’s resolutions involve committing to a diligent sunscreen and/or skin-care regimen, as consistent use of topical products is a huge part of maintaining the results of these types of laser treatments, she adds.
Body contouring
Body contouring procedures were another popular pick, but Dr. Hirsch notes that “these procedures don’t exist in isolation. You need to have a larger template and framework in place.” A newfound commitment to achieving your diet and exercise goals this year can offer exactly that. Dr. Neinstein is a fan of Emsculpt Neo: “It provides simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building in one 30-minute session. Delivering a 25% increase in muscle growth and 30% fat reduction on average, it’s perfect either for someone starting their fitness journey or for someone who has hit the peak and needs a push,” he says.
New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Arash Akhavan adds that, because the results are seen fairly quickly, it’s a nice motivating factor for those whose resolutions center around fitness. “Many of our patients love seeing the quick results with this device and find that it motivates them to continue their improvements in the gym,” he explains.
New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marie Hayag, who recommends Emsculpt and CoolSculpting, notes that it’s also good to start these at the beginning of the year, given that both require multiple sessions and that it can take up to four months to see the final results.
HydraFacial
“Many patients tell us that their New Year’s resolution is to drink more water, often because they want to improve the appearance of their skin,” says Dr. Akhavan. But increasing your daily H2O intake can only do so much, which is when a HydraFacial comes in. “It’s the perfect treatment to give skin a boost of hydration, while also improving blemishes and discoloration and leaving skin looking and feeling dewy and glowing,” Dr Akhavan explains. With repeated treatments, patients see improvements in sun damage, inflammation, and texture, he adds. Not to mention that it’s completely noninvasive and fairly affordable, a good first foray into in-office procedures for those newbies.
Neuromodulators
Looking to try something minimally invasive but with amazing—and fast—results? Dr. Neinstein suggests Botox. The instant gratification of wrinkle reduction can make a huge impact on how you feel, and it really can put you into a great mindset going into the new year, he says. (In related news, one recent study found that Botox injections reduced anxiety.) But Botox isn’t the only option out there: Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are other neuromodulators, and the FDA recently approved Daxxify. It’s also a botulinum toxin but contains a proprietary peptide that’s responsible for its longer duration. Daxxify is reported to last up to six months, as compared to the three to four month duration of its counterparts.
PRF Injections
If you’re looking to improve the tone, texture, and overall health of your skin—and skin care alone isn’t cutting it—Dr. Hayag says platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an excellent option. It stimulates the production of collagen, new skin cells, and blood vessels, she explains. (PRF releases the growth factors responsible for those benefits over a longer, more sustained period of time than its counterpart, PRP injections.) “PRF can be beneficial for a wide array of skin concerns, from scarring to soft tissue volume loss,” she explains. She adds that it can also be combined with fillers or other treatments, to increase its benefits. Since it can take up to four months to see the final results, now is a good time to start.
Neck Lift
A neck lift is great surgical procedure to consider while you’re still in the New Year’s mindset because, even if you’ve set health resolutions for yourself, heaviness in the lower neck region still requires a surgical fix, says Dr. Paul Afrooz, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Miami. This trouble spot is immune to any kind of diet and exercise regimen, and even relatively thin patients may be bothered by excess skin in this area, he adds. Because it is a more invasive procedure, undergoing it now—during the colder, winter months when you can recover inside and not have to be out and about—is a good way to ensure you’ll be healed and ready to show off your new neck later in the year, he says.
Mommy makeover
Dr. Neinstein says this is the most common procedure in his practice—even among patients who have never considered plastic surgery—and is one of the best options, for some moms, to look and feel their best. “It can reverse the signs and physical consequences of pregnancy and breastfeeding, restoring confidence and the sense of self women deserve to have back in their lives after giving birth,” he says.
This is the time of year when patients are finally exploring treatments that they may have been contemplating but not yet committed to, mommy makeovers being one of the most popular ones, points out Dr. Leipziger. “The New Year is a great time for women who have been putting themselves last to make a resolution to do something for themselves that will improve their appearance and make them feel good all around,” he adds.
Rhinoplasty
According to Dr. Afrooz, patients are generally more motivated to change their appearance at the start of the year, and changing their nose can make a huge impact on the entire face. Additionally, “many people undergo a rhinoplasty not just for aesthetic improvements but also to fix an underlying nasal condition,” he says. “What better time to address this than in the New Year, when we’re all in the mindset of achieving our individual health and wellness goals?” Dealing with both functional breathing problems and aesthetic nasal concerns can be an impetus for increased self-confidence as well. “The benefits of a rhinoplasty aren’t just skin deep. They can optimize self-confidence and quality of life, helping you to jumpstart not only a new year, but also a new you,” he says.”
