What to Book Before the Holidays (and When to Start)
Published 2026-02-27 • Summer House Editorial Team
The holidays accelerate everything. Cameras come out more, you see people you haven't seen in a year, and there's a recurring parade of events from October through January that you want to feel good at. The mistake most people make is waiting until November to start — by which point the best scheduling windows are gone and you're rushing into treatments with no margin for recovery. Here's how to think about the timeline.
September and October: Get Ahead
If you're planning any new or more aggressive treatments — a deeper chemical peel, laser resurfacing, or trying a new filler area — September and October are your window. You'll have time for the treatment to settle, for any bruising or swelling to resolve, and for a follow-up appointment before the holiday calendar fills up. Starting in fall also avoids the Dallas summer sun, which makes recovery from skin treatments harder to manage.
This is also a good time to reassess your skincare and address sun damage accumulated over the summer. A series of treatments spaced four to six weeks apart can make a significant difference in skin texture and tone by November if you start early enough. Don't underestimate what three months of consistent treatment can accomplish.
November: Refine and Refresh
By November, you should be in refinement mode — not starting anything new. Botox touch-ups, filler maintenance, and treatments you've done before with known recovery times are all appropriate here. The goal is to arrive at Thanksgiving looking your best, not still healing from something. Give yourself at least two weeks between any injectable treatment and a major event to let any swelling or bruising fully resolve.
If you've never had Botox before and are thinking about trying it before the holidays, early November is the latest realistic window. It takes 10 to 14 days to fully take effect, and if you need a touch-up (common for first-timers), you'll want time to do that before December. Any later and you're cutting it close.
December: Look Good, Do Nothing New
December is not the month to experiment. By this point your plan should be executed and you should be in observation mode — enjoying what you did, not recovering from something. A hydrating facial or a light treatment you're completely familiar with is fine. Anything involving real downtime or bruising risk doesn't belong in December unless you have an unusually clear calendar.
The biggest holiday booking mistake is leaving it all until December. Providers are booked out, products can take time to settle, and the pressure of an upcoming event creates decision-making that doesn't serve you well. The clients who look the best at holiday events are the ones who planned ahead in September. It really is that simple.
FAQ
How far in advance should I book a holiday appointment?
For popular providers in Dallas, four to six weeks in advance is the minimum. If you want appointments in November or early December, start calling in September. Holiday season is genuinely busy at medspas and the best windows fill quickly.
What's the safest treatment to do close to a big event?
Botox has the most predictable recovery — bruising is minimal for most people and the treatment takes effect over 7 to 14 days. If you want to do something close to an event, Botox from a skilled injector is your lowest-risk option. Filler carries more bruising and swelling risk and is better done with more lead time.
Need help now?
Call Summer House Medspa at 214-307-1877 to get your fall and holiday appointments scheduled before the calendar fills.