The Top 9 Cosmetic Procedures to Get in the Fall and Winter

Below, we’ll discuss the top cosmetic procedures to get in the fall and winter time.

If you’re considering a beauty enhancement or cosmetic procedure, fall and winter is one of the best times. It’s easy to keep indoors and les sun ensures that any scars or skin damage is kept out of the sun.

I’ve put together a list of the best cosmetic procedures to consider during the colder months, and since I’ve tried most of them myself, I can share some personal insights.

Best Cosmetic Procedures to Get in the Fall and Winter

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are one treatment that can totally transform your skin. I’m amazed by some of the results I’ve seen and it’s probably one of the best cosmetic procedures for the fall and winter time.

Chemical peels exfoliate the top layers to help with everything from dullness and uneven texture to deeper wrinkles and stubborn pigmentation. There are different levels, too—light peels are great if you just want a quick refresh, while medium or deep peels can tackle more serious concerns like fine lines and sun damage.

After a peel, your skin is more sensitive to sunlight, so fall and winter are perfect times to do it. Less sun means your skin can heal safely without worrying about extra damage.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is a popular procedure that uses an intense laser to smooth out textured skin, reduce wrinkles, and sun damage. It zaps off the old layers of skin so fresh, new skin can emerge. There are a couple of different types, to be aware of.

Fractional lasers are a bit gentler, focusing on specific areas, which means less downtime. On the other hand, CO2 laser resurfacing is more intense—it’s great for deeper lines and bigger skin issues, but the recovery takes longer.

Fall and winter are ideal for this kind of treatment because, after laser resurfacing, your skin is super sensitive to the sun. Cooler months mean less sun exposure, improving healing and lowering the risk of pigment returning.

Unlike chemical peels, lasers tend to go deeper and are more precise, making them better for targeting specific problem areas.

Lip Lift

One of my favorite procedures for achieving a more youthful, balanced look is the lip lift. This procedure shortens the space between your nose and upper lip (the philtrum), which gives your lips fuller, poutier appearance without needing fillers.

Since it’s minimally invasive, recovery is pretty quick, but you’ll need a little downtime for the scar to heal. That’s why fall and winter are perfect for this—you can take it easy indoors while you recover.

Plus, you’ll want to keep the scar protected from the sun for several weeks.

When I had my lip lift done in September 2022, it was easy to avoid sun exposure, and wearing a mask helped conceal my scar during the healing process. You can read more about my experience with the lip lift here: My Lip Lift and Veneers Experience.

Body Contouring (CoolSculpting)

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that eliminates fat cells by freezing them.

During the procedure, a device is suctioned to the skin, freezing the underlying cells, which causes them to crystallize and die. Yes, it’s a little uncomfortable but bearable, I promise.

Over the following weeks, your body naturally flushes out these dead fat cells, resulting in noticeable fat reduction in the treated areas.

Since the body takes time to process the results, starting in the fall or winter can give you a head start on your summer body. The downtime is minimal—most people just feel a bit stiff or sore afterward.

CoolSculpting requires no downtime and you can return to your normal activities right away, making it a great alternative to more invasive procedures like lipo, which can take several weeks to recover from.

Plus, you won’t face the risks of anesthesia or the longer recovery times associated with surgery.

However, CoolSculpting doesn’t work for everyone. You need to be the right candidate for it, and if you have significant weight to lose or have skin laxity, it’s better to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon about other options.

I had CoolSculpting done in 2022 and was pretty dang impressed with how well it worked!

It eliminated the little pooch at the bottom of my tummy, and I also incorporated a diet and workout routine, which made me super thrilled with the results. I did have some skin laxity, so I also tried RF micro-needling on my stomach, but spoiler alert—it didn’t work for me.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Fall and winter are the best times to consider a tummy tuck if you want to remove excess skin and tighten things up. The cooler weather makes healing much more comfortable since you can layer up and enjoy cozy indoor time. Expect a good solid 6 weeks of healing. So, by swimsuit season you’ll be good to go.

I just had an extended tummy tuck last month (September 2024), and I stayed indoors for about two weeks to recover. I could barely hobble around. Plus, you’ll be wearing compression garments, and the last thing you want to do is squeeze into those in hot weather. So, if you can swing it, definitely go for this in the cooler months!

I haven’t shared my whole experience yet, but if you have any questions about tummy tucks, liposuction, or fat grafting, just shoot me an email at [email protected]. I’m here to help!

Laser Hair Removal

My holy grail procedure, which I feel is 100% worth the investment, is laser hair removal. Laser hair removal uses concentrated light beams to target and destroy hair follicles, so you can go months without regrowth.

While it’s not permanent (I still need maintenance sessions), I noticed a results after my first session, which really hooked me.

In total, I went for six weeks of treatments on my underarms, legs, and bikini area. Now, I only need maintenance sessions twice a year, which is such a relief compared to the hassle of shaving.

However, you’ll need to stay out of the sun for a few months.

My esthetician recommended starting in the fall because you have to stay out of the sun—no tanning allowed! Tanned skin (including using self tanner) skin can make laser hair removal not work as well, so it’s best to get started when your skin is less exposed.

Microblading

Microblading is a semi-permanent technique that gives your eyebrows a fuller, natural look by mimicking the appearance of actual hair strokes. It’s basically like getting a tattoo but with a softer, more natural finish.

Fall and winter are the ideal seasons for microblading because you’ll need to keep your newly treated out of direct sunlight for a couple of weeks while they heal.

I’ve had my brows micro-bladed twice—once in the fall and once in the summer. Honestly, getting it done in the summer was a bit stressful. I had to constantly wear a hat and slather sunscreen on my fresh brows, which looked a little ridiculous. Save yourself the hassle and schedule it for the cooler months when there’s less sun to worry about.

The downtime is minimal, but I always prefer touch-ups during the fall or winter to avoid the stress of sun exposure.

When holiday gatherings roll around, you’ll have perfectly shaped brows to show off!

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and BBL (Broad Band Laser)

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and BBL (Broad Band Light) treatments are popular for reducing pigmentation, age spots, and redness. These treatments work best in the fall and winter when the skin is less exposed to the sun. Less sun exposure = faster healing and better results.

The main difference between IPL and BBL is that BBL is a more advanced version of IPL. BBL delivers more precise energy to the skin, which can offer more effective results for certain skin concerns.

I’ll be honest—while so many people get fantastic results from IPL and BBL, it didn’t work as well for me on my age spots on my chest. Still, I’m mentioning it because many people have great results. Just make sure to stay out of the sun and avoid any additional sun damage while undergoing treatment!

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

If you have sagging eyelids or under-eye bags, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a quick, relatively non-invasive procedure that brightens your entire face, making you look more refreshed and alert.

Fall and winter are the perfect times to get it done since you can recover without worrying about sun exposure on your fresh scars. You’ll be fully healed in a few weeks.

A blepharoplasty is actually next on my list! One of the surgeons I consulted recommended getting it done in the fall or winter, if possible.

Not only is recovery easier indoors, but keeping the delicate incision lines out of direct sunlight is vital to preventing dark scars.

Since the scar is right along your eyelid, it’s subtle, but you’ll want ideal healing for the best results.

If you’re considering any cosmetic treatments, fall and winter are the perfect times to plan ahead. You can recover comfortably, avoid sun exposure, and be all set to show off your results by spring. If you’re looking for a non-invasive option or a more significant procedure, now’s the time to invest in yourself. Take advantage of the cooler months; you’ll feel (and look) good for the new year.

Best Places to Research Cosmetic Procedures

The best places to find information on your next cosmetic procedure are Realself.com and Reddit (plastic surgery thread). Many forums are dedicated to the actual procedures, such as reddit.com/tummytuck.

I have had a good handful of cosmetic procedures done over the years. If you have any questions about any of them, don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected].

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