Summer skin: which treatments to pause, and which to book Glow now, correct in autumn

The flights are booked. You want to arrive looking your best, not peeling, swollen or hiding a fresh treatment under a sun hat. The good news: plenty of treatments are perfect right before a holiday. A few need to wait.

The quick guide

What can you book right before you go?

A hydrofacial, 2 to 3 days before. It cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates with no downtime, so your skin goes on holiday glowing. See our hydrofacial.

Brow lamination and a lash lift. Fuller brows and lifted lashes that look done in the pool, on the beach and in every photo, with no make-up. See brows and lashes.

What needs 2 weeks or more?

Semi-permanent brows and lip blush. No sun, swimming, saunas or sunbeds for two weeks while they heal. Ideally have them done well ahead, so your touch-up at 6 to 8 weeks is done too.

Peels and microneedling. Fresh skin is sensitive to sun. Allow at least 2 weeks before strong sun, and wear SPF 50 every day.

Lip filler. Book at least two weeks before, so swelling has settled and any bruise has faded. Wait at least 48 hours, and ideally a week, before you fly.

Can you have IPL in summer?

Yes, on areas that stay untanned, such as underarms. The rule is simple: no sun, sunbeds or fake tan on the treated area for 2 weeks before and after each session, and SPF 50 on treated skin that sees daylight. If you have a sun holiday booked, plan your sessions around it and tell us. If your skin is tanned on the day, we will move your session rather than risk your skin.

That is why autumn is the best time to start a course. Read when to start IPL hair removal, or see IPL hair removal.

Can I go to the gym or swim after a treatment?

Most treatments need a short break. After filler and skin boosters, skip hard workouts for 24 to 48 hours. After semi-permanent makeup, avoid sweating heavily for 7 to 10 days. After IPL and microneedling, wait 24 to 48 hours. Hotel pools and saunas count.

How do you protect your results in the sun?

• SPF 50 every day, and reapply when you are outside. It protects your skin and your results.
• SPF lip balm on healed lip blush, and SPF on healed brows, to keep the colour longer.
• No sunbeds, ever, on treated skin.
• Sunglasses after under-eye treatments.

What should you book for when you get home?

Autumn and winter are the season for correction: a peel or microneedling course for pigmentation and texture, an IPL course so you are smooth by next summer, and laser tattoo removal while the skin is covered up.

Not sure how to plan around your dates? Every timing rule is in our FAQ timing section, or book a free 10-minute consultation and we will plan it with you.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Follow the aftercare you are given at your appointment.