Forget damage control, winter is when your skin can handle the treatments that actually make a difference. We asked the experts which ones are worth your time and money.
Why Winter Is the Best Time for These Beauty Treatments
Forget damage control, winter is when your skin can handle the treatments that actually make a difference. We asked the experts which ones are worth your time and money.
Why Winter Is the Best Time for These Beauty Treatments
Forget damage control, winter is when your skin can handle the treatments that actually make a difference. We asked the experts which ones are worth your time and money.
Winter gets a bad rap in skincare circles. Everyone’s obsessing over “winter skin survival” when really, this is when your skin can handle some of the most effective treatments available. The cold weather, lower UV exposure, and generally more forgiving conditions make winter the ideal season to invest in treatments that require a bit of downtime or extra sun protection.
We asked aesthetic practitioners and dermatologists what they’re recommending this winter and why now is actually the best time to book in.
Why Winter Is Prime Time for Skin Treatments
Lower UV exposure means your skin is less vulnerable post-treatment. Treatments that increase photosensitivity or require sun avoidance become significantly easier to manage when you’re not dealing with intense summer rays. Plus, the cooler temperatures mean less sweating and reduced inflammation risk during the healing process.
But here’s the thing, winter in the UK isn’t particularly harsh. Our moderate climate means you’re not battling extreme cold or indoor heating on the level of, say, New York or Scandinavia. What you are dealing with is fluctuating temperatures, central heating, and that general dullness that creeps in when your skin hasn’t seen proper daylight in weeks.
That’s where these treatments come in.
Skin Boosters & Hydration Injections
Skin boosters aren’t about adding volume or changing your face shape, they’re pure hydration strategy. They target the structural dehydration that sits below the surface, which is exactly what winter does to your skin.
Unlike traditional fillers, these treatments focus on improving skin quality: elasticity, texture, that general sense that your face feels comfortable in itself. Because they don’t involve heat, exfoliation, or any kind of barrier disruption, they’re well tolerated even when your skin is already feeling tight and reactive. Many practitioners actively prefer doing these in winter, precisely because the results can be supported with proper barrier care and there’s minimal sun exposure to worry about during recovery.
“Winter air strips the skin of moisture, weakening its barrier and leaving it dull and dehydrated,” explains Dr Salman Zimri. “Some skin boosters work especially well during this season because they replenish deep hydration from within, stimulate collagen production and help restore elasticity, strength and natural glow when the skin needs it most.”
Spotlight: Juläine
Juläine is a next generation skin booster designed to improve hydration and skin quality through micro-injections, without altering facial structure. It’s often favoured in winter because it supports the skin barrier from within, helping skin feel more resilient and comfortable during colder months.
Downtime: Minimal; mild redness for 24 hours
Results: Immediate hydration; optimal results at 2-4 weeks
Regenerative injectables, including polynucleotides (PN) and PDRN-based treatments, are increasingly popular in winter for skin that feels fragile, depleted or slow to recover. Rather than stimulating through controlled injury, these treatments work by supporting cellular repair and improving skin resilience over time.
Winter is often an ideal window for these protocols because lower UV exposure supports healing, and patients are more likely to commit to the full course and aftercare required for optimal results.
Spotlight: Polynucleotides (PN / PDRN Treatments)
Polynucleotides are having a moment, and for good reason. These are injectable treatments derived from salmon DNA that work to stimulate your skin’s natural healing and regeneration processes. They’re particularly effective for improving skin elasticity, reducing fine lines, and enhancing overall skin quality.
Polynucleotides work at a cellular level to repair damaged tissue, boost collagen production, and improve skin hydration. They’re also anti-inflammatory, making them ideal for sensitised winter skin.
Winter suits them particularly well. The lower UV exposure means your skin can focus on healing without fighting sun damage at the same time, and the slower pace of results (weeks rather than days) matches the season’s need for gentler intervention. Patients are also more likely to commit to the full course of treatment and proper aftercare when they’re not distracted by beach holidays and festival season.
“In the colder months, polynucleotides become especially valuable as the skin faces increased dehydration and environmental stress,” explains Nicky Ruebsamen, Head of Injectables UK at Thérapie Clinic. “Working at a cellular level, they deeply hydrate, repair and calm compromised skin, helping to strengthen the barrier while supporting natural regeneration for a healthier, more resilient complexion throughout winter.”
Downtime: 24-48 hours mild redness/swelling
Results: Visible at 4 weeks; optimal at 2-3 months
Injectables aren’t seasonally restricted, you can get Botox in July if you want to. But winter does ask for a slightly more considered approach. The main issue is dehydration. When your skin is already feeling tight and compromised, the settling phase after injectables can feel more uncomfortable than it would in spring. Throw in exposure to bitter cold immediately post-treatment (think: skiing, winter sports, or just a particularly vicious commute), and you risk increased bruising or temporary discomfort.
That said, plenty of clinicians actively prefer winter for injectables. Reduced UV exposure means less worry about sun damage during recovery, and the generally calmer pace of life (fewer weddings, holidays, big events) means people are more realistic about scheduling downtime. The key is proper aftercare: occlusive moisturizers to combat dryness, avoiding saunas and hot showers for 24-48 hours, and steering well clear of intense cold exposure in the first few days.
Results aren’t compromised by the season, neuromodulators still work the same way, temporarily relaxing the muscles that create expression lines. It’s more about giving yourself the time and conditions to settle comfortably.
Spotlight: Facial Balancing
Anti-wrinkle injections and derma fillers have evolved far beyond the frozen or overdone face stereotypes. Modern techniques focus on “facial balancing”, using neurotoxins and fillers to strategically to create symmetry, soften harsh lines, and maintain natural movement.
This approach is particularly well-suited to winter because it focuses on supporting the skin’s natural structure rather than aggressive correction. By treating the face as an interconnected unit, facial balancing creates subtle, natural-looking results that enhance rather than alter. The technique typically involves strategic use of hyaluronic acid fillers in structural areas (cheeks, chin, jawline) combined with neuromodulators to relax overactive muscles, all tailored to individual facial anatomy and movement patterns.
Winter’s reduced UV exposure and calmer schedules make it an ideal time for this comprehensive approach, which often requires initial treatment followed by refinement sessions
Downtime: Minimal to moderate, potential bruising 3-7 days
Results: Immediate for fillers; 1-2 weeks for anti-wrinkle injections
From: Bespoke pricing
Where to book: injectual.com – Two London locations in Notting Hill and Shoreditch.
If your skin looks puffy, dull, or just generally “off,” your lymphatic system might need some attention. Lymphatic drainage facials use gentle massage techniques to encourage the removal of toxins and reduce fluid retention, particularly effective in winter when circulation tends to slow down.
These treatments help reduce inflammation, encourage healthy blood flow and restore glow without disrupting the barrier. They’re particularly valuable for skin that’s looking flat or tired but doesn’t need correction, just support.
Spotlight: The Bradden Method Facial
The Bradden Method is a signature, hands-on facial that emphasises lymphatic drainage, deep relaxation and enhanced circulation. Developed by lymphatic specialist Sarah Bradden, this approach uses careful, intuitive techniques to support detoxification, soothe inflammation and invigorate dull winter skin.
It’s a standout option for when hydration and resilience are the priority, rather than aggressive correction or exfoliation.
Downtime: None
Results: Immediate glow; cumulative benefits with regular sessions
Non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) treatments like Morpheus8, Profound RF or Thermage can work well in winter, particularly for patients seeking skin tightening without surgery or prolonged downtime. These treatments use controlled heat to stimulate collagen and elastin production deep in the skin.
Because RF doesn’t rely on surface exfoliation or light-based technology, it’s generally well tolerated in winter. The key is ensuring the barrier is healthy before treatment and using intensive hydration during recovery, as RF can temporarily increase transepidermal water loss.
Spotlight: Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to remodel skin at multiple depths. It’s particularly popular in winter for patients wanting to address skin laxity, texture or scarring without the UV sensitivity that comes with laser treatments.
Downtime: 3-5 days redness and mild peeling
Results: Visible at 3 weeks; optimal at 3-6 months
Winter can be an ideal time for regenerative treatments that stimulate skin repair without relying on surface disruption or aggressiveexfoliation. These approaches focus on improving skin quality, density and resilience gradually, which often suits colder months, when the barrier is already under pressure. Rather than chasing dramatic correction, these treatments aim to strengthen skin from within.
Spotlight: Rexonage 3
Rexonage 3 is an advanced, non-invasive regenerative treatment designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production while supporting overall skin quality. Because it doesn’t rely on exfoliation or significant surface injury, it can be a suitable option in winter when skin may be drier or more reactive. When used with appropriate protocols and aftercare, Rexonage 3 can help improve firmness, texture and skin resilience — making it a considered choice for patients looking to invest in long-term skin health during colder months.
Don’t confuse clinical microneedling with those at-home derma-rollers. Professional microneedling uses medical-grade devices to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving absorption of serums and growth factors.
Winter is ideal because your skin isn’t dealing with sun exposure during the healing process, and you’re less likely to be sweating post-treatment (which can increase infection risk).
Winter Microneedling Protocol:
Shallow needle depth to minimise barrier disruption
Intensive moisturising and SPF 50 for at least two weeks post-treatment
Focus on hydration and peptide serums rather than active exfoliants
Avoid retinoids, acids or other actives until skin has fully recovered
If you’re booking something in the next few months, look for practitioners who adjust their protocols based on the season. The good ones will talk about barrier health as much as aesthetic goals. And if someone’s pushing aggressive treatments without acknowledging that your skin is already working overtime just to stay comfortable? That’s your cue to find someone else.
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