As the holidays approach, the question comes up in aesthetic medicine practices: can we still schedule injections when the thermometer is rising and the plane tickets are already booked? Between fear of “bloating” on the plane and fear of the sun, many hesitate to take the plunge. And yet, the period just before summer is also when the desire for a healthy glow is strongest.
Doctors point out that injections before summer remain possible, provided that a realistic schedule and a few simple rules are respected. The real subject is not so much the season as the time between the session, exposure to the sun, sport or going on vacation. This is where everything comes into play.
Injections and summer: what to really fear and what not to fear
Products used in aesthetic medicine, such as botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid, do not make the skin photosensitive. The risk of sun-related spots mainly concerns lasers or deep peels, not the injections themselves. The point of vigilance is rather the small immediate consequences: redness, slight edema, sometimes a bruise.
If these marks are directly exposed to intense sunlight, they may take longer to disappear or even become pigmented. Practitioners therefore advise avoiding direct exposure for 24 to 48 hours after the session and protecting the treated area well with a high sunscreen. Once this milestone has passed, summer does not pose any particular problem.
What type of injection before summer and when?
To smooth the forehead, frown lines or crow’s feet, botulinum toxin gives its full effect around 14 days. The centers generally recommend planning these injections 2 to 3 weeks before a departure or a major event. Volumizing hyaluronic acid (cheekbones, furrows, tear valleys) often requires 10 to 15 days for edema and possible bruising to resolve.
Skinboosters or hydrating injections are quicker to recover, with a comfortable period of 7 to 10 days before the holidays. When there is less than a week left, doctors prefer small touch-ups on an already known patient, avoiding very reactive areas such as the lips, which can swell for several days.
Sun, sport, plane: precautions just after the session
The first 24 to 48 hours, it is better to take it easy: no beach, no intensive sport, sauna or hammam. Heat and increased blood circulation can increase swelling and bruising. For the plane, a same-day flight is not ideal; a slight edema can be increased by cabin pressure, hence the interest in allowing at least a day to pass before a long haul.
Already tanned skin can receive injections, as long as it is not burned by sunburn. And then a few rules remain valid all year round, even more so just before summer:
- limit alcohol and anti-inflammatories just before and after the session;
- apply cold in case of swelling;
- systematically protect the injected areas with high sun protection.
Can we give injections just before going on vacation in the summer?
Yes, but it is more comfortable to schedule them 10 to 15 days before departure, especially for the first time.
How long to wait before exposing yourself to the sun after injections?
It is advisable to avoid direct exposure for 24 to 48 hours and then use high sun protection.
Are hyaluronic acid injections compatible with tanned skin?
Yes, injections can be given on tanned skin, regardless of any recent sunburn or irritation.
Can you fly after cosmetic injections?
It’s possible, but it’s best to avoid a long flight for 24 hours until the slight swelling stabilizes.
