Your Q1 Beauty Game Plan – From In-Office Treatments to Daily Habits

JANUARY: Sculptra or CoolPeel?

For Dr. Stephen Bracci, MD, founder at Verve Medical Cosmetics, it’s all about an internal framework to keep skin firm and resilient. “A strong underlying structure is essential for achieving and maintaining healthy skin on the surface…and nothing stimulates and supports the skin like biostimulatory fillers.” Dr. Bracci recommends Radiesse and Sculptra––and Griffin and Dr. Youn agree.

“It stimulates deeper collagen production and can improve elastin organization over time, creating firmness and a soft, natural lift. Unlike traditional fillers, Sculptra works gradually, and its collagen-building effects can last more than two years,” says Griffin.

I tried Sculptra IRL at Skin Pharm and can personally attest that, after a very extensive conversation with my amazing PA, Taylor Houston, I felt confident this was the right treatment to give my skin the natural-looking volume it's been lacking. By starting early in the year, I’m excited to see how the results evolve throughout the year. “Beginning in Q1 allows collagen development to mature gradually through spring and summer,” says Dr. Youn.

Not one for having a needle stuck in your face? It’s understandable. Dr. Anil Shah, FACS, says “In the winter months, consider adding a high-powered, but no-downtime laser such as CoolPeel. [It] can help prime your skin…and can also be coupled with a pico laser for color correction.” A fractional ablative laser like CoolPeel uses energy to destroy the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heat the underlying skin (dermis) to stimulate the growth of collagen. As skin heals, the area is smoother and firmer, and can minimize the appearance of sun damage, acne scarring, and fine lines.

Thanks to a youth of tanning beds and no sunscreen (SMH), hyperpigmentation is my biggest skin concern, so I’m personally a fan of CoolPeel, which is a kind of CO2 laser. Yes, it feels like your skin is being burned off with a blowtorch, but (!) it’s relatively quick––about 10 minutes––and there can be numbing cream involved. With three sessions, I’ve seen improvement in my skin texture, as well as lightening of my sun spots.

FEBRUARY: Microneedling or Botox? (Or both!)

Whether or not you opt into Sculptra or CoolPeel, Dr. Bracci suggests microneedling to trigger collagen rebuilding. “It creates controlled micro-channels in the skin that stimulate new collagen formation. Over a series of sessions, patients often notice smoother texture and a more even skin surface.” 

I personally love microneedling because I find it an effective, minimally invasive treatment that yields major results. It’s usually tolerated by most skin types and can be done in a variety of ways (with exosomes, ProCell, or PRP, the plasma from your own blood––more on all that in future editions of this series). It’s also a great “starter” treatment for those who want to experiment with in-office treatments but aren’t ready for more invasive procedures.

“Botox is not about freezing the face; it’s about slowing the constant muscle pull that creates lines over time.”

Curious if you’re ready for Botox? Dr. Bracci recommends it as a way to reduce the muscle pull that causes wrinkles. “Botox is not about freezing the face; it’s about slowing the constant muscle pull that creates lines over time.” While common treatment areas are frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet, Vaiva Mikalauskaite, aesthetic pharmacist and owner of Face for Soul, says things are trending beyond the forehead. 

“2025 is the end of isolated upper-face toxin,” she says. “Treating the lower face (chin, masseters, DAO, platysma and even subtle nasal slimming) gives a far more natural, lifted, harmonious result. It transforms expression, balances the face, and prevents heaviness as we age. It's artistry, not units.” 

While I’ve dabbled in Botox before, I hate the feeling of being unable to move my face. If this is also you, Dr. Bracci says a lighter, “baby Botox” approach keeps movement natural but less forceful. 

If you’re struggling with acne or rosacea, Mikalauskaite also recommends combining the two modalities. “Tiny doses of toxin injected after SkinPen microneedling help calm oil glands for acne-prone patients and dramatically reduce flushing for those with rosacea. It is one of the most effective non-laser treatments for redness, inflammation and overactive skin.”

MARCH: Feel The Peel

Winter is waning (depending on where you live), and we’re gearing up for summer. That’s why Dr. Bracci recommends a chemical peel in a month when you’re not in the sun as much. 

“Professional-strength chemical peels help improve dullness, pigmentation, and fine lines. The surface of the skin is peeled away, triggering a cascade of new skin replacement.” He makes note, though, to take caution, as you should not get a peel during a time when skin is overly exposed to sun or harsh weather conditions. He does share, however, that peels work especially well as part of an integration with microneedling and Retin-A. Consult your dermatologist, doctor, or physician’s assistant to make a plan if you need further guidance.

Dr. Robert Schwarcz, MD, FACS, agrees that light chemical peels can be an affordable yet powerful way to brighten and refresh the skin to address pigmentation and superficial texture, and recommends Jessners Peel, TCA, VI Peel, and the PCA Peel.

For improving skin tone, texture, and pigmentation, Dr. Schwarcz also recommends the Moxie Laser. “This gentle, non-ablative laser treatment uses short-pulsed laser energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin. It’s ideal for all skin types with minimal downtime. This can easily be incorporated into anyone’s routine for a highly effective way to address skin rejuvenation, improve pigmentation, promote collagen production and help to preventatively address signs of aging.”

At-Home Habits

In-office treatments are all well and good, but what about the day-to-day upkeep? Griffin says “Your daily routine should be somewhat evergreen and incorporate core ingredients that support long-term skin function: vitamin C for brightness and tone; a retinoid for renewal; hydrators for moisture and barrier repair; titanium dioxide for immediate UV protection (especially after in-clinic treatments). Daily consistency matters, but knowing when to make adjustments is just as important. Our skin’s needs change with the seasons, just like they do with hormones, stress, sleep, weather and travel.” 

Basically: Listen to your skin! Start small and work your way up, and remember––just because you have various options, doesn’t mean you have to opt into all of them, especially at once! January–March is an optimal time to develop new routines that will last throughout the year. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

Dr. Shah suggests this is the perfect time to ease into a retinol routine. “Start the year by getting a high powered, low irritation retinol like Retinol Forza (strongest on market at 1.5% without causing redness due to formulation of microsponges) and growth factors such as Skinmedica TNS Advanced+ Serum to help stimulate your skin. Add in additional supplements with anti-aging effects including oral NAD (think NMN for better efficacy and liposomal based).”

"Consistent SPF, seasonal adjustments and routines that are barrier-safe ensure your treatments work harder and last longer.”

Marlee Bruno, M.M.S. PA-C, also stresses the importance of daily habits. “Consistent SPF, seasonal adjustments and routines that are barrier-safe ensure your treatments work harder and last longer.” She recommends Hanacure facials (which is also one of my top products of 2025), as well as at-home LED red light therapy a few times a week also to make a noticeable difference, helping your skin heal and maintain results between office visits. As for seasonal adjustments, I personally use heavier moisturizers and balms during the winter.

As far as products, does the type of skin care matter? According to Dr. Youn, “Regenerative skin care is becoming central to modern dermatology because it focuses on repairing how the skin functions, not just how it looks on the surface. In-clinic treatments like microneedling or lasers create controlled stimulation, but they need weeks or months of healthy signaling to remodel collagen effectively. Daily clinical-grade skincare then reinforces those signals, maintaining momentum between procedures.”

While I’m personally loving the aforementioned TNS Advanced+ Serum, as well as the Skin Pharm Youth Serum (an absolute daily must-have for me), I’ve also begun using the full systems of medical-grade lines such as Obagi Nu-Derm FX to address my hyperpigmentation, and will be testing more throughout the year.

“Quality sleep is the most underrated beauty treatment."

Last but not least, we can’t talk about beauty without talking about––you know what I’m going to say––sleep. Dr. Schwarcz recommends a good blackout sleep mask like the Therabody Sleep Mask to help you sleep better and wake up less throughout the night. Keisha Saunders,  Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS) and adjunct professor at Northwestern University, stresses that the start of the year is the perfect time to get our sleep habits in check. “Quality sleep is the most underrated beauty treatment. Work with a professional to address insomnia, anxiety, or racing thoughts that disrupt rest. Better sleep = better skin, mood, and cognitive function.”

I personally have found sleep success by using traditional Chinese medicine like Elix Yin Time, which contains ginger, reishi, jujube seed, and more to promote relaxation, as well as a warm mug of tea like Rishi Valerian Dream.

In the next installment, we’ll talk about movement as medicine, the most effective hair growth treatments, exosomes, and more, so stay tuned! Every quarter, we’ll be dropping new insights and recommendations, as well as at-home solutions that make a difference.

We’ll be back in a few months with your Q2 regimen.