Plastic surgeons see surge of pre-ski season appointments

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD, a plastic surgeon in Manhattan, has noticed something interesting in his practice these past few years: A more than doubling of facial procedures in the fall months, including facelifts (from $40,000), facial fat grafting (around $7,500), blepharoplasty (around $7,500) and rhinoplasty (from $20,000).

“Many of these patients mention wanting to have their procedure done and being healed for ski season,” said Lisiecki.

While the doctor believes that “defined cheeks and jawlines, refreshed eyes and clear skin are always in demand,” — and we agree — there’s something about winter travel and hitting the slopes that bring out an extra splash of vanity in many of us.

Lisiecki isn’t the only medical practitioner seeing an uptick in pre-ski spruce-ups. Courtney Coons, NP, a skin care and injectables specialist at PERK Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, said her company sees a seasonal spike in “pre-ski getaway” facial rejuvenation appointments.

Based on internal booking data, Botox and Daxxify appointments increase by about 40% from November through January with lip filler requests rising 30%, and hybrid skin-resurfacing laser and photofacial treatments jumping nearly 50% “as patients look to even tone and refine texture before heading to higher altitudes.”

Transforming into a youthful snow bunny will cost you: PERK’s Pre-Après package totals $11,723, and typically includes a full-face and neck rejuvenation protocol, optimized for ski conditions.

Goretti Ho Taghva, MD, a plastic surgeon and founder of LEA Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Lab in Newport Beach, Calif., reported a clear shift in what patients want before their winter trips.

Clients are no longer asking for hyaluronic acid fillers that create that chipmunk midface — people want a lifted, sculpted look that still feels natural, offered Taghva, noting that biostimulators like Sculptra and EZ-Gel are gaining traction; especially since they “won’t look bloated in high-altitude conditions.”

At LEA Aesthetic Lab, they’ve seen a 60% increase in these regenerative treatments compared with last winter.

Currently, Taghva and her team offer an “Après Glow by LEA” package ($1,980), that begins with Ultherapy Prime to sculpt and tighten the jawline, followed by Glacial Rx to calm redness and a HydraFacial as well as the “Pre-Ski Polish” ($750), comprised of a gentle BroadBand Light treatment with an infused microneedling treatment.

Of course, the best thing you can do for your skin is protect it. “Start from the skin barrier up,” said Dr. Kristina Collins, MD, a dermatologist and founder of Austin Skin in Austin, Texas, who specializes in skin cancer treatment and cosmetic procedures.

“Cold weather, altitude, and UV exposure can wreak havoc on skin,” so you’ve got to keep it hydrated and safe from the sun, said Collins, whose practice has seen an 150% increase in what they call “pre-ski glow” appointments year-over-year.

“Layer a ceramide-rich moisturizer under a broad-spectrum SPF 50 even on cloudy days, and don’t skip antioxidant serums — they protect against wind and sun damage,” she said.