Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed October 18, 2026.
Every fall, patients in Reston and Chevy Chase begin asking us the same question. Perhaps there’s a family photo on Thanksgiving or a New Year’s Eve dinner in Bethesda on the calendar, and they’d like to look their most rested for it. Most years there is still time. It simply comes down to planning around the date that matters most to you.
Here is your guide to timing Botox for the holidays: how far ahead to book, what to do if your date is approaching, which areas show best in photos, how Botox, Dysport and Daxxify compare, and how to pair your visit with a little skin care the same day. If you’re considering Botox in Reston and Chevy Chase before the holidays, this is the same timing our physicians share with patients every fall.
The short answer: plan your Botox two to three weeks before your event. For Thanksgiving on November 26, 2026, the ideal last day is November 12. For Christmas it’s December 11, and for New Year’s Eve it’s December 17.
How long does Botox take to work?
Botox reaches its full effect in about two weeks. The first gentle softening usually appears around day 3 to 5, and the result continues to settle over the days that follow as the muscles relax.
The appointment itself is brief, and most patients return to their day right away. Someone coming from Vienna can stop in before work and still be at a desk in Tysons by mid-morning.
How far ahead of the holidays should I get Botox?
We suggest giving yourself one week more than Botox needs. That extra time offers a little grace: if travel or a family commitment means moving your appointment, there’s room to reschedule without missing the holiday, and any slight mark from the injection has time to fade completely.
“I love seeing patients in early November rather than the week of Thanksgiving,” says Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. “That way the holiday photos capture the finished result, fully settled.”
Is it too late to get Botox before the holidays?
Rarely. If your event is less than two weeks away, ask about Dysport or Daxxify. Our Daxxify page notes that some patients notice softening within 1 to 2 days. “When an event is close, Dysport or Daxxify can be a good choice, because they tend to take effect a little sooner,” Dr. Naderi says.
Will people be able to tell I had Botox at a holiday party?
Not when it’s done well. Our approach is to soften lines while keeping your natural expressions intact. Your sister across the table in Potomac should simply think you look well rested.
“The finest Botox is the kind no one can point to,” Dr. Naderi says. “We use exactly what your muscles need and place it where it does the most good, so you arrive at every holiday gathering looking refreshed and entirely like yourself.”
That’s also why autumn is a wonderful time for a first treatment. Coming in late October gives your physician the chance to see how your face responds well before the season grows busy. Our earlier article on baby Botox and microtox explores the lighter-dose approach many first-time patients ask about.
What areas should I treat before holiday photos?
The frown lines between the brows, the forehead and the crow’s feet are the most requested areas before the holidays, since they show most in photographs. These are the muscles that engage each time you squint at a camera flash or laugh at a story.
Botox can do far more than that. Our Botox page lists twelve treatment areas, including a subtle brow lift, a lip flip, a gummy smile, chin dimpling, neck bands and the masseter muscles along the jaw. Masseter treatment continues to refine the jawline over the following months, so it rewards an earlier start. You can read more in our article on masseter Botox.
Botox before and after photos
Real patients of The Naderi Center. Individual results vary. Explore more results in our Botox before and after gallery.
How do Botox, Dysport and Daxxify compare?
All three gently relax the muscles that crease the skin, and each works beautifully before an event when the timing is right. Botox has the longest track record, Dysport is often chosen for broader areas like the forehead, and Daxxify is the newest of the three.
Units are measured differently from brand to brand. Dysport is typically dosed at about 60 to 120 units, compared with 20 to 40 for Botox. At our practice, Daxxify is prepared at a dilution that calls for about twice the Botox units, so if you usually receive 20 units of Botox, you would receive about 40 units of Daxxify. Daxxify was introduced as a longer-acting option, though how long it lasts depends largely on the dose. “The product is only part of the story,” Dr. Naderi says. “A beautiful result comes from thoughtful dosing and an experienced hand.”
Can I combine Botox with a skin treatment or filler?
Yes, and many patients enjoy making a little ritual of it. If you’d like a HydraFacial or a Sciton BBL treatment alongside your Botox, we typically begin with the skin treatment and finish with your injections, so you leave with refreshed skin and your Botox complete in a single visit. HydraFacial is offered at our Reston office and takes about an hour.
Botox and filler can also be combined in the same appointment, and many patients choose to do both. Filler reveals its shape right away, and your physician will guide you on which to do first.
How do I avoid bruising and look my best after Botox?
Bruising after Botox is uncommon and usually very small, and a light cold compress is soothing if anything feels tender. Afterward, avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area, postpone facials, and set aside strenuous exercise for the period your physician recommends. Makeup can be applied gently the same day, which is welcome if you’re heading to an evening event in Arlington.
Who does the injecting at The Naderi Center?
Every Botox, Dysport and Daxxify treatment at The Naderi Center is performed personally by a physician: Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, or Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, a board-certified dermatologist. Together, the practice has performed more than 100,000 Botox and filler treatments.
Dr. Naderi previously trained other medical professionals in Botox and Dysport technique as a trainer for Allergan and Medicis. “Teaching other injectors showed me how much the small decisions matter,” he says. “A few millimeters on the forehead, a couple of units near the brow. Those details are the difference between looking refreshed and looking heavy.” Dr. Snodgrass brings a dermatologist’s eye for skin quality, which is invaluable when a line calls for more than Botox alone.
Where can I get Botox near McLean, Bethesda or Washington DC?
The Naderi Center welcomes patients from Washington DC and the surrounding suburbs at two offices, and consultations and Botox are available at both. Our Reston office is at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavillion II, Suite 551, Reston, VA 20190, (703) 481-0002. Our Chevy Chase office is at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1655, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, (301) 222-2020.
For patients in Reston, Vienna, Great Falls and McLean, the Reston office is usually the more convenient choice, and a weekday morning visit fits easily before work. Patients from Bethesda, Potomac and Northwest DC often prefer Chevy Chase, just across the District line. From Arlington and Alexandria, either office works well depending on your week. “Many of our patients make a fall visit part of their holiday preparations,” Dr. Naderi says. “It’s one less thing to think about once the season is in full swing.”
How often should I get Botox to stay ready for events?
Most patients enjoy the best results with Botox three to four times a year, scheduled before the previous treatment has fully worn off. Keeping the muscles gently relaxed means they don’t regain their full strength between visits, so lines stay softer over time. If your last visit was in late summer, a fall appointment fits nicely before the holidays, and reserving your next visit before you leave makes it easy to plan around spring events as well.
Is Botox safe before a big event?
In experienced hands, side effects of Botox are usually mild and temporary. They can include redness, a small bruise, a headache or temporary drooping of the eyelid or brow. The FDA label carries a boxed warning about rare effects spreading beyond the injection site, which your physician will review with you along with your medical history. “Botox is one of the most predictable treatments we offer,” Dr. Naderi says. “When results disappoint, it nearly always comes down to dose and placement, which is why technique matters so much.”
If you have a special date on your calendar, we would be delighted to help you plan for it. Book your Botox appointment at our Reston or Chevy Chase office and let us know the date, and your physician will time your treatment around it. Patients visiting for the holidays are welcome to begin with a virtual consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Botox cost at The Naderi Center?
Botox is $16 per unit, and most patients receive about 20 to 40 units. Dysport is $5.30 per unit (typically 60 to 120 units), and Daxxify is $10 per unit, dosed at about twice the Botox units. You’re charged only for the units your physician uses, rather than a set price per area. Our complete menu of services lists every treatment.
How long does Botox last?
Botox usually lasts about 3 to 4 months, and some patients find the effect continues for six months or more.
Can men get Botox before the holidays?
Yes. Because dosing depends on muscle strength, men often need a different dose and placement than women. Our Brotox page covers Botox for men in more detail.
Does Botox hurt?
Most patients find Botox quick and very comfortable without numbing. If you’d prefer a topical numbing cream, simply arrive about 30 minutes early.