Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed October 25, 2026.
The invitations are arriving, from office parties in Vienna to family dinners in Potomac, and many of our patients are asking the same lovely question: which facial will help my skin look its best? Here is your guide to the facials we offer at The Naderi Center, what each one does for your skin, and how to time your visits so you arrive at every celebration looking rested and radiant.
In this guide
The short answer: which facial should I book before a holiday party?
For most skin, the HydraFacial is the most dependable choice before a party, because it brings an immediate glow with no downtime. The other facials are wonderful when your skin has a particular need, and the sections below will help you match each one to your skin and to your calendar. Whichever you choose, every facial at The Naderi Center finishes with LightStim red light therapy to calm the skin. Most of our facials take 45 minutes to an hour, and your aesthetician will prescribe a post-care skincare regimen as part of the treatment.
What does a HydraFacial do for your skin?
A HydraFacial is a medical-grade facial performed with one handheld device. It cleanses and gently exfoliates, draws debris out of the pores with soft suction, and then infuses hydrating and antioxidant serums. The visit takes about an hour, and because nothing is squeezed or scraped, it suits most skin types, including skin that does not tolerate stronger peels well. Your aesthetician may add a booster chosen for your skin, such as Britenol or ZO Brightalive for brown spots.
Most people see cleaner, brighter skin as soon as they sit up. A little redness for about an hour is common and fades quietly on the drive home. With regular visits, many patients also notice fewer breakouts over time.
“A HydraFacial is the treatment I most often suggest before a celebration, because the skin looks refreshed the very same day,” says Dr. Shervin Naderi. “It is also a gracious first visit for patients who are new to us and would like to see how their skin responds to professional care.”
What is the Glass Skin Facial, and who is it for?
The Glass Skin Facial uses the SkinBetter AlphaRet peel to gently exfoliate, smooth texture and reveal brighter skin. It takes about an hour, is offered at our Reston office, and leaves very little downtime. It is a lovely choice when your complexion looks a little dull after the change of season or feels rough to the touch, and you would like the smooth, light-reflecting finish people describe as glass skin.
When is the Naderi Facial the better choice?
The Naderi Facial begins with a consultation and skin analysis, and your aesthetician then builds the treatment around what she sees, whether that is acne, uneven pigmentation or dry, dehydrated skin. We use professional products from ZO Skin Health and SkinBetter Science, and we often fold in dermaplaning or microdermabrasion when they will help the products work more deeply.
“When someone has a specific concern, such as breakouts along the jaw or brown spots left over from summer, a customized facial lets us treat the skin they actually have,” Dr. Naderi explains. “We would much rather tailor each step than offer the same facial to everyone who walks through the door.”
Is dermaplaning worth adding before the holidays?
Dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical blade to lift away about three to four weeks of dead skin, along with the fine vellus hair often called peach fuzz. Removing that layer brightens the skin, helps your serums absorb, and gives foundation a smoother surface to rest on. Dermaplaning is not a facial in itself but an add-on treatment, most often paired with a HydraFacial or a Naderi Facial, and it is safe for every skin type.
Home dermaplaning tools have become popular from Arlington to Alexandria, yet the blades sold for home use are far less sharp than the stainless steel blades we prefer in the office, so they can leave tiny nicks and scratches behind. A gentle reassurance many people appreciate: dermaplaning does not make hair grow back thicker. It simply removes the tapered tip, so the hair returns just as it was.
How do I choose the right facial for my skin?
The simplest way to choose is to begin with what you notice most when you look in the mirror. Clogged pores and a tired, dry look tend to respond beautifully to a HydraFacial. Rough texture and makeup that never quite lies flat point toward the Glass Skin Facial, or toward adding dermaplaning to your facial. Breakouts and dark spots usually do best with a customized Naderi Facial, sometimes as part of a series.
“Many patients arrive expecting that they need the strongest treatment available,” says Dr. Naderi. “Very often the most beautiful result comes from choosing the gentlest facial that addresses the concern and repeating it with a little patience.”
How far ahead of a holiday party should I book a facial?
We suggest working backward from your event. Book a HydraFacial one to three days before, so the glow is at its freshest on the night itself. Plan the Glass Skin Facial, or a facial with dermaplaning added, about a week ahead, which gives any pinkness time to settle and leaves the surface smooth. If you would like a Naderi Facial series for breakouts or pigment, begin four weeks or more ahead, since we usually see facial patients every two to four weeks.
If you are hoping for deeper brightening, the VI Precision Peel is a stronger option for stubborn pigmentation such as melasma and age spots. Healing takes about seven days, with redness and some flaking along the way, so we recommend scheduling it at least two weeks before your event. You will find more detail in our guide to the VI Precision Plus Peel.
Many patients like to pair a facial with Botox. We suggest Botox two to three weeks before the event so the result has fully settled. On a day when you have both, we perform the skin treatment first and the Botox after it. If your event is closer than two weeks, your physician may suggest Dysport or Daxxify, which begin working faster, and our Botox before the holidays guide covers the details.
“The patients who enjoy the season most are the ones who plan a little,” says Dr. Naderi. “A short calendar, arranged a few weeks ahead, means no one has to squeeze in an appointment on the morning of a party.”
Where can I get a HydraFacial or a holiday facial near McLean, Bethesda or Washington DC?
All of our facials, including the HydraFacial and the Glass Skin Facial, are performed at our Reston office, at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavilion II, Suite 551, Reston, VA 20190, an easy drive for patients from McLean and Great Falls. Our Chevy Chase office, at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1655, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, welcomes patients from Bethesda and Northwest Washington DC for skin consultations. You can reach Reston at (703) 481-0002 and Chevy Chase at (301) 222-2020.
If your December is full, a skin consultation in Chevy Chase is an easy first step for patients who work downtown or near Friendship Heights, and your facial is then scheduled at our Reston office, a short drive for those who live or work along the Dulles Toll Road.
Who performs facials at The Naderi Center?
Your facial is performed by our licensed aesthetician, who is also a certified laser technician and cares for all skin types. She works within a physician-led practice, alongside Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons. Any concern that calls for a physician’s eye can be seen under the same roof.
“Our aesthetician sees the skin up close every day, and she knows when something deserves a physician’s attention,” says Dr. Naderi. “That partnership lets us care for the skin with both artistry and medical judgment.”
How do I keep my holiday glow through New Year’s?
A facial gives your skin a beautiful start, and your routine at home carries it forward. Your aesthetician can recommend a medical-grade regimen from lines we carry, such as ZO Skin Health, SkinBetter Science, Obagi and Alastin, matched to your skin. Most regimens are simple, and consistency matters far more than the number of products on the shelf.
If you are dermaplaning to keep peach fuzz away, a visit every three to four weeks keeps the surface smooth, which lines up nicely with New Year’s Eve when your first visit falls in early December. Cold air outside and dry heat indoors can leave winter skin feeling tight, so hydrating boosters can be especially welcome through January.
Facial and skin treatment before and after photos
Real patients of The Naderi Center. Individual results vary.
You can see more results in our chemical peel before and after gallery.
Planning your holiday glow with us
Whether you are in Vienna, Bethesda or Old Town Alexandria, we would be delighted to help you plan a facial calendar for the season. Book online, choose Reston for your facial or Chevy Chase for a skin consultation, and let us know the date of your event so our team can arrange the timing for you.
“There is something lovely about walking into a celebration feeling at ease in your own skin,” says Dr. Naderi. “That is what we hope every patient takes home from a facial with us.”
Frequently asked questions
How much does a HydraFacial or other facial cost at The Naderi Center?
A HydraFacial is $275. The Naderi Facial and the Glass Skin Facial are each $250, and dermaplaning is $150 on its own or $75 as an add-on.
Should I stop using retinol before a facial?
Yes, for a few days. We suggest pausing strong products such as retinoids for a few days before a facial, and pausing exfoliating products before dermaplaning. Please arrive with little or no makeup so your aesthetician can see your skin clearly.
Can I have a facial while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes, in most cases. We offer facials that are safe during pregnancy and while trying to conceive. Please tell us before your visit, because some ingredients used in a HydraFacial, such as salicylic acid, have not been tested for safety in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and your aesthetician will choose the right facial for you.
Can I wear makeup right after a facial?
After a HydraFacial you may, although many patients find their skin looks so fresh that they would rather go without. After dermaplaning, we suggest waiting a few hours before applying makeup.
Is a facial safe if I have rosacea?
Often, yes, with the right choice. We do not recommend a HydraFacial during an active rosacea flare, rash or sunburn. Dermaplaning tends to suit rosacea-prone skin, and the ZO Rozatrol booster is designed to soothe visible redness. For persistent redness and broken capillaries, our rosacea treatments with Sciton BBL may be the better path.