Summer plans have a way of sneaking up fast with vacations, weddings, long weekends, lake days, and all the photo-worthy moments happening in-between. While we all want to feel fresh, confident, and glowing before we go, our pre-vacation skin prep should be light, simple, and easy to plan around.

At Belladerm MedSpa, our summer glow checklist is all about low-downtime treatments that refresh your skin without major recovery time. From hydration-boosting facials like HydraFacial® and DiamondGlow® to gentle SkinMedica® peels and glow-enhancing add-ons like dermaplaning, these treatments are designed to help your skin look smooth, polished, and vacation-ready.ellad

Here are five light, summer-friendly treatments to consider before your next getaway.

1. HydraFacial® for Instant Hydration + Glow

If your skin is feeling dull, dry, congested, or just a little tired, HydraFacial® is one of the best ways to get that fresh, hydrated look before vacation. This treatment helps deeply cleanse, exfoliate, extract, and hydrate the skin all in one appointment. It’s a favorite before trips because it leaves the skin looking refreshed and dewy without major downtime or recovery.

Best for: Dullness, dryness, congestion, clogged pores, and a quick glow boost.

When to book: About 3–7 days before vacation for fresh, hydrated-looking skin.

2. DiamondGlow® for Polished Skin

DiamondGlow® is another summer favorite for patients who want their skin to feel smoother, brighter, and refreshed before heading out of town. This treatment exfoliates the skin while infusing customized serums, making it a great choice for a pre-vacation skin reset. It’s especially helpful if your skin is feeling rough, dry, uneven, or in need of a polished glow before beach days, weddings, or summer photos.

Best for: Texture, dryness, dullness, and an overall summer skin refresh.

When to book: About 1 week before vacation.

3. A Light SkinMedica® Peel for a Gentle Brightening Boost

A light SkinMedica® Vitalize Peel can be a great option if you want to brighten your skin and smooth uneven texture before vacation without anything too aggressive. For summer, the key is keeping it light. This is not the time for major peeling, heavy recovery, or anything too intense right before sun exposure. A gentle peel can help refresh dull skin and give your complexion a brighter, smoother appearance when timed correctly.

Best for: Dull tone, uneven texture, roughness, and a subtle glow-up.

When to book: About 3-4 weeks before vacation, depending on your skin and your provider’s recommendation.

Good to know: Even with a lighter peel, SPF is a must. Your provider will help you decide which peel is best for your skin and when to schedule it based on your travel plans.

4. Botox® for a Refreshed, Rested Look

If you want to look a little more refreshed in vacation photos, Botox® can be a great addition to your pre-trip plan. Botox® helps soften the appearance of expression lines, including areas like the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Because Botox® results take time to fully develop, it’s best not to wait until the last minute. Booking a few weeks ahead gives your treatment time to settle so you can enjoy a smoother, more rested look while you’re away.

Best for: Forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, and a refreshed appearance.

When to book: About 2-4 weeks before vacation.

5. Add Dermaplaning to Boost Your Facial

Want to take your glow one step further? Dermaplaning can be added to select facial treatments to help gently remove peach fuzz and surface buildup, leaving the skin feeling smoother, softer, and more polished. It’s a great add-on before vacation because it can help your skincare, SPF, and makeup apply more smoothly, giving your facial results an extra boost.

Best for: Smoother skin, enhanced glow, makeup prep, and boosting your facial results.

When to book: About 3–5 days before vacation, depending on your skin and treatment plan.

Keep Your Summer Skin Prep Light

Before a sunny vacation, less can be more. The goal is to choose treatments that help your skin look refreshed, hydrated, and polished without creating unnecessary sensitivity or downtime. That’s why we recommend planning ahead and sticking with light, glow-focused options before travel.

If your trip includes lots of sun, beach time, boating, or outdoor activities, our team can help guide you toward treatments that fit your timeline and skin goals.  From HydraFacial® and DiamondGlow® to light peels, Botox®, and glow-boosting add-ons, The skincare professionals at Belladerm MedSpa are here to create a customized plan that leaves you looking fresh, polished, and vacation-ready without overdoing it!

Medically Reviewed by Belladerm MedSpa

This article was medically reviewed by Samantha Larson, DNP, Medical Director and Co-Owner of Belladerm MedSpa. Samantha has more than 12 years of nursing experience and has specialized in aesthetic medicine for over six years.

Belladerm MedSpa is an established, locally owned medical spa serving Maple Grove and the surrounding Twin Cities community. Our experienced team of medical providers, aesthetic injectors, advanced practice aestheticians, and skincare professionals provides personalized, evidence-informed treatments focused on natural-looking results and long-term skin health. Recognized as Best Med Spa in Maple Grove for five consecutive years, Belladerm is committed to trusted education, exceptional patient care, and helping every patient become You, Only Better TM.