The 2026 Skin Reset
Written by DR. Courtney Austin, MD
The Treatments Everyone Should Start Now.
From Correction To Confidence: Why Laser Season Starts In Winter
Wintertime in Montana is beautiful and full of other challenges, but skin care should not be one of them. One of the best maintenance routines to start during your winter season is maintenance skin therapy with restorative lasers. The winter season is the safest time for us to use corrective laser treatments because we have a very low UV index and the risk of sun exposure is low. This decreases the reactivity of your skin which can lead to improved long-term results with regard to pigment deposition and collagen regrowth.
A laser, such as a broadband laser (BBL), can be a great adjunctive therapy for managing brown spots, sun damage and broken capillary beds. The best feature of this laser is that it has very minimal downtime. Most patients have a limited amount of redness and darkening of pigment that eventually flakes away with normal skin care routine over a few days. It is a great way to brighten up your face especially during our dull and gloomy winter months. Patients can expect to have clear, bright skin as well as more even skin tone. It is a great way to counteract sun damage that we will all have experience with after beautiful summers in Montana. For my patients, I typically recommend that they do 3 sessions separated by about a month each for the best results.
Another great winter laser treatment is laser hair removal. It is always best to remove unwanted hair when you have skin that has not been tanned or exposed to UV. A complete laser hair removal treatment is usually 6-8 sessions, making wintertime the best time to start treatment and also preparing you for a more confident summer season.
As we recognize the importance of a good maintenance routine for proper skin care, we will be starting a new BBL membership in January 2026 at Glacier Med Spa. This will make it easier and much more affordable to maintain your results year-round. Keeping up with hyperpigmentation will also make it easier to protect higher level laser treatments that we also offer, such as the Fraxel.
As with all of our treatments, please feel free to reach out to us for consultations regarding the best laser treatment package for you.
Why Winter Is The Ideal Treatment Season
Winter is the safest and most effective time for corrective treatments because UV exposure is low and the skin is less reactive. It also makes it easier to commit to a full treatment series, leading to better long-term results when pigment and collagen are treated early in the year.
BBL Correct: Your Winter Pigment Solution
WHAT IT TREATS: Brown spots, freckles, sun damage, redness, broken capillaries
WHY NOW: Skin has minimal sun exposure, allowing safer, higher-yield settings
DOWNTIME: Downtime is minimal–most patients experience only mild redness and darkening of pigment that flakes off over the next few days. You are free to wear makeup after the first 24 hours!
WHAT TO EXPECT: Expect clearer, brighter, more even-toned skin with a visible reduction in brown spots, redness, and sun damage. It is recommended to complete 3 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart for best results.
PRO TIP: Glacier MedSpa will be launching new BBL memberships in January 2026. This will make it easier (and more affordable) to maintain results year-round. This is the ideal maintenance to protect your Fraxel investment.
Laser Hair Removal: Start Now For Summer Results
WHY NOW: Untanned winter skin is key for a more effective treatment
WHAT TO EXPECT: A complete LHR treatment is 6-8 sessions making winter the best time to start treatment, prepping you for a more confident summer season.
Microneedling: The Winter Collagen Builder
WHAT IT TREATS: Fine lines, acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, and early laxity.
WHY NOW: Cooler, drier weather keeps skin calm and reduces the chance of post-treatment irritation. It’s also the perfect time to complete a full 3-treatment series before summer.
DOWNTIME: 24-48 hours of redness (similar to a sunburn) with light dryness or flaking for a few days. You are free to wear makeup after the first 24 hours!
WHAT TO EXPECT: A gradual improvement in skin smoothness and firmness as collagen rebuilds. It is recommended to do 3 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart.
PRO TIP: Add-on Ariessence PDGF+ to your treatment to boost results, speeding up healing time, and enhancing collagen production. Patients typically see up to 20-30% better improvement in firmness and radiance when growth factors are added.
Your January-June Treatment Plan
January-February: Correct
Start with BBL and Laser Hair Removal to target pigment, redness, and unwanted hair while skin is at its least sun-exposed.
March-April: Rebuild
Begin your microneedling series to smooth texture, refine pores, and stimulate fresh collagen.
May-June: Maintain & Glow
Finish with light BBL touch-ups, clinical facials, and a strong SPF + antioxidant routine for bright, healthy summer skin.
Consistency Creates Real Change
Winter is the window to achieve true skin transformation. With our seasonal promos and free consultations, it's the perfect moment to begin your Winter Skin Reset and step into summer with clearer, smoother, healthier skin.
Read The 2026 Skin Reset by DR. Courtney Austin, MD, and other Glacier Med Spa articles in 406 Woman Magazine.