A physician’s guide to feeling better in your own skin this winter (without the hard sell)
By Dr. Jenkins Clarkson | Ageless Perfection Medical Aesthetics, Powell, WY
If you and I were sitting together in my treatment room right now—coats draped over the chair, cheeks a little wind-burned from that steady Powell breeze—you might say something I hear every year around this time:
“I’m grateful. I really am. But I’m also… exhausted.”
You’re not alone. The holidays can be beautiful and heavy at the same time. Family, travel, winter chores, extra shifts, expectations—we pack a lot into a short season. I see it on faces I know well: teachers who’ve put everyone else first, ranchers who’ve shouldered another year of unpredictability, grandparents keeping traditions alive, and parents juggling school concerts and icy roads. Gratitude doesn’t cancel out fatigue. They can—and often do—coexist.
So let’s have a practical conversation about self-care that’s not selfish. Let’s talk about ways to restore energy, soften stress lines, and feel a bit more like yourself—safely, thoughtfully, and with a physician’s hand at the wheel. Around here, we keep things simple and real. No pressure, no gimmicks. Just what works, why it works, and how to do it responsibly.
This winter, three options tend to help the most with an “I’m grateful, but tired” season:
- IV therapy for hydration and steady energy
- Microneedling to refresh dull, weather-tired skin (think: aerating your lawn)
- Low-downtime Botox to ease the “worry lines” that read like a to-do list
I’ll walk you through each, like I would in a check-in visit—plain language, clear expectations, and an eye toward long-term health, not quick fixes.
Why the Holidays Leave Us Looking—and Feeling—More Worn
Winter in the Big Horn Basin has its own personality: bright sun one day, biting wind the next. The combination of dry air, indoor heat, sun reflection on snow, and wind exposure does your skin no favors. Add stress hormones, frequent travel, irregular sleep, and sugary holiday foods, and you have a recipe for dehydration, inflammation, and a face that looks a little more creased than last month.
It’s not vanity to notice it. It’s simply paying attention. And it’s okay to want things to feel a bit easier—to see a face in the mirror that matches how you’d like to feel inside.
If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ll take care of me in January,” consider this your permission slip to start now, gently and safely. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s maintenance—like checking the fence line before the storm, not after.
IV Therapy: When Your Tank Is Low, Refill It (Safely)
What it does:
IV therapy delivers hydration and targeted nutrients directly to your bloodstream—no waiting for digestion. In winter, I favor formulas that support energy metabolism, immune resilience, and skin hydration. Think balanced fluids, electrolytes, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin C, tailored to your needs and medical history.
Who it helps:
People who feel draggy, foggy, or “just not bouncing back.” Night-shift workers, busy parents, frequent fliers, folks coming off a cold, or anyone who looks at coffee cup number three and thinks, “This isn’t cutting it.”
What you’ll feel:
This isn’t an energy drink buzz. Properly done IV therapy feels like easing back to baseline—clearer head, steadier energy, better skin hydration. Some patients notice brighter, less “papery” skin within a day or two simply because the tissues are finally well-hydrated.
Safety first:
As a physician, I take IV therapy seriously. It starts with a health review (medications, medical conditions), vitals, and a customized plan. I personally oversee dosing, sterile technique, and monitoring. If IVs aren’t appropriate for you, I’ll say so and suggest better options.
Frequency:
Some patients do a single pre-holiday drip. Others prefer monthly or seasonal IVs, especially if they’re run-down or traveling. We keep it reasonable. The goal is maintenance—not dependency.
Pairing with skin treatments:
Well-hydrated skin responds better to procedures like microneedling and looks healthier in photos. IVs can be a helpful foundation, especially in our dry climate.
Microneedling: Imagine Aerating a Lawn… For Your Skin
What it does (in plain terms):
Microneedling uses a device with tiny, sterile needles to create micro-channels in the skin. Your body treats these channels like small injuries and responds by building collagen and elastin—the scaffolding that makes skin look smooth and springy. It’s the aeration analogy: poke small, controlled holes, and the lawn (your skin) grows back stronger.
What it improves:
- Texture (roughness from wind/sun)
- Fine lines (especially around eyes and cheeks)
- Dullness (skin looks more alive)
- Mild acne scars and pore visibility
Why winter is ideal:
Less sun exposure means easier aftercare and lower risk of pigment changes—a perfect time to run a short series.
What it feels like & downtime:
With proper numbing, most patients describe it as scratchy pressure. Expect 1–2 days of pinkness, maybe a faint sandpapery feel for a few more. Many folks are photo-ready within 48 hours.
How many sessions:
I often recommend a series of 3 treatments, spaced ~4–6 weeks apart. You’ll see a soft glow after one, but collagen remodeling loves consistency. Think seasonal tune-ups—not a one-and-done job.
My approach:
I personally perform every microneedling treatment. I tailor depth, passes, and technique to different zones—cheeks can often tolerate more than under-eyes, for example. We can also add growth factors to boost recovery and results if appropriate.
Pairings that make sense:
A simple winter combo is IV therapy + microneedling: hydrate the inside, stimulate renewal on the outside. Your skin feels plumper, brighter—and no one can quite put their finger on why you look so rested.
Low-Downtime Botox: Quiet the Worry Lines Without “Freezing”
What it does:
Botox (and Dysport) are neuromodulators that relax specific muscles. Used artfully, they soften expression lines—the 11s between your brows, forehead creases, or crow’s feet—while preserving natural movement.
Why “low-downtime” matters now:
The holiday calendar doesn’t leave room for hiding out. A thoughtful, conservative dose has essentially no real downtime beyond a chance of a tiny bruise. Results begin in 3–7 days, settle by 2 weeks, and last 3–4 months for most people.
Natural is the goal:
You’ve probably heard me say this: we’re not trying to re-write your face. We’re reducing the background noise—those lines that broadcast stress even when you’re at ease. We want you to look rested, not “done.”
Safety and technique:
I map muscles carefully, adjust units to your anatomy, and avoid a “one-size-fits-all” dose. If you’re nervous, we’ll start conservatively. You can always add more at the two-week check-in; you can’t subtract.
Where it helps most during the holidays:
- Frown lines that give a “stern” look in photos
- Forehead lines that catch overhead lighting
- Crow’s feet that look deeper after dry, windy days
Smart add-on:
A hydrating skincare routine with a mineral sunscreen keeps results looking crisp and protects your investment. Wyoming sun reflects off snow; SPF isn’t seasonal.
“Is It Selfish to Schedule This for Me Right Now?”
I hear this a lot: “Everyone else needs something—I’ll wait.”
Let me say this gently and clearly: taking care of yourself is not selfish. It’s part of staying present, healthy, and steady for the people you love. You don’t need to “earn” rest. You don’t need to justify feeling better in your own skin.
If you’re nervous, we’ll go slow. If you’re unsure, we’ll talk it through. If all you need right now is a single IV drip and a plan for January, that’s perfectly fine. I’m here to guide, not push.
How I Structure Care: Doctor-Led, Local, and Personal
This isn’t a chain. There are no rotating providers. I personally perform every treatment and tailor every plan—because faces are not formulas, and your health history matters.
What that looks like:
- Conversation first. Where are you tired? What’s realistic? What do you have coming up?
- Thoughtful mapping. For Botox/Dysport, I map muscle patterns; for microneedling, I tailor depth and zones; for IV therapy, I review your medical background and adjust dosing accordingly.
- Right-sized care. We do what helps now, then plan what makes sense next season. No bundle pressure.
- Follow-through. I check in, adjust when needed, and make sure you feel heard.
You’re not just getting a service here—you’re getting decades of medical experience and honest guidance in a small, familiar setting. That’s how I practice medicine. That’s how I take care of people.
A Few Practical “Holiday Feature” Paths
To give you a sense of how we’d approach this season, here are three gentle, effective options we might consider together:
1) The “Grateful, But Tired” Reset (Minimal Downtime)
- IV Therapy: Hydration + B-complex + vitamin C
- Low-Downtime Botox: Softens frown/forehead/crow’s feet (light, natural dose)
- Skincare Support: Simple, calming routine with daily mineral SPF
Why it works: You feel better, look less stressed in photos, and protect your skin without a long recovery or complicated steps.
2) The “Winter Glow” Series (Subtle, Buildable Radiance)
- Microneedling #1 (Week 1)
- IV Therapy (same week or week after)
- Microneedling #2 (Week 5)
- Optional Micro-Touch Botox (between sessions for expression lines)
Why it works: Microneedling builds collagen gradually—your skin looks fresher and smoother without looking “treated.” The IV helps energy and hydration. Light Botox reduces the stress lines that show up in every candid.
3) The “Keep Me Moving” Option (For the Truly Overbooked)
- One IV therapy on a lunch hour
- Micro-dose Botox (forehead/11s/crow’s feet)
- At-home routine you can actually follow
Why it works: This is as simple as it gets. You walk out feeling better and looking quietly refreshed in a few days—no downtime.
What to Expect, Honestly
IV therapy:
You’ll rest in the chair, fluids and vitamins dripping in slowly. Bring a podcast, sip some water, exhale. Most folks leave feeling steadier. No downtime.
Microneedling:
Numb, treat, pink for a day or so, then a gentle sandpapery feel while collagen gets to work. Makeup the next day if you like. A little tighter, a little smoother, a little brighter each week.
Low-downtime Botox:
Tiny pinches. Maybe a pinpoint bruise. Nothing dramatic. Results build over 1–2 weeks. People often say, “I look more like I feel.”
A Word About Safety
As a physician, I don’t separate aesthetics from healthcare. We review medications, migraines, autoimmune history, pregnancy status, allergies, and prior treatment response. If a treatment isn’t right for you, I’ll tell you. If a dose is too much for your first time, I’ll pare it back. If your schedule’s too tight for sensible follow-up, we’ll build a simpler plan.
I’d rather be cautious and earn your trust than be flashy and make you nervous. Long-term results beat short-term trends every time.
Simple At-Home Habits That Help Right Away
- Hydrate with purpose. Broth, water, electrolytes—especially if you’re traveling.
- Humidify your space. Your skin barrier will thank you.
- Mineral sunscreen every day. Snow glare counts.
- Wash gently, moisturize richly. Nighttime is repair time.
- Protect sleep. Aim for consistency more than perfection.
- Move. Step outside. Even five minutes of fresh air and a few stretches help reset the nervous system.
Small, steady habits compound. Your face will show it.
If You’re Feeling a Little Guilty
Let me say it again: it’s okay to take care of yourself.
You’ve carried a lot this year. Choosing a small, safe, physician-led step to feel better isn’t selfish—it’s responsible. It helps you show up as the version of yourself you actually recognize.
If guilt is loud, we’ll start tiny. One IV. A few units of Botox. A single microneedling session. Then we’ll reassess together. You set the pace.
Let’s Talk About What’s Right for You
If you’re looking at the calendar and thinking, “I just want to feel a bit better before the holidays,” I’m here to help you sort through the options—no pressure, no guessing.
Come by Ageless Perfection in Powell. We’ll sit down, look at your timeline, your budget, your comfort level, and put together a sane, sustainable plan that fits your life.
You’re not signing up for a makeover. You’re choosing small, smart steps that let your outside match how you want to feel inside—grateful, steady, and just a little more rested.
Let’s talk about what’s right for you.
📍 Ageless Perfection Medical Aesthetics | Powell, Wyoming
📞 (307) 228-9002
🌐 agelessperfectionwy.com