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XERF Skin Tightening Before the Critics Choice Awards
- Little to no downtime
- Results build over 4 weeks
- Complimentary consultation
Reviewed by Tiffany Wang, PA-C, Dermatology-trained Physician Associate, Skin Select Brentwood
Before the Critics Choice Awards, many clients in Los Angeles choose XERF, a non-surgical radiofrequency skin tightening treatment available at Skin Select in Brentwood. XERF stimulates collagen and firms skin over four weeks, with mild redness for a few hours after treatment and then back to normal activity, making a November or December booking the ideal preparation window for January's opening awards ceremony.
The Critics Choice Awards: Where Awards Season Begins for Hollywood's Talent
Every January, the Critics Choice Awards mark the official opening of Hollywood's most competitive stretch of the year. Held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, a converted aerospace hangar steps from the Pacific that has become one of the entertainment industry's most sought-after event spaces, the ceremony is both a celebration and a signal. Awards season has begun. The room fills with nominees and industry insiders watching closely, and the cameras are ready from the first moment talent steps onto the carpet.
What distinguishes the Critics Choice Awards from every ceremony that follows is its breadth. The show honors both film and television in a single evening, which means the talent pool is unusually wide. An actress nominated for a limited series stands on the same red carpet as a leading actor from a major theatrical release. Critics and industry press who cover both worlds are in attendance. The result is a ceremony that receives significant media coverage across entertainment verticals, and one where the pressure to appear polished and confident is felt equally by film and television talent alike.
"The Critics Choice is the first major ceremony of the season, which means it sets the tone for everything that follows. Clients who come in during November or December aren't just preparing for one night. They're starting a process that will carry them through January and beyond," says Jinli Wu, PA-C at Skin Select in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
For clients at Skin Select, the venue's proximity matters. Barker Hangar in Santa Monica is a 10-to-15-minute drive from our Brentwood location at 11620 Wilshire Boulevard. That proximity means clients can build XERF results at Skin Select, attend the ceremony in Santa Monica, and return the same evening without disruption. According to the Critics Choice Association, the awards ceremony has grown to recognize more than 100 nominees across film and television categories annually, reflecting the scale of the industry talent it draws to the Santa Monica waterfront each January.
Despite this, and despite being the ceremony that opens awards season, the Critics Choice Awards receive less preparation coverage than any of the ceremonies that follow. There are far fewer beauty and wellness guides dedicated to Critics Choice red carpet preparation than to the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, or Oscars. That content gap is real, and it reflects a missed preparation window for clients who want to arrive at January's first major ceremony with results already built. XERF's four-week collagen remodeling timeline is ideally matched to November and December bookings, precisely the window that has, until now, been underused.
When to Book XERF Before the Critics Choice Awards
The Critics Choice Awards take place in January. For XERF's collagen remodeling to reach its full effect by show night, the ideal booking window is November or early December, a treatment window that overlaps with the holiday season and makes a compelling case for treating skin investment as a gift to yourself that delivers in the new year. Book in November, see results by the time the holiday calendar fills, and arrive at the Critics Choice red carpet in January with skin that has had time to firm, settle, and refine naturally.
According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, radiofrequency treatments that stimulate neocollagenesis show measurable improvement in skin laxity beginning at four weeks post-treatment, with continued improvement observed at twelve weeks. This timeline makes November the strategic booking month for a January ceremony. Two scenarios are worth considering: a single Critics Choice preparation booking, which positions November as a standalone investment, or the smarter move, using the Critics Choice booking as the first in a three-ceremony January series. Clients who begin XERF in November are prepared for the Critics Choice Awards and carry treatment momentum into the Golden Globes and SAG Awards that follow within weeks. The first treatment builds the foundation. Subsequent sessions compound the result.
Awards Season Begins in January — Your Skin Preparation Begins in November
There's a strategic logic to beginning XERF before the Critics Choice Awards specifically. It's the first ceremony. Clients who book in November aren't reacting to an upcoming event. They're getting ahead of the entire season. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2023 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, non-surgical skin tightening procedures increased by 17 percent year-over-year among clients aged 35–54, reflecting growing demand for treatments that deliver results without recovery time during high-activity periods. The awards season window, November through March, is exactly such a period.
"When a client comes in November and says they want to look their best for awards season, we're not thinking about one night. We're thinking about the entire arc: Critics Choice in January, then Golden Globes, then SAG, then Oscars. Starting early gives us options and gives the skin time," says Tiffany Wang, PA-C at Skin Select in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
Clients who start XERF in November carry results into the full season. The Critics Choice Awards become the starting line, not a standalone goal.
Skin Select doesn't discuss clients. Records stay with the provider, and the practice doesn't reference clients in marketing. For clients whose publicists or assistants typically make first contact, that's how the practice works routinely. Call (310) 218-5701 to speak with a provider directly.
XERF Skin Tightening in Brentwood, Los Angeles
Skin Select is located at 11620 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 700, Brentwood, Los Angeles, convenient to Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and the broader West LA corridor. The practice operates by appointment only, Monday through Saturday. Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, venue of the Critics Choice Awards, is a 10-to-15-minute drive from the office.
Address: 11620 Wilshire Blvd #700, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 218-5701
Hours: Mon, Wed–Fri 10:00am–6:30pm · Sat 10:00am–2:00pm · Closed Tue & Sun
Related Awards Season Skin Prep
The Critics Choice Awards are the opening ceremony, but awards season continues for weeks. Explore our preparation guides for the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy Awards, and the SAG Awards. For a complete overview of XERF skin tightening across awards season, visit our Awards Season Red Carpet Prep hub.
Learn more about our full XERF treatment approach on our XERF Skin Tightening Los Angeles page.
Start with a Consultation
XERF consultations at Skin Select are available by appointment. Book your consultation to receive a personalized treatment plan built around your skin, your goals, and, when applicable, your event timeline. For clients with the Critics Choice Awards in mind, November and December appointments are available now.
What Makes XERF Different at Skin Select
- Dermatology-trained oversight and safety-first protocols
- Facial balancing approach, we treat how you look as a whole, not one area in isolation
- Treatment plans tailored to your skin goals, timeline, and comfort level
- Minimal downtime options for busy schedules
- Luxe, appointment-only experience, including a calm numbing lounge when needed
Discover XERF Treatment Options
XERF for Skin Tightening and Firmness
- Helps improve the look of mild to moderate laxity
- Supports collagen for a smoother, firmer look
- Comfortable treatment with little to no downtime
XERF for Jawline and Lower Face Definition
- Ideal if your jawline looks softer than it used to
- Helps improve the look of skin “loseness” without surgery
- Great for people who want subtle, natural refinement
XERF for Fine Lines and Texture
- Refines the look of crepey texture
- Helps smooth the look of fine lines over time
- Pairs well with skincare and collagen-focused plans
How XERF Skin Tightening Works
- XERF delivers targeted energy to support collagen for a firmer, smoother look over time. It is designed for gradual improvement with little to no downtime. Your provider customizes settings based on your skin, goals, and comfort.
- Most clients describe a warm sensation. Results build gradually over the next few weeks as collagen support develops.
Is XERF Right for You?
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You want subtle tightening without surgery
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You are noticing early laxity, softer jawline, or crepey texture
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You want little to no downtime
Not sure if you’re a fit? If XERF is not right for your skin, we’ll tell you and recommend the better option.
Real Results. Visible Confidence.
XERF results build gradually. Many clients see continued improvement over the next 4 weeks as collagen support develops. Results vary. Photos may include published clinical examples. Your plan is personalized.
After two treatments
After one treatment
After one treatment
After two treatments
After one treatment
Patient Results, In Their Words
"I felt an immediate tightening of my skin"
"Amazing results and I was able to go right back to work"
A Luxe Experience, Built Around Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Most clients return to their schedule the same day. Mild redness or warmth in the treated area typically clears within two to four hours. Makeup can be applied immediately after the session, and activity is unrestricted from that point forward. Filming schedules, workouts, and public appearances are all fine the same day.
Many clients see meaningful improvement after a single session. Your provider will assess your skin during the consultation and recommend a protocol based on your goals and current skin condition. Clients with moderate laxity often get their best results from two sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart. A second session can always be added after evaluating your initial response.
XERF delivers radiofrequency energy below the skin surface rather than to the outer layer, making it suitable for a wide range of skin tones and types. Your provider evaluates your skin at the consultation and adjusts treatment settings to match your specific profile. Clients with active skin conditions or recent procedures may be asked to wait until their skin is ready.
Most clients describe the sensation as warm pressure. Treatment settings are adjusted throughout the session based on your comfort, and a numbing lounge is available when needed. Sessions take 30 to 60 minutes. Any discomfort is mild and passes quickly, and clients typically leave the office without any residual irritation.
Some clients notice an early refreshed quality to their skin within the first week. The more visible changes build as collagen develops over four weeks, with continued improvement through week twelve in many cases. Because XERF works gradually, the results look natural rather than sudden, which is part of what makes it well-suited for clients who need to look their best continuously.
Side effects are typically mild and short-lived. Redness and warmth in the treated area are the most common, and both clear within a few hours for most clients. Minor swelling, when it occurs, resolves within a day. Bruising is uncommon. Your provider will walk through your individual risk profile during the consultation.