The Met Gala is what we know as “fashion’s biggest night out.” The event will be held on May 4, with the theme of Costume Art. This year, the Met Gala will host more A-listers than ever. Guests that have been rumored to attend include Kim Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, Zendaya and Julia Garner, among others.
Celebrities always prepare for the Met Gala with an intense, multi-week regimen that goes beyond your traditional “hair and makeup” before the event. For many celebs, this detailed regiment often costs six figures as they gear up for the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It involves a mix of non-surgical procedures and subtle, “tried-and-true” aesthetic treatments. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists work with celebrities to help enhance their skin quality and contour the face and body for high-definition, 360-degree camera scrutiny while walking the red carpet at the Met Gala.
Here are some ways that celebrities prepare for the Met Gala, according to some of the country’s top plastic surgeons.
Dr. Lyle Leipziger – New York City
Dr. Lyle Leipziger is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who leads multiple practices in Manhattan and Long Island, New York. His areas of expertise include cosmetic surgery of the face and eyes; cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breasts; liposuction and body contouring; and non-surgical facial rejuvenation. He is renowned both locally and nationally, Dr. Leipziger has been recognized by Castle Connoly as one of America’s Top Doctors and is featured in New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” list and the New York Times “Super Doctors” list. Today, he is the Chief of Plastic Surgery at North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center.
According to Dr. Leipziger, it’s part of a carefully timed “treatment calendar” that is focused on radiance, enhanced facial contour, and camera-ready skin. It all starts roughly six weeks before the Met Gala. “Some combination treatments may include Botox, subtle filler, light laser skin resurfacing and skin tightening treatments,” said Dr. Leipziger. “Then, at two or three weeks before the event, skin treatments may include light chemical peels, microneedling and enhanced facials. Strategic timing is critical; every treatment should be planned around proper healing times. The goal is undetectable enhancements that are designed to give a refreshed and vibrant appearance.”
As Dr. Leipziger notes, plastic surgeons are “extremely cognizant” of surgical timing before an event like the Met Gala. “I usually advise facial procedures such as facelifts, blepharoplasties, and facial fat transfer, to be performed at a minimum of 4-6 months before the red carpet,” he said. “There’s a big misconception that these facial surgeries may be performed very close to the planned event. They must be carefully orchestrated to create the best possible and undetectable result. The results shouldn’t point to one specific procedure; the goal is to look fabulous, with a refreshed appearance that doesn’t reveal what was done.”
When it comes to filler, and avoiding bruises from injections, Dr. Leipziger says he sees strategically placed dermal fillers. “This may be an integral part of any red-carpet prep for the Met Gala; using advanced techniques, small amounts of filler may be placed at precise points in the face to lift the jawline, decrease early jowls and raise the corners of the mouth,” he said. “The goal is to produce a dramatic enhancement without looking done. Injection site bruises may be significantly lessened by pre-treatment icing and avoiding any over-the-counter medications that could cause bruising.”
Dr. Rozbeh Torabi – Scottsdale and Chandler, AZ
As a double-board-certified, extensively trained, and well-traveled plastic surgeon, Dr. Rozbeh Torabi creates stunning results at Elite Plastic Surgery AZ with offices in Chandler, Phoenix, and the nearby areas. Dr. Torabi, who says he never turns away from difficult surgical cases, has earned an impressive reputation for his excellent bedside manner. Together with his brothers Dr. Radbeh Torabi and Dr. Ramyar Torabi—Dr. Rozbeh Torabi leads a highly skilled and talented surgical team, along with a dedicated staff of aesthetic experts.
In his experience, celebrities prepare for the Met Gala in several ways, beauty and skin-wise. “For major red-carpet events like the Met Gala, preparation is typically a combination of skin optimization, subtle contouring, and inflammation reduction,” he said. “Red carpet prep isn’t about looking ‘done’—it’s about looking like the best, most rested version of yourself under unforgiving lighting. That often involves medical-grade skincare, light resurfacing treatments, hydration therapies, and strategic injectables.”
He notes one of the biggest misconceptions. “It isn’t about last-minute treatments. In reality, the best results come from consistency—what you do year-round shows up under those lights,” he adds.
While many celebrities had their procedures and treatments done months ago, he says there is time for last minute touches. “By the time you’re a week out, there shouldn’t be anything aggressive left to do,” he said. That phase is about controlling inflammation, hydration, and skin quality—not making changes.”
One last minute touch includes medical-grade facials. “They are a staple before any major event—they give immediate radiance without downtime. Treatments that exfoliate, hydrate, and improve circulation are popular because they create immediate radiance without irritation.”
In the days leading up to an event, physicians sometimes recommend medications or supplements that reduce swelling or inflammation. “For example, mild anti-inflammatory strategies or antihistamines may help minimize fluid retention in the face; the goal is simply to reduce puffiness and help the skin appear calm and balanced keeping the face looking sharp and defined,” said Dr. Torabi.
For patients who want immediate radiance without the risk of bruising, treatments like DiamondGlow or similar resurfacing facials are very popular, he notes. “They exfoliate, extract, and infuse serums, which can give the skin a smooth, luminous look right before a red carpet appearance.”
LED masks are popular, so is lymphatic drainage treatments. “LED light therapy is popular because it can reduce inflammation and improve skin tone without downtime,” he said. “Lymphatic drainage—whether manual or device-based—is often used in the days before an event to decrease facial puffiness and enhance definition. They’re reliable; they reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and enhance definition without creating risk.”
Dr. Mustafa Ahmed – Las Vegas
Meanwhile, Dr. Mustafa Ahmed, MD, FACS, FAACS, is one of Southern Nevada’s leading aesthetic surgeons and the director of Las Vegas Body Sculpting. He is triple board-certified and has been performing surgery since 2006. Las Vegas Body Sculpting is a premier cosmetic surgery practice offering state-of-the-art techniques in both surgical and non-surgical body contouring, led by Dr. Mustafa Ahmed. With a focus on patient satisfaction and safety, we strive to help everyone achieve their aesthetic goals. He believes that some of the ways celebrities prepare for the Met Gala, beauty and skin-wise, is a combination of things. “It usually is a combination of good skincare, in-office treatments, and just being very intentional about timing; the goal is to look refreshed and natural under harsh lighting—not overdone,” he said. “Anything that requires healing or collagen stimulation is done early. The last week before an event is more about maintenance and glow.”
He has seen a demand for facials before big events. “Facials are very common—especially ones focused on hydration and gentle exfoliation without irritation,” said Dr. Ahmed. “IV hydration is also something a lot of patients ask for before big events to help with energy and overall appearance.”
For an event like the Met Gala, it’s mostly non-surgical procedures, he notes. “Plastic surgeons are involved in subtle refinements—things like fillers or skin quality treatments. Fat transfer is done, but that’s more of a long-term plan, not something right before an event. We generally avoid introducing anything new close to an event. The focus is on keeping the skin calm and predictable.”
He recommends doing fillers a few weeks ahead of time, if not longer, for optimal healing time and results. “If it’s closer to the event, treatments like DiamondGlow are a safer option to improve skin quality without downtime,” he said. “LEDs help with inflammation and skin tone, and lymphatic drainage is great for reducing puffiness and giving a more defined look before an event.”
He adds:“More than anything, the trend is toward subtle, natural results. Patients want to look like themselves—just well-rested and polished, not obviously ‘treated.’”
