The new year is symbolic of change, growth and self-improvement that often starts with our appearance.

That’s why new diet and workout regimens often top resolution lists. Those things take time to show results, and the slow pace of progress may cause people to lose interest before new habits take hold.What’s needed are a few intermediate steps of encouragement en route to your goal.

Here are a few faster ways to look better immediately, at just your speed, from simply layering on a beauty serum to trying a new injectable that reduces or eliminates double chins.

GLYCOLIC PEEL

The Medical Spa of Hawaii, 66-590 Kamehameha Highway (in same building as Xcel), opened a year ago in Haleiwa and became an instant hit with a beach crowd aiming to correct years of sun exposure. That has involved anything from Botox injections to smooth wrinkles to microneedling to boost collagen.

For a quick, noninvasive fix, co-owners Tony Glorioso and Candace Camello, both registered nurses, have introduced oxygen facials ($100) to the North Shore. These 20-minute treatments hydrate and plump the skin for a photo shoot, special occasion or night out.

At this “medispa,” service is quick, with no frills involved. Glorioso said his outdoorsy clients like it that way because they want to pop in and out to enjoy their day.

For those who don’t have a skincare regimen, a 30 percent glycolic peel ($50) takes less than 10 minutes to slough away dead skin cells and pore-clogging debris.

The glycolic acid is applied to clean skin for three minutes. You may feel a burning, itching or tingling sensation before a green tea neutralizer is applied. Once complete, your skin will glow and you’ll find serums and moisturizers are more effective with dead skin out of the way.

Timing: 10 minutes, same day or day ahead of an event. Call 721-3977.

KYBELLA

A double chin can make you look older or fatter than you really are. Enter Kybella, an FDA-approved injectable that eliminates double-chin fat.

At the Vein and Skin Center of Hawaii, 1600 Kapiolani Blvd., Dr. W.Y. Chung said he’s treated only a handful of people because “not a lot of people know about it.”

“There’s no surgery involved, and it really changes people’s appearance. Not only does it make them look skinnier, obviously, but it also contours their face and jawline, tightens the skin, and the result is they look much younger.”

Kybella uses deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring chemical in the human body, to dissolve fat cells and is injected into the double chin with small needles. The number of injections depends on the size of the area to be treated, and the procedure takes only about 15 to 30 minutes, with most of the time spent waiting for a topical anesthetic to take effect.

Side effects can include bruising and swelling that lasts for up to a week, but there’s no downtime for the in-office procedure. The cost is $600 per vial, and most people require two vials.

Those with excessive chin fat may not be good candidates for Kybella. In that case, Chung suggests laser liposuction that costs $2,000 for a single treatment.

Timing: 15 to 30 minutes, a week ahead of an event. Call 949-8346.

TREAT FOR THE SENSES

At Spa Halekulani inside the Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Road, a Euphoria Facial aims to stimulate all your senses to put mind and body at ease.

JK7 products are used during the 90-minute facial ($355) that includes your choice of aromatherapy candles to fill the room with botanical scents such as sandalwood and lemon-lime. The candle goes home with you when you’re done.

JK7 is a Hawaii-based 100 percent natural and organic line launched by Jurlique founder Jurgen Klein, a biochemist and naturopath known for his belief in the healing power of nature.

After your facial, relax over a cup of tea to help you rehydrate.

Timing: 90 minutes, day of or day before an event. Call 931-5321.

DAY AND NIGHT SERUM

Le Metier de Beaute is known for its tech-driven skincare, and turned to TPM (targeted penetration matrix) technology used in the medical industry to deliver skincare that penetrates the skin’s oil and water layers. The process is already used to deliver insulin in gel form and for transdermal patches, such as those used to curb nicotine cravings.

TPM technology, which combines vitamin E and a phosphate to make molecules soluble in both water and oil, is incorporated in the company’s new Peau Vierge Radiance Serum that incorporates hibiscus and licorice extracts and hyaluronic acid to help boost collagen and elastin and reduce inflammation to give skin a glow.

At 1.7 ounces, it sells for $300 at Neiman Marcus Ala Moana.

Timing: Use twice a day, day and night.