If you’ve decided not to make any short-lived resolutions but embrace long-term holistic goals in 2024, you’re likely to be an early adopter of the big swing we’re seeing in the aesthetic industry with its emphasis on regenerative treatments that could slow down or prevent ageing by harnessing the power of our own cells.
Combining treatments synergistically will also continue to grow in popularity as patients search for the best results in the shortest amount of time with the least downtime.
Here are our top 4 aesthetic predictions for 2024!
1. Regenerative aesthetics
Younger men and women are embracing aesthetic treatments, and their mindset is less about addressing a specific concern and more about preserving health and wellbeing. Watch out for injectable biostimulators, such as Polynucleotides, which work by prompting our cells to restore what we lose with ageing.
“For years, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers have dominated the aesthetic market, but I think they will be much more of a push towards biostimulators,” Karidis Clinic’s Dr Emily Strong explains. “Polynucleotides has become a buzzword recently, but older treatments such as Radiesse and Sculptra that activate fibroblasts to stimulate collagen production will see a resurgence in popularity.
“There are now whole conferences just on regenerative techniques. The next thing after Polynucleotides is likely to be Exosomes. These particles released by our cells can activate your cells to function as efficiently as a younger person’s cells. Exosome technology is still in its infancy so it will be interesting to see how this area of science unfolds. So far they have shown potential to be a powerful treatment for ageing, inflammatory skin conditions and even possibly hair loss.”
2. An end to dark circles… and tear trough filler?
Dark circles under the eyes have long been a challenging area to treat, but aesthetic practitioners now have some exciting and effective new treatment options which may even spell the end for tear trough fillers.
“I have so many clients arriving in the clinic with concerns about dark eye circles, and previously, the only non-surgical option was dermal fillers to address the tear trough or groove that appears at the eye and cheek junction,” Dr Emily explains. “Often people ask for filler because they think that’s why they look tired under the eyes, but what they’re seeing isn’t really a true hollow. It might be an excess of pigmentation or dullness from dehydration and a build-up of toxins. It’s usually only a very mild volume depletion.”
Polynucleotides are highly effective for treating mild undereye hollows, poor skin quality, and loss of collagen. LightEyes, on the other hand, can treat puffiness and pigmentation by increasing circulation. It is a specially designed cocktail of hyaluronic acid, ruscosides, vitamin C and antioxidants that can improve microcirculation, cutaneous elasticity and drainage in the periocular area.
3. The filter effect
Microtox has been described as the ultimate Instagram filter, but IRL! “After years of being on social media, people have become used to seeing what they look like with that perfect skin, and they want to have that all the time,” Dr Emily explains.
Microtox was originally developed in South Korea, where the population strives for ‘glass skin’, which translates as a poreless, luminous, clear complexion. It utilises muscle-relaxing injections in a unique way by injecting microdroplets at a more superficial level within the dermis. “As well as producing more youthful, glowing skin, it can treat excess oiliness, enlarged pores, mild acne, excess facial sweating, and facial flushing,” Dr Emily points out.
4. Advanced facials
We all love a pampering spa facial, but more and more patients are turning to clinical facials to get the results they want. A clinical facial can effectively address specific skin concerns such as sunspots, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, active acne and acne scarring by using a combination of active ingredients and medical-grade devices.
Technology advancements mean that these treatments are safer and more effective than ever. Our aesthetic practitioner Stevie has seen some fantastic results, often by combining technologies for the optimal outcome.
“This patient had a combination of inflammatory and comedonal acne, two very different forms of acne that require different treatments. To treat the large, red lesions, we did a series of chemical peels to shed the top layer of dead skin cells, control oil production and reduce inflammation.
“Next, I performed three HydraFacials, which helped to exfoliate the skin gently and to extract some of the comedones, the non-inflammatory lesions.
“Then we prescribed her two important skincare products: a high-concentrate salicylic acid and prescription-strength retinol called Tretinoin. My patient is thrilled with her results and now just needs SkinPen to treat any residual acne scarring.”
