If you have been with me for a while you know in January I fill you in on anti-aging trends for the upcoming year.
And if you are new, then be ready for the good, the bad and the ugly.
You see, I follow the research – not just the trends.
And a lot of trends are things we’ve already talked about. And like I’ve said in years past … we are ahead of the curve. And most of the time you would have heard it here first.
Which is why I want to revisit the trend I spoke about last year …
Exosomes … it’s the superstar in anti-aging. But as of this writing it still is not yet FDA-approved.
Exosomes are tiny particles, or vesicles, that are released by cells in your body.
They’re like the body’s own little messengers, carrying information from one cell to another.
This information can include proteins, lipids, and genetic material such as DNA and RNA.
Exosomes play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication.
They can influence the behavior of other cells. They can even change the environment around them.
This makes them incredibly important in both health and disease.
In terms of anti-aging, exosomes have been a hot topic of research.
Some scientists believe that they could be used to rejuvenate cells and tissues which could slow down the aging process.
For example, exosomes from young cells could potentially be used to ‘reprogram’ older cells, making them behave more like their younger counterparts.
Here are some of the treatments being studied using exosomes:
- Improving brain health
- Suppressing cancer
- Reducing inflammation and chronic pain
- Enhancing tissue regeneration
- Boosting immune health
- Improving collagen
- Reducing fibrosis
- Activating fibroblasts
- Remodeling bone
- Increasing hair follicles
And it’s being used in therapies for things like neurodegenerative diseases, lyme disease, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, eczema, psoriasis and ED.
There are clinics across the US that offer treatments involving exosomes, particularly in the field of regenerative medicine. But it’s still all experimental at this point.
It’s an exciting area of research though, and it’s rapidly growing around the world.
So keep an eye out for lots to come in this arena.
And if you come across cosmetic products from South Korea containing exosomes (readily available on different websites) use caution and make sure they are from a reputable biotech company.
Skincare Ingredients – yes or no?
Next I want to share what’s new with ingredients in skincare. The first one is slowly showing up in products and it’s called ectoin.
Ectoin is like a tiny natural bodyguard for cells. It’s a protective substance that some bacteria produce to survive in extreme environments, like very salty or dry places.
When these bacteria find themselves in conditions that could damage them, they produce ectoin to help them survive.
The thing about ectoin is that it can perform the same protective job for our skin cells too.
Which is why it’s becoming a popular ingredient in skincare products.
When applied to the skin, ectoin can help shield our skin cells from things that cause damage and aging, like sunlight and air pollution.
It also helps to keep the skin hydrated by locking in moisture.
You can think of ectoin as a little bodyguard for your skin, helping to protect it from damage and keep it hydrated.
And I have tried a product with ectoin (I purchased mine on Amazon).
My opinion is that it’s something you will want to use long-term.
As with any preventative product it’s not something that’s going to produce any kind of results that you can see.
So when you see it in a product you will at least know what it’s all about. And you’ll know if you want to spend your money on it.
When it comes to other new ingredients in skincare you are going to see all different types of mushrooms.
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, particularly in Asia.
Recently, they’ve also started to gain attention in the skincare industry due to their unique properties.
Here are the types of mushrooms to look out for along with their benefits:
- Reishi Mushroom: Reishi is a type of mushroom known for its antioxidant properties, which can fight against environmental damage that may lead to lines and wrinkles. It may also improve blood circulation, promoting cellular turnover and leading to healthier, plumper, and younger-looking skin.
- Snow Mushroom (Tremella Fuciformis): Snow Mushrooms are known for their impressive ability to hold water, even more than Hyaluronic Acid. This intense moisturizing property helps to plump skin and smoothen fine lines, leading to a softer and more-youthful appearance.
- Chaga Mushroom: The Chaga mushroom is high in antioxidants such as melanin and betulinic acid, which can work together to reinforce skin firmness by fighting oxidative stress which often leads to wrinkle formation.
- Cordyceps Mushroom: Cordyceps are known for their anti-aging effects and may help to boost skin’s moisture, fight inflammation, and improve elasticity.
Another amazing ingredient to hit skincare is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) which is a vitamin B derivative.
It can help with skin health and anti-aging.
NAD+ is a key coenzyme that helps cells with metabolic functions, like breaking down fats, processing carbohydrates, and metabolizing amino acids.
It can also help with DNA repair, cellular nutrition, and giving cells the energy they need to function properly.
I definitely think that mushrooms and NAD+ is worth the hype.
You will also start to hear the term neurocosmetics, which refers to a relatively new area of skincare that focuses on the interplay between the nervous system and skin health.
Neurocosmetics are skincare products designed to interact with your skin on a nervous level.
They use specific ingredients that can stimulate or suppress the activity of certain nerve endings in the skin, influencing skin sensations like itching, pain, or comfort.
The goal is to improve skin health and appearance by influencing these neural pathways.
But to me it feels like they are trying to create a new term and identity for an area of skincare ingredients that already exists.
So don’t be fooled.
Here are some examples …
- Resveratrol: This antioxidant found in grapes and red wine has been shown to protect skin’s outermost layers and help neurons survive. It’s being researched for its potential anti-aging effects.
- Peptides: Certain peptides (short strings of amino acids) can stimulate or limit the production of neurotransmitters in the skin, influencing sensations like pain, itching, or comfort.
- Cannabinoids: Components like CBD (cannabidiol) have been shown to interact with the neurological system, helping to reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, and reduce feelings of pain.
- Niacinamide: Although niacinamide doesn’t directly interact with the nervous system, it indirectly promotes skin relaxation by improving the skin barrier, reducing sensitivity, and calming inflammation.
I personally want to see more evidence that this type of skincare is new and revolutionary. So the jury is still out for me.
On the Injectable Front
I’ve been talking about skinboosters for a couple of years now.
It’s very popular with K-Beauty.
Application is with a microneedle, dermaroller or mesotherapy technique.
These boosters deliver hydration and skin nutrients that can help tissue regrow or repair itself.
The products smooth, tighten and repair rather than add fullness.
It’s a more natural look than fillers.
And there is a trend that is moving away from fillers.
The product that may be taking its place is all the rage and just approved in the US is Skinvive by Juvederm.
It’s administered by injecting microdroplets of product just under the skin.
It’s like an injectable moisturizer and the results are said to be glass skin. And the reviews are amazing and people are just loving it.
It’s something I might have to try this year. And, if I do, I will certainly let you know.
Last but not least …
Is the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the world of aesthetic medicine.
You see, using 3D imaging, AI will be able to analyze an individual facial features, skin type, and desired outcomes.
By using machine-learning algorithms, AI can help determine the best course of treatment for each patient.
This will help clinicians create personalized treatment plans.
AI algorithms can be trained to recognize skin conditions and abnormalities with the same, or even superior, accuracy as human physicians.
And a more accurate diagnosis would lead to more effective treatments.
And what I think is also exciting is that AI could be used to predict how a patient will respond to certain treatments or how their aesthetics will change over time.
Such predictive modeling could help clinicians and patients make more-informed decisions about treatment plans.
Hope you enjoyed this installment of trends.
And if you have a question about anything new drop me an email.
For a younger you!
Sandy
Sandy DeRose
P.S. If you are new here and want to see other trends for the last two years, check them out here 2023, 2022.
