Regenerative Aesthetics 101
Introduction:
Regenerative Aesthetics is becoming a popular buzz word in today’s society, on social media, and throughout many med spas. The Google definition of Regenerative Aesthetics is: “a field of medicine that focuses on using the body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate tissue, to rejuvenate and restore a youthful appearance, specifically in the use of cosmetic treatments.”
At Elite, we take it a step further with a functional medicine approach, to get to the root cause of certain skin/body concerns. For example, any med spa can provide treatments like IV’s, injections, hormone replacement therapy, GLP-1’s, etc., but those services will only get so far if the whole system is not addressed first.
In order to truly provide clients with healing through regenerative treatments, a deep dive into connecting every system, balancing the gut, leveling out hormones, and much more is required for regenerative treatments to truly work/provide lasting results.
This article answers FAQs regarding regenerative aesthetics, provides examples of regenerative treatments, how we do things differently, and real client photos of treatment results. Keep reading below for all the details!
Table of Contents
What is regenerative aesthetics?
Regenerative aesthetics incorporates more holistic treatments that focus on the body’s natural healing processes to restore and rejuvenate the skin and body. This is usually achieved via procedures that stimulate the body to make more collagen or to induce an internal healing response.
The end goal of regenerative treatments is to provide “long-term” results and longevity, even though it may take more treatments and a longer time frame to see results. With that said, regenerative treatments can’t always reach their full potential if the whole body isn’t addressed through a functional medicine lens.
It is important to go to a med spa/provider that has the schooling and experience of functional medicine and aesthetics to formulate the best game plan for your concerns.
What are regenerative skin treatments?
Like mentioned earlier, regenerative skin treatments aim to restore and repair the skin, and common skin issues, through treatments that spark the body’s natural healing process and collagen production.
Here’s how it works in a more simplified break down:
1. Stimulating the skin to repair itself on a cellular level, and to rely on the body’s OWN resources to heal controlled wounds and repair any damaged skin.
2. Cell regrowth begins through this healing process and replaces the old damaged cells/tissues that often cause skin concerns like pigmentation, premature aging, lines/wrinkles, hollowing and more.
3. Collagen and elastin production begins, which is the foundation to youthful skin, firmness, and healthy tissue.
Common regenerative skin treatments include things like microneedling, resurfacing lasers, deep chemical peels, EZ gel injections, bio-stimulating injections, peptides, functional medicine protocols, wellness injections & IV’s, and more.
Read further down the blog for more details on each regenerative skin treatment.
Is regenerative aesthetics anti-aging?
Yes, regenerative aesthetics aims to work with the body to gracefully age in a way that makes each individual look beautiful, confident, and generally just look and feel their best. Oftentimes the treatments focus on anti-aging goals, but through the healing processes, the skin and body not only look more youthful but are actually healthier than before.
At Elite, we often combine aesthetic treatments with functional medicine treatments for the best client approach to skin concerns.
Here’s an example of what this might look like:
A client comes in with concerns of what looks like “melasma” (dark patches of pigment typically throughout the forehead, cheeks, and above the lip). Melasma is oftentimes a result of a hormonal imbalance in the body, not solely an issue of the skin itself. So, a combined treatment plan at Elite might include the following:
- A customized hormone balancing protocol plus liver support based on personal labs and/or thorough medical history, that includes: dietary, lifestyle, and supplement changes, with subsequent follow-up appointments.
- Bi-weekly Glutathione injections and/or IV’s
- A package of 3 VI Peels spaced 1 month apart
- 1 ResurFX resurfacing laser
- Skincare regimen that includes active and protective ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and SPF (oftentimes hydroquinone is also recommended for hyperpigmentation but this is not a “regenerative treatment”)
Through this treatment plan, the client is treating the root cause of the melasma AND the skin, over just treating the skin concern topically. It is a great combination of an inner and outer beauty approach, for a true regenerative aesthetics approach with the bonus of better health as well!
Please keep in mind that like any chronic condition, skin conditions are usually just controlled and will not necessarily be “cured”. They can come back with triggers such as: intense sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations , increased toxic load, increased inflammation, etc.
What are examples of regenerative aesthetic treatments?
Some examples of regenerative aesthetic treatments might include treatments like EZ-Gel, peptides, PRP/PRF injections, microneedling, deep chemical peels, hair restoration, resurfacing lasers, IVs and injections, and more!
Below are some of the most common regenerative aesthetic treatments and ones that we offer in our office.
Keep in mind that the industry is constantly evolving and adding more treatments, so this may not cover all the treatments on the market.
Is EZ Gel a regenerative treatment?
Yes, EZ gel is a 100% natural and regenerative injection option that is derived from your own blood and warmed to create a “filler-like” consistency. It has no chemicals, additives, or artificial compounds. EZ gel is commonly used to subtly restore volume, build collagen, soften lines/wrinkles, address acne scarring, and improve skin texture and health.
Of Note: This injectable does take a series of treatments to see best results, and results may be gradual with time (up to 6-12 months), because it stimulates the body’s natural collagen production and cell re-growth which is time-dependent per individual and their baseline concern(s).
Learn more about EZ Gel injections by clicking the button below.
Are PRP/PRF Injections Regenerative?
Yes, PRP/PRF injections are regenerative because they accelerate the body’s natural healing process, as well as generate new cell growth, new blood vessels, and collagen production for healthier tissue. Both PRP (platelet rich plasma) and PRF (platelet rich fibrin) are derived from your own blood and are alternatives to synthetic injectables/products.
These injections are commonly used for hair regrowth, collagen stimulating facial injections, body injections, wound healing, and topically after microneedling to help aid in healing (aka a “vampire facial”).
The main difference between PRP/PRF injections and EZ Gel:
While both of these injectables are derived from your own blood, the main difference between the two is that EZ Gel is warmed at a specific temperature and duration of time, to create a “filler-like” gel consistency. PRP/PRF is not warmed after the blood draw and spinning in the centrifuge and remains more liquid.
Both are great natural injectable options, but determining which is best for you requires a consult with one of our providers for a customized treatment plan and assessment.
Are Bio-stimulating Injections Regenerative?
Yes, Bio-stimulating injections are regenerative skin injectables, because they aim to build collagen in the skin’s tissue for a healthier complexion, volume restoration, and to address lines/wrinkles. The main difference between HA filler injections and bio-stimulating injections is that HA filler provides an instant result, but does not stimulate collagen production for additional skin-health benefits (aka is not classified as a regenerative skin treatment).
Below are the two main bio-stimulating injectables we offer and use on our clients:
- Radiesse: A dermal filler bio-stimulator that is used to restore lost volume, tighten, and improve lines and wrinkles. Radiesse is made from tiny calcium-based microspheres suspended in gel; similarly to what is naturally found in the body. With time, the gel is absorbed by the body and the natural collagen production it created remains, leaving the skin in better health than before. Radiesse is one of our favorites because it does provide immediate results AND builds collagen!
- Sculptra: A bio-stimulator that is made of Poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA-the same material sutures are made from) that helps to restore the skin’s collagen, soften lines, and provide subtle volume. Once the PLLA is injected into the skin, the micro-particles are absorbed and begin to stimulate collagen growth. It is important to note that a series of 3-6 treatments are recommended for optimal results, and Sculptra does not provide immediate volume like Radiesse does.
Is Microneedling a regenerative skin treatment?
Absolutely, microneedling is a regenerative skin treatment. Microneedling treatments are a natural way to stimulate collagen production within the skin. The microneedling device’s needles create controlled micro-punctures/wounds in the skin that signals a healing cascade, and in return, the body begins to build collagen and elastin. This process can help with many skin concerns such as scarring, lines/wrinkles, texture, anti-aging, and more.
Adding-on regenerative healing agents and boosters to microneedling treatments, such as growth factors and salmon DNA, provide great additional benefits to the skin as well.
Read below on each:
- Growth factor benefits include: reduces inflammation in the skin, speeds up healing, and helps aid in a healthier skin barrier, overall.
- Salmon DNA benefits include: rich in vitamins, hyaluronic acid, minerals, and amino acids that are shown to help speed up healing, repair the skin quicker, and calm redness and irritation.
Below are images of real clients who received microneedling treatments and a link to learn more about microneedling!
RF Microneedling is a Regenerative Treatment, too:
Like regular microneedling, RF (radio frequency) microneedling is also a regenerative skin treatment. It has all the benefits of microneedling that were mentioned above, but also includes the radio frequency laser that helps to tighten tissue.
This dual action skin treatment also stimulates the body’s own natural collagen and elastin production as well as delivering heat energy to deeper layers of the skin, making it a great regenerative skin treatment option for those wanting to target more static wrinkles, jowling, “double chin”, more severe scarring, and stretch marks!
Are non-ablative lasers regenerative treatments?
Absolutely! Non-ablative lasers like ResurFX, are regenerative treatments because the controlled laser beam targets below the skin’s surface to increase collagen production, tighten, and resurface the skin. A few other reasons we love ResurFX as a regenerative treatment is, it does not break the skin (is non-ablative), so there is minimal downtime, and it is safe and effective for melasma (many lasers are not safe for melasma).
ResurFX is a great regenerative skin treatment that can help with lines, scarring (from acne or trauma), pigmentation, dark spots, melasma, large pores, and a healthier complexion, overall.
Of note: While we do not offer ablative (breaking of the skin) lasers in office (yet 😉), they are also a regenerative skin treatment, because they work to safely remove the outer layers of the skin to promote collagen stimulation, healing, and re-generation of new cells. These are often known as CO2 lasers and require a lot of downtime and healing.
Are chemical peels regenerative treatments?
Deep, resurfacing chemical peels are considered regenerative aesthetic treatments, because the chemical compounds travel deep into the dermis of the skin, signaling the body to heal itself and produce new, healthier skin cells. By doing so, the old/dead skin cells shed off, and the new skin cells reveal a healthier, more even-toned complexion. Through this process, collagen is also stimulated to grow, especially when completing a series of 3-6 peels.
At Elite, we specifically use VI Peel, because it is an FDA-approved, medium-deep, medical-grade chemical peel, formulated with a specific numbing agent, so the peel is comfortable for clients. Additionally, there are many VI Peel blends, so we customize each skin concern with a targeted peel for best results. VI Peels work great for anti-aging, scarring, pigmentation, melasma, acne, oiliness, large pores, and for a healthier complexion.
Click the button below to learn more about VI Peel.
Are wellness Injections/IV Therapy regenerative therapies?
Wellness injections and IV therapy are “go-to” regenerative treatments that have multiple benefits for the body and skin such as hydration, detoxification, recovery, treats deficiencies, aids in cellular repair, boosts immunity, supports hormone health, and so much more! We often like to supplement with these to help “fill in the gaps” for optimal health, too.
There are several different vitamin and mineral options, so it is important to go to a licensed provider who can create a customized treatment plan for you and puts your safety as a priority.
We carry the following options at our office:
- NAD+: a coenzyme found in the body that improves energy levels and mitochondrial function, supports cognitive function, reduces inflammation, supports detoxification and SO much more!
- Glutathione: also known as the body’s “master antioxidant” which is crucial in supporting the body’s immunity, hormones, gut health, and detoxification processes.
- B12 and B vitamin complexes: Boosts energy, improves brain fog and mood, treats deficiencies, supports the metabolism, and boosts immunity.
- Immunity blends: Comprehensive immunity-enhancing formulas that include antioxidants, vital minerals, and vitamin c to fortify the body’s natural immunity.
- Hydration vitamin and mineral blends that can be customized based on client needs
It is important to note that the quality of vitamin and mineral infusions/injections is considered. At Elite, the products we carry are sourced from trusted brands with pure ingredients and free of any unwanted additives, designed to give your body exactly what you need.
How is functional medicine regenerative medicine?
Functional medicine consulting at Elite is regenerative medicine, because it is a whole body approach that focuses on the root cause of health and skin conditions. In most cases, the physical symptoms someone is experiencing is connected to the skin issues they are experiencing. So, rather than just treating each in isolation, we take a holistic approach and address the whole person and work to synergistically sync all body functions to work together for optimal health and longevity.
This takes a deep dive into gut health, hormone health, metabolic health, infections, lifestyle habits, and more. Through functional medicine consulting and customized protocols, the body heals itself naturally, to allow for the regenerative aesthetic treatments to work better, stimulate collagen/elastin efficiently, and provide total longevity.
Functional medicine includes practices like:
- Lab work, testing, and thorough medical history review
- Client and nurse follow ups and coaching
- Lifestyle and daily habit changes
- Mastering the foundational tools for a healthy body
- Customized supplement, IV/injection, and peptide protocols
- Introduction of detoxification protocols
- Incorporation of aesthetic treatments (if necessary)
- Any additional interventions needed for client success
Ali, NP is also a FMA-CP (certified practitioner) who has lots of years of schooling and experience in functional medicine. While she is always continuing her education, it is very important to seek functional medicine consulting from a licensed provider! Learn more about our functional medicine consulting below:
Are weight loss peptides regenerative?
Yes, weight loss peptides are a regenerative treatment/therapy because they have many more benefits to them than just weight loss. When weight loss peptides are micro-dosed and administered correctly, they can heal metabolic pathways, reduce inflammation, help the body lose fat without muscle, and much more.
Thus, when the body is functioning in a healed and optimal state, skin/body concerns also heal and improve naturally. Peptides can be the key to helping the body get on track!
Remember that who you see and the program you are on matters. Elite’s weight loss program offers tools for foundational health when starting weight loss peptides, lab testing, 1:1 coaching, exercise and strength training programs, and frequent follow-ups. It is more than just getting weight loss injections.
The end goal is to have the entire body working synergistically together, to look and feel its best!
Please note that micro-dosed GLP-1 therapy is not FDA approved and is considered “off-label” as a regenerative therapy. Click the link above under “Elite’s weight loss program” for all details.
Conclusion:
Overall, regenerative skin treatments go beyond the surface—they work with your body’s natural healing processes to restore, repair, and build a stronger foundation for healthier skin and body.
At Elite, we take it one step further. By integrating functional medicine, we look at the root causes of common concerns, helping your body function synergistically. This means not only looking your best, but also feeling your best—inside and out.
Beauty is more than skin deep, it’s whole-body wellness working in harmony.
Book a consultation below and experience the Elite difference.
