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The Year of the Glow-Up

The 21st century is turning 25, and consumers are seeking products and services that make them look like they are, too. We list the top five aesthetic trends for 2025.

by Staff
December 20, 2024
The Year of the Glow-Up

Sofwave is transformative in-office treatment that relies on high-frequency, low-divergence ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen and elastin production, lift skin and address wrinkles and fine lines on the face and neck. 

Sofwave

4 min to read



Need proof that the future of beauty is officially upon us? Just ask the robots. “Artificial intelligence is set to transform the world of aesthetic medicine,” says facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Patrick Byrne, MD, president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “By using AI to analyze facial features, guide cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, and predict evolution of interventions over time, surgeons will be able to deliver outcomes that are more nuanced and precise than ever before.” 

Here, the aesthetic trends set to define 2025. 

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Facial plastic surgeon Sam Rizk, MD, has perfected a vertical deep-plane technique that repositions tissues naturally, avoiding a pulled look. 

Sam Rizk, MD

Invisilifts

The best kind of facelift? One that no one knows you’ve had. This wasn’t possible 10 years ago, of course, but we’ve officially entered the age of the invisilift. A deep plane facelift performed in the sweet spot between aging and significantly aged, an invisilift is, quite literally, a way to put the aging process on hold. 

Chicago-based double board certified facial plastic surgeon Anil Shah, MD has perfected this nuanced approach—and notes that his patients are younger than ever. “Facelifts are absolutely the most requested procedure for patients in their 40s and 50s,” confirms Dr. Shah. “When done early like this, it’s preventative, not restorative. Not only does this make for an incredibly natural outcome, but it allows patients to stop the clock, so to speak, for a good ten to fifteen years.”  

Speaking of invisible transformations…meet the vertical facelift—the future of facial rejuvenation perfected by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Sam Rizk, MD, FACS. The vertical deep-plane technique repositions tissues naturally, avoids a pulled look, and delivers youthful contours with minimal scarring or downtime. Under Rizk’s care, most patients are back to work in a week and camera-ready in two!

DefenAge's comprehensive line of products contain naturally occurring peptides that activate the body's dormant master stem cells, stimulating a wound-healing regenerative response that results in brand-new cells and youthful skin. 

DefenAge

Regenerative Skincare

Move over, retinol–there’s a new power player in town: Defensins, the star ingredient in DefenAge’s comprehensive line of products for face, body, hair, and nails. Naturally occurring peptides that activate the body’s dormant master stem cells, Defensins stimulate a wound-healing regenerative response that results in brand-new cells and fresh, youthful skin (and hair and nails). A favorite with dermatologists, DefenAge is quickly gaining traction in the anti-aging space, not only for its impressive results but also because it’s suitable for sensitive types.

The Sofwave device.

Sofwave

Non-Invasive Lifting and Wrinkle Reducing

Sofwave, the transformative in-office treatment made big waves with beauty insiders in 2024—and 2025 will be the year it sweeps up the everyhuman. In addition to nixing cellulite, acne scars, and upper arm laxity (find us another treatment that can do all that–we’ll wait) the FDA-cleared surgical alternative relies on high-frequency, low-divergence ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen and elastin production, lift skin, and address wrinkles and fine lines on the face and neck. And as more and more people turn to GLP-1s for weight loss, this is major,as the loose, sagging skin left behind by rapid weight loss can be otherwise difficult to mitigate. Trust us when we say, Sofwave is about to hit hard.

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Designed to the strengthen the skin's barrier, the Epicutis line of products enhances resilience against external aggressors, calming and soothing the skin. 

Epicutis

Anti-Inflammatory Skincare

If you haven’t yet heard the term inflammaging, you’re about to; ditto Epicutis. Defined as chronic, low-grade inflammation that accelerates the aging process, inflammaging happens when skin becomes less capable of handling environmental stressors like UV radiation, pollution, and irritants. Signs include wrinkling, loss of elasticity, uneven tone, and slower wound healing—all things Epicutis aims to reverse with its unique blend of Vitamin C, lipids, and antioxidants. Designed to strengthen the skin’s barrier, enhance resilience against external aggressors, and calming and soothing the skin, Epicutis is a true triple threat in the fight against inflammaging. And, of course, it’s safe for even the most sensitive skin, as it’s free of common irritants and potential allergens including fragrances, parabens, and sulfates.

Using exosomes and red light therapy, Chicago-based, facial plastic surgeon Anil Shah, MD, has developed a hair restoration regimen that turns back the clock. 

Anil Shah, MD

Hair Restoration

Menopause—and her little sister, Peri—have officially entered the zeitgeist, and that’s a good thing; not only are women feeling empowered to talk openly and honestly about the natural evolution of their bodies, but for the first time ever, they have access to the tools they need to stop its myriad symptoms in their tracks. Exosomes and red light therapy, both used to treat menopausal hair loss, are two such resources; exosomes deliver growth factors directly to dormant follicles, reactivating the hair growth cycle, while red light stimulates cellular repair and boosts blood flow, enhancing the effects of exosome therapy. Ready for a double hitter? Chicago hair loss specialist Dr. Anil Shah, a board certified facial plastic surgeon, has developed a treatment that relies on both to turn back the clock. “I’ve found that while exosomes are highly effective in stimulating hair growth, the addition of red light therapy is a game changer,” he says.

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