2026 AESTHETIC MEDICINE TRENDS
What will be shaping the market next year?
As aesthetic medicine continues to blur the lines between beauty, wellness and technology, 2026 looks set to be a year defined by integration, innovation and intelligent refinement. From the rise of regenerative injectables to the new focus on ocular health, clinics are adapting to meet a more informed, prevention-minded and results-driven patient base.
THE NEW MASCULINE AESTHETIC
In 2026, we predict that the male aesthetics market will go mainstream, with subtle structure and discreet maintenance treatments driving male bookings in 2026.
From ‘brotox’ to advanced skincare routines, market analysis from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Procedural Statistics Report predicted that the global male aesthetic market will reach $5.6 billion by 2026.
“Male aesthetics is going to explode in 2026,” says Anastasia Koles, aesthetics nurse and founder of ALTA Medispa. “The stigma has dropped, and men now want subtle structure, jawlines, under-eye refreshes and skin tightening that keeps them looking sharp on camera.
“The rise of wearable tech and high-definition video also means men are seeing their faces in detail daily, and they’re investing in maintenance the same way women do. Discreet, device-led tweakments for men will be a defining 2026 trend.”
SELF AND LAB TESTING
Covid-19 spurred on a self-testing revolution. Consumers have become more engaged with their health and biomarkers, and clinics are responding by offering tests for everything from hormonal imbalances to vitamin deficiencies.
“I see a big push on health monitoring,” says consultant nurse practitioner and independent prescriber Tracey Dennison. “There are lots of skin and body scanners emerging on the market as well as other exciting stuff such as mobile bone density screening.”
“People are increasingly wanting to understand their baseline health and their markers when they’re healthy, rather than just chasing that information when they’re ill,” adds aesthetic practitioner and clinical trainer Dr Lisa Dinley, who runs blood tests in her clinic. “They want to know what’s normal for them, not just according to an average. That more personalised approach is quite exciting.”
Our experts hope that in 2026, testing will become more accurate and reliable.
“Health monitoring devices are really interesting, but we need to be asking the question; how are they clinically validated,” continues Dennison.
“The same is true for lab testing,” says Dr Mayoni Gooneratne. “Nutrigenomics, blood and microbiome testing can be a minefield. Not all labs are reputable.”
INJECTABLES FOR “SKIN QUALITY”
“Skin quality” has become a defining buzzword across 2025 that will continue to grow in 2026, with brands introducing new formulations and protocols to address it. The modern approach involves layering treatments such as combining biostimulators or deeper hyaluronic acid fillers with more superficial skin boosters to achieve a balanced, luminous finish.
The focus is no longer just on filling lines, but on restoring elasticity, hydration and skin vitality, creating a fresh, natural aesthetic rather than an “overdone” look.
FULL FACE REJUVENATION
Driven by social media and celebrity influence, 2025 was named the year of the facelift, and 2026 will continue the evolution toward full-face rejuvenation.
Patients increasingly want a harmonious, total result rather than isolated fixes.
To achieve this, experts predict a rise in hybrid approaches that combine advanced surgical techniques with regenerative therapies.
“The route forward is definitely the hybrid application of regenerative procedures alongside facelift surgery,” says BAAPS president Norah Nugent.
“Regenerative treatments will continue to develop and mature and will have a significant impact on facial rejuvenation and have the potential to greatly advance and enhance results in the future.”
THE RISE IN THE SURGERY & POST-SURGERY MARKET
Over the past five years, it cosmetic surgery has become increasingly normalised – driven by social media transparency, improved techniques and faster recovery times.
“We’re seeing a clear rise in surgical procedures such as blepharoplasty, liposuction and facelifts,” says Dr Richard Devine, founder of Devine Clinic. “Patients today are more informed, and with greater transparency online, there’s a growing understanding of what surgery can achieve compared to non-surgical treatments. This awareness, combined with improved techniques and recovery times, is driving a steady return to more permanent solutions.”
The rise in surgery is also fuelling growth in the post-surgery care market, as patients and practitioners look to enhance recovery and longevity of results. Clinics are increasingly offering adjunctive treatments that support healing and optimise outcomes. From radiofrequency and LED therapy to lymphatic drainage and laser rejuvenation. These modalities are helping reduce swelling, boost circulation, stimulate collagen, and refine surgical results.
PERSONALISED TREATMENT PLANS WITH AI & IMAGING
AI diagnostics and adjustable technology are redefining treatment precision. Patients increasingly expect virtual previews of how treatments will look, alongside personalised recommendations based on their skin type and history.
“The one-size-fits-all era is over,” says dermatologist Dr Hassan Galadari. “Patients expect treatment plans that are customised to their age, genetics, ethnicity and lifestyle. By 2026, every clinic visit will likely begin with a diagnostic-driven consultation, often AI-powered, that tailors the treatment journey down to the smallest detail. Devices will continue to develop and will allow practitioners to customise treatments such as skin tightening and collagen stimulation to the individual rather than applying a blanket approach. This level of personalisation is the real future of aesthetics.”
“Artificial intelligence is completely reshaping how we approach treatment planning,” adds Aleksander Josipovic, AI marketing expert and consultant. “From diagnostic imaging that tracks hydration, pigmentation and elasticity in real time to software that predicts how your skin will age, AI is making aesthetics more accurate and outcome-driven than ever.
“By 2026, we’ll be using data-based insights to guide every stage of the patient journey - from assessment and custom settings to aftercare and follow-up. It’s precision on a level we’ve never had before.”
TREATMENTS FOR DRY EYE DISEASE
In 2026, one of the fastest-emerging intersections between beauty and wellness will be dry eye disease (DED). Once considered solely a medical issue, it’s now gaining attention from aesthetic clinics and brands alike.
With millions affected globally, often linked to screen use, contact lenses, hormonal changes, and ageing, the eyes are becoming a new focal point in both comfort and aesthetics.
Filler therapy for dry eye is becoming increasingly popular and involves injecting Lacrifill, a hyaluronic acid-based gel, directly into the tear ducts to block drainage and help the eyes retain natural tears for longer.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for managing dry eye due to infected eyelid glands. Studies have found IPL to be more effective than traditional eyelid gland massages combined with hot compresses for treating dry eye.
Clinics are beginning to integrate ocular surface health protocols alongside traditional periorbital rejuvenation.
Inmode’s Envision, for example, combines IPL and RF combines therapies to address the root cause of many dry eye conditions, particularly meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) by gently unblocking oil glands in the eyelids with heat and reducing inflammation.
This shift reflects a broader trend: patients now want bright, hydrated eyes that look and feel healthy. The aesthetic focus on the “eye area” is evolving from injectables and skin tightening to include ocular wellness, positioning DED as one of 2026’s most unexpected yet relevant frontiers in aesthetic care.
THE PUSH FOR REGULATION
“With Scotland introducing an aesthetics licensing framework this year, 2026 could likely be the year the rest of the UK begins to follow suit,” says Dr Devine. “Stronger regulation is long overdue. It’s essential for patient safety and for protecting the integrity of the medical aesthetics industry. Will 2026 be the year of regulation? I hope so.”
“Fingers crossed, we see some sort of regulation in 2026,” adds Dr Dinley. “But even with regulated practitioners in this sector, we still need to have a word with ourselves sometimes about the way we operate, and need to make sure that we’re acting within ethical professional boundaries. I hope that with some sort of licensing scheme and regulation, aesthetic medicine will be taken seriously as a sector within the medical professions.”
THE MICROBIOME MOVEMENT
The microbiome is more than a buzzword, it’s becoming central to how we understand and treat skin health. According to Esse Skincare founder Trevor Steyn, “70% of women claim to have sensitive skin,” largely because many have lost diversity and balance in their skin microbiome. If your gut microbiome is disrupted, your immune system goes into high alert, and that extends to your skin.”
Skincare that restores microbial balance is helping to reduce inflammation, sensitivity, and redness. As patients become more informed, microbiome-based products are emerging as the foundation of truly personalised skin health.
We also expect to see an increase in focus on microbiome health thanks to the rise in GLP-1 use. While these medications used off label for weight loss are proving hugely effective, they are also causing increased disruption to the stomach microbiome which can cause havoc to the skin. We predict that nutritional and supplemental protocols in 2026 will focus on balancing gut microbiomes that have been affected by GLP-1 drugs.
LONGEVITY AND REGENERATIVE AESTHETICS
According to Precedence Research’s report on Regenerative Aesthetics Market Size, Share and Trends, the global regenerative aesthetics market size was calculated at $3.76 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from $4.04 billion in 2026 to approximately $7.15 billion by 2034.
In 2026 regenerative injectables such as exosomes, polynucleotides, and biostimulators will continue to rise in popularity. Patients are becoming increasingly interested in treatments that stimulate the body’s own collagen production – an evolution of the trend to lean more towards natural, undetectable results.
“A lot of new patients in 2025 have been coming in to dissolve their fillers,” says Dr Dinley. “They want their features back and I think that will continue in 2026.”
Patients are looking to age gracefully, rather than look overly ‘done’. Practitioners in 2026 should expect to devise treatment plans for long-term results and returning patients, rather than regular ‘quick fixes’.”