at-home-skin-care

2022 Skin Care Trends

From newly FDA-approved aesthetic treatments to improving your at-home skin care regimen, if you’re looking for that New Year, New You glow, there are countless options that have remarkable results. 

The benefits of healthy skin care habits include preventing or clearing up a blotchy complexion, retaining skin’s youthful firmness longer, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, avoiding leathery skin and reducing cancer risk. Not sure where to start? Luckily, the founders of Scottsdale-based Lumen + Bevel Aesthetics, Marissa Abdo, MS, RN, CANS and Morgan Renfro, RN, CANS, have chosen the top skin care trends that will be huge in 2022. 

QWO 

QWO is expected to be the most sought-after aesthetic treatment of 2022. QWO is the first and only FDA-approved injectable that is designed to treat moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. Cellulite is a fat deposit beneath the skin, causing the appearance of lumpy and dimpled flesh on areas of the thighs, hips, buttocks and belly. The enzymes injected into the cellulite are called collagenases, and they work by releasing the fibrous bands, redistributing the fat cells, and stimulating the growth of new collagen. QWO is injected by an aesthetic specialist directly into the targeted dimples in the buttocks, using the same size needle used for Botox injections. Each QWO treatment will consist of 12 to 24 injections during three treatment sessions, 21 days apart. The number of injections and treatment plans are personalized to each patient’s individualized needs.

Enhanced blue light protection

The next biggest skin care trend is enhanced blue light protection. During the pandemic, working from home became the norm, and as people were spending more time than ever in front of screens, it became apparent that the blue light projecting from our devices was a leading cause of premature skin aging. According to research, blue light from electronic screens creates changes in skin cells, including cell shrinkage, skin pigmentation and even cell death. In order to protect your skin against light damage, look for ingredients in products that contain Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract (Butterfly Ginger), Theobroma Cacao Extract (Cocoa), and algae extracts. Also, keep in mind that if a company is selling a product claiming it can reverse blue light damage, they should be using an extract that’s been tested explicitly against the damage caused by blue light exposure.

Sculptra Aesthetic

Sculptra Aesthetic is another aesthetic treatment that’s FDA-approved and helps to gradually replace the lost collagen in the skin and restore facial volume, dramatically reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. An essential element of the body’s various connective tissues, collagen is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix. As the main component of connective tissue, it is the most abundant protein in our body, making up 25 percent to 35 percent of the whole-body protein content. Unfortunately, women begin losing collagen as early as 30 years old, and as time goes on, collagen production declines dramatically, causing wrinkles and fine lines to appear more visible. As a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) collagen stimulator, Sculptra Aesthetic achieves this by restoring the deep, underlying structure of the skin, strengthening collagen production and helping restore the skin’s inner composition, thereby diminishing facial wrinkles. 

Morgan Renfro and Marissa Abdo of Lumen + Bevel Aesthetics

Acid layering

Another major trend to be aware of in 2022 is acid layering. Acid layering is created by using multiple products one after another, for example applying Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and then Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA). It works by breaking down and removing the dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin, exposing a brighter, fresher and brand new layer of skin. Acid layering is recommended for patients who have oily skin and struggle with uneven skin tones, fine lines or wrinkles. This procedure can create significant results; however, it is not recommended for all skin types. Combining different facial acids can cause skin irritation, so if you tend to have dry skin, sensitivity or redness, keep it simple and stick to just one. An excellent place to start is looking for products containing Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA), Glycolic acids and Salicylic acids. These acids not only work to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, but can also increase the thickness of deeper layers of skin, promoting firmness. As always, exercise caution and ask an aesthetic specialist before starting treatment.

Skinimalism

Skinimalism or skin minimalism is the latest trend taking the beauty industry by storm. It’s all about loving your skin and letting it be the star, rather than covering it behind layers of makeup. Following a year of lockdowns, mask mandates and working from home, women are turning away from using heavy makeup. The process of skinimalism is moving in the direction of a more simple, refined appearance, with some women opting to use natural, cruelty-free and even homemade skin care products. This effortless look highlights the natural skin texture and creates a fresh, glowing face. The saying “less is more” has never been more appropriate and a minimalist appearance is flattering for every woman.

Barrier creams

This next trend may seem obvious, but barrier creams are crucial to an effective skin care routine. Barrier creams such as skin balms, salves and ointments are used to maintain and protect the skin’s physical barrier, prevent the skin from drying out and keep the skin from coming in contact with external hazardous substances. By stopping transepidermal water loss, barrier creams provide a topical barrier on the surface of the skin while also healing skin tears and existing wounds. These products can be highly beneficial for people who struggle with skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea and acne. All skin types can benefit from the use of barrier creams, because they lock in moisture, repairing the skin’s surface, facilitating natural healing and hydration.

Ingestible collagen

Collagen supplements are a major development in the anti-aging field. The trend of ingesting collagen supplements has become wildly popular and is projected to continue to grow in popularity in 2022. Research has shown that taking collagen supplements can, over time, improve the skin’s elasticity, hydration and dermal collagen density, leading the fight against wrinkles, roughness and signs of aging. Once collagen has been ingested, the peptides are hydrolyzed meaning they are divided into the chemical bonds dipeptides and tripeptides to create smaller chains of amino acids. Those amino acids are then easily absorbed through the intestinal lining, traveling through the bloodstream, making their way to the skin, hair, and nails, promoting rejuvenation.

Retinol

The final skin care trend of 2022 is retinol, also known as vitamin A, it is the gold standard of anti-aging serums. This product is used to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation in the skin. It works by speeding up the rate of cell reproduction in the skin, which encourages new skin cells to make their way to the skin’s surface faster than they would naturally. Beneficial for many skin types and skin concerns, this serum will transform the skin’s surface, making it appear more radiant and youthful. Retinols should be incorporated into your skin care routine by your mid-20s or early-30s to tackle irregularities in your skin. Be sure when introducing retinol not to apply too much too soon; you should begin with retinol application once a week and gradually move up to every other night. Be patient; if you increase the application too rapidly, the result will be flaking and skin irritation, but with proper application and perseverance your skin will soon look dewy and fresh. 

When it comes to injections, it’s important to seek out a provider who specializes in facial aesthetics and injectable treatments, such as a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS). This ensures the provider has extensive experience with the treatments and knows how to tailor it to your unique anatomy and treatment goals. A CANS professional will also have medical-grade skin care products, which will penetrate deeper and produce better and faster results. 

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