Remaking Ourselves: Aesthetic Medicine That Is Regenerative

We are at a pivotal moment in our field as science, technology, and patient expectations converge to redefine what aesthetic care means.

Helping us tell this story in this issue, among others, are Dr. Rawn Bosley and Dr. Cheri Frey. Both are brilliant dermatologists who not only care for patients every day but also push the field forward through research and scientific inquiry. They travel the world, engage deeply in clinical studies, and always seem to know what is coming next in cosmeceuticals, injectables, and regenerative medicine. Their contributions to this issue reflect that balance of hands-on experience and forward-looking vision.

Today’s injectable treatments are no longer only about instant correction. Many of the products we have been using for years, such as calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), have always had regenerative potential, even if we didn’t frame them that way. As Dr. Bosley notes, we can reintroduce these treatments in a new light, helping patients understand that aesthetic medicine isn’t only about temporary fixes, but rather about stimulating the body’s own natural processes for long-term benefit.

Extending that theme, the possibilities offered by products such as PDGF+ when combined with energy-based devices remind us that regenerative medicine is not one-size-fits-all. As the buzz around “regen” grows, patients want outcomes that are natural, data-driven, and personalized—and Dr. Frey’s research in this area helps us better serve the diverse populations who seek care.

Of course, we cannot ignore the regulatory landscape. Madison Dini and Dr. Sheila Barbarino highlight the legal and ethical complexities of injecting PDGF, underscoring a truth we must all keep front of mind: Our first duty as physicians is to do no harm. Innovation is essential to progress, but it must be balanced with respect for protocols, patient safety, and FDA guidance. There is no shortage of exciting, effective treatments that are both safe and within guidelines, so we do not need to put patients or ourselves at unnecessary risk.

Ultimately, regenerative aesthetic medicine is not just a trend—it is a shift in philosophy. It represents a response to the overly aggressive, unnatural results that have sometimes plagued our field. Today’s patients want care that works from the bottom up, that honors natural processes, and that restores rather than disguises. If we listen closely, this movement gives us permission to return to the root of why we became physicians in the first place: to heal, to protect, and to help people feel like the best version of themselves.