Facial Aesthetics for Millennials: Best Practices and Trends

With Instagram, Snapchat, and now TikTok, millennials have become the age group that spends the most time looking at itself, compared to previous generations. And this hyper-awareness about their appearance has changed the shape of medical aesthetics. 

Instead of thinking of cosmetic procedures as ways to reduce wrinkles and reverse signs of aging, millennials use these treatments to tweak their appearance and delay the aging process for as long as possible. 

This approach toward facial aesthetics has caused undeniable — and ongoing — changes in the beauty industry. 

But what exactly do facial aesthetics for millennials look like? And what’s in vogue nowadays? 

Let’s find out. 

The Why Behind Millennial Facial Aesthetics 

Millennials have recently become the largest consumer group in America at 72.2 million and have a purchasing power of over $1.3 trillion. It’s little wonder that 40% of them purchase skin care products annually. 

While older generations often kept their cosmetic procedures under wraps, millennials are rewriting the script. It’s not unusual to find them flocking to injectable treatments with a squad in tow. 

For millennials, cosmetic procedures are no longer “last resort” or extreme procedures for reversing the visible signs of aging. Instead, they think of them as an extension of regular beauty routines — similar to applying makeup or hitting up the hair or nail salons.

In other words, millennials focus more on preventing the aging process than dealing with its consequences. They now seek to accomplish what they used to achieve through contouring makeup with the help of injectables.

2025 Aesthetics Market Treatment Trends

Tightening the Jaw and Neck

Jawline and neck tightening remain top-of-mind in aesthetic practices as patients seek definition and firmness with minimal downtime. Non-surgical modalities such as ultrasound (e.g., Ultherapy), radiofrequency, and microneedling are increasingly used to stimulate collagen in these areas.

These technology-driven “non‑surgical facelifts” offer a strong alternative to traditional surgery, delivering cumulative rejuvenation through repeated sessions.

Customized, multi-step protocols combining energy devices with injectable volumizers are ideal for structurally reshaping the lower face and neck. Clinically, subtle improvements and anatomical precision are critical to avoid overtreatment.

Key takeaways for clinicians:

• Opt for stacking modalities (e.g. ultrasound + topical biostimulators like Sculptra) to enhance collagen
• Tailor treatments anatomically for jaw and platysma-related concerns
• Emphasize gradual, natural-looking improvements with patient education

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative aesthetics is experiencing a surge, as practitioners pivot toward treatments that support the body’s intrinsic repair mechanisms.

There’s growing adoption of biostimulatory injectables such as stem-cell rich plasma, microneedling, fat micrografts, and exosome products—tools that build structural integrity more sustainably than HA fillers.

The global exosome market exemplifies this trend: valued at about USD 81 million in 2024, it’s projected to soar to nearly USD 1.69 billion by 2034, driven by demand for skin rejuvenation and regenerative modalities.

Practical insights:

• Integrate exosomes, PRP, and biostimulators for long-term collagen remodeling
• Consider combining regenerative methods with resurfacing or tightening to boost outcomes
• Track emerging data and refine protocols based on clinical evidence

Neurotoxin Injections

Neurotoxins command a large share of aesthetic practice, with patients returning consistently for both preventive and corrective treatments. In 2024, neurotoxins comprised about 32% of non-surgical spending; and this trend shows no signs of slowing.

Emerging options, like long-acting agents such as Daxxify, expand treatment intervals and enhance patient convenience. Moreover, microdosing (“Baby Botox”) and off-label uses are gaining traction—especially for refining jawline masseter contour and treating younger demographics.

Clinical pointers:

• Keep abreast of long-release neurotoxin approvals and protocols
• Apply precision dosing in lower face and preventative contexts
• Build patient plans around subtle, dynamic results

Feeling Natural

“Natural-looking outcomes” are not merely a preference—they’re becoming the baseline. Patients favor enhancements that amplify their own features rather than change them. Emphasis now lies on texture, hydration, and skin vitality, rather than structural alterations using fillers or neurotoxins.

Polynucleotide treatments (e.g., salmon‑sperm‑DNA facials), exosomes, and regenerative injectables support this conservative aesthetic. While promising, modalities like polynucleotides still warrant further high-level validation.

Best practices:

• Focus on holistic skin health—texture, tone, elasticity
• Introduce gentle, regenerative options as first-line enhancements
• Counsel patients clearly about realistic endpoints and limitations

Personalized Patient Experience

Personalization is central to future-ready aesthetic practice. Clinics are leveraging AI-driven facial analysis (facial symmetry, bone structure, skin elasticity), advanced imaging, and even genetic or lifestyle profiling to craft tailored protocols.

Beyond diagnostics, this extends to experience design—scheduling, education, follow-up care, and skincare regimens are structured to each patient’s journey. This creates stronger trust, retention, and outcome satisfaction.

Implementation tips:

• Invest in AI tools and imaging for diagnostic and planning precision
• Develop individualized follow-up and maintenance pathways
• Educate patients upfront about long-term strategy and involvement

Aesthetics Market Trends in Technology

Here’s a list of new advances in technology for the aesthetic market in 2025. Millennials are more than likely to try out new technologies in their aesthetic procedures.

Advanced Lasers

Advanced laser platforms are surging in 2025, delivering increasingly precise, effective, and customizable skin treatments. Innovations—such as fractional, non-ablative, and multi-wavelength lasers—are widely used for skin rejuvenation, resurfacing, pigmentation correction, and targeted body treatments.

• Projections show the global aesthetic lasers market climbing from approximately USD 3.58 billion in 2024 to USD 8.24 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%.
• Additionally, the broader energy-based aesthetic devices market—which includes lasers—was estimated at USD 5 billion in 2024, with laser-based devices making up roughly USD 1.8 billion of that. Growth is expected to continue at a CAGR of around 17–18% through the next decade.
  
• These technologies are increasingly adaptive, featuring real-time safety monitoring, adjustable pulse settings, and advanced cooling—all critical for treating diverse skin types safely and effectively.
  

Clinical takeaway: Modern laser systems offer versatile, customizable modalities for rejuvenation—with reduced downtime and enhanced safety—which are essential for meeting patient expectations in 2025.

Energy-Based Devices (EBDs)

Energy-based devices remain a driving force in aesthetic medicine, offering non-invasive options for skin tightening, fat reduction, and collagen stimulation.

• In the U.S. alone, spending on EBD procedures reached USD 3.08 billion, nearly equaling the USD 3.18 billion spent on dermal fillers—signaling a significant shift toward device-based therapies.
  
• Globally, the collective energy-based device market is poised for explosive expansion—from around USD 5–6 billion in 2024–2025 to USD 15.9 billion by 2030, with forecasted CAGR ranging from 14% to 17.9% through 2034.
  

Clinical insight: EBDs are increasingly preferred for their minimized maintenance burden, natural-looking outcomes, and flexibility as stand-alone or adjunctive treatments—especially appealing to patients seeking longevity without recurrence.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality (AR) is redefining consultations, procedural training, and patient communication in aesthetics.

• AR tools allow real-time visualization of treatment outcomes during consultation, helping patients better understand potential results and boosting decision confidence.
  
• For clinicians, AR can act as an overlay during procedures, enhancing precision and consistency—especially valuable during injections or mapping treatment zones.
• The integration of AI and AR is further enabling highly personalized treatment plans, combining objective analysis with immersive visualization.

For your practice: AR improves communication, trust, and patient satisfaction—making your workflow more efficient and consultations more compelling.

Data Security

With digital transformation accelerating across aesthetic medicine (booking systems, AI diagnostics, teleconsultations), the need for robust cybersecurity has never been more critical.

• Cyber threats targeting clinics, insurers, and healthcare providers are rising. Attacks—including ransomware and espionage—have disrupted operations and risk patient trust, as seen in cases like the 2024 Medibank breach.
  
• AI-powered security and IoT integration (e.g., smart devices in clinics) enhance monitoring but also increase vulnerability pathways. Prioritized trends include breach monitoring, compliance measures, and real-time threat mitigation planning.

Minimally Invasive Procedures for Millennials 

Instead of expensive and risky surgical procedures, millennials are increasingly choosing minimally invasive procedures to maintain a youthful appearance and delay the onset of the visible signs of aging. 

Let’s take a look at the five most popular early maintenance treatments preferred by millennials: 

1. Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to smoothen fine lines, restore volume to sunken cheeks or temples, plump the lips, and improve the symmetry of facial features. 

They’re typically made from hyaluronic acid (HA) and sold as Juvéderm, SCULPTRA®, RESTYLANE®, or RADIESSE®. For example, RESTYLANE® is used to fill under-eye hollows and wrinkles, while JUVÉDERM® is typically used to add volume to the jawline or chin.  

In a 2022 study on millennials, dermal fillers were shown to improve appearance, decrease overall facial lines, and reduce self-perceived age. They were also reported to be the safest facial rejuvenation treatment in another study. ^{[1] [2]}

2. Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators like BOTOX®, JEUVEAU®, XEOMIN®, and DYSPORT® stop nerve signals from traveling to muscles, causing them to relax. This reduces wrinkles and leads to smoother skin. 

BOTOX® is the most popular type of neuromodulator. Its effects last three to six months and make it a safe way to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. ^[3]  

Millennials, however, don’t use BOTOX® or XEOMIN® after developing fine lines or wrinkles. Instead, they take preemptive action by getting treatments in advance, stopping the wrinkles from forming in the first place. 

3. Microdermabrasion 

Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing procedure used to gently remove the thicker, uneven outer layer of the skin. It treats uneven skin tone and texture while reducing sun damage and scarring while being a less aggressive alternative to chemical peels. 

This millennial facial treatment has been shown to reduce sebum secretion and increase skin hydration, especially if used along with a pyruvic acid or an antioxidant serum. ^{[4] [5]} 

Microdermabrasion can also improve barrier function, which can lead to fewer breakouts. That’s one of the main reasons why millennials with acne prefer it. ^[6]

4. KYBELLA® 

KYBELLA® is an injectable used to reduce the excess fat beneath the chin and around the neck area, creating a contoured appearance. It is made from deoxycholic acid, which breaks down fat cells and destroys them.  

It is highly effective at reducing chin or neck fat. ^[7] Many millennials choose KYBELLA® as a way to get rid of the fat under their chin and look better in photographs. 

5. Microneedling 

Microneedling delivers radiofrequency energy directly into the skin while triggering the body’s healing processes. This kickstarts the collagen production process, rejuvenating the skin at a cellular level. 

As collagen levels increase and new cells are produced, the skin becomes smoother and tighter. The pores shrink, and the skin tone gets more even, giving patients that beautiful “filtered effect.” This usually takes a day or two. 

Since microneedling offers noticeable, near-instant, and long-lasting results, it has become a “must” for most millennial cosmetic patients. 

Facial Rejuvenation for Millennials with DoctorMedica 

Aging is a natural process that catches up with all of us eventually. But millennials today are not letting it dictate the terms.

Thanks to shifts in attitude and improvements in the effectiveness and affordability of cosmetic procedures, it’s never been easier for millennials to keep that youthful glow as they step into the middle-aged zone and beyond. 

If you’re curious about injectables or other cosmetic procedures to recommend to your patients, start by looking at our massive collection of facial aesthetics products they can use from the comfort of their homes. 

Frequently-Asked Questions 

How To Take Care of the Skin in the Fall?

The Fall season comes with a dramatic, noticeable decline in humidity, which is known to cause skin irritation and eczema. To ensure this is something that doesn’t happen to your patients, consult them on finding the right moisturizer. This can range from a lightweight lotion, a rich cream, or a hydrating ointment, but it must be tailored to each patient’s unique skin type (oily, dry, or somewhere in between).

How Do You Transition the Skin Routine From Summer to Fall?

Here’s how your patients can transition to a new skincare routine in the fall: 

1. Use thicker moisturizers;
2. Switch to hydrating cleansers;
3. Always use lip balms;
4. Limit hot showers;
5. Add a body lotion to your skincare routine. 

How To Protect the Skin in the Fall?

To protect the skin in the fall, advise patients to:

1. Drink water to stay hydrated;
2. Put on moisturizer before stepping out;
3. Use sunscreen (at least 15) for an added layer of protection.

References

1. Akinbiyi T, Othman S, Familusi O, Calvert C, Card EB, Percec I. Better Results in Facial Rejuvenation with Fillers. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(10):e2763. Published 2020 Oct 15. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002763

2. Kurtti A, Charles C, Jagdeo J, Nguyen J. Combination Facial Aesthetic Treatment in Millennials. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(1):37-42. doi:10.36849/JDD.2022.6425

3. Satriyasa BK. Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:223-228. Published 2019 Apr 10. doi:10.2147/CCID.S202919

4. Rusztowicz M, Chilicka K, Szyguła R, et al. A Split Face Comparative Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of 40% Pyruvic Acid vs. Microdermabrasion with 40% Pyruvic Acid on Biomechanical Skin Parameters in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris. J Clin Med. 2022;11(20):6079. Published 2022 Oct 14. doi:10.3390/jcm11206079

5. Freedman BM. Topical antioxidant application enhances the effects of facial microdermabrasion. J Dermatolog Treat. 2009;20(2):82-87. doi:10.1080/09546630802301818

6. Kim HS, Lim SH, Song JY, et al. Skin barrier function recovery after diamond microdermabrasion. J Dermatol. 2009;36(10):529-533. doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2009.00695.x

7. Shamban AT. Noninvasive Submental Fat Compartment Treatment. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1155. Published 2016 Dec 14. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001155