At this year’s American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting in Orlando, NewBeauty’s Hot Topics panel gathered top dermatologists to break down the most talked-about innovations in skin care and aesthetics. From the rise of exosomes to the impact of GLP-1 weight loss drugs on skin laxity and hair loss, the conversation revealed popular skin and hair trends and where dermatology is headed next.
Featured Experts
- Dr. Doris Day is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Dr. Daniel Schlessinger is a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE
- Dr. Tess Mauricio is a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, CA
Exosomes: The Future of Regenerative Skin Care?
“Exosomes, I think, are here to stay. They are the newest, latest, greatest—maybe not trend, but they’re starting as a trend and they’re here to stay,” said New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “Exosomes are neither good nor bad. Think of an exosome as simply a delivery mechanism—it’s even like a word. You say a word like ‘love,’ and once you say it, it’s gone, but the message stays with you. It’s the message inside that matters.”
Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD, noted the rapid expansion of the exosome market. “Not all exosomes are created equally, and you do not necessarily know exactly what is in those exosomes. It used to be that there were just one or two companies out there selling exosomes. Now, here in the exhibit hall, I’ve noticed there are dozens and dozens of companies with various kinds. So, know which exosomes you’re using because especially if you’re using it after a procedure when your skin is healing, that is when it’s most fragile.”
Beyond skin care, exosomes are also proving useful for hair restoration. According to Beverly Hills, CA dermatologist Tess Mauricio, MD, “We really believe in regenerative aesthetics, regenerative medicine. Our patients specifically come to us wanting the natural way to reverse and turn back the hands of time. Exosomes alone work well, but in combination, it’s really magic—not just for the skin but also for the hair.”
Addressing Loose Skin in a GLP-1 World
With GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound for weight management, the experts say a proactive approach is key. “I am seeing a lot of patients who are using GLP-1 for weight management, and I’m happy that they have something that can really help,” said Dr. Day. “One thing that we do is as soon as I know that they’re starting GLP-1s, we create a calendar because we start the skin tightening right when they start their weight loss.”
It’s not just volume loss that concerns dermatologists—bone density loss is also a factor. “GLP-1s may contribute to facial bone loss, which accelerates aging. Just like it affects our spine and our hips, it also affects our faces too,” explained Dr. Schlessinger. “We can use denser fillers to recapitulate some of that and help add that volume and that structure back into people’s faces.”
Preventative treatment appears to be the most effective strategy. “Patients who have been doing collagen-building treatments like Sofwave and combination protocols—like our ‘Time Machine’ procedure combining energy-based devices with exosomes and PRP—really do not see the type of skin laxity and sagging,” added Dr. Mauricio. “That means if we are proactive, you really can prevent that from happening.”
Hair Loss Treatments: What’s Working Now?
Hair loss continues to be a significant concern for patients, and dermatologists stress the importance of early intervention. “The most important thing is to see your dermatologist because you need to understand why you’re having hair loss. Is it a scarring type or [a] non-scarring type? Those are the two basic categories,” said Dr. Day. “If it’s scarring, that means the follicle is lost and the hair is not coming back. But we can try to minimize further hair loss and grow back as much hair as possible in areas where it’s still viable.”
GLP-1 medications are also linked to a temporary shedding process called telogen effluvium. “It’s a stress or metabolic-induced hair loss,” explained Dr. Schlessinger. “The rapid weight loss that comes with GLP-1s often causes shedding a few months later.”
Scalp health also plays a critical role in hair preservation, and dermatologists recommend a combination approach. “Beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp,” said Dr. Mauricio. “There’s incredible technology for that, and you don’t need to wait until you have hair loss to take action. Treatments like Hydrafacial Keravive are easy, painless and noninvasive. We also have advanced lasers, such as Vydence ProDeep, which is completely painless. Patients can start with these treatments along with supplements, including Xtressé, which acts as a stress adaptogen and supports hair growth.”
Dr. Day also highlighted the role of at-home treatments in maintaining hair health. “There’s so much we can do between supplements like Nutrafol, which contains stress adaptogens that help with hair growth and at-home low-level laser therapy,” she said. “And now we can even bank our own stem cells from hair follicles, which is a game-changer for regenerative hair restoration.”
What’s Next in Dermatology?
Beyond exosomes, skin tightening and hair restoration, new advancements in peptides and AI technology are shaping the industry. Dr. Day highlighted the emergence of peptides designed to reverse UV-induced circadian disruption, while Dr. Schlessinger pointed to AI-driven skin cancer detection as a breakthrough in early diagnosis.
For Dr. Mauricio, the continued evolution of regenerative medicine remains the most exciting shift. “The next generation that starts early with regenerative treatments may never experience aging the way we did,” she said.
As this year’s AAD meeting wrapped up, one thing was clear: dermatology is advancing faster than ever.
