Skin Rejuvenation Trends

Video Summary

Welcome back to the Late Late Aesthetic Show. In this enlightening and deeply informative episode, we’re joined by one of the UK’s most respected aesthetic doctors: Dr. Catharine Denning. Known for her scientific, personalised, and incredibly natural-looking results, Dr. Denning - founder of Marylebone Skin and Medical Aesthetics - shares her journey from hospital surgery to high-end skincare, and explains why subtle enhancement is the future of aesthetics.

From Scalpel to Syringe: A Career Pivot Rooted in Passion

Originally training as a plastic surgeon, Dr. Denning never envisioned a path in aesthetics. Burnout, disillusionment, and a pivotal year teaching anatomy redirected her focus. A single filler demonstration - 0.1ml to the cheek - was all it took for her to witness the psychological power of minor adjustments. The rest is history. She pursued a Master’s in injectables and transitioned fully into medical aesthetics, blending her anatomical expertise with artistry.

The Evolution of an Industry

Over the past decade, the aesthetics field has undergone a massive transformation. Dr. Denning highlights advancements in anatomical knowledge, technology, and skin science. While the overfilled, unnatural look still casts a shadow, there’s a noticeable shift towards age-appropriate, natural outcomes. According to her, the key is “knowing where the syringe should stop and the scalpel should begin.”

She adds that the aesthetic industry is driven not only by consumer demand but also a global market predicted to hit $300 billion by 2030. This influx of investment fuels constant innovation - making aesthetic medicine one of the most rapidly evolving sectors in healthcare.

Age-Appropriate Aesthetics: The Four Ps

Dr. Denning’s formula for natural-looking outcomes rests on what she calls the “Four Ps”: the right Patient, the right Product, the right Practitioner, and the right Placement. She stresses honest patient assessments, often turning away individuals whose needs exceed what non-surgical procedures can offer.

Each treatment begins with an hour-long consultation and an in-depth skin scan, allowing her to tailor interventions to individual skin quality and ageing patterns - treating the skin through its five facial layers, right down to the bone.

The Rise of the Tweakment

Tweakments - subtle procedures with minimal downtime - are rising in popularity. Think light fillers, skin boosters, or anti-wrinkle injections. These aren’t intended to overhaul a face but rather to maintain and gently enhance. Popular among high-functioning professionals who can’t afford visible downtime, tweakments cater to a growing demand for results that feel invisible yet effective.

Treatments like the BBL Moxi laser provide extraordinary outcomes, though they do involve downtime. According to Dr. Denning, success lies in good patient counseling and timing treatments to fit into real-life schedules.

Bio-Stimulators and Collagen Banking: What’s New and What Works

One of the most exciting trends in aesthetics is the rise of bio-stimulators - injectables that prompt the body to produce more collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. From popular hyaluronic acid boosters like Profhilo to more advanced options like poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra), these treatments aim for long-term skin improvement.

Dr. Denning is a big advocate for poly-nucleotides - DNA fragments derived from trout or salmon. These injectable agents trigger the body’s wound-healing response, leading to firmer, more resilient skin. She finds them especially effective for younger patients and as an alternative to tear trough fillers.

Coupled with this trend is the concept of collagen banking: proactively building up collagen reserves in your 20s and 30s to reduce visible ageing later. Though not a new idea, it’s gaining traction among the wellness-savvy crowd.

PRP, Exosomes, and What’s Next

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy - once popularised by the “vampire facial” - still has a role, particularly in hair regrowth. However, Dr. Denning finds newer treatments like poly-nucleotides and exosomes to be more effective, less painful, and less time-consuming.

Interestingly, she notes that PRP is heavily used in veterinary and orthopedic medicine, particularly for tissue regeneration in joints, hinting at a growing intersection between aesthetic and medical applications.

Ethics in Skincare: The TikTok Generation and Beyond

A concerning trend, Dr. Denning says, is the overuse of actives like acids and retinoids, especially among teenagers misled by social media. She frequently treats barrier dysfunction, perioral dermatitis, and rosacea - conditions often caused by over-exfoliation and misuse of harsh products.

Her solution? Strip back the skincare, focus on ceramide-rich, barrier-repairing products from brands like CeraVe and Cetaphil, and emphasise education. “Age-appropriate treatment plans,” she insists, are essential - not only from a medical perspective but an ethical one.

The Glow-Up Protocol: No One-Size-Fits-All

When asked what her ideal “glow-up” protocol is, Dr. Denning is clear: it’s not a one-off fix but a long-term, layered approach. Starting from skin health - assessed via detailed scans - she addresses pigmentation, volume loss, and muscle tension through a combination of skincare, injectables, and laser treatments.

Her secret weapon? Pigmentation correction, often overlooked, can dramatically improve complexion and perceived youthfulness more than injectables alone.

Quickfire Takeaways

• Morning skincare wins over evening - sunscreen is non-negotiable.
• Most underrated treatment: Microneedling, especially when combined with exosomes or growth factors.
• Favorite treatment to perform: Either Sculptra (for long-term volume) or laser therapy for pigmentation and capillaries.
• Best skincare advice: “Never skip your sunscreen.”

Final Thoughts: Subtle is Powerful

Dr. Denning’s message is consistent: the most powerful outcomes are often the most subtle. A gentle tweak here, a collagen boost there - when delivered with anatomical expertise and clinical integrity - can make patients feel empowered and confident without anyone knowing they’ve had “work done.”

For those seeking luminous, natural, and scientifically grounded results, Dr. Katherine Denning is proof that the future of aesthetics is as ethical and elegant as it is effective.

To learn more or book a consultation, visit www.maryleboneskin.co.uk
Instagram: @dr_catharine_denning_cosmetics | @marylebone_skin_official