The face of aesthetic treatments is ever-changing, but recent years have seen a significant shift. While Botox and fillers have historically dominated the market, there’s been a move towards more natural results that focus on skin health, rather than masking signs of ageing. Lauren Kate Hughes sat down with Anastasia Koles, founder of ALTA Medical, to discuss the shift in popular treatments and the industry’s wider evolution.
“People are shifting towards the skin booster; something that is more risk-free, side-effect-free,” Anastasia told me before I experienced my first injectable skin booster. As a newbie to the world of aesthetic treatments, I was a tad nervous. But the soothing interiors and muted tones of ALTA Medispa, plush treatment bed (more day spa than sterile clinic) and Anastasia’s friendly disposition quickly countered this.
I opted to try Profhilo, a hydrating skin booster with high concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid. Profhilo is part of a family of skin booster treatments that stimulate the body’s own production of collagen and elastin to improve skin firmness, texture, hydration, and elasticity — and one of the most popular treatments around at the moment. “When we compare the data and official booking data, and how many treatments we perform overall, we’ve seen a significant increase towards the skin booster category and away from fillers,” Anastasia continued. “We’ve particularly seen a shift towards skin boosters, or treatments using salmon DNA and particularly treatments for hydration.”
Polynucleotides and collagen stimulators tap into the broader bio-hacking trend within wellness and, more recently, skincare, focusing on treatments that strengthen the skin at a cellular level rather than altering facial structure. “People are moving away from fillers towards the skin boosters to improve the skin quality and to retain their natural facial features,” Anastasia continued. “Skin Boosters are a better solution for lifting or hydration, and to improve the quality of the skin in the long run. Fillers can mask the issue; you can use fillers and see instant results, but it’s not a long-term solution. By nourishing the skin, skin boosters improve skin health without any downsides.”
Longevity and aesthetic treatments
Longevity is more than a health buzzword — it’s become an integral part of how we live our lives, with the likes of targeted supplementation, cellular analysis, and a focus on preventative health now a regular part of wellness routines for many of us. 2025 saw longevity enter the skincare space, with brands like L’Oréal leading the charge. The French powerhouse launched ‘The Beauty of Longevity’ initiative last summer, which centred on its Longevity Integrative Science framework, using AI diagnostic tools to identify skin concerns before they happen. Skin boosters follow this pattern, aiding long-term skin health through a preventive approach and targeting fine lines and skin texture.
Of course, there’s still a place for the likes of Botox and fillers in skin clinics, but with a plethora of new treatments available and the rise of skin boosters to improve skin tone and texture from within, the landscape is shifting quickly. In Anastasia’s experience, patients are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about aesthetics and want to understand exactly what’s going into their skin and how aesthetic treatments will affect them long term. “Patients do their research, and they educate themselves from reading different resources, whether it’s in news magazines or even medical resources,” she continued.
There’s also been a considerable rise in high-tech homecare that goes beyond skincare routines and delivers salon-like results. LED masks continue to dominate beauty tech sales (the market was valued at approximately $333.63 million in 2025 and is predicted to reach $820.17 million by 2033, according to Sky Quest), while other devices, such as microcurrent tools, spurred on by the overwhelming popularity of FACEGYM, and at-home facial lasers, are on the rise.
My experience with Profhilo was actually less painful than I had imagined after watching a few videos online. While an invasive treatment is rarely pleasant, numbing cream was applied beforehand, and the procedure itself was brief, with minimal downtime. There were some noticeable differences straight after the treatment, my skin sporting a visible glow. A procedure like this can be nerve-wracking the first time — and that’s why finding a clinic you can trust is so essential, as Anastasia explains. “Anything that’s going into your face, you need total confidence,” she states. “In some clinics, you might not have the same medical training. Everybody at ALTA is medical staff, so they understand the treatment and the complications. We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission, and we are doctor-led.”
Sculptra is another treatment that’s incredibly popular right now. “The difference between Profhilo and Sculptra is that the former usually uses Hyluronic Acid, while Sculptra uses Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), but both are used to stimulate the collagen production within your skin. It’s stronger, and you would have a little bit of downtime, such as swelling across the cheeks, so that’s something to consider.”
A few months on from my treatment, my skin feels plump and radiant with a natural glow. I stick to a rigorous skincare routine, which also helps, of course. After all, consistency is the most important glow-up tool in your locker. Having said this, if you’re looking for a deeply hydrating treatment that will boost skin health from within, Profhilo is a popular option that delivers excellent results in my experience.
Always consult with your doctor before deciding if aesthetic treatments are right for you and your skin type.
