The environment around us keeps evolving, and with the kind of year we had in 2020, it’s no shock that people are now paying more attention to skincare, particularly ones that can have long-term effects on the skin and the entirety of the body.
The skincare industry provides us with different viable skincare treatments that work effectively for us, irrespective of our ages, gender, lifestyle or even skin type. However, because of how vast the industry can be, skincare treatments are infinite. While this provides us with a range of options to pick from, it’s important to know which ones are viable. 2021 has also brought a number of trends that will most likely outlive this year.
In this article, we’ve put together the major skincare treatment trends of 2021 and why they are useful for your skin.
1. Dermaplaning
Ask anyone who cares about skincare, and they’ll tell you that one of their biggest fears is finding routines that will efficiently and effectively clean their skin. In the last few years, there’s been an introduction of skincare treatments that efficiently clean and give a glowing skin, and top of the list is dermaplaning.
Dermaplaning is a cosmetic technique that involves the cleaning of the surface of the skin with a dermablade. The dermablade ensures that the surface of the skin is exfoliated, leaving it free of dead skin and fuzzes.
Asides from being effective, one reason why this beauty treatment will outlive this year is because of the little to zero side effects that it has. Unlike most skincare treatments, there’s no such thing as recovery time. The only side effect that you can suffer is a cut from the blade – but this may not happen if it’s properly handled by a professional.
However, this technique isn’t advised for people who have sensitive, inflammable, acne-prone skin or other similar skin problems.
Dermaplaning is a beauty treatment that will continue through 2021, especially for those who seek to have a glowing and clear skin.
2. Injectable Neuromodulators
Another major skincare treatment that’s going to remain in vogue in 2021 is the use of injectable neuromodulators. Skincare enthusiasts and general product users are becoming more aware of the need to use products that reduce or prevent wrinkles, even before they appear. However, before the anti-wrinkles products become mainstream, injections that serve the same purposes will continue to be in vogue.
Neuromodulator injections like Botox, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are top choices for treating and preventing wrinkle lines. Neuromodulating treatments have been the in thing for a while now, and don’t seem like they’re taking the back seat any time soon.
These injectable neuromodulators are sought after to effectively treat lines and wrinkles like horizontal lines across the forehead and those vertical lines between eyebrows that occur as a result of different facial expressions.
This kind of treatment has to be done by a professional or esthetician who’s certified to give these treatments. Except you are a professional yourself, do not attempt to administer these injections on yourself.
3. Microneedling/ Dermapen
From the ongoing list, it’s clear that non-surgical facial procedures are becoming more popular than regular plastic surgery procedures. Surgery has a number of side effects, and to avoid them, people are taking the route of procedures such as dermapen. Dermapen is also referred to as microneedling, and isn’t a trend that’s just being introduced to the skincare industry.
What it involves is the use of tiny needles to puncture the skin and stimulate it to produce more collagen to get clearer, rejuvenated and healthier skin. It’s particularly good for those who wish to get rid of stubborn acne or wrinkle scars. It’s also a skin-tightening technique that can be adopted as people get older. The skin around the neck can be tightened with radio-frequency microneedling. Other uses of microneedling include hyperpigmentation, pore sizes, and skin texture therapy.
This treatment will gain more popularity in 2021. Best results are achieved when the microneedling process is carried out 4 to 5 times a year, and particularly during the cold season.
4. Fillers and non-injectables
Face fillers have always been popular and in use. In fact, this trend has ruled the last decade, and of course has evolved into a lot of things. We’ve had the era of the hyaluronic acid fillers, to collagen fillers and now injectable and non-injectable fillers.
Face fillers give users the liberty of picking whichever technique is best for them. The non-injectable for instance is for people who would prefer not to have needles into their skin. They are easy and safe to use, with little or no recovery and side effects. However, while the injectable fillers last for as long as 6 months, the non-injectable fillers require constant (weekly) application.
Face fillers have a wide range of use amongst its users – from face lifting, to anti-wrinkle and acne scars. Because of how popular and important the fillers are, the non-injectable ones are now becoming mainstream, particularly in 2021. Fillers can now be done from home, as they typically come with two syringes, gel preparatory and firm finishing cream. There’s a wide range of brands that push this natural-looking enhancement product out.
5. Collagen-boosting treatment
Still on the matter of anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation, another skincare treatment trend that’ll continue in 2021 is the collagen-boosting treatment. Collagen in the skin helps to boost skin supplement and ameliorate wrinkles in the skin. However, our bodies only produce a limited amount. But thanks to technology and new treatments, collagen can now be stimulated in the body to keep the skin bouncy and as wrinkle-free as possible.
Skincare enthusiasts are now aware of these collagen-stimulating treatments and will be on the look-out for them as the year goes by. The trend now is to focus on treatments that focus on collagen production, particularly if it’s hands-free. If you own a skincare brand, now more than ever is the time to focus on collagen-boosting treatments.
6. LED therapy – LED light mask
LED therapy has now taken a new turn, with most LED devices having the three lights – blue, red and near-infrared. This means that LED therapy sessions now take shorter time to accomplish, and give stronger and more intense advantages. For instance, the blue light heals and prevents acne because it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial use. Red light on the other hand helps to increase collagen which has an anti-wrinkle effect on the face. Near-infrared light majors in healing the skin.
LED therapy is becoming more rampant as a non-invasive skincare treatment, particularly as LED light masks. This is one we can refer to as a 2021 beauty trend that’s meant to reduce scars, combat acne, and quicken the healing process. It’s usually a part of a beauty routine – dermarolling – to reduce the irritating effects of the procedure. However, as beneficial as the LED light mask may be to the skin, it’s not advisable to use it while on retinoids treatment. This is because it increases the sensibility of the skin to light, and may be detrimental in the end.
7. Dermarolling
As mentioned earlier, skincare treatments usually come in a group, and dermarolling is one that shouldn’t be left out. While some may substitute the dermarolling for microneedling, it’s a different procedure on its own. What it entails is the same benefits with microneedling, only that it’s less aggressive on the skin. It’s also referred to as microdermabrasion, and can also be done after the dermapen.
Again, the dermapen or microneedling isn’t advised to be done at home without professional aid, but the dermarolling can be done at home, with or without professional help because it’s easier and mistakes from the process aren’t so grave on the skin. Dermapen gets deep into the skin tissue, while dermarolling doesn’t necessarily.
8. Regenerative Skincare
Regenerative skincare is exactly what it says it is – using the body’s biological material to rebuild itself. It is a part of regenerative medicine, and regenerative medicine is all about using different parts of our bodies to build up themselves.
The use of pro-healing growth factors in treatments as this is fast becoming a trend, and 2021 seems like the year when the pace is going to be doubled. We’ll have our bodies’ biological material such as growth factors used to rebuild the skin quality and health. Treatments such as Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) will be the means through which this will happen.
The Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in the body is an in-built healing serum that helps clear the blood of toxic content by spinning the blood into a centrifuge. It can also be injected into the (treated) skin to ensure that treatment actually works.
The regenerative treatment can be an adjunct to laser treatments and microneedling, either individually or collectively to maximize the result and enhance the healing process.
9. Retinoids
Despite being a skincare treatment that fits the cold season of any year, this beauty trend will be one to be more rampant this year and even beyond. Retinoids are active ingredients on their own, but are usually infused into serums and other skincare products. They are obtained from vitamin A and are used to prevent and reduce skin problems like acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage and ageing.
Like earlier mentioned, even though they are a great fit for the cold times of the year, they should be used along with SPF protection (with at least 50+). No matter the weather, sunlight effect on a skin that retinol has been applied on may be more detrimental than beneficial. It increases the risk of sun burning, hyperpigmentation and effectiveness of the product.
Retinoids or retinols are part of the product package of a lot of beauty companies (like The Ordinary).
10. Jelly Face Masks
Jelly face masks are not new to anyone who’s keen about fashion, at least in the last 5 years. Everyone loves the idea of having face masks on, if not for anything else, at least for the fact that they smell and feel good on the face. There’s been a wide range of face mask types in the last years, and it seemed like the face sheet mask was the real deal. However, 2021 has brought in a new trend in the face mask sect, and beauty lovers can now treat themselves to new jelly face masks.
They are just as easy to apply as the regular face sheet masks. They come in ready-to-apply jars and may have different purposes. Some may be for hydration, calming, exfoliation or other purposes.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that through the years, skincare and beauty treatments have been centered on facial treatments. Even when we say “skincare”, the majority of us are thinking about products to use on our faces. However, the trend this year is laying more emphasis on the entirety of the skin and not only the face. The body does deserve a lot of pampering. From body scrubs to honey wraps, the body requires a lot of pampering and treatment to remain in shape.
Hand care is one frequently overlooked aspect of skincare treatment. In fact, we may assume they don’t require more treatment than washing and sanitizing. However, there’s an uprising in the hand care sect, and more products and treatments are being realized every day. Treatments such as hand paraffin wax can be used to maintain the hand in its softness and luster.
This year more than ever, more attention has been paid on products and treatments that help remove the dead skin and nourish the entire body. A lot of skincare treatments have been in vogue in the last year, but it’s important to know which one to indulge and which one not to. You can begin with the treatments listed above and enjoy the benefits of healthy skin!
