'Prejuvenation' Is The Next Big Skincare Trend To Keep On Your Radar

Since time immemorial, rejuvenation has always been at the forefront of skincare. Your body starts producing less collagen as you turn 30, which makes your skin become dryer, thinner, and duller. As your skin loses the moisture needed to keep it supple, wrinkles and pigmented spots start to form and become more pronounced over time. The purpose of a skin rejuvenation treatment is to turn back the clock and make your skin look younger than its true age. Laser resurfacing, mechanical resurfacing, chemical peels, and injectable products such as Botox and dermal fillers are popular treatments for improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation disorders, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Body positivity and celebration of beauty in aging might be part of the cultural lexicon, but ageless-focused surgeries are always on the upswing. An estimated 1.4 million facial surgeries were performed in 2021, with plastic surgeons doing 600 additional procedures on average than in 2020, per statistfromfrom The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). There's no hurdle people wouldn't cross to keep aged skin at bay. If you are also one who wouldn't mind spending big bucks on treatments that keep your skin rejuvenated, you should start looking into "prejuvenation." It might be a play on words — but like rejuvenation — prejuvenation is a real skincare trend that has been making a splash in the aesthetic industry lately. Here's what we know so far.

By comparison, if rejuvenation is concerned with using treatments to reverse signs of aging, prejuvenation is all about hindering the appearance-related changes that come with age for as long as possible. "Prejuvenation is a proactive approach focusing on prevention rather than correction," says dermatologist Dr. Brian Hibler (via Schweiger Dermatology Group). "This means building a routine of topical skin care and non-invasive cosmetic treatments to help delay the signs of aging," Dr. Hibler explains. Prejuvenation is often recommended for younger patients who do not need rejuvenation skincare treatments just yet.

According to SkinCare Physicians, prejuvenation is the key to maintaining and enhancing the health and aesthetics of the skin in the most natural way possible. If prejuvenation is adopted early in life — like in your late teens or early 20s, aging-related skin changes, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots, can be prevented. With prejuvenation on the scene, you might not need rejuvenation later on. In fact, cosmetic dermatology is shifting from treatment to prevention, says Dr. Joshua Zeichne from Sinai Hospital (via Dermatology Times). "Rather than address lines that are deeply etched into the skin, it is much easier and more effective to address these issues early and prevent them from progressing," Dr. Zeichner explains.

A prejuvenation skincare regimen is no rocket science. It's all about consistently taking reasonable care of your skin by acing the basics. According to the Schweiger Dermatology Group, a topical skincare kit should at least include a facial sunscreen and a product containing antioxidants in the morning, and a topical retinoid and a hydrating moisturizer for the evening. For the unversed, antioxidants are essentially vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, or any other nutrients that shield the skin's surface from blazing UV rays, environmental pollution, and oxidative damage from free radicals so that your skin doesn't age prematurely. Meanwhile, topical retinoids help boost the production of collagen, which increases skin elasticity and diminishes the appearance of aging lines.

Since prejuvenation also includes minimally invasive treatments alongside a topical skincare routine, you can go for injectables such as Botox in low concentrations to forestall the appearance of crow's feet, forehead lines, and neckbands, dermatologist Konstantin Vasyukevich tells PopSugar. On the other hand, dermal filler injections can be helpful in tackling deep-set lines around the mouth and nasolabial folds. Dr. Vasyukevich continues that a "mini facelift to prevent jowl formation" is another option. 

According to the Reflections Center for Cosmetic Medicine, it's crucial to maintain an abundant production of collagen — a protein that keeps the skin looking moist and smooth. Our collagen levels reduce with age, so consciously "collagen banking" while we're still young can keep our skin looking younger for longer. Microneedling, which creates microscopic holes in the skin through fine needles, is among the most recommended treatments for stimulating new and healthy collagen. Also known as collagen induction therapy, this procedure kickstarts the skin's healing systems, resulting in the accelerated production of collagen.

Your lifestyle habits also play a determining role in the aging speed of your skin. According to dietitian Kara Burnstine (via The Healthy), certain foods can boost tissue function, skin moisture, and elasticity while protecting the skin from detrimental factors. "Whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, do wonders for the skin," says Burnstine. Because they are full of antioxidants, fruits and veggies boast excellent anti-aging effects, helping to minimize the damage of free radicals on the skin. Meanwhile, highly processed food has low nutritional value while increasing the risks of skin inflammation. When the skin is inflamed, skin issues such as pimples, dryness, and wrinkling are bound to happen. Alcohol abuse and smoking can make the skin age faster. Quitting those habits will help minimize skin damage and make your skin healthier.