At this year’s American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, the conversation wasn’t just about what’s new—it was about what’s changing. Across medical dermatology, aesthetics and skin care, a clear through line emerged: treatments are becoming more personalized, more preventive and more focused on long-term results. From major psoriasis advancements to the growing role of regenerative aesthetics and the global influence of K-beauty, here’s what actually matters coming out of AAD 2026.
K-Beauty Made a Real Splash
K-beauty didn’t just show up. It influenced the conversation. Brands like Dr. Reju-all, Anua and Peach Slices leaned into barrier repair, gentle actives and regenerative ingredients like polynucleotides, aligning with what dermatologists are already recommending.
That shift is especially clear with younger patients. “Gen Z is much more focused on treating conditions like rosacea early,” says New York dermatologist Aurel Apple, MD. “They’re not as quick to jump into neurotoxins. They want to fix the skin first.”
Regenerative Aesthetics Are Still Driving Everything
If there was one theme that showed up everywhere, it was regeneration. “Bioregeneration is still a thing. People are talking about Sculptra left and right,” says Montclair, NJ dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, MD. “Face, body, all of it.”
But it’s bigger than injectables. “It’s all biostimulatory,” says New York dermatologist Dr. Amy Spizuoco. “Whether it’s threads, lasers or injectables, we’re trying to signal your collagen to rebuild itself, not replace it.” That same thinking is shaping skin care, too, with more focus on supporting the skin before and after treatments.
Psoriasis Care Is Entering a New Phase
The goal in psoriasis treatment is no longer improvement. It’s clearance. New data across biologics like Bimzelx, Ilumya and Taltz showed how high the bar has been set, with more patients reaching clear or near-clear skin and staying there longer, even in stubborn areas like nails.
One of the biggest shifts is happening in oral therapies. “I’m having a hard time deciding who’s not a good patient for this,” says Austin, TX dermatologist Ted Lain, MD, of ICOTYDE, a new daily psoriasis pill showing high levels of clearance. “We haven’t seen this kind of depth of response for an oral drug before.” He adds that the ease of use is just as important. “There’s no lab monitoring and the safety profile is essentially within one percent of placebo.”
Derms are also zooming out. With more patients on GLP-1s, psoriasis is increasingly being treated as part of a broader inflammatory picture. New data showed that combining Taltz with Zepbound improved disease control, reinforcing how closely metabolic health and skin disease are now connected.
Eczema Treatment Is Finally Centering Itch
Eczema care is catching up to what patients have been saying all along: itch matters. New data on Ebglyss showed strong, sustained skin clearance with once-monthly dosing, while Nemluvio delivered meaningful reductions in itch and lesions, even in younger patients.
“There’s still a huge education gap when it comes to skin conditions,” says New York dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD. “Even patients who are seeing dermatologists don’t always understand what’s driving their disease or how to manage it long term.”
Hair Loss Solutions Are Expanding
Hair loss is showing up earlier and being treated more proactively, particularly among men over 50. “Hair loss is multifactorial, so you have to treat it that way,” says Miami, FL dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, noting that supplements like Nutrafol, including targeted formulas like the new Nutrafol Men 50+, are often a starting point because they address stress, hormones and metabolic changes that contribute to thinning.
But that’s only one piece. More patients are moving toward combination plans that include oral and topical minoxidil alongside in-office care, with treatments like PRP, microneedling, energy-based devices and at-home LED or laser therapies becoming part of standard care.“Combining different oral medications together with vitamin supplements and regenerative approaches like exosomes and growth factors” is where outcomes are improving, says Miami dermatologist Dr. Bertha Baum.
For patients dealing with more severe forms of hair loss, new data at AAD highlighted Sun Pharma’s LEQSELVI (deuruxolitinib), an oral JAK inhibitor for alopecia areata, with significant scalp hair regrowth seen as early as weeks 8 and 12 and continued improvement over time in phase 3 trials. By targeting the immune pathway behind hair loss, it represents a shift away from older options like steroid injections, which have historically delivered inconsistent results.
Skin Support Is Essential in the GLP-1 Era
As GLP-1 use rises, so does the need to support skin through rapid changes such as volume loss, dryness and thinning. Alan Widgerow, MD, chief science officer of Alastin Skincare, explains that peptides help guide how the skin repairs and rebuilds itself. “They play a critical role in supporting the extracellular matrix, the skin’s structural foundation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid,” which becomes compromised during rapid weight loss.
Using specific peptide combinations, Dr. Widgerow says Alastin’s formulations help clear damaged tissue, stimulate new skin and improve hydration and resilience. “With newer formulations like TriHex+ Technology, we’re able to more efficiently clear damaged matrix components and support the regeneration of healthier collagen and elastin,” he says.
As more patients navigate GLP-1-related changes, this type of supportive skin care is becoming essential to maintaining skin quality.
Peptides Are Everywhere, But Doctors Say ‘No’
Peptides were one of the buzziest topics, but not all the excitement is translating into clinical confidence. “We know topical peptides work really well. They’re great at collagen signaling, but a lot of the newer injectable peptides are still in that gray area,” says Beverly Hills, CA dermatologist Tess Mauricio, MD.
That caution is growing as social media fuels interest. New York dermatologist Rishi Chopra, MD, notes that while FDA-approved peptide medications are well studied, many off-label and compounded options are not. “When you hear terms like ‘glow stack,’ you have to be very careful. If it was truly proven and effective, physicians would already be recommending it.”
At the same time, Germantown, TN dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD, says sublingual peptides may become more relevant in the future, though for now, she agrees it’s best to proceed cautiously.
More Injectable Options Are Coming
Injectables continue to evolve with a focus on flexibility and natural-looking results. Obagi Medical recently entered the category with Saphyr MagIQ, a hyaluronic acid filler designed for the lower face, including smile lines, with an emphasis on seamless movement and integration with skin care. At an AAD dinner, Chicago dermatologist Caroline Robinson, MD, shared that she’s incorporating it into her protocols as part of a more holistic approach.
Neurotoxins are also expanding. Galderma spotlighted Relfydess for faster onset and consistent results, while Allergan Aesthetics presented phase 3 data on TrenibotE, focused on more tailored dosing and treatment intervals. “Patients want treatments that fit into their lives,” says Dr. Spizuoco. “It’s not just about freezing everything. It’s about movement, balance and customizing results.”
Skin Tightening Is Getting Better
Skin tightening is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand categories, especially as GLP-1 use and menopause-related changes drive concerns around laxity. New York dermatologist Omar Noor, MD, points to growing interest in Density by Jeisys Medical, a radiofrequency treatment gaining traction for improving skin firmness and structure.
“Patients are coming in wanting to feel more snatched,” he says, noting a recent influx driven by social media and real patient demand. While still new in many practices, the focus is shifting from quick tightening to building real skin density over time.
