These innovations make cosmetic medicine safer and more individual

Modern aesthetic medicine is undergoing an exciting transformation: New technologies, more precise devices, and better-tolerated active ingredients now enable minimally invasive treatments with shorter downtime and highly natural results. Patients benefit primarily from greater safety, lower risks, and more personalized treatment approaches. The goal is no longer an artificial ideal, but rather a natural-looking optimization of one's own skin's appearance – with as little stress on the body as possible.

Dr. Afschin Fatemi is a dermatologist and director of the S-thetic Clinic Group. He has been practicing aesthetic medicine for over 25 years and is a nationally and internationally sought-after expert in cosmetic surgery. He is divorced and lives in Düsseldorf.

An important trend is the combination of diagnostic precision and targeted, localized treatment. This includes fractional laser therapies that specifically trigger fibroblasts in the skin, thereby stimulating the body's own regeneration and collagen production – without causing extensive damage. Personalized skincare based on genetic skin analyses or microbiome-based approaches is also gaining importance.

The big advantage: Many of these methods can be performed on an outpatient basis and can be integrated into everyday life and professional life.

Technological advances give us more flexibility – and enable individualized treatment concepts instead of standardized, one-size-fits-all solutions. Patients who might previously have never considered surgery are now more likely to opt for minimally invasive treatments because they are predictable, well-tolerated, and low-risk. The desire for preventative skin care – in other words, "preventive aesthetics" – is also growing. Many patients come to us not only when wrinkles are deeply entrenched, but when they begin to notice changes.

I have been working on the further development of gentle treatment methods for many years. Several procedures I have helped develop have now become established – including the so-called VSS facelift, which uses particularly small, hidden incisions, and minimally invasive and laser-assisted techniques for sweat gland reduction. I am also actively involved in clinical evaluations of modern CO₂ laser procedures and the optimization of ultrasound-based fat reduction. It is always important to me that innovation must be driven by medical added value, not marketing.

In our daily work, we primarily use laser and light procedures – for example, for skin rejuvenation, the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), or acne scars. Botulinum toxin injections and customized filler concepts are also part of our services. The combination of modern technology and in-depth skin diagnostics is particularly effective: Only those who know exactly what the skin needs can provide truly precise treatment. Advances in aesthetic medicine help us work more responsibly, efficiently, and with a more patient-centered approach than ever before.

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of selected experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.