Q&A: Adelle Walker on How Functional Wellness is Redefining Aesthetic Dermatology in 2026

As aesthetic dermatology continues to evolve beyond isolated procedures toward a more holistic, patient-centered model, industry leaders are increasingly focused on how innovation, personalization, and long-term skin health will shape clinical practice in this upcoming year. With more than two decades of experience across medical and surgical aesthetics, Adelle Walker, Chief Marketing Officer of Revance, has had a front row to these changes by building new markets, launching updated products, and driving growth for several companies in the field, including Allergan Aesthetics (an AbbVie company), Syneron Candela, DermTech, and Sientra, a Tiger Aesthetics brand.

To kick off the new year, Walker met with Dermatology Times to share her perspective on the trends poised to meaningfully influence aesthetic practice in 2026 and beyond—from the rise of regenerative and functional aesthetics to the growing emphasis on prevention, personalization, and healthy aging, especially in younger patients.

Dermatology Times: Looking ahead to 2026, which aesthetic trends, treatments, and technologies do you believe will most meaningfully influence clinical practice?

Walker: We are entering a period where regenerative aesthetics will join functional aesthetics at the forefront of the industry. Interest in regenerative aesthetics has begun to rise in the past few months, but in 2026, consumers’ knowledge of and preference for these treatments will grow exponentially, as they learn more about longevity through functional biomarker testing and providers will see it become a much larger piece of their business. This shift reflects the fact that 80% of adults are now taking a preventative approach to their beauty routines, prioritizing consistent, long-term care over reactive solutions.¹ More and more, consumers are seeking minimally invasive treatments that deliver long-lasting, natural-looking results. While cosmetic appearance continues to be important to patients, it’s becoming clear that overall skin health is just as significant to them as well.

Dermatology Times: How can dermatology clinicians determine which trends are more durable and which are just passing fads?

Walker: In our industry, the trends that are typically just passing fads are ones propelled by a particular desired outcome, often inspired by highly visible celebrity-driven looks, such as large lips or elevated cheekbones. At the end of the day, aesthetic treatments are not a one-size-fits-all; each individual has a different face shape, and our features are different sizes, etc. Patients may come in set on something specific, try it, and realize they don’t like how it looks on themselves.

The more durable trends, and the ones patients will continue to come back for, are ones that are more personalized and often more subtle. That aligns with the fact that up to 60% of consumers cite healthy aging as a top or very important priority, favoring long-term outcomes over short-term trend adoption.² The best patient journeys are ones where they leave feeling more confident and more like themselves (and sometimes more youthful), rather than like someone else.

Dermatology Times: How is the increased number of young patients changing treatment goals, communication strategies, and long-term planning?

Walker: People currently in their 20s and 30s are far more educated on aesthetic treatments than past generations were.³ Many of them are looking for subtle tweaks that preserve their current appearances for a longer period of time, rather than fully altering the way they look. In terms of communication strategies and planning, we place significant emphasis on social media and leveraging the platforms that this generation is already deeply engaged with. There are also now so many incredible dermatologists and other aesthetic providers with large social platforms that Millennials and older Gen Z are highly tapped into. We love partnering with these providers who are passionate about educating younger audiences and keeping them informed about what options are available and what’s right for them.

Dermatology Times: What ethical or clinical considerations should dermatologists keep in mind when treating younger aesthetic patients?

Walker: Younger patients are often highly influenced by social media and trends, which makes it critical that providers take the time to understand a patient’s motivations and set realistic expectations. From a brand perspective, we believe in prioritizing subtle, conservative approaches and reinforcing that aesthetic treatments should enhance confidence, not create pressure to look a certain way. Supporting responsible decision-making and patient education ultimately leads to better patient experiences and more sustainable relationships between patients and providers. It's important to note that according to the FDA, the approved dermal fillers for use in adults 22 years of age or older (over the age of 21) for specific uses.

Dermatology Times: In the future, how do you see personalized wellness being integrated into aesthetic practice?

Walker: I see personalized wellness and functional medicine becoming more and more prevalent in aesthetic practices. It will be important that providers are part of their patients’ overall wellness journeys, beyond solely aesthetics, and that they fully understand their patients’ needs. For example, someone’s skin may be flaring up due to stress, sleep, diet, or other lifestyle factors, so providers may want to consider expanding their offerings to incorporate resources that address these broader contributors to skin health.

References

1. US Passive Beauty Consumer Report 2024. Mintel. October 31, 2024. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://store.mintel.com/report/us-passive-beauty-market-report.

2. Pione A, Medalsy J, Weaver K, Callaghan S, Rickert S. Future of Wellness Survey: The $2 Trillion Global Wellness Market Gets a Millennial and Gen Z Glow-Up. McKinsey & Company. May 29, 2025. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/future-of-wellness-trends.

3. US Sustainable Beauty Consumer: 2025 Report. Mintel. October 8, 2025. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://store.mintel.com/report/us-sustainable-beauty-consumer-market-report.