Dr. Kay Durairaj spoke at The Medical Spa Show by AmSpa in Las Vegas and if there was one message that echoed from her opening General Session presentation through every hallway, treatment room demo, and standing-room-only lecture at this year’s Medical Spa Show, it was this: the future of aesthetics is not about doing more to the face, it is about helping the body do more for itself.
Welcome to the era of regenerative aesthetics. And MSS proved that we are not just talking about it anymore. We are building entire practices around it.
Regeneration Is the Strategy, Not the Trend
From our global vantage point at IMCAS World Congress 2026 to Las Vegas, the pattern is undeniable. The two primary entry points for patients remain injectables and facial treatments. What MSS made clear is how those entry points are evolving.
It is no longer just about correction. It is about stimulation, restoration, and long-term structural improvement.
General sessions and advanced lectures focused on:
- New applications for existing corrective tools
- Ingredient and product innovation rooted in biology
- Digital platforms that elevate patient experience and outcomes
This is the shift from treatment menus to treatment ecosystems. And MSS is actively teaching providers how to build them.
Dr. Kay Durairaj: The Voice of Regenerative Aesthetics
Few voices captured this movement better than Dr. Kay Durairaj, who took the stage as a keynote KOL during the opening general session.
Using an “under the sea” metaphor, she broke down the extracellular matrix as the true foundation of youthful skin. Not surface level. Not superficial correction. Structure.
She also highlighted one of the biggest regulatory moments of the show:
- Hyperdilute Radiesse is now FDA-approved for the décolleté
Dr. Kay Durairaj’s Regenerative Aesthetics Rapid Fire Ratings
Following Dr. Kay Durairaj’s live injectable demonstration, we caught up with her and had her join in the L+A Regenerative Lighting Round for a rapid-fire rating:
- Neuromodulators: “10 out of 10, can’t live without them.”
- Biostimulators: “Another 10 out of 10, I’m obsessed with growing my own collagen.”
- HA Fillers: “Love my fillers, a really consistent great way for facial fat replacement, so facial fillers are a 9.”
- Microneedling with PRP/PRF: “Now that I love, cold steel microneedling grows so much collagen, I’m a fan, I’m going to give that a 9.”
Translation: regeneration is not replacing injectables. It is elevating how we use them.
The Injectable Evolution: From Volume to Biology
Injectables were everywhere at MSS, but the conversation has matured.
Biostimulators Lead the Charge in Injectables
- Sculptra continues to dominate with its collagen-stimulating poly-L-lactic acid
- Radiesse has officially expanded into the décolleté with FDA approval for hyperdilute use. This was announced by Dr Kay Durairaj during her General Session presentation.
These are not quick fixes. These are long-game strategies.
New FDA Milestones For Injectables
- Restylane Contour, now FDA-approved for temple hollowing
- Dedicated FDA session gave attendees a real look into compliance, enforcement, and inspections
The Medical Spa Show Hosted The FDA for a Presentation to Attendees
Our own Dr. Chantal Lunderville attended the FDA-focused session. Here’s an excerpt from her recap article: Dr Lunderville Unpacks The FDA’s Presentation at The Medical Spa Show by AmSpa
“They focused on two main areas: compounding regulations (for drugs like GLPs, peptides, hormones if you use compounding) and the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) which applies to everything else we do (neurotoxin, fillers, generally dosed injectables).
The panel brought together key leaders in regulation and compliance: Aaron Weisbuch, Senior Regulatory Advisor at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER); Madison Dini, JD, Partner and General Counsel at Michelman & Robinson, LLP and Lynch Regenerative Medicine; Philip Bonforte, Lead Regulatory Counsel at the FDA and moderated by Alex Thiersch, JD, Founder and Chairman of AmSpa. Each speaker contributed a valuable perspective on how medspas must navigate increasing federal scrutiny.” Read Dr Chantal Lunderville’s Full Article
Live Injection Sessions: Education Gets Real
For the first time ever, MSS delivered live injectable sessions that had attendees locked in.
- Allergan Aesthetics presented The Forefront and The Future of Aesthetics
- Galderma showcased The New Aesthetics Playbook
Dr. Lanna Cheuck’s Regenerative Aesthetics Rapid Fire Ratings
We also connected with Dr. Lanna Cheuck after her session, and her joining in the L+A Regenerative Lighting Round rapid-fire ratings told the same regenerative story:
HA fillers: “10 out of 10 as long as you know exactly where to put it, the right amount, make sure you understand the layers, and respect the layers.”
Neuromodulators: “10 out of 10, not just for wrinkle reduction, but also for smooth skin and to minimize pores.”
Biostimulators: “10 out of 10, I’m the biostimulator Queen, I love PDRN and Exosomes – and PDGF.”
Microneedling with PRP/PRF: “10 out of 10, you gotta get the PRF in there afterwards.”
Expand Your Injectable Knowledge – L+A’s Face Value Injectable 8 Webisode Series Running May Through December
Dr. Vincent Wong, L+A Medical Contributor, will host an 8 Webisode L+A Now series with Barry + Jenni on Injectable Intelligence. Dr. Vincent Wong is a leading cosmetic doctor based in London. He specialises in facial balancing using non-surgical and minimally invasive techniques.
Even if you don’t perform injectables – your clients are most likely getting them – it’s best you know all about them so you can talk intelligently to your clients about the options.
Join us on the first Wednesday in May – December at 2 PM EST. Dr. Wong will explore injectable concepts from understanding aging, mesotherapy, Botulinum Toxin, Fillers, Threads, and Regeneration.
Microneedling: The Quiet Power Player
If there was a treatment that showed up everywhere without needing a spotlight, it was microneedling. Even Dr. Kay Durairaj expressed how much she loves cold steel microneedling for its collagen-building effects on the skin.
Because it works. And because it plays well with others.
At MSS, the conversation expanded beyond the device itself and into what you pair with it:
- PRP and PRF
- PDGF
- Exosomes
- PDRN
Brands leaned into this hard:
- BioSkin Aesthetics with BioTouch Precision device and Nexgen PDRN+
- FACTORFIVE with ExoTech
- DermapenWorld with their DP4 device and EXO-SKIN
Even industry icon Shino Bay continues to integrate microneedling into combination protocols with Sculptra, Radiesse, and energy-based devices.
This is not an add-on anymore. It is a foundational regenerative tool.
AI, Imaging, and the Rise of Aesthetic Tech
MSS did not just focus on what we inject or apply. It focused on how we think, consult, and convert.
AI Took a Front Seat
The Aesthetic Tech, Innovation, and AI Summit set the tone early.
At a standout Lunch and Learn, RepeatMD introduced Ageless AI, featuring insights from Dr. Paul Nassif and Dr. Sheila Barbarino.
This platform allows patients to upload a selfie and preview photorealistic treatment outcomes. We have officially entered the “try before you treat” era.
Dr. Krystal Briglia attended the session and connected with the team to explore how this technology can support real-world practice growth.
Imaging Is Getting Smarter
Canfield Scientific showcased the all-new Visia 3D.
Enhanced imaging now allows providers to:
- Visualize structure in three dimensions
- Educate patients more effectively
- Demonstrate outcomes of regenerative treatments
This is where science meets storytelling. And storytelling closes cases.
The L+A Regenerative Lightning Round: What L+A’s Medical Experts Think
Because we had to ask Dr. Chantal Lunderville and Dr. Krystal Briglia – they joined in the L+A Regenerative Lighting Round!
Dr. Chantal Lunderville
HA fillers: “HHmmm, probably 6 out of 10, just as a little icing on the cake.”
Neuromodulators: “10 out of 10, I wish I could put them in the water.”
Biostimulators: “10 out of 10, everyone over 35 needs at least one.”
Microneedling with PRP/PRF: “Microneedling, I would say 10 out of 10 – again, I’d want to put it in the water, and then that little additive – I would say 7 out of 10 – right before an event – right before something big – that’s when you want to do it.”
Dr. Krystal Briglia
- Neuromodulators: “10 out of 10, love me some Daxy [Daxxify]”
- Biostimulators: “10 out of 10 – hands down!”
- Microneedling with PRP or PRF: “Definitely something you can do that’s not gonna break the bank, that produces good collagen results, so 8 out of 10.”
- HA fillers: “6 out of 10.”
Notice a trend? Collagen is the main character.
Beyond the Education: The MSS Experience
Let’s talk about the vibe because MSS is not just a conference. It is an experience.
Think:
- Member receptions with open bar
- Daily breakfast and lunch
- Sunset cocktail events
- Exhibit hall coffee breaks that somehow turn into strategy sessions
And then there were the activations:
- Influx Marketing with matcha on tap, a GlamBot, and podcast recordings
- Candela with a cannoli chef
- Zenoti with champagne
- Nextech with espresso flowing all day
- Illuminate PRP serving ginger shots in PRP-style vials
And yes, the AmSpa Member Lounge had puppies. Because cortisol management is now part of the treatment plan.
Innovation on the Floor: Try It, Don’t Just Learn It
The exhibit hall was a playground for hands-on experience.
- Lira Clinical invited attendees into a live clinical study for their upcoming REGEN MD Complex
- BioSkin Aesthetics delivered microneedling demos with BioRePeelCl3
- FACTORFIVE showcased a no-downtime peel
- SkinAct and Canfield Scientific demonstrated next-gen technology
This is what sets MSS apart. You do not just hear about innovation. You experience it.
Final Take: MSS Is Building the Future in Real Time
The Medical Spa Show is no longer just an industry event. It is a roadmap.
It is where regenerative aesthetics moves from theory to protocol.
Where AI moves from buzzword to business tool.
Where injectables evolve from volume to biology.
And most importantly, it is where providers learn how to meet the modern patient. A patient who wants results, but also wants longevity, structure, and health.
MSS delivered on all of it.
And if this is where the industry is heading, we will absolutely see you there next year.