Mitochondria and Cellular Respiration Are The Foundation of Regenerative Esthetics.
We talk a lot about collagen, injectables, and skincare in aesthetics, and all of those matter. But the trend everyone is talking about right now is regenerative esthetics, to support your body’s own natural processes. Specifically, we are talking about cellular respiration and metabolism, and this happens in the mitochondria, also called the “powerhouse of the cell”. Think about this part of your cells as the engine, where energy is created and also waste products are generated.
August 2025 L+A Report
Science of Regenerative Esthetic Treatments for Skin Laxity
Regenerative esthetics is rapidly redefining the way skincare professionals approach age-related concerns—particularly skin laxity. As a specialized branch of regenerative medicine, this evolving discipline prioritizes the restoration and revitalization of the skin’s natural structure and function.
According to The Evolving Field of Regenerative Esthetics, the path forward requires a fresh look at how we define aging skin, the challenges of soft tissue degeneration, and the clinical goals of regenerative therapies.
Look for Regenerative Esthetic Solutions from BioSkin Aesthetics, SkinAct, Rezenerate, Roccoco Botanicals, IOKA + TiZO for sponsoring this article.
Even more specifically, how your cells produce energy is through a process called cellular respiration, and the main regenerative ingredients support this process. Let’s review how NAD⁺, glutathione, and peptides work to promote true regeneration.
What Is Cellular Respiration?
Cellular respiration is the process your cells use to convert nutrients you eat (like glucose and fatty acids) into ATP, the energy molecule that powers everything from muscle contraction to skin repair. If you think of cellular respiration as a bank, it generates money in the form of dollar bills that can be circulated and used in all types of transactions around the body.
Mitochondria and Cellular Respiration
Most of this happens in the mitochondria. Here’s the simplest breakdown of how it works:
- Nutrients from food are broken down in your digestive system and enter your bloodstream.
- These nutrients are delivered to your cells.
- Inside the mitochondria, those nutrients go through a series of chemical reactions (called the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain) to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) — your cell’s energy currency.
This is how your skin regenerates, how inflammation is resolved, and how every function in your body, from brain to bowels, operates.
But this whole process depends on key molecules that decline with age, stress, illness, and even overuse of beauty treatments like lasers and peels. Enter: NAD⁺ and glutathione.
Contribution By Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A Medical Editor
Dr. Chantal Lunderville is a board-certified physician specializing in skin health, aesthetic medicine, and Women’s health. She attended medical school at UCLA School of Medicine, followed by a residency at UCSF Family Medicine, and on graduating opened her own concierge aesthetics practice in the San Francisco Bay Area focusing on hormone health, skincare, and longevity.
Since then Dr. Lunderville has grown her practice to include overseeing nurses and aestheticians as medical director to over 15 practices across California, and through Dr. C’s Academy helps to launch new practices across the US and Canada through consulting and online courses in business, compliance, aesthetic procedures including neurotoxin, fillers, lasers, microneedling, and lasers. Read Full Bio
NAD⁺: The Spark Plug of Cellular Energy
NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme, basically a molecular assistant, that helps enzymes in your mitochondria perform the reactions that create ATP.
Think of NAD⁺ as the spark plug in the engine. Without it, the entire energy production line stalls. Low NAD⁺ = low energy = low repair = signs of aging.
NAD⁺ IV Therapy
That’s why NAD⁺ IV therapy is gaining popularity in both biohacking and aesthetic circles. Its about
- Enhancing DNA repair
- Improving mental clarity
- Supporting metabolic health
- Increasing resilience after procedures or illness
How I Explain It to Patients:
“NAD⁺ is like fuel for your mitochondria. If your cells are tired or struggling to repair, NAD⁺ helps get everything working again, especially when you’re healing, detoxing, or just feeling depleted.”
Glutathione: Your Skin and Body’s Master Defender
Glutathione is often called the master antioxidant. It protects your cells from oxidative stress, the kind caused by UV damage, pollution, sugar, stress, and aging.
Unlike external antioxidants like vitamin C or E, glutathione is produced inside your cells. It helps regenerate vitamin C and E, neutralize free radicals produced by the electron transport chain, and help recycle the whole process. It’s like changing the oil in your cell’s engine.
IV Glutathione
IV Glutathione works by directly replenishing your stores, supporting detox pathways in the liver, and improving:
- Skin brightness and clarity
- Immune resilience
- Recovery after illness, travel, or procedures
How I Explain It to Patients:
“Glutathione helps clear out toxins and inflammation at the cellular level. It’s like your body’s clean-up crew — it clears the trash and helps to recycle so your cells can operate more efficiently.”
Other Key IV Ingredients in Regenerative Aesthetics
While NAD⁺ and glutathione are stars, many IV blends used in aesthetics include:
- Vitamin C – collagen support and antioxidant
- B-Complex/B12 – boosts mood, metabolism, and energy
- Amino acids – support recovery and neurotransmitter balance
- Minerals (magnesium, zinc) – reduce inflammation and support enzyme function
Each infusion is often tailored to the client’s needs, whether it’s pre-treatment prep, post-laser healing, hormone support, or travel recovery.
“Do I Have to Do This Forever?” – The Most Common Question
Here’s the truth: regenerative therapies are not meant to fix you. They’re meant to support your body in doing what it already knows how to do, which is heal and repair from within.
But your environment, stress, and aging continue daily. So while you don’t need to do IVs forever, the most benefit comes from consistency and cyclical support.
Think of it like exercise, hydration, or skincare. It’s not a one-time fix, it’s a maintenance strategy and ongoing support to regenerate.
Script for Patients:
“No, you don’t have to do this forever, but just like skincare or movement, your body benefits from consistency. We can tailor your plan so it supports your lifestyle, not adds pressure. It’s about giving your body what it needs, when it needs it.”
The Takeaway: Beauty Starts in the Mitochondria
As aesthetic providers, when we support cellular health from the mitochondrial and antioxidant defenses, we’re not just creating short-term glow. We’re helping patients age vibrantly, recover faster, and support their body from the stressors of life that we all go through.
So whether you’re a nurse injector, aesthetician, or wellness provider: think. Think cellular. That’s where the future of beauty begins.
Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A Medical Editor
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