In the world of esthetics, transformation doesn’t start on the surface; it begins within. At Gerrish MedEsthetics, we believe that every treatment is only as effective as the cellular energy that powers it. Whether you’re applying a brightening enzyme, using LED therapy, or operating a precision-tuned RF device, the skin’s ability to regenerate depends on one critical process: cellular respiration.
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.
ATP: The Skin’s Energy Currency
Keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, and other key skin cells rely on energy to function—whether that’s synthesizing collagen, repairing the barrier, or regulating pigmentation. That energy comes in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Often referred to as the “currency” of the cell, ATP is produced through a series of metabolic reactions known as cellular respiration. Inside the mitochondria, glucose and oxygen are converted into usable energy, powering the skin’s most vital functions. When ATP levels are optimized, healing accelerates, product penetration improves, and outcomes are elevated. When they’re depleted, even the best facial may fall short.
Cellular Respiration: Esthetics Meets Biology
Cellular respiration occurs in three primary stages:
- Glycolysis – Glucose is broken down in the cytoplasm, producing a small yield of ATP.
- Krebs Cycle – Within the mitochondria, pyruvate is converted to electron carriers that drive energy production.
- Electron Transport Chain (ETC) – The final and most ATP-rich stage, where oxygen plays a crucial role.
In simple terms, if oxygen and nutrients reach the mitochondria efficiently, the skin can perform. This biological readiness is at the heart of every treatment plan I design for patients.
Contribution by Dr. Scott Gerrish | Founder, Gerrish MedEsthetics & Creator of AGE by Gerrish™
Dr. Scott Gerrish is a regenerative medicine physician and the founder of Gerrish MedEsthetics, home of the AGE by Gerrish™ system. With over 25 years of clinical experience and a background in mechanical engineering, Dr. Gerrish is known for fusing biological intelligence with precision-timed esthetic care. He is the creator of The AGE Method™, a proprietary diagnostic system that maps each client’s regenerative rhythm to sequence treatments for optimal results. Through advanced protocols, provider education, and clinical partnership, Dr. Gerrish is leading a new era of regenerative aesthetics, where healing is engineered and beauty is revealed over time.
What Disrupts Skin Energy?
Several factors can suppress ATP production and hinder your results:
- Age-related mitochondrial decline
- Chronic inflammation
- Environmental stressors (UV, pollution)
- Glycation and oxidative damage
- Poor oxygenation or blood flow
In particular, senescent cells, metabolically active yet permanently damaged, can stall regeneration. These cells no longer divide and often release pro-inflammatory signals that degrade surrounding tissue. Unlike quiescent cells (which can rebound), senescent cells act as a blockade to renewal. That’s why regenerative treatments that support autophagy, cell turnover, and exosome signaling are becoming foundational to modern aesthetics.
Supporting Cellular Energy in the Treatment Room
While you’re not working inside the mitochondria, every choice you make in the treatment room affects how they function. From touch to technology, timing to topicals—your approach can either support or suppress the skin’s energy systems.
Strategies to enhance ATP production include:
Timing device use: LED, RF, and ultrasound post-exfoliation or microneedling activate energy pathways more effectively.
Boosting oxygen delivery: Red light therapy, oxygen infusion, and facial massage improve circulation.
Feeding the mitochondria: Niacinamide, CoQ10, peptides, and B vitamins fuel function.
Protecting with antioxidants: Vitamin C, resveratrol, and glutathione combat mitochondrial stress.
Client Language: Translating Science Into Impact
Clients may not ask about their electron transport chain, but they will ask why their skin feels dull, why healing seems slow, or why their results have plateaued.
Here’s how to translate the science of skin energy into simple, empowering language:
- “Your skin cells are like little factories; they need energy to perform. When they’re stressed or aging, they slow down. That’s why we’re using this light (or serum)—to help them recharge.”
- “This facial isn’t just about what’s on the surface. It’s designed to activate your skin’s energy system from within.”
- “Everything I’ve selected today supports your skin’s ability to function not just to look better temporarily, but to renew truly.”
The Role of Estheticians and Nurses in Regenerative Energy
Every Signature AGE Protocol™ is built around the skin’s regenerative timeline, calibrated to support mitochondrial function and sustain long-term cellular health. Whether I’m working with laser technologies, plasma energy, RF devices, or exosome therapy, each modality is sequenced intentionally. When estheticians and nurses understand this timing and partner with the skin’s energy systems, even the most advanced technologies deliver more consistent, elevated outcomes.
At Gerrish MedEsthetics, we don’t chase trends—we restore biology. We engineer outcomes by activating what’s already within. And when providers step into that role as collaborators in the body’s own regenerative process, results shift from temporary to transformational.