ASCP Esty Talk Ep 380 – Emerging Trends from IMCAS Paris with Jenni Nagle
March 11, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of ASCP Esty Talk, hosted by Maggie Stasik, features an in-depth conversation with Jenni Nagle, licensed esthetician and co-founder of Lip Gloss & Aftershave. Jenni dishes on fresh insights gleaned from IMCAS Paris, the leading global conference for cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery. The duo explores the shift from fleeting skincare fads toward a holistic, sustainable approach in aesthetics, highlighting emerging trends such as regenerative medicine, longevity, protocol layering, mental wellness, and the evolving collaboration between medical practitioners and estheticians.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. IMCAS Paris: From Buzzwords to Strategy Summit
(01:52–04:53)
- Jenni describes the IMCAS event as a “strategy summit” rather than a traditional beauty expo.
- Main trend for 2026: Regenerative aesthetics and longevity—everything from product formulations to treatment philosophies is focused on sustainable, long-term skin health.
- Emerging treatments focus on holistic, protocol-based approaches rather than one “miracle” ingredient. For example, previous years were dominated by exosomes, but now it’s about integrating multiple therapies for optimal, lasting results.
Notable Quote:
"Everywhere we looked it was regenerative medicine, regenerative aesthetics and longevity... it was less of one specific thing, but more of this protocol layering and this well rounded approach."
— Jenni Nagle (03:49)
2. Redefining “Sustainability” in Aesthetics
(04:53–06:23)
- "Sustainability" refers not just to eco-friendliness, but to creating internal balance and supporting longer-term results from treatments.
- The discussion addresses how weight-loss drugs (like GLP-1s) impact skin health (hair loss, laxity), making estheticians essential in maintaining clients' appearance post-medication, both before and after such interventions.
Notable Quote:
"We're not just going to go in there and chop things off and cut things up and trim and tighten and stitch. We're going to make sure that internally everything is balanced so that externally you really see it for the long term."
— Jenni Nagle (05:11)
3. Spotlight on Peptides, Microneedling, and Delivery Methods
(06:23–08:13)
- Peptides were a dominant ingredient—brands included them in both injectables and topical solutions.
- Delivery is evolving: Europe favors mesotherapy (direct injection), while US estheticians can expect increased emphasis on microneedling protocols and topical enhancements, staying within their license scope.
Notable Quote:
"So peptides were everywhere... with that being said, I think that the rise of microneedling is going to, it's just naturally going to be increased and I think we're going to see a lot more devices."
— Jenni Nagle (06:39)
4. Medical–Esthetics Bridge: Opportunity, Not Threat
(08:13–12:59)
- There’s growing crossover between medical and esthetic spheres; major medical brands are including estheticians for at-home and adjunct protocols.
- Jenni predicts more medical brands and device manufacturers will be present at US spa shows (e.g., Be Well NYC, AmSpa Medical Spa Show).
- Estheticians are encouraged to see this not as competition but as an ongoing education and collaboration opportunity.
Notable Quote:
"It shouldn't be a threat to estheticians. It should be a growth opportunity... So this is now your opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn about the other side, learn about these treatments that you're unable to perform and make connections with these providers."
— Jenni Nagle (11:41)
5. Mental Wellness as Aesthetic Wellness
(13:07–14:41)
- Jenni’s favorite trend: Mental wellness technologies being integrated into aesthetics.
- Example: TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) devices designed for mind “decluttering” and mood improvement appearing alongside body and facial aesthetic treatments.
- Mental clarity and confidence are now seen as part of the total esthetic outcome.
Notable Quote:
"You don't have to take this one pronged approach to skincare and just nip and tuck and tighten and inject. You can do this full picture approach, which I thought was really cool."
— Jenni Nagle (14:21)
6. Legal Scope and Practical Collaboration
(14:41–19:22)
- Regulations limit certain advanced esthetic treatments in some US states, but information sharing is critical.
- Even if estheticians can't perform injectables or use certain devices, they can guide and support their clients through their aesthetic journey in partnership with medical providers.
- Jenni strongly advocates for continual learning—not just about allowed treatments, but about what clients are getting elsewhere—to provide holistic, informed advice.
Notable Quote:
"Just because we can't perform these treatments does not mean we shouldn't be educated on them or we should feel threatened... because your clients are going to do them anyway."
— Jenni Nagle (15:51)
7. The Power of Education and Community
(17:23–20:45)
- Solo estheticians, in particular, benefit from joining professional groups and engaging with platforms like Lip Gloss & Aftershave, which offers free education from brands globally.
- Jenni previews the launch of an eight-part “Facial Injectable Series” with Dr. Vincent Wong, empowering estys to understand facial anatomy and injectable science, even if not within their scope to perform.
Notable Quotes:
"It's so crucial to be part of these communities... Now it's going even a step further by saying, wow, as an esthetician, I could understand how injectables work and I could understand, you know, facial structure."
— Jenni Nagle (17:32, 18:23)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "If I could tell you that I feel like I wake up in a dream sometimes... Today I need to go to the French pharmacy to explore European SPF formulations. I couldn't ask for more." — Jenni Nagle (02:46)
- "We invite everyone... We have hundreds and hundreds of hours of online education that is all free. It's from brands all across the world. You can pick by topic, you can scroll by brand and just start exploring." — Jenni Nagle (19:27)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:52 — Intro to Jenni Nagle & IMCAS Paris overview
- 03:07 — Regenerative aesthetics and longevity as the top trend
- 05:02 — What “sustainability” means in today’s aesthetic world
- 06:39 — Peptide prominence and delivery tech (mesotherapy, microneedling)
- 08:13 — Crossover: medical brands collaborating with estheticians
- 11:33 — Navigating scope of practice, seeing collaboration as growth
- 13:07 — Mental wellness technologies in aesthetics
- 15:07 — The esthetician’s unique role in the full client journey
- 17:32 — Importance of community, education, and ongoing learning
- 19:25 — Lip Gloss & Aftershave: educational offerings for estheticians
- 20:48 — Social platforms and how to find more resources
Resources & Further Learning
- Lip Gloss & Aftershave Website: lipglossandaftershave.com
- Instagram: @lipglossaftershave
- Upcoming Facial Injectable Series: with Dr. Vincent Wong—educational resource for estheticians on facial anatomy and injectables.
Main Takeaways
- Regenerative aesthetics and protocol layering are leading the future of skincare.
- Peptides are the hot ingredient—especially in diverse delivery methods.
- Mental and emotional wellbeing are now a visible part of esthetic wellness.
- Estheticians’ roles are expanding, and collaboration with medical professionals is key.
- Community, education, and keeping informed are crucial for ongoing esthetician success.
This summary captures the heart of the episode, offering listeners a roadmap to both the latest trends and real-world strategies for improving their esthetic practice.
