Mosaics from the IMCAS 2026 Industry Symposia

The Paris IMCAS congress continues to be one of the most important international meeting points in non-surgical aesthetics. Based on the industry symposia of the 2026 program, several shifts in professional emphasis can be clearly identified. No radically new techniques appeared; rather, it is the mindset that is changing: instead of a volume-replacement-centered approach, tissue quality, biostimulation, and combined strategies are increasingly coming to the forefront.

Below, we summarize the most distinctive directions.

“Hybrid Regeneration” as a New Framework

One of the most frequently emphasized terms was regeneration and its hybrid approach.

The IBSA Group symposium titled “NAHYCO® FULL FACE: the new frontier of hybrid regeneration” took place within the IMCAS 2026 program with a live injection demonstration. The emphasis was not simply on volumization, but on the simultaneous improvement of structural support and tissue quality.

The focus thus shifts from replacing volume to shaping the quality of the tissue environment. Communication is increasingly centered on supporting the extracellular matrix, improving the dermal environment, and adopting a more complex approach to facial aesthetic harmony.

Sources:
IMCAS program – IBSA symposium [1]
IBSA official IMCAS 2026 report [2]

Biostimulators: increasing emphasis on body indications

Over recent years, the use of biostimulators has gradually expanded beyond the facial area. At IMCAS 2026, this direction was further reinforced.

In its congress communication, Galderma highlighted results related to Sculptra® in body indications. The communication included data regarding improvements in firmness, changes in the appearance of cellulite, and contour enhancement.

The stronger presence of body indications suggests that biostimulatory thinking is moving beyond a face-centered paradigm. From the demand side, this is understandable: patients think not only in terms of facial rejuvenation but in overall body harmony.

Source:
Galderma IMCAS 2026 communication [3]

Shorter Duration Botulinum Toxin – A Development Direction

From a professional standpoint, perhaps one of the most interesting development directions is the concept of a shorter-duration botulinum toxin.

At IMCAS 2026, Allergan Aesthetics presented data on the development of TrenibotulinumtoxinE (BoNT-E). According to official communication, the goal is faster onset of action and shorter clinical duration.

This approach may be interesting from several perspectives: in certain indications it could allow greater control and more flexible treatment planning. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that this is in a development and regulatory phase, and therefore cannot be considered a routinely available therapy.

Sources:
AbbVie IMCAS 2026 press material [4]
IMCAS program – Allergan symposium [5]

Polynucleotides: repositioning the “Booster” category

Polynucleotide-based treatments have been steadily present in non-surgical aesthetics in recent years, but based on the IMCAS 2026 program, their positioning is further expanding.

The PharmaResearch Products symposium discussed PN therapy not only in a hydrating or “skin booster” role, but also in the context of pigmentation disorders, rosacea, and barrier dysfunction.

This indicates that communication surrounding PN treatments is increasingly moving toward a regenerative and inflammation-modulating direction. At the same time, clinical implementation continues to require careful consideration, particularly with regard to indications and levels of evidence.

Source:
IMCAS session page – PharmaResearch symposium [6]

Exosomes and Combined Approaches

The topic of exosomes also appeared in a dedicated industry symposium.

The Sesderma IMCAS program specifically focused on the aesthetic application of exosomes. In addition, the congress e-program included a presentation discussing microneedling and exosome-based combinations.

Professional discourse surrounding exosomes is currently in a strongly developing phase. The regulatory environment, the level of evidence, and issues of standardization remain relevant; therefore, the topic should be interpreted more as a development and research direction rather than as a routinely applied standard.

Sources:
IMCAS program – Sesderma symposium [7]
IMCAS 2026 e-program [8]

Energy-Based Devices: platform thinking

Energy-based systems were naturally strongly represented as well.

At IMCAS 2026, Candela Medical introduced the Glacē™ system and highlighted several of its platforms. Communication centered on combinability and complex treatment strategies.

This is consistent with the market trend according to which aesthetic treatments rarely rely on a single modality. Injectable and energy-based therapies appear in complementary roles.

Source:
Candela IMCAS 2026 press release [9]

Featured Industry Block: jetema – Exosome “Glass Skin” and Neck–Shoulder Silhouette

The IMCAS 2026 industry program also included the Jetema symposium, which addressed several current market directions.

According to the session program, focus areas included exosome-based skin quality improvement (“glass skin” concept) as well as aesthetic treatment of the neck–shoulder region, including silhouette refinement and structural approaches. Communication pointed toward natural contouring, tissue quality, and combined injectable strategies.

The aesthetic treatment of the neck–shoulder region is noteworthy, as contour correction beyond the face is increasingly becoming part of a comprehensive aesthetic perspective.

Here as well, communication clearly illustrated how the narrative of skin quality increasingly appears in an aesthetic-lifestyle context.

Source:
IMCAS World Congress 2026. Jetema Symposium. [10]

Conclusion

Based on the IMCAS 2026 industry symposia, the focus was not on revolutionary technical innovations, but rather on the strengthening of a more mature and nuanced professional way of thinking.

The emphasis is clearly on regeneration and tissue quality, while the indication spectrum of biostimulation is gradually expanding, particularly toward body areas. In addition, new active-concept developments — such as shorter-duration toxins — are emerging in development phases, while combined, platform-based treatment strategies are increasingly becoming foundational thinking.

The focus of non-surgical aesthetics is thus increasingly shifting toward long-term tissue response, structural support, and conscious treatment planning. This perspective is likely to define the professional direction of the coming years.

The mosaics of the IMCAS symposia are therefore interesting not in themselves, but within the professional trajectory that points toward a more deliberate, structured, and long-term-oriented aesthetic mindset.

The industry blocks of IMCAS 2026 signal not a technological revolution, but a consolidation of perspective.