IMCAS 2025 Highlights Aesthetic Practitioners Should Know About

IMCAS 2025 - aka the International Master Course on Ageing Science World Congress - took place in Paris, France from 30th January to 1st February.

This is an esteemed aesthetic medicine conference that provides ‘a global overview of the latest breakthroughs and innovations in our community’. Covering plastic surgery, dermatology and non-surgical cosmetic interventions, it’s a hub of news and knowledge sharing from around the world.

We were privileged to have three members of our Board involved in the IMCAS 2025 schedule. Dr Tristan Mehta - our Founder and CEO - who launched our latest project, Dr Marcus Mehta, our CMO, who gave various talks on aesthetics marketing and treatment approaches, plus Professor Sebastian Cotofana. Prof Cotofana is our Academic Director and he took a number of cadaver workshops exploring facial anatomy. 

In case you missed out, here’s some intel from IMCAS 2025 that we believe will be of most interest to aesthetic practitioners.

Three big launches at IMCAS World Congress 2025

There were three key announcements at IMCAS 2025, that were of particular interest to the non-surgical aesthetics community.

Allergan Aesthetics Signature programme announced

Industry titan, Allergan Aesthetics announced its new AA Signature programme. This initiative is around supporting aesthetic practitioners in providing holistic, multi-area treatment plans using Allergan products. The company describes it as “an innovative approach to treatment planning harnessing the power of Allergan Aesthetics' advanced product portfolio to address patient needs and treat for outcomes.”

In an official press release, Allergan states, “The AA Signature programme stems from compelling research demonstrating the benefits of holistic treatments. Clinics utilising treatment plans addressing multiple areas of the face see a 68% higher retention rate compared to those that focus on one area per treatment. By integrating Allergan Aesthetics' advanced facial portfolio, the AA Signature programme aims to empower healthcare professionals to deliver holistic, personalised treatment plans, while maximizing patient satisfaction and loyalty.”

The new AA Signature programme focuses on three main areas - lift, definition and skin quality. These will be gradually added to following the launch. Allergan provided the following statistics to back their targeting of specific concerns for a multi-area approach:

• Patients long for a lifted and more defined appearance with 9 in 10 people interested in a holistic plan targeting multiple areas of the face
• More than 1 in 3 patients seek an improved chin, jawline or side profile
• 94% of people want to improve their facial skin quality and 1 in 2 people worry about their facial skin texture or tone.

Launch of GEM by Harley Academy - the Global Evidence Matrix

Thanks to our hosts at Prollenium, Dr Tristan Mehta shared the IMCAS stage with industry legends including Dr Arthur Swift and Dr Frank Rosengaus. He introduced the audience to GEM by Harley Academy - the Global Evidence Matrix. 

This was its international reveal ahead of a global rollout period starting with our Level 7 Diploma in Cosmetic Injectables trainees in February.

Dr Tristan said of his IMCAS 2025 experience, “It was an honour to present our vision for a safer, more standardised, evidence-led approach to aesthetic medicine at IMCAS. The sheer scale of the Congress is incredibly impressive and it was an invaluable opportunity to learn more about what’s going on in our industry, from new developments and research to what concerns practitioners are coming up against. From the talks and presentations to the vast, international networking opportunities, if you get the chance to attend this type of conference, I’d highly recommend doing so.”

We’ve already written extensively about GEM so if you’d like to find out more about this world-first educational innovation in safe aesthetic practice, read on!

Galderma reveals latest trial data for long-lasting, rapid-onset neurotoxin

Swiss pharmaceutical company, Galderma unveiled its phase IIIb clinical trial data for its new neurotoxin, RelabotulinumtoxinA at IMCAS 2025. This is designed to treat moderate to severe glabellar lines and lateral canthal lines. 

Named ‘Relfydess’, Galderma says the product offers a rapid onset, with results becoming noticeable from Day 1. This is coupled with long-lasting results.

Talking about these late-stage results from its ‘RELAX’ clinical trial, focused on frown lines, Galderma explained via press release: 

‘First results from the phase IIIb RELAX clinical trial reinforce the high and sustained efficacy of single treatment of RelabotulinumtoxinA (RelfydessTM) for moderate to severe frown lines (glabellar lines) beyond 6 months… Data also shows high and sustained patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes and appearance beyond 6 months.’

Highlighting key findings relating to this glabella-specific trial, it states:

• Results supported a fast onset of aesthetic improvement at Day 1 (40%; subject-reported) and a duration of effect through 6 months
• Subject satisfaction with treatment and appearance was also high, with 92% of subjects satisfied with treatment outcome at Month 1, 69% satisfied at Month 6, and 60% still satisfied at Month 12
• Furthermore, at both Month 6 and at Month 12, more than 50% of subjects reported that they had increased self-confidence and looked great for their age, highlighting sustained benefits of RelabotulinumtoxinA over time
• Investigators reported high rates of ≥1-grade improvement from baseline, with the highest responder rates at Month 1 (98%), and improvement in GL severity maintained through Month 6 (57%) and Month 9 (28%)
• RelabotulinumtoxinA continues to be well tolerated with no treatment-related serious adverse events.

The press release expands, ‘RelabotulinumtoxinA is the first and only ready-to-use liquid neuromodulator created with PEARL Technology that is designed to preserve molecule integrity to deliver a highly active, innovative, complex-free molecule. 

‘Previously announced data from the phase III READY clinical trial programme demonstrated rapid onset as soon as Day 1 (reported by up to 39% of subjects) and long-lasting efficacy for 6 months (maintained by up to 75% of subjects) when using RelabotulinumtoxinA to treat frown lines and crow’s feet (lateral canthal lines).’

Phase III is the penultimate stage of clinical trials before the drug is sent for FDA approval. 

Currently, the only toxin boasting a rapid onset and longer staying power is Nuceiva by Evolus. This is FDA-approved for ‘the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown (glabellar lines), when the severity of the above facial lines has an important psychological impact in adults below 65 years of age’. This prabotulinumtoxinA neurotoxin is known as Jeuveau in the USA.

Trending topics in cosmetic injectables

At a conference on the scale of IMCAS 2025, there are always plenty of talks to attend, research presentations to view and trends to ascertain. Here are just a few of the trending topics we noted, specifically relating to cosmetic injectables, which should interest aesthetic practitioners…

• PLA fillers
• Jawline filler techniques
• Combination treatments - the ‘multimodal’ approach.

PLA fillers 

A number of the cosmetic injectables talks centred on PLA fillers, with a couple of note being as follows.

The efficacy of Poly-D,L-Lactic Acid (PDLLA) in skin rejuvenation for menopausal women session was taken by Dr Barbara Kubicka. She noted that PDLLA fillers offer a potentially more ‘sustained and natural-looking rejuvenation, which is particularly beneficial for the delicate and ageing skin of menopausal women. Furthermore, the biocompatibility and minimal side effect profile of PDLLA make it a superior alternative to traditional dermal fillers and invasive surgical procedures. The comparative analysis with HA fillers and threads highlights PDLLA's advantages in achieving more durable and effective skin rejuvenation.’

You can read more about effective ways to support your peri and post-menopausal patients in our article, Rejuvenating Menopausal Skin.

Dr Kaitlyn Enright spoke about evaluating techniques of injecting Poly-L-Lactic Acid for the aesthetic improvement of the temporal fossae, noting ‘PLLA is a safe and effective treatment for improving the aesthetic appearance of the temporal fossae. Aesthetic improvement can be maximized using an extended injection technique.’

Jawline filler techniques

Whilst the mid-face and lips tend to take the lion’s share of the spotlight, we noticed a new focus on the jaw at IMCAS 2025. Topics pertaining to this area included the use of threads and plastic surgery. From a non-surgical perspective, Dr Evgeniya Shelemba spoke about ‘Demystifying SMAS, muscles of lower third of the face and injection techniques for precision and natural results’.

Find out more about jaw filler injection techniques and approaches, by exploring our range of articles on this topic.

Combination treatments - the ‘multi-modal’ approach

The rising popularity of the multi-modal approach - as opposed to the multi-area approach, which is also trending - is hard to miss. 

This is something Harley Academy has always backed and is taught in our Level 7+ course. By combining our prestigious botox and filler course, the Level 7 Diploma in Cosmetic Injectables with our Cosmetic Dermatology Course, you’ll develop a holistic knowledge that offers numerous patient and commercial benefits. 

By completing the Level 7+ you’ll earn a JCCP-approved and Ofqual-regulated Diploma qualification. On top of that, you’ll receive certification in a range of skin treatments, including polynucleotides and microneedling.

IMCAS World Congress 2025 had an entire session dedicated to the combination approach, with talks including:

• Dr Adriana Rodriguez Valera discussed a ‘protocol that combines fractional radiofrequency with microneedles with polynucleotide injection for the treatment of skin quality and facial sagging’
• Concentrating on neck rejuvenation, Dr Nadine Hamada Moustafa advised, ‘With mild to moderate sagging with strong platysma combining biostimulator with toxin is very effective. Also, lasers & thread lifts are very effective. Always start from deep to superficial with the neck (subcutaneous fat dissolve, then botulinum toxin for the muscle, then skin enhancers and biostimulators). Keep in mind with advanced laxity, muscle laxity surgery remains the best option’
• Dr Smith Arayaskul talked about ‘Multimodal strategies for addressing aesthetic patients’ status-driven concerns’. This was a literature review examining the relationship between ‘facial structure, skin quality, and social class perception across various racial and cultural backgrounds’ and ‘how these factors influence perceptions of professionalism, status, and luxury’. The session explored how to apply this knowledge in clinical practice, focusing on ‘non-surgical multimodal approaches to help patients achieve a more professional and elevated social appearance’.

Other IMCAS 2025 talking points

• Exosomes: A full session and more was dedicated to discussions around exosomes in aesthetic medicine. This included talks on aspects ranging from the science behind exosomes, their role in ‘regenerative medicine’, and an exploration of complications, to clinicians sharing their clinical experiences. There were also talks on plant-derived exosomes and comparing microneedling versus fractional CO2 laser delivery methods
• Profhilo® Structura: Profhilo® held live Structura treatment demonstrations to showcase its groundbreaking regenerative properties to an international audience. The adipose tissue restoration injectable was launched first in the UK, in 2024. Harley Academy is the exclusive UK Profhilo training partner and offers authorised courses in both Profhilo® and Structura. 
• Polynucleotides remained a hot topic: Croma, the brand used on Harley Academy’s Polynucleotides Training Course changed its product range name from PhilArt to PolyPhil. Among the various discussions were talks on:
• - Use of polynucleotides to improve patients’ skin and increase their satisfaction rates
• - Polynucleotides and amino acids for the tear trough
• - A new protocol using fractional radiofrequency microneedling and polynucleotides
• Men’s increasing use of cosmetic injectables: From ‘prejuvenation’ for young men to the anatomical variances and differences in approach to help maintain a masculine appearance when treating male injectable patients, this trend definitely got some air time at the Congress
• Use of injectables for gender-affirming care: A presentation on facial contouring for transgender patients was made by Dr Alexander Rivkin. Talking about gender-affirming care, he stated, ‘Non surgical procedures have an important role prior to surgery. They also have a role in refining the outcomes of surgery. Finally, they have a critical role in maintaining the patient's ability to pass.’ His talk detailed the ‘anatomic and aesthetic aspects of the masculine and feminine face, as well as strategies for non surgical feminisation and masculinisation’
• Use of AI in aesthetics: Whilst this largely referred to artificial intelligence in dermatology and for skin improvements, there were discussions as to how AI may be harnessed for treatment mapping and predicting outcomes.

You can browse many of the abstracts from IMCAS World Congress 2025 on the event’s website. 

All information correct at time of publication