When someone mentions biohacking, I typically want to roll my eyes. The toxic version looks like space bros and the carnivore diet. But if you look deeper, many biohacking practices are just science-backed wellness habits with a different name.
At its best, biohacking is a combination of ancient wisdom with innovative tech centered on longevity. And the new wave of beauty biohacking tailors these principles to your skin, hair, and overall glow. Often, aesthetic benefits can come alongside health benefits. Beauty biohacking is an intentional practice that keeps you looking and feeling your best for as long as possible.
Experts Uncover the Truth Behind Beauty Biohacking
Beauty biohacking is relatively new, and dermatologists are discovering new ways to promote longevity and vitality on a cellular and aesthetic level. As these innovations are tested, they make their way into products from creams and serums to beauty tech and in-office treatments.
“Beauty biohacking goes beyond traditional health and wellness, appealing to those who want to enhance energy, focus, longevity, anti-aging, and overall well-being,” says Lauren Berlingeri, Co-CEO of HigherDOSE, a brand that has been making biohacking trendy and accessible for years. “I think of it as daily bioindividual lifestyle optimizations, using technology with ancient rituals. Like personalized nutrition plans based on epigenetics or lifestyle adjustments based on bloodwork results or wearable tech biometrics.”
“I think of [beauty biohacking] as daily bioindividual lifestyle optimizations, using technology with ancient rituals.”
To uncover the latest developments in beauty biohacking to help you look and feel your best, I spoke with a range of experts—both dermatologists and beauty brand founders—about what beauty biohacking is, how to implement it into your life, and how to spot misinformation.
What is beauty biohacking?
Beauty biohacking, at its core, is rooted in implementing intentional habits that create a nourishing lifestyle. While the goal is to see changes physically, it starts with addressing internal and external concerns through daily habits that support your body’s functions.
“It’s not just about ‘fixing my face’ with interventionary methods,” says Berlingeri. “It’s about leveraging biohacking techniques to support natural beauty and slow aging at the cellular level.”
Dr. Nathan Newman, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist, advises that beauty biohacking shouldn’t just be about following trends. Instead, your approach should be “personalized to your specific needs by recruiting your natural repair and regenerative systems to promote healthy skin and hair.”
Why You Should Try Beauty Biohacking
Dr. Shuting Hu, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Acaderma, emphasizes beauty biohacking’s proactive and preventative approach. When it comes to beauty biohacking, targeting your specific skin concerns earlier helps amplify any treatments. For example, if you’re prone to melasma or sun spots, knowing earlier can help you come up with a treatment plan before any negative effects occur.
“By understanding how the skin and body react to certain ingredients and external factors, beauty biohacking allows us to target the root causes rather than just symptoms,” says Dr. Hu. “This can include using products designed to enhance the skin’s natural regeneration process or adopting lifestyle habits that complement and amplify skincare effects.”
Beauty Biohacking Benefits
Beauty biohacking isn’t just about anti-aging—it’s about developing a deeper understanding of your skin. “With the right methods, you can achieve visible results, like improved skin elasticity, hydration, and an overall radiant complexion,” says Dr. Hu.
Dr. Newman cites the following beauty biohacking benefits:
- Reduced inflammation
- Rejuvenated skin
- Faster wound healing
- Hair growth
- Natural radiance
- Increased skin elasticity
- Boosted collagen production
- Smoother skin texture
- Improved overall well-being
“By optimizing biological processes to boost cellular health and resilience to environmental stressors, beauty biohacking addresses the underlying causes of aging rather than merely masking imperfections,” he says.
How to Start Beauty Biohacking at Home
To get the most from this practice, incorporate what works for you into your lifestyle. “By being lifestyle-oriented, you’re more likely to achieve natural beauty that stands the test of time,” says Berlingeri.
If you’re curious about getting started, she recommends starting small, now. “Start with a cold water rinse in the morning to reduce puffiness and tighten pores, followed by a facial massage using a jade roller or your hands to boost circulation and sculpt your face.”
Focusing on hydration—from every angle—helps boost that lit-from-within glow. “Electrolytes, a good hydrating serum, and sleeping with your head elevated to reduce fluid buildup and puffiness,” says Berlingeri.
From new science-backed products to must-try treatments, beauty biohacking is also a way to experiment with the latest the skincare and wellness worlds have to offer. Biohacking can look different for everyone, and it’s about finding what’s right for you.
The Latest Beauty Biohacking Treatments
According to Dr. Newman, the latest beauty biohacking treatments include “collagen-stimulating therapies, light therapy, nutrient supplementation, stem cell-based treatments, and regenerative skincare products.”
In-office beauty biohacking treatments are also gaining traction. Ahead, discover the dermatologist-approved trends worth exploring.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are self-renewable cells, and they’re making waves in the aesthetics space. Dr. Newman has been using them in beauty treatments for over 20 years in his Stem Cell Lift procedure. Unlike artificial fillers, the procedure enhances cellular health and supports ongoing rejuvenation.
“By harvesting and injecting stem cells from your own fat tissue, this procedure regenerates the tissues as it stimulates collagen production, repairs damaged tissue, and improves skin tone and texture.”
From stem cell serums to microneedling treatments with stem cells, they can be incorporated into many different parts of your routine to boost radiance and turn back the clock.
Collagen-Stimulating Treatments
You might have heard of the vampire facial, which uses samples of your own blood to boost collagen production, repair damaged cells, and enhance elasticity. The secret is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), biohacking methods that use platelets, the body’s natural healing factors, to rejuvenate skin. They are also more effective when paired with exosomes.
“Platelets are the first responders to injury, and thus the best source of messages to respond to an injury,” explains Dr. Mary Lupo, board-certified dermatologist, cosmetic educator, and trainer. In her practice, she uses platelets to improve and renew aging or inflamed skin. Patients see improved texture, decreased redness, and increased dewiness.
Light Therapy
You’ve heard of red light, but that’s not the only way to use light to biohack your beauty routine. Dr. Newman breaks down the nuances between these different types of light.
- Red light penetrates deeply to stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve skin texture, making it popular for anti-aging and healing.
- Green light focuses on calming and balancing, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone.
- Purple light, a combination of red and blue wavelengths, addresses acne and blemishes by reducing bacteria while promoting skin repair and soothing irritation.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy
PEMF Therapy is used in beauty treatments to reduce free radicals and promote relaxation. The low-frequency electromagnetic pulses stimulate skin rejuvenation and overall wellness. This non-invasive treatment can be used for everything from chronic pain to depression.
Hot & Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapies are, no pun intended, super hot right now. Both treatments popular for biohacking because they’re super accessible. Anyone can start their day with a cold shower or work up a sweat. As a beauty biohacking method, they’re great for detoxification and glowing skin all over. If you want to take it up a notch, Dr. Newman explains what to try.
- Infrared Saunas. These saunas use infrared light to penetrate the skin, promoting detoxification, improving circulation, and enhancing skin health.
- Cryotherapy. Exposing the body or face to sub-zero temperatures can reduce puffiness, enhance circulation, and tighten pores.
- Cold Plunge. Cold plunging (immersion in cold water) triggers the release of endorphins and norepinephrine which can boost mood, increase mental clarity, strengthen the immune system, support fat loss by activating brown fat, and enhance overall energy levels.
Dr. Newman advises consulting a doctor before trying hot and cold therapy as both treatments are not for everyone.
Supplements and Nutrients
According to Dr. Newman, “Antioxidants (vitamin C), mitochondrial support (NAD+), and senolytics (quercetin) are popular in beauty biohacking for their role in supporting skin structure and fighting oxidative damage.” Dr. Hu is also a fan of NAD+, which is one of the latest wellness and beauty biohacking trends. “NAD+ treatments help boost cellular repair and slow visible aging signs,” she says. Supplements are an easy way to ease into beauty biohacking by supporting your body and optimizing your glow.
