Not too long ago, wellness meant chasing the latest workout obsession (think SoulCycle, Pilates or the Tracy Anderson Method) paired with matcha lattes, cold plunges and whatever the Goops, Pooshes and other lifestyle brands were hyping. Now, the focus has shifted: Living well means living longer (and looking younger while we’re at it). Today, we’ve entered an era where biohacking, new tech and regenerative treatments are converging to shape a new age of “longevity wellness.”
Aging, Upgraded
From tech billionaires like Bryan Johnson spending millions to turn back time, to celebrities slipping into clinics for IV drips, longevity is having a moment, and NAD+ is its buzziest biomarker. What once lived in the biohacker underground has gone mainstream, with everyone from professional athletes to wellness influencers chasing the promise of longer, sharper, younger-looking lives.
So, what is NAD+ and why is it suddenly everywhere? NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme naturally found in every cell of our bodies, and it’s key to how we age. “NAD+ supports mitochondrial function, enhances ATP production and activates mechanisms that regulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation,” says nutritional scientist Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, assistant professor of molecular pharmacology and physiology at the University of South Florida. “It’s the fuel that keeps our cells functioning properly, and we produce less as we age.
Low levels of NAD+ have been linked to dull skin, brain fog, slow metabolism and chronic fatigue. That’s why many high-profile figures are turning to NAD+ infusions. It’s believed to “support skin elasticity, brain function and metabolic health,” says Dr. D’Agostino.
Nutritionist and longevity expert Serena Poon, whose clientele includes industry leaders like Sofía Vergara and Kerry Washington, agrees. “NAD+ is essential for more than 400 enzymatic reactions in the body,” she says. “It plays a huge role in DNA repair, energy production and reducing oxidative stress, which are all critical for longevity. It’s gaining popularity for its ability to enhance dermal fibroblast function, improve skin hydration and stimulate collagen.”
NAD+ levels decrease by about 50 percent between ages 40 and 60.
Source: Nature Communications
Your Own Fat, Reimagined
If you’ve been hearing more about fat these days, you’re not imagining it. The “liquid gold” of regenerative treatments, fat is being used by more and more patients to enhance and restore areas of the body in ways that feel natural and longer-lasting. “I’m seeing more people electing for fat transfer to the breasts rather than implants,” says Atlanta plastic surgeon Teri Moak, MD. “It’s part of a larger holistic approach to body optimization. People like the idea of using their own fat—it’s natural.”
Fat grafting harvests fat from stubborn areas and reinjects it where volume is needed. It’s not new, but techniques have evolved. “You can’t just inject large amounts in one area,” explains Dr. Moak. “It has to be layered evenly so it integrates better and behaves like native tissue.”
The use of fat is now being refined further for the face, too, with nanofat, which comprises smaller, more processed particles. A 2022 study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that nanofat is rich in tissue repair and remodeling factors, supporting its beneficial effects on skin regeneration. “Not only does it restore volume, but it also improves skin quality,” says Dr. Moak.
Bryn Mawr, PA plastic surgeon Brannon Claytor, MD adds that when nanofat is combined with a deeper skin-resurfacing treatment like microneedling or a CO2 laser, the benefits go even further. “Patients heal faster and have less redness because of the cytokines and growth factors in the nanofat,” he says. “They act like rescue agents, calming inflammation and speeding recovery.”
Strong Is the Strategy
Looking younger is great, but staying strong is the real game changer. Muscle and cellular health are now key players in the longevity conversation. “We know that optimizing protein intake and engaging in progressive resistance training are two of the biggest factors influencing body composition and longevity,” says Dr. D’Agostino. “For peak performance, you need 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight and strength training two to four times a week.”
“Muscle is key, especially for patients on GLP-1 medications,” says Houston plastic surgeon Olga Bachilo, MD. “There’s been a growing need to preserve muscle during weight loss, and that’s where Emsculpt NEO plays a role in my practice. We use it to help patients maintain and build muscle as they lose weight.”
More Than Skin Deep
Once under the radar, treatments like PRP and exosomes are now central to the pursuit of vitality. “The aesthetics space is now focused on health span, not just life span,” says Dr. D’Agostino.
Even familiar treatments are proving more regenerative than we thought. “We’ve published data showing that Sculptra doesn’t just stimulate collagen; it activates your own fat cells,” says Miami dermatologist Jill Waibel, MD. “That’s a major finding. You’re signaling the body to regenerate fat in the right places.”
While many advocates are excited about these newer procedures, experts emphasize the importance of cautious optimism until more validated scientific studies become available. “There are many off-label devices and biologics being used without rigorous study,” adds Dr. Waibel. “Patients are seeing complications. We need to better educate on what’s truly safe and approved by the FDA.”
Still, we’re also learning that longevity doesn’t necessarily mean cutting edge. “One major misconception is that biohacking is only for tech elites or extreme longevity seekers,” says Poon. “In reality, it’s just mindful self- optimization—and we all engage in it to some degree.
