The International Congress of Esthetics and Spa (ICES) is an annual event held across multiple U.S. states – from California and Texas to Florida and Pennsylvania. Today, ICES is widely regarded as one of the most influential and prestigious events in the global aesthetics industry. This is where the latest scientific developments are showcased, from exosome-based technologies and advanced molecular formulations to next-generation device solutions.
ICES is far more than an expo – it is a professional platform where international skincare trends are born. The congress combines scientific lectures, live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and a technology exhibition. This unique format allows practitioners not only to learn the theory but also to observe techniques in action, compare approaches, and gain practical, real-world experience.
Over the course of two days, ICES 2025 transformed into a true arena of knowledge and innovation.
Global experts discussed chronic inflammation, skin-of-color considerations, psychodermatology, and barrier-focused treatment protocols.
Business sessions helped attendees understand how to grow from an entry-level esthetician into the owner of a clinical practice. Live demos featured new peels, device-based modalities, and next-generation treatments. Companies presented exosomal skincare and microencapsulated peels, while attendees exchanged insights and built new professional connections.
A special highlight of this year’s event was the Esthetician Edit podcast zone, hosted by Samantha Garcia, licensed esthetician and Managing Editor of Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa. Guests shared their impressions of the lectures and named the treatments they found most effective.
To better capture the atmosphere of ICES 2025 and understand which ideas truly resonated with practicing professionals, we spoke with Anastasiia Haraieva, a guest of the Esthetician Edit podcast and an ICES attendee. Anastasiia is a licensed esthetician at Omika Spa, Jacksonville, FL, member of the Esthetics Association Florida, specializing in acne and sensitive-skin care.
Anastasiia, which topics or sessions stood out to you as the most valuable?
“One of the key sessions for me was the presentation by Sash Moreaux, founder of Meaux Co, who focused on skin-of-color esthetics.
For estheticians working in Florida – with its multicultural client base – this information is essential. I made special note of her recommendations on gentle acid protocols for acne-prone women with higher Fitzpatrick phototypes. A significant portion of her presentation focused on facial rosacea and evidence-based strategies to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory complications. What made the lecture especially valuable was the balance between science and practice – she spoke not only about theory, but also shared clear, real-world treatment protocols.”
Which lecture inspired you the most from a professional standpoint?
“I was deeply inspired by the session from Jerri K. Hirst, founder of JKH Aesthetics (Mission Viejo, CA). Her career path is an example of how a licensed esthetician can grow into the owner of a medical aesthetics center.
She spoke about expanding treatment offerings, integrating medical-grade modalities, building strong patient communication strategies, and developing a recognizable brand.
For emerging estheticians, this is a powerful message: your career can grow not only inside the treatment room but also on the business side. Her story shows that aesthetics is no longer just ‘beauty care’ – it’s a full professional ecosystem where science, medicine, and entrepreneurship meet.”
One of the most talked-about presentations was by Dr. Maria Fedchuk and Medical Tech Systems US (MTS US). What were your impressions?
“It was especially meaningful to see Dr. Maria Fedchuk, a fourth-generation physician originally from Ukraine, representing cutting-edge innovations at ICES.
Under her leadership, MTS US develops protocols and technologies that are shaping the scientific direction of the industry. Dr. Fedchuk presented two groundbreaking developments: Purasomes™ – bovine colostrum–derived exosomes,
and Peeling System™ – a line of microencapsulated chemical peels.
These are not marketing concepts but clinically validated approaches to skin rebuilding.
Her newest innovation, ‘Exosomal Liquid Laser,’ immediately drew attention. It is an advanced skin-rebuilding protocol that combines exosomal complexes with other modern rejuvenation methods.
Exosomes are becoming one of the most promising directions in dermatology and aesthetics. For those of us who work with acne-prone or compromised skin, this is a genuine opportunity to see the future-where post-acne regeneration and recovery after aggressive procedures become faster, safer, and more predictable.”
Looking back at ICES 2025, what would you say is your biggest takeaway?
“I’m convinced that the future of aesthetics lies in non-invasive, barrier-focused methodologies.
Innovations like exosomes, microencapsulated peels, and AI-powered skin monitoring are no longer theoretical-they are actively entering treatment rooms.
For me, ICES 2025 demonstrated that our profession is entering a new era: moving from standard protocols to individualized care strategies, where innovation serves not trends, but long-term skin health.”
