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Medical Aesthetics Industry: Trends Shaping a Growing Market

Medical Aesthetics Market Potential: Industry Trends Shaping the Future

Aesthetic medicine is a field that is experiencing steady growth worldwide. A significant driver for this thriving market is the rising societal focus on individual appearance, which is propelling an increased desire for aesthetic products, devices and procedures.

This growing demand is reshaping the healthcare landscape, as more and more medical practitioners, regardless of their specialties, engage in medical aesthetic practices. Producers of medical devices and products are also facing ever higher demands for their inventions.

The aesthetic medicine market is expected to continue to flourish, driven by factors such as increasing consumer awareness, technological advancements, increasingly diverse populations, and advancements in technology.

Top 6 industry trends in medical aesthetics

The growing medical aesthetics industry is currently characterized by six main trends. Factors affecting this field are many and diverse, however several developments currently have the largest impact on this booming industry:

1. Accessibility of aesthetic procedures and products

There is a growing demand for aesthetic medicine treatments around the world. The global aesthetic medicine market was valued at $82.46 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% from 2024 to 2030. This indicates a strong and increasing demand for aesthetic treatments on every continent.

In response to this demand, an increasing number of healthcare professionals are being authorized by state and provincial professional regulatory bodies to perform cosmetic procedures. This trend is not limited to board-certified dermatologists but includes a variety of healthcare practitioners, such as general physicians, nurses, and even dentists. The proliferation of med spas and the widespread use of medical aesthetics products have made these treatments more accessible than ever. However, this accessibility brings new ethical considerations that must be addressed to ensure patient safety and uphold the integrity of the healthcare professions. One of the most critical aspects is ensuring patients’ informed consent and informed choice. Patients must be fully aware of the risks, benefits, and potential outcomes of the procedures they are considering. Clear communication and thorough consultations are essential to help patients make well-informed decisions that align with their expectations and health needs. 

Governments, professional bodies and manufacturers must coordinate efforts to implement effective regulation of procedures, devices and products, and enforce recognition of patients’ rights in both clinical and trial settings.

2. Diversity of populations

The aesthetic medicine market has seen a significant expansion and diversification of consumer segments. For example, between 2000 and 2018, there was a 29% increase in males undergoing cosmetic procedures overall, with a 72% increase in minimally invasive procedures for this group.

In addition, the demand for aesthetic treatments is not limited to a single region. Countries like India and South Korea are seeing increased interest in procedures such as liposuction, nose reshaping, and botulinum toxin injections. India, for instance, was ranked among the top 5 countries performing non-surgical procedures globally in 2022. This evidence indicates that it is more important than ever that aesthetic medicine clinical trials be performed with respect to this diversity, and that the active participation of research participants from diverse genetic backgrounds is imperative to conducting ethical and effective trials. 

3. Ease and comfort of procedures

Another trend affecting the aesthetic medicine industry is the prioritization of the simplicity and comfort of procedures. Users are drawn to treatments that are comparatively easy to perform and offer a low-impact experience.

  1. Minimally invasive procedures: There is a growing preference for treatments with minimal downtime that use less invasive techniques. This includes procedures like mini facelifts, micro-liposuction, and non-surgical skin tightening treatments. Minimally invasive and non-invasive techniques typically offer more comfort and less downtime than their surgical alternatives.
  1. Combination procedures: Patients are opting for combined treatments that address multiple concerns in a single session, as these save time and reduce overall costs. This approach allows for a more holistic and efficient treatment experience.
  1. Focus on natural results: The trend towards enhancing natural beauty rather than dramatic transformations is driving the development of more subtle, comfortable procedures that don’t require extensive recovery periods.

4. At-home use of devices and products

A market report published in 2022 revealed that 81 percent of consumers are more accepting of noninvasive aesthetic treatments than they were five years ago. This shift in attitudes contributes to the growing demand for the types of products and treatments that can be used at home.

The most important ethical consideration related to this trend is the education of users, who need to be fully informed about the potential risks and consequences of self-administering cosmetic treatments, even those that are noninvasive.

Realistic expectations, both in terms of user well-being and the tangible results of a treatment, must be communicated for all products and devices available to the public, including hair removal technology, topical formulations and light and laser therapy for hair restoration.

5. Customized treatments by clinic professionals

We live in an age of personalization. In the context of medical aesthetic treatments, this means that procedures and products are evolving to meet consumer demand for customized treatments and results. It is no longer unusual to develop treatment plans that are tailored to individual needs, facial structures, body proportions, and skin types.

The adoption of customized aesthetic services can lead to more comfortable and satisfying experiences for patients. Aesthetic practitioners must protect the well-being of their patients at all times, ensuring that treatments are safe, effective, and personalized to meet individual needs. This commitment to patient care is essential for maintaining trust and delivering high-quality outcomes.

In parallel, the importance of high-quality aesthetic clinical trials to assess the efficacy of products, devices, and procedures, as well as their inter-compatibility, cannot be underestimated. Clinical research is crucial for testing and regulating all cosmetic equipment and products, including neuromodulators, dermal fillers, and injectable drugs. These trials must be conducted ethically, with research participants representing a diverse population that reflects a realistic segment of future users. Ethical clinical trials are essential for generating reliable data, ensuring patient safety, and preserving trust in the medical aesthetics industry.

By clearly distinguishing between clinical care and clinical research, we can ensure that both patients and research participants receive the highest standards of care and ethical consideration.

Quality research is crucial for testing and regulating all cosmetic equipment and products to preserve public trust in the medical aesthetics industry.

6. Technological advancements

The development of new technologies and innovative treatments is both driving and responding to the growing demand for aesthetic medicine procedures. These advancements are expected to enhance patient comfort and improve results. For example:

  • Virtual reality pain management can help patients during treatments involving injections or laser procedures, promoting relaxation before and after sessions.
  • Wearable skincare devices administer treatment compounds gradually throughout the day, increasing comfort and convenience.
  • New neuromodulator formulations offer longer-lasting and fast-acting results, come in ready-to-use liquid forms, and include stabilizers free from human or animal by-products.
  • Non-surgical skin treatments, such as fractional laser resurfacing and IPL, allow for highly precise treatments tailored to individual skin concerns, leading to more natural results. Treatments like ultrasound skin tightening and radiofrequency therapy stimulate collagen and elastin production, improving skin firmness and texture over time.
  • Laser treatments for acne target sebaceous glands to reduce oil production, offering long-lasting results through simple procedures. Blue light therapy devices, such as laser pens and LED wands, are non-invasive and popular for their convenience and ease of use at home.
  • AI diagnostics and 3D imaging enable more precise treatment planning, potentially reducing discomfort and improving outcomes.

As companies invest in developing advanced technologies, it is crucial that each procedure, product, and device undergo thorough testing to meet the increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. An established, globally-recognized biotech CRO like ethica plays a key role in ensuring the effectiveness and safety of each product. They provide the necessary evidence and research results to obtain regulatory approval, set realistic expectations, and establish procedural standards for manufacturers, clinics, and providers. 

The aesthetic medicine market depends on high-quality, ethical clinical trials

Trends in aesthetic medicine may evolve and shift, but the core goal remains the same: to enhance patient quality of life through effective, innovative cosmetic treatments. To achieve this goal and maintain consumer trust in this growing industry, it is essential that practitioners and users rely on products, devices, and procedures that have been rigorously tested by qualified CROs.

At ethica, we have extensive experience conducting ethically superior, complex clinical trial projects. With a unique research participant-centered approach to all aesthetic medicine trials, we are proud to be the first CRO in the world to have acquired HRPP accreditation. Our priority is to perform inclusive studies that adhere to the highest standards of medical ethics.

If you are searching for the right resource to test your product or device, we invite you to contact us  to find out how we can help you.

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