The Shift Toward Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic procedures have gradually started to shed their previously associated stigma in recent years, as aesthetics continues to become an increasingly important aspect of daily life. According to studies, cosmetic procedures in the US grew by almost a quarter-million from 2017 to 2018, as a result of social media-based de-stigmatization, as well as rapid advancements in aesthetic technologies. Reports also claimed that expenditures of cosmetic surgeries crossed over $16.5 billion in 2018.

This dramatic rise in patient spending on cosmetic procedures has in turn generated promising prospects for the aesthetic medicine market in the years ahead. As more and more physicians work Botox injections and chemical peels into their treatment portfolios, primary care practitioners are coming to be viewed as potential partners for cosmetic specialists and plastic surgeons over the years.

The field of medical aesthetics is still an emerging medical trend. This trend is driven mainly by a rising focus of patients on minimizing the effects of normal aging. To that end, more and more patients in the modern medical landscape are turning toward faster and more non-invasive cosmetic procedures that have minimal downtime, as well as mitigated risk factors. Essentially, patients in present times are showing more preference for needle-based cosmetic procedures than scalpel-based surgical procedures.

Aesthetic medicine refers to those medical procedures aimed at enhancing not just the physical appearance, but the satisfaction of patients. This field of medicine usually involves non-invasive or minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, spanning facial aesthetics, such as skin rejuvenation and injectables, body contouring, hair removal, breast aesthetics, and tattoo removal, among others.

The Emergence of “Tweakments” as Preferred Cosmetic Procedures

Once considered to be inherently invasive and complex, cosmetic procedures are undergoing a significant transformation. With rapid advancements in the medical field, the prevalence of non-invasive procedures has started to grow at a remarkable pace in recent years. In a field where surgical procedures were historically dominant, tweakments have gradually started to make their mark as the preferred cosmetic treatment.

Tweakments are low-commitment, minor, and sometimes temporary treatments that are minimally invasive and deliver more natural looking results with little to no downtime.

One of the major reasons for the rising popularity of tweakments in recent years is the changing view of the medical aesthetics industry among consumers. While the “frozen face” look was the go-to outcome in the early 2000s, modern aesthetic patients are on the lookout for solutions that treat their problem areas with more natural results and at more economical price points. For example, customers looking to remove unwanted cellulite, who would have traditionally opted for laser-assisted liposuction or similar surgical procedures, are now turning to less invasive body contouring options such as ultrasound, cryolipolysis, and RF (radio frequency) treatments, which deliver the right amount of transformation with minimal downtime.

According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) in 2019, millennial populations are showing more propensity toward skin resurfacing cosmetic procedures like chemical peels and lasers. This was evidenced by the
39 percent rise in the number of skin treatments performed between 2018 to 2019.

One of the key trends in the aesthetic medicine industry is collagen banking. This trend is further popularized by the emergence of treatments such as Ultherapy. Studies suggest that more than 70 percent of Ultherapy patients are aged between 29-45 years. The therapy is gaining rapid traction over the years given the rising awareness among the younger populations regarding the benefits of investing in collagen banks for better long-term skincare. The non-invasive cosmetic procedure allows the skin to tighten and lift naturally, catering to patients looking for more natural-looking brow lifts and defined jawlines.

Technological Developments in Medical Aesthetic Devices

Technology is triggering transformation across myriad sectors, and medical aesthetics is no different. The emergence of technologically advanced medical aesthetic devices, especially, has paved the way for more seamless and streamlined cosmetic procedures in the modern era.

To illustrate, medical aesthetics device brand Pureskin recently unveiled a new combination technology, dubbed RESHAPE, involving a four-in-one device for aesthetics treatment, including vacuum, radiofrequency, LED, and soft laser administered through a single applicator. This device was followed by the introduction of various other similar tools to the range, including laser hair-removal solution EpiLase, LED solution Quantum with seven varying modes for face & body, as well as a Q-switched laser-based device, designed to generate powerful laser radiations in shorter emission times.

Source: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/aesthetic-medicine-market