In the UK market, for example, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing noted that the non-surgical cosmetic treatment industry had experienced “rapid growth”. An estimated 900,000 Botox injections are performed in the UK each year.
Meanwhile, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the use of botox and other neuromodulators increased by 73% between 2019 and 2022.
ASPS noted that Gen Zers were a growing market for these procedures, with botox injections for those 19 and younger growing by 9% between 2022 and 2023.
Figures from market intelligence service Mintel revealed that 23% of women aged 18-34 said they were interested in having Botox, compared to just 10% of Brits overall.
He said botox use is significantly higher among young people compared to the population as a whole, with one in seven Britons aged 25-34 saying they have tried botox.
It’s also worth noting that one of the most popular questions on Google this year was “why is Gen Z aging like milk?” The question was about the fact that more and more Gen Z-ers are starting to wonder why they looked older than their Millennial and Gen X peers when they were the same age. One of the reasons speculated for this perceived phenomenon is that this generation chooses to have these types of treatments at a much younger age.
More socially acceptable
“In recent years, we have seen increasing social acceptance of cosmetic procedures, from so-called non-invasive treatments such as Botox and vitamin and whitening injections, to more complex cosmetic surgery,” said Mintel Consulting senior consultant Vivienne Rudd. .
“As a result, we are seeing an evolution in the skin care landscape. Instead of simply referring to these treatments through product names and broad-brush claims, skin care companies are now creating products that are directly inspired by the ingredients and results of headline-grabbing procedures.”
Rudd said a great example is products inspired by the popular Rejuran Healer procedure in Asia Pacific, which uses DNA fragments called PDRNs to promote skin healing and rejuvenation.
“There is a Rejuran Healer Triple Radiance Ampoule brand that is designed to improve tone, texture and radiance thanks to DOT c-PDRN. There are also a small but growing number of Korean brands that are also using PDRN to promote these protective and skin-sensitive benefits,” he shared.
Rudd also said that this crossover influence from the beauty sector is also having an impact on Western markets and cited the recent deal between L’Oréal and Galderma as an example.
“The two companies have competing dermatology brands, but it is Galderma’s expertise in injectables that fuels the new partnership and will lead to new solutions for L’Oréal’s topical products,” he said.
Greater emphasis on preventive care
According to Gerry Muhle, head of global product strategy at Galderma, the two areas are converging as the dermatology self-care sector is “increasingly shaped by growing consumer awareness of skin health and a greater emphasis on preventative care.”
Muhle said people are now combining high-quality topical skin care with aesthetic treatments for a “holistic approach.”
“It’s not just about reactively dealing with problems, it’s about proactively maintaining and enhancing results,” he said.
“This integration is also fueled by the influential role of social media, which has normalized the blending of topical solutions with aesthetic procedures, driving patient focus on efficacy, prevention and holistic skin health.”
Muhle said Galderma is working to meet these needs, particularly focusing on holistic, comprehensive treatment with the Alastin line for example, which can be used both before and after cosmetic procedures to prepare the skin as well as improving and maintaining results.
“With our strong foundation in science and rich consumer heritage of more than 40 years, we are the only company of scale fully dedicated to dermatology, which uniquely positions us to bridge the gap between skin care and aesthetics,” he said.
“This integration is also enhanced by the influential role of social media, which has normalized the combination of local solutions with aesthetic processes
Gerry Muhle, Galderma
Technology with direct applications in dermatology
Earlier this year, Galderma announced a scientific collaboration with L’Oréal designed to leverage our complementary capabilities.
“This new research and development collaboration aims to pursue advanced, future technologies that have direct applications in the field of dermatology,” said Muhle.
“Our goal is to offer new combined levels of performance against the signs of skin aging. By working together, we can jointly develop new products that utilize our complementary technology expertise, ultimately helping to expand and strengthen our respective product portfolios,” he explained.
Muhle considered this to be “an exciting opportunity to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in dermatological science.”
He said Galderma is “particularly excited by developments in regenerative aesthetics, as it resonates with many of the trends shaping aesthetics today, including a preference for preventative, holistic care that works with the body’s natural processes.”
Galderma’s bulk injectable Sculptra, for example, is the first proven regenerative biostimulator to deliver progressive, natural-looking results that last over two years.
“These features appeal to a diverse and expanding patient base, including new customer groups that may not have been traditional users of esthetics,” Muhle continued.
This includes men, menopausal women, those experiencing the first signs of aging and want to maintain skin integrity by boosting collagen and elastin reservoirs, and people who notice facial changes after significant weight loss combined with the use of prescription weight management medications.
AR & AI will play a bigger role in the future
These ever-changing and fast-paced developments in the field of customization will continue to influence and influence the beauty and personal care industry and potentially open up new types of product development in this sector.
Technology is also likely to play a large role in this convergence.
Wayne Liu, president and CGO of beauty technology company Perfect Corp, pointed out that while more people are getting cosmetic surgery than ever before, not everyone is happy with the result.
“Recent surveys show that more than half end up regretting it, largely due to unfulfilled expectations,” Liu said.
Liu believes that AR and AI technology can play a bigger role here in giving people realistic predictions of the outcome before they undergo any kind of procedure or adjustment.
“More dermatologists and estheticians will use simulation technology to help their clients make more informed decisions about non-invasive facial treatments, resulting in increased satisfaction,” he said.
“Advanced AI and AR tools can provide hyper-realistic before-and-after images so customers know exactly what to expect from certain procedures and make informed decisions.”
Liu predicted that in 2025, more providers will “realize the potential of these technologies to reduce customer dissatisfaction and incorporate them into their practices.”
One thing is for sure if this area is an exciting area for future R&D.
