The popularity of aesthetic procedures has exploded and shows no sign of leveling off. Statistics gathered by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) note that non-surgical aesthetic procedures performed in the U.S. in 2017 rose by 186% since 2000, reaching an annual 15.7 million procedures last year.
While the number of procedures performed may be growing annually, not all medical aesthetic practices will thrive. To stay at the forefront of both patient satisfaction and business success, clinics must anticipate consumer demand and constantly evaluate their mix of services with an eye to results, client response, and financial factors. This is where being abreast of the most recent aesthetic trends comes into play.
To help you keep your finger on the pulse, the following are three of the top five trends to watch in 2018.
Skin Tightening Is Gaining Attention
Addressing mild to moderate skin laxity and providing a more youthful appearance with little to no downtime, skin tightening treatments are performed with devices that direct energy to the deepest layers of the skin to boost collagen and elastin production and, in turn, improve tone and texture. Among the common modalities are ultrasound, radio frequency (RF), and intense pulsed light (IPL). Some devices may offer combination modalities as well, such as Venus Concept devices that utilize a synergistic combination of Multi-Polar Radio Frequency and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields (PEMF), which enhances the effect of the radio frequency energy.
Non-surgical skin tightening procedures grew by a healthy 9% in 2017 and they are poised to continue to grow in popularity, thanks to continuing innovations in treatment technology and improved clinical results. If your practice is not sharing in the growth of this treatment area, start by researching device options, capital and consumables costs, and the services your competitors are offering.
Consumers Are Saying So Long to Cellulite
Cellulite is one of consumers’ top concerns, with the number of cellulite reduction treatments performed jumping 19% last year alone. However, despite the popularity in treatments, not all consumers feel these treatments are the same and rightfully so—cellulite often has multiple connected causes, and most treatments only address one.
While subdermal laser treatments were the first to receive FDA approval, these treatments remain very expensive and time-consuming, making them a much harder sell to prospective patients looking for a quicker fix. For these patients, a custom Venus Legacy™ treatment plan may be the answer. An advanced solution for cellulite reduction, this device utilizes a combination of PEMF, Multi-Polar RF, and targeted suction technologies to both stimulate collagen and elastin production and reduce fatty deposits. The result: firmer skin and the reparation of the tissues causing cellulite’s signature bands and dimples.
Fat Reduction Is Not a Fad
As the ASPS statistics note, the popularity of non-surgical fat reduction procedures rose 7% last year. These treatments include injections, cryolipolysis, and ultrasound.
The popularity of these therapies demonstrates the strong appeal of non-invasive procedures with minimal to no discomfort or downtime over options such as liposuction. However, there are limitations to many device and treatment options in this area, such as affordability to the patient (one of the top reasons patients hesitate to agree to a treatment plan), efficacy in cases where more extensive fat reduction is required, or the inability to firm sagging skin while also removing fat. In many cases, it may be ideal to offer a combination of traditional fat reduction and advanced body contouring treatments to effectively achieve substantial results while better assuring patient comfort and satisfaction.
With robust demand for fat reduction treatments likely to continue and consumer interest growing in other body contouring modalities, such as radio frequency and laser, this is an area worth serious consideration for any successful medical aesthetics clinic.
The Bottom Line
Listening to consumer demand and positioning your clinic ahead of the curve in key growth areas is imperative to overall business success. With the Global Medical Aesthetics Market Report forecasts market growth at a compound annual rate of 12.8% from 2017 to 2024, are you positioned to be among the winners?
Get informed today and set your clinic up for business success. Download our essential report, The Top Medical Aesthetic Trends You Need to Know in 2018, to get more details on the top minimally invasive and non-invasive aesthetic treatments projected to thrive in 2018, and see what top five services accounted for 84% of all performed procedures in 2017.
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