Millennials Are ‘Changing the Face of Medical Aesthetics’

Driven by a growing sense of wellness and self-care – particularly in younger consumers – interest in medical aesthetics treatments is at an all-time high, according to the results of a global study.

More than two-thirds (68%) of those surveyed in a worldwide medical aesthetics study conducted by Allergan said taking care of how they look and feel are important components of daily activities that can also include work, volunteering, and running errands. Over half (53%) of consumers globally would consider a non-invasive aesthetic treatment.

“We are a maintenance-focused society,” says Montreal surgeon Dr. Arthur Swift. “The same people who are committing to monthly gym memberships and private sessions with trainers are requesting facial injectable treatments.”

To develop the report released this month, Allergan tapped into more than 14,500 aesthetically conscious consumers and 1,300 medical aesthetic practitioners in 18 countries to explore the mindset and motivations of aesthetically conscious consumers across a variety of ages, races, cultures and genders.

Top concerns included facial lines or wrinkles around the eyes, with almost a third (32%) of consumers worldwide currently considering a facial injectable treatment.

More than half the millennials surveyed would consider a surgical or non-surgical intervention to enhance their appearance, with 61% agreeing their overall appearance impacts how successful they are in life. They are more motivated to make changes as part of their lifestyle choices.

“They use words like ‘preventative care,’” says San Diego dermatologist Dr. Sabrina Fabi. “We know there is an increasing desire for knowledge about facial injectables, skincare, and body treatments, and this eye-opening report will ultimately lead to more informed and honest conversations between practitioners and their patients.”

A Happy Marketplace

An article in The Aesthetics Channel supports many of the findings in the Allerghan report and concludes that today’s medical aesthetics is the fastest growing segment in the healthcare field.

“It is a happy marketplace and aesthetics is a very good field in which to run a medical business. If you do a really good job with your patients, then they tend to stay with you for a long time.” – Thomas A. Albright, CEO of Recros Medica

Jeffrey Frentzen writes that demand stems from increased public acceptance of medical aesthetics and safer, more effective non-invasive treatments. The field has seen a rising adoption of procedures among men, as well as millennials and younger generations thanks in part to the Internet, television and social media influencers.

Demand for the older groups such as Gen-X and Baby Boomers continues to grow but at a slower rate. Adults under 45 are nearly twice as likely to consider aesthetic procedures compared with those over 45.

Alisa Lask at Nestle Skin Health said, because of this growing interest in non-invasive procedures, “we’re expecting the market to double by 2025.”