Unlocking the beauty of the Medical Aesthetics and Medical Devices sector

Sadie Meadows, our specialist executive search consultant working in the medical aesthetics and medical devices sectors, provides some insight into the market and its future growth plans.

The medical aesthetics and medical devices sector has seen strong growth in recent years, driven by an increasing demand for tailored and easily accessible healthcare solutions. The rise of consumerisation of healthcare has been the ultimate driver, greatly influencing the direction of the sector. As technologies, product offerings, and the regulatory landscape evolve, it is important to examine the current state of the industry in order to identify potential opportunities for investment.

Overview of Medical Aesthetics and Medical Devices

Medical aesthetics and medical devices encompass products used for cosmetic and medical purposes, such as skin repair, aesthetic enhancement, tissue repair, pain management, and many other medical purposes. The medical aesthetics and medical devices sector includes a wide range of products, from medical equipment and instruments to implants, fillers, and injectables for aesthetic enhancement. As such, it straddles both the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

The medical aesthetics and medical devices industry is rapidly growing, with new products and technologies being developed to meet the needs of consumers. In addition, the industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies striving to create innovative products that offer superior results. As a result, the industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, providing a wide range of products and services to meet the needs of consumers.

Industry Growth and Demand

The global medical aesthetics and medical devices market is projected to reach a value of $43.32 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of +9% from 2020 to 2026. The high market valuation can be attributed to the rising demand for minimally invasive procedures and personalised healthcare solutions. Furthermore, the expanding elderly population, increasing availability of advanced technologies, and rapid globalisation are some of the key drivers behind the growth in this sector.

The medical aesthetics and medical devices market is expected to witness a surge in demand due to the growing awareness of aesthetic treatments and the increasing acceptance of cosmetic procedures. Additionally, the rising disposable income of consumers, the growing demand for aesthetic treatments, and the increasing number of medical tourism destinations are some of the other factors driving the growth of this market.

Market Size and Share

The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global medical aesthetics and medical devices market in terms of market size and share. This is due to a large population base coupled with a high degree of acceptance of minimally invasive procedures in countries such as China, India, and South Korea. Furthermore, increasing investment in R&D and expansion of the healthcare infrastructure are some of the other factors driving growth in the region.

In addition, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, is expected to drive the demand for medical aesthetics and medical devices in the region. Moreover, the growing awareness about the benefits, coupled with the increasing disposable income of the population, is expected to further fuel the growth of the market in the region.

Major Players in the Global Market

The global medical aesthetics and medical devices market is dominated by multinational players such as Allergan plc, Alma Lasers, Cynosure, In Galderma SA, In Mode, Cutera, Johnson & Johnson Inc., Invasix Aesthetic Solutions Inc., Syneron Medical Ltd., Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA,, Main Healthcare Solutions Ltd., Sinclair Pharma Ltd., LGC Limited, DFK Holdings Ltd., Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists Ltd., Smith & Nephew plc, Revance Therapeutics Inc., GC Aesthetics plc, Photogen Inc., Solta Medical Inc., Galderma Laboratories Ltd., and Mentor Worldwide LLC.

These companies are constantly innovating and developing new products and services to meet the changing needs of the global medical aesthetics and medical devices market. They are also investing heavily in research and development to stay ahead of the competition. Additionally, these companies are also focusing on strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand their product portfolio, enter new markets and increase their reach.

Factors Driving Medical Aesthetics & Medical Devices Sector Development

The factors driving the development include rising awareness of personalised healthcare treatments, increasing disposable incomes which enable access to advanced treatments, advances in technology allowing improved safety and convenience for consumers, changes in lifestyles leading to increased health awareness, growing prevalence of skin diseases due to air pollution and climate change, as well as advancing treatments such as stem cells.

In addition, the sector is being driven by the increasing demand for minimally invasive treatments, the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures, and the emergence of new technologies such as 3D printing and robotics. These advances are allowing for more precise and efficient treatments, as well as improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand for personalized treatments, as well as a growing acceptance of medical aesthetics and medical devices in the mainstream.

Emerging Trends

The emerging trends in the sector are increasing popularity of smart devices and home-based treatments, advancements in energy-based devices, advancements in biofabrication and tissue engineering technologies, efforts towards the development of injectable robotic systems for minimally invasive procedures and advanced laser technologies, as well as novel injectable systems.

In addition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is becoming increasingly popular in the medical aesthetics and medical device industry. AI and ML are being used to develop more accurate and personalized treatments, as well as to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the use of 3D printing is becoming more widespread in the medical device industry, allowing for the production of custom-made medical devices and implants.

Challenges Facing the Industry

Some of the major challenges faced by the medical aesthetics and medical devices industry include high costs of technology development and commercialisation and increasing competition from unorganised players. There are also regulatory risks related to device approval which can limit market entry by new players.

The industry is also facing the challenge of rising consumer expectations. Consumers are increasingly demanding more advanced and sophisticated products and services, which can be difficult for companies to keep up with. Additionally, the industry is also facing the challenge of a lack of skilled personnel, as the demand for qualified professionals is growing faster than the supply.

Regulatory Environment

Regulatory oversight of medical aesthetic and device development is stringent in most developed countries. The Health & Care Act 2022 regulates the English aesthetics market, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates aesthetics and devices related to cosmetic surgery while the Medical Device Regulation 2022 regulates medical devices in the UK and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has special requirements for aesthetic procedures. Other regulatory agencies such as Health Canada and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia also maintain high standards for regulation within their respective jurisdictions.

In addition to the regulatory agencies mentioned above, there are also a number of international organisations that provide guidance and oversight for medical aesthetic and device development. These organizations include the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF). These organizations work together to ensure that medical aesthetic and device development is conducted in a safe and effective manner.

Opportunities for Growth

Despite the issues surrounding regulation and cost control within the sector, it is still an attractive investment opportunity. Growth opportunities are plentiful due to an ever-increasing demand for aesthetic treatments from both medical and non-medical consumers. In addition, new technologies such as stem cell-based treatments have enabled highly targeted treatments for specific skin disorders. Therefore, investors should focus on companies that provide advanced technology solutions that meet specific regulatory requirements.

In conclusion, the medical aesthetics and medical devices sector has seen strong growth as demand for tailored healthcare solutions increases. The sector provides numerous opportunities such as advances in energy-based devices and injectable robotic systems for minimally invasive procedures. Despite potential regulatory risks associated with device approvals, investors can tap into this lucrative market with carefully selected investments that align with advances in technology solutions.

Some interesting facts about the medical aesthetics sector:

• Medical aesthetics treatments are becoming more popular amongst men as well as women, with the number of male aesthetic customers growing by 70% in the last few years. The top 5 men’s treatments include injectable fillers, Botox, laser hair removal, HydraFacial, and Cry lipolysis.
• The global medical aesthetics market is expected to reach $331.2 billion by 2030.
• One of the most popular and fastest-growing treatments in the medical aesthetics sector is Botox, with over 6 million Botox treatments performed globally every year.
• Non-invasive procedures like laser hair removal, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion are increasingly being used to treat conditions such as skincare discolouration and acne scarring.
• The facial recognition industry, which uses medical aesthetics technologies such as facial recognition software, is also booming and is projected to exceed $12.92 billion by 2027 alone.

This is an exciting time to be part of this growing medical aesthetics sector.

‍Please do get in touch with me if you have an interest in discussing your career plans further or your future talent acquisition strategies for your company on 0113 416 6854 or email me at Sadie.meadows@spencer-riley.com

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