Cosmetic dermatology market expected to flourish

What does the future look like for cosmetic medicine and aesthetic treatments? Jwala Karnik, M.D., chief medical officer, Suneva Medical, weighs in on three trends that are expected to impact cosmetic dermatology.

Injectable market continues to flourish, expand. “Data from a recent consumer survey conducted by the ASDS (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery) showed that wrinkle-relaxing injections and soft-tissue fillers received the highest satisfaction ratings for cosmetic procedures,” Dr. Karnik says. “Consumers continue to report high satisfaction with the procedure and the ASDS predicts this type of injection will rapidly grow in popularity.”  

Combination therapies are in. Consumers are in the market for something that will pack a more powerful punch than anti-aging creams alone. Skincare treatments in 2014 can include a variety of methods to help erase aging signs, according to Dr. Karnik. Examples include combining energy devices, such as laser and light devices, radiofrequency or ultrasound, with topicals.

“An emerging area of understanding is that there is benefit in combining energy and topical skin care, because energy gets to the deeper layers of the skin. That may help the topical skin care to penetrate deeper and help improve the effects of treatments,” she says.

Sales for cosmeceuticals and at-home cosmetic devices on the rise. With an aging population and increasing consumer awareness, demand for high-quality, innovative cosmeceutical products will be on the rise in 2014. In fact, Global Information, an information service company that partners with research firms worldwide, recently released statistics that stated that the global cosmeceuticals market should reach $31.84 billion by 2016. According to another report released by Medical Insight, the total retail sales of home-use devices and disposables are expected to rise by 11.4 percent per year to exceed $1.5 billion in 2017.

Dermatologists and other skincare specialists who have a good understanding of the devices and cosmeceuticals their patients are using are in the best position to advise their patients.

“Patients are looking for how to maintain the effects of an office-based treatment at home,” Dr. Karnik says.

Disclosure: Suneva Medical, Inc. markets ArteFill®, ReFissa®, ReGenica® Skincare and Bellafill®.