If the filters of social networks began as a form of entertainment, little by little they spread as a way to beautify photos and avoid imperfections. In a world that lives immersed in the virtual and where what matters are appearances, the physical demands of oneself have been increasing and has meant, among other things, an increase in the use of aesthetic medicine and, in addition, its increasingly early onset.
According to the ‘Dimensioning and socioeconomic impact study of Aesthetic Medicine in Spain’ during the year 2021, prepared by Hamilton and published this Tuesday, the age at which patients begin to undergo aesthetic treatments has been reduced by 15 years. I mean, yes before touch-ups started at 35with the first signs of age, now they start at 20, mainly for hyaluronic acid fillers in the lips and botulinum toxin, better known as botox.
“The use of social networks, the possibility of using filters and the appearance of applications that allow changing the shape of the face have contributed to generating new needs in young patients,” says Dr. Sergio Fernández, second vice president of SEME.
In total, according to the report, In 2021, a total of 871,525 treatments were carried out in Spain medical-aesthetic, the vast majority facial. 626,778 were on the face (72%), 191,515 on the body (22%) and 53,232 categorized in ‘others’ such as hair removal, that is, hair removal (6%).
Botox, the preferred treatment after the pandemic
Of the 626,778 facial treatments performed, 42% corresponded to botulinum toxin, Botox, which has become the most performed facial treatment after the Covid‑19 pandemic. 32% corresponded to hyaluronic acid and 20% to treatments to improve skin quality.
Almost half of the population has undergone some type of treatment.
In addition to the age of the patients, another of the most outstanding data of this study is the increase in patients that it has experienced. 40% of the general Spanish population has used aesthetic medicine services on some occasion, according to the SEME.
Women continue to be the most frequent, since three out of four patients, 71.8%, are female, while men represent 28.2% of patients. Most repeat and treatments are done at least once a year.
The report indicates that at a general level in Spain a natural and temporary beauty is sought, where excessive changes are not perceived and these are not definitive.
The 60% of the population that has not yet undergone aesthetic medicine treatments is not averse to it, but many of them find an impediment in the price. Those surveyed acknowledge that they would consider undergoing treatment if they did not carry VAT, which is currently at 21%. Specifically, 7 out of 10 patients consider that a reduction in VAT on aesthetic medicine treatments would increase both the number of new patients and the frequency of treatments for current users.
Annual turnover exceeds 3,500 million
The rise of aesthetic medicine is seen in the increase in patients and in the annual turnover of these centers, which last year reached 3,585,861,565. Only facial treatments represent 69% of billing and it is estimated that the figure will continue to increase.
Regarding clinics, there has also been a significant increase in the number of centers. There are currently 6,305 health centers authorized by the Ministry of Health to practice Aesthetic Medicine, which is 20.2% more than in 2019.