UK Cosmetic Interventions

The UK cosmetic interventions sector, encompassing both surgical and non-surgical procedures, represents a market valued at c.£4bn. Around 50,000 people annually undergo cosmetic surgery by qualified medical practitioners in a segment of the sector characterised by high professional barriers to entry. An even greater number of people undergo non-surgical interventions in beauty clinics, salons and health spas across the length and breadth of the country. This part of the sector is largely unregulated and has comparatively low barriers to market entry.

The sector’s demographic is predominantly female, driven by demand for breast surgery. Amongst males, liposuction and eyelid surgery fuel demand. Across both genders, Botox leads demand in the non-surgical segment of the market. Surgical procedures require more emotional and financial investment, as well as longer recovery-times following treatment, whereas non-invasive procedures cater to the ‘quick-fix’ and lower-cost, high-volume market.

For most consumers, the internet serves as a first point of information and contact with healthcare practitioners. Websites and social media pages provide an easy forum in which to present practitioner credentials, information about treatments, and the all-import comparative ‘before and after’ photos.

Original equipment manufacturers and hardware services suppliers looking to enter the sector have several routes to market. A direct sales interface may be preferred for equipment supplies to private clinical practice and public hospitals in circumstances where leading-edge technology affords a differentiated competitive advantage or fundamental time and cost saving to users. On the other hand, an indirect sales channel via third-party distributors may better cater to the healthcare sector’s long tail of health and beauty therapists, especially where sales of a primary item are accompanied by follow-on consumables.

Regardless of the route to market, each product solution must comply within prevailing regulatory quality of care guidelines and governing standards of practice. Facial treatments, for example, vary in technological sophistication from low cost and low performance chemical peels to more expensive radio frequency and ablative CO2-laser treatments.  CO2-laser treatments are commonly used for deep wrinkles and acne scars and can be intensive, akin to a second-degree burn. Patient recovery time is more significant and there is a risk of infection and scaring, thus professional liability.

The selfie generation has inherited a world of beach-ready tummy tucks and where there is demand, there is a market. This creates new and evolving opportunities for businesses and their investors.

CSA’s strategy and due diligence advisory services are designed to sit alongside and complement the day-to-day activities of company management. We provide independent and objective evaluations of strategic direction and customer value creation, providing a road map for business performance improvement.

For information about how we can help you to assess business and market attractiveness please call: 0208 947 5108.