-Anti aging surgery procedures will become more popular in India and soon this segment will catch up with the purely beauty related cosmetic surgery market. A gradual shift is happening in India where in more and more people are wishing to stay young for as long as possible with the help of cosmetic surgeons. The year 2008 has shown increased popularity of procedures like Face-lift, Neck-lift, Blepharoplasty etc and this trend will continue at a much faster pace in the year 2009.
-Liposuction will continue to be a popular cosmetic surgery procedure for body contouring and fat reduction. Injection Lipolysis or mesotherapy and non invasive ultrasonic fat removal (Ultrashape)
-As people are increasingly realizing the dangers and consequences of obesity and getting exposed by media to perfect, chiseled bodies of Bollywood stars, more people will opt for dramatic weight loss and subsequently body contouring procedures. The number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss like abdominoplasty, lower body lift, arm lift etc. will increase manifolds in 2009.
-In India, arranged marriage and importance of physical beauty in selecting prospective partners, has played a big role in growth of cosmetic surgery market. Indian wedding market will be a big driver in growth of cosmetic surgery in India in 2009. Breast Implant surgery and liposuction will be most popular pre-marriage surgical procedures amongst girls while large male breast( Gynecomastia)
-Men will represent a growing segment of the aesthetic surgery market in India due to growing acceptance among them about being looking good. Large male breast reduction, liposuction, laser hair removal will be more popular among younger men while Hair transplant surgery and facelift surgery will be more popular in older men.
-Botox, the most popular cosmetic procedure for the last 3 years in India, will continue to lead amongst non surgical cosmetic procedures in India. This segment is likely to grow at more than 100% this year as more and more awareness is created among great Indian middle class. Botox will also become more popular in 30- 35 age group as more people will realize its potential in delaying the wrinkles on the face.
-The popularity of cosmetic filler injections (Juvederm, Restylane, Aquamid etc.) will continue to increase and growth in this market of cosmetology will be one of the fastest this year. The reason for this growth will be launch of new products in india especially Juvederm and their use for more cosmetic indications. Filler injection use for lip augmentation will create a new market amongst younger population especially after ‘Luscious Lips’ campaign of a particular brand. However use of cosmetic fillers for wrinkles correction will continue to be a dominant indication in this segment. .
-Popularity of Cosmetic procedures will lead to mushrooming of clinics offering Cosmetic Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery facilities in India and unfortunately more and more untrained or poorly trained practitioners may try to venture in this field. Year 2009 will need proper regulations in Indian cosmetic surgery and medical cosmetology market and guidelines for setting up of these facilities.
-Medical tourism to India especially in Cosmetic surgery is likely to become more popular in year 2009. Cosmetic Surgery performed by highly qualified aesthetic plastic surgeons in accredited facilities in India would be the chosen by patients instead of going for just low cost options alone. Recession in US and Europe will make high quality and low cost destinations in India more attractive to prospective patients.
To sum up, Dr K M Kapoor said “As the popularity of surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures continues to grow; new surgical techniques and products with better results and lesser recovery time will continue to arrive for Indian consumers making these treatments more affordable and acceptable in year 2009.”
