Frost & Sullivan: Innovative Cosmetic Procedures Propel Global Medical Tourism

Feb. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- CS HC   V 3   R RR/AA   E RS   A JK   01-31-2011

Frost & Sullivan: Innovative Cosmetic Procedures Propel Global Medical Tourism

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – XX, 2011 – Medical tourism is set to grow globally in face of innovative cosmetic procedures. The demand for non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as radio frequency and laser-based methods are increasing. However, unfavorable insurance practices and lack of reimbursement for cosmetic procedures in western countries are driving many potential customers to look for economical alternatives in South America and Asia.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com), Technology Trends in Cosmetic Procedures finds that Brazil is a destination for global cosmaceutical companies and therapeutic equipment manufacturers to promote their products, as cosmetic procedures are poised to grow exponentially.

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail to Britni Myers, Corporate Communications, at Britni.myers@frost.com with your full name, company name, official title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.

“In the past, aesthetic professionals from Asia traveled to the West–USA, Europe, Canada and UK–to learn and practice advanced cosmetic procedures, a few of which include liposuction, blepharospasm, rhinoplasty and breast augmentation,” said Technical Insights Research Analyst Arjunvasan Ambigapathy. “The current trend sees these experienced professionals traveling back home and offering the same treatments at a much lower cost compared to the western world.”

With globalization tending to be a Mega Trend, several pharmaceutical and medical device companies have developed business models to supply innovative and new cosmeceuticals and therapeutic products at competitive prices to Asian customers. These companies find it easier to enter Asian markets, as most regions have less regulatory expectations and offer ease of collaboration with local manufacturers.

“However, region-specific pricing remain to create huge competition among cosmetic product manufacturers,” said Arjunvasan. “A smaller company with innovative technology and good reputation in any region is not more likely to succeed than a global player with a less innovative product, which also depends on brand name and supplier relationship.”

To increase corporate growth, effective methods to leverage intellectual property (IP) strength and build successful brand value by hiring competitive talent are likely to be more crucial than an exit strategy in increasing corporate growth than an exit strategy.

Frost & Sullivan research estimates there is a demand for plastic surgeons that have created a reputation for procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, and buttock augmentation in Brazil and Mexico. Moreover, the Brazilian Government imposes lesser tax rates and tax deductions for cosmetic surgery as a means of facing the global recession.

With regard to technology, more hybrid lasing techniques such as Triactive+, VelaShape, MedSculpt and MedContour are poised to dominate the cosmetic procedures market. High-intensity pulsed light is gaining more popularity and is accepted widely as a non-ablative alternative to microdermabrasion, chemical peel and laser resurfacing. Epidermal leveling is a relatively new procedure that offers benefits when combined with chemical peels and lasers.

Among the existing dermal fillers, commercial fillers that mix hyaluronic acid and lidocaine reduce pain before and after the procedure with adoption increasing globally. Other fillers such as polymethlymethacrylate (PMMA) have proven to be long-lasting injectable microimplants for subdermal augmentation. Despite leveraging superior micro/nano particle technologies in the existing dermal fillers, technical barriers in the form of increased cross-linking and slow body resorption remain as major issues for customer adoption.

Technology Trends in Cosmetic Procedures, a part of the Technical Insights subscription, provides information on technology trends and developments alongside some recommendations in the market of cosmetic products and associated aesthetic procedures. It also lists the major applications and potential markets where cosmetic products can be used, along with key disruptive technologies that might influence the market for cosmetic procedures. Further, this research service includes detailed technology analysis and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research services.

About Frost & Sullivan
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Technology Trends in Cosmetic Procedures
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Contact:
Britni Myers
Corporate Communications – North America
P: 210. 477.8481
E: britni.myers@frost.com

http://www.frost.com
http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com