The UK aesthetics industry has evolved and grown at lightning speed in 2023.
The statistics we found paint an interesting picture of the industry. Like everyone else, aestheticians saw client numbers decline during the pandemic, and there have been ongoing concerns over the lack of regulation and licensing.
But it seems more and more people were willing to put their money where their mouth is (literally) in 2023 and change the way they look.
Non-invasive aesthetic treatments are quickly becoming more varied, widely available, and more affordable too. Understandably, it’s now the main area of growth for the aesthetics industry.
Want to know more? Here are all the UK aesthetic industry statistics you need to know.
The UK aesthetics industry at a glance
Globally, the aesthetics industry is estimated to be worth a whopping £45.5 billion. The UK market makes up a considerable proportion of that, with an estimated worth of more than £3.6 billion.
Here are a few other important UK aesthetic industry statistics:
- There are at least 940 aesthetic clinics in the UK
- 69% of aesthetic practitioners are doctors, dentists, or nurses
- 501,822 aesthetic procedures were carried out in the UK in 2022
- aesthetic injectables, such as Botox, were the most performed aesthetic procedures in the UK in 2022.
The growth of the UK aesthetics industry
Interest in non-invasive aesthetic treatments is increasing. And rapidly.
7.7 million people had an aesthetic treatment in the UK in the last 12 months. That’s 11% of the population. And an astonishing 13.9 million people say they’re considering having treatment in the next 12 months.
There’s not enough data to know exactly how much the UK aesthetic industry is worth in 2023. But some estimate it could be worth £5.4 billion by 2026.
Globally, aesthetic procedures increased by 11.2% in 2022. There was a 57.8% rise in non-surgical procedures between 2018 and 2022 worldwide. It’s plain to see that the UK aesthetics industry is following a global trend.
Non-invasive aesthetic treatments have been the main driver of growth in the industry in the UK and beyond. As technology has advanced and treatments have become more affordable, the demand for these ‘lunch-break treatments’ has understandably soared.
Getting aesthetic treatments has become safer, less time-consuming, and cheaper. So, it’s no longer seen as something available only to the elite. Having non-invasive cosmetic procedures has become the norm for younger generations, and this is reflected in the industry’s worth.
Aesthetics industry trends
Social media and influencers undoubtedly play a huge part in the growing demand for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. The likes of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are fuelling the younger generations’ desires to look a certain way.
36% of adolescents say they’ll do ‘whatever it takes’ to look good. And 10% say they’d consider cosmetic procedures in the future.
Laser hair removal remains the most searched-for aesthetic treatment in the UK. The most searches for all aesthetic treatments were in Greater London, which has considerably higher numbers than any other part of the country.
Demand for aesthetic treatments is highest amongst 25–40-year-olds. 32% of people in this age group have had treatment or are considering it.
Scepticism is still high in older age groups, with 84% of 41-50-year-olds concerned about safety and product quality in the industry.
It's not just a women's world
It's not just women getting in on the action.
Aesthetics is usually aimed at a female audience. But aesthetic treatments are becoming more common amongst young men too.
A third of young men are trying to change their appearance, to keep up with the insta-ready culture.
Improving self-confidence is the main reason men choose to get treatment. Other reasons include wanting to reverse the ageing process and looking good for a special occasion.
The most popular treatments for men are medicated weight management and vitamin injections.
The future of the UK aesthetics industry
The UK aesthetics industry is rapidly evolving as beauty, technology, and changing societal norms converge. The stats show a thriving market with increased acceptance and technological advancements. The industry bounced back quickly after the pandemic and shows no signs of slowing down.
If the government introduces a licensing scheme for administering injectables, which has been in the pipeline for a while, it’ll be interesting to see what impact it has on the industry’s growth.
At the moment, the UK is pretty far down the line in terms of aesthetics procedure numbers. North America tops that list by some margin. Other top countries include Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and Japan.
Aesthetics business insurance
Running your own aesthetics business? Whatever your qualifications, or how many treatments you offer, having aesthetics insurance is vital.
When things go wrong in your line of work, it can have devastating consequences. For your clients and your business. Insurance is a lifeline that all aestheticians need.
Treatment and public liability insurance is the perfect policy for those in the aesthetics industry. It’ll cover you for two very important areas.
Firstly, the treatment part. This type of insurance covers you for mistakes you make in your work. So, it’s an important one (claims of negligence can cost you a pretty penny). It’ll pay all of your legal costs and any compensation awarded.
The public liability part covers you for accidents. Things like accidental damage to your clients’ possessions, or trips and falls that happen on your business premises. Again, it’ll cover legal fees and compensation costs.
You can find out more about getting the right insurance for your beauty and aesthetics business. Or you can call us on 0345 222 5391 for a chat.
Image used under license from iStock.
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