• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, August 28, 2018

A record 94 million people visited RealSelf, online cosmetic treatments marketplace, to research elective cosmetic treatments in 2017, says RealSelf Founder and CEO Tom Seery, written by Rachel Cagle.  Laser and energy technologies have played a crucial role in the overall growth of medical aesthetics. Five of the top 10 most researched minimally invasive categories on RealSelf last year included treatments using a laser or an energy device.

“New laser and energy technologies have brought innovative treatment solutions for a range of services… from body contouring and facial treatments to tattoo removal and vision correction…” said Seery. 

Nearly 24% of U.S. adults consider themselves Better Appearance Seekers, according to AudienceSCAN. About 58% of this audience is female, and, 18.4% of Better Appearance Seekers are between the ages of 25 and 34. Key trends shaping the laser and energy device market, says the report, are:

• Fat reduction was the most researched minimally invasive treatment category on RealSelf in 2017, surpassing popular categories like injectable fillers and toxins. Nonsurgical fat reduction devices work by damaging the structure of fat cells, allowing the body to process and remove them with minimal downtime. Laser and ultrasound-assisted liposuction treatments work by liquefying fat before it’s removed, allowing for a less invasive alternative to traditional liposuction.
• Fat reduction treatments accounted for nearly one-third of the top 10 most researched branded laser and energy treatments in 2017. CoolSculpting took the number one spot, followed by Smart Lipo and SculpSure

According to AudienceSCAN, the top three goals of Better Appearance Seekers for this year are related to weight loss. The first is to exercise more (67.7%), followed by eating healthier (67.5%) and then lose weight (61.6%). Interest in vaginal rejuvenation treatments has been rising amid high consumer satisfaction, says the report.

• Consumer interest in vaginal rejuvenation treatments increased by 17% on RealSelf from 2016 to 2017. Branded devices ThermiVa and MonaLisa Touch saw the fastest year-over-year interest growth, increasing 45% and 28%, respectively.
• Vaginal rejuvenation treatments also yield high patient satisfaction, says the report, with four devices named among the most “Worth It” laser and energy device treatments: diVa Vaginal Therapy (98% Worth It Rating), FemiLift (94% Worth It Rating), MonaLisa Touch (92% Worth It Rating), and ThermiVa (91% Worth It Rating).

New Facial Lasers Gain Traction

• Facial lasers, which address skin concerns ranging from sun damage and acne scars to overall skin texture, were the fourth most researched nonsurgical treatment category on RealSelf in 2017.
• Interest in new-to-market facial lasers is trending up, with three brands named among the top emerging treatments: Resurfacing Perfected (#6) with 40% growth, Excel V (#8) with 25% growth, and Pico Genesis (#10) with 18% growth.

Better Appearance Seekers are 18% more likely than other adults to take action after seeing an ad on social media, according to the report. Also, within the last year, nearly 66% took action after seeing a TV commercial, and 59% were driven to action by an ad or coupon that was sent to them via direct mail.

Rachel Cagle

Rachel is a Research Analyst, specializing in audience intelligence, at SalesFuel.