The ‘Dimensioning study and socioeconomic impact of Aesthetic Medicine in Spain’ during the year 2021, prepared by Hamilton and presented by the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SEME), has shown that en the year 2021, 871,525 medical-aesthetic treatments were performedof which 626,778 were facial treatments (72%), 191,515 body treatments (22%) and 53,232 categorized as ‘others’ such as ‘hair removal’ (6%).
Likewise, of the 626,778 facial treatments carried out, 42 percent corresponded to botulinum toxin, 32 percent to hyaluronic acid and 20 percent to treatments to improve skin quality. The work has shown that 40 percent of the general Spanish population has used aesthetic medicine services on some occasion, of which 71.8 percent are women and 28.2 percent are men. Most patients undergo treatment at least once a year.
At a general level in Spain, a natural and temporary beauty is sought, where excessive changes are not perceived and these are not definitive. A few years ago the average age of entry to aesthetic medicine was 35 years, although now young people in their 20s access mainly for hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in lips and botulinum toxin. “The use of social networks, the possibility of using filters and the appearance of applications that allow changing the shape of the face have contributed to generating new needs in young patients”, pointed out the second vice president of SEME, Sergio Fernández.
As for 60 percent of non-users of aesthetic medicine in Spain, they recognize that they would consider undergoing a treatment if they did not carry VAT. In the surveys carried out, 7 out of 10 patients consider that a reduction in VAT on aesthetic medicine treatments would increase both the number of new patients and the frequency of treatments for current users.
Authorized centers increase by 20.2%
In Spain there is 6,305 authorized health centers by the Ministry of Health to practice Aesthetic Medicine (20.2% more than the 5,244 in 2019) with the U.48 care unit, the health license that identifies the clinic as an authorized health center and is granted by the Ministry of Health of each Autonomous Community. “From the SEME we strongly insist that patients check and ask if it is a U.48 clinic before undergoing any treatment” highlighted the member of the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine, Juana Deltell Canales.
As detailed, in the coming years, growth will come mainly from facial treatments, which represent 69 percent of turnover, and its turnover is expected to grow by around 26 percent. Likewise, the report confirms that aesthetic medicine will continue to generate employment, with an average of two employees per center in the coming years.