Acne Treatment Market Growth Factors
High Prevalence of Acne Worldwide
About 9.4% of people worldwide have acne vulgaris, with the highest prevalence in adolescents. In all ethnic groups, it affects more than 90% of men and 80% of women. In addition, acne affects 50 million Americans annually, making it the most prevalent skin condition in the country, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. It went on to say that between the ages of 12 and 24, minor acne affects about 85% of people. Furthermore, in Varanasi, India, a dermatology clinic within a teaching hospital reported that 50.6% of boys and 38.13% of girls between the ages of 12 and 17 had acne. The market for acne treatments is growing as a result of rising cosmetic costs and disease awareness.
Growing Sedentary Lifestyle and Unhealthy Food Habits
A major contributing factor is abnormal hormone production. By enlarging the oil glands beneath the skin, an increase in androgen (or estrogen in women) levels during puberty causes the onset of this condition. This causes pores to produce excessive amounts of sebum, which causes pore walls to crumble and allow bacteria to enter. Although some studies contend that genetics may play a role in acne risk, other factors, including emotional stress, menstruation, hot and muggy weather, and greasy cosmetics, can also contribute to the condition.
Market Restraining Factors
Concerns Regarding Product Safety
Depending on the method selected and the medication's potency, acne treatments can have a variety of side effects. The most frequent adverse effects of topical acne medications are dryness and skin irritation. Oral medication side effects could potentially be more severe. Antibiotics may cause stomach upset or make patients feel faint and dizzy. Also, taking oral isotretinoin while trying to get pregnant can have serious side effects. Babies whose mothers used isotretinoin during pregnancy have reportedly experienced severe congenital disabilities. Additionally, the medication may affect cholesterol levels and liver function and raise the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The safety concerns with acne treatment products are anticipated to impede market expansion.
Market Opportunities
Improving Consciousness of Current and Future Acne Treatments
The demand for minimally invasive cosmetic treatment methods is significantly rising on a global scale. Dermatologists prefer treating skin conditions with topical medications or minimally invasive techniques instead of surgery. The demand for treatments for issues relating to the face and skin is rising as a result of better information-based decision-making, improved patient-physician relationships, and well-documented procedures. This has prompted the adoption of various, less painful aesthetic combination therapy procedures.
Furthermore, demand for equipment-based procedures like lasers is anticipated to rise due to the growing demand for quicker treatments and outcomes. Promoting existing and upcoming acne treatments have greatly benefited from marketing and advertising. People have purchased more cosmetics due to online and offline campaigns promoting ideal beauty standards. Additionally, there has recently been a significant increase in demand for creams and lotions that treat acne. Therefore, the global market for acne treatment is anticipated to generate substantial profits.
Regional Insights
Americas: Dominant region with 5.06% market share
Americas is the most significant shareholder in the global acne treatment market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.06% during the forecast period. The Americas dominated the market for acne treatments in 2022 and will likely continue for some time. This can be attributed to the region's high prevalence of skin diseases like acne, the introduction of new products, and technological advancement. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, over 50 million people in the US suffer from acne, and nearly 85% of teenagers experience it at some point during their adolescent years. In addition, in 2013, the cost of treating acne among those seeking medical attention exceeded USD 1.2 billion in the US. These factors are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.
Europe: Fastest growing region with the highest CAGR
Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.65% during the forecast period. Europe held the second-largest share of the acne treatment market in 2022 as a result of its highly established medical industry and businesses' organic growing methods. The region's market is expanding due to key players' attention to cutting-edge product launches and developments. For instance, the Italian pharmaceutical company CassiopeaSpA announced in August 2020 that its Winlevi (clascoterone cream 1%) for acne treatment had received US FDA approval. The topical retinoid trifarotene 0.005% has been announced by Galderma, a Swiss pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatological treatments and skin care products. The US FDA has approved AKLIEF for the management of acne vulgaris. In addition, companies can improve their position in the European market by using these organic growth strategies.
Asia-Pacific is expected to experience the fastest growth over the forecast period. This is because there are many pharmaceutical companies in the area, a high incidence of acne, and more government initiatives. In addition, the government's numerous initiatives to support the healthcare system promote regional market expansion. For instance, the government announced the national health ID for every Indian in August 2020 to establish a centralized mechanism for identifying each participant in the National Health Stack in a unique manner. The growth of the region's acne treatment market is also driven by middle-class families' rising disposable income, which is encouraging them to spend more on health.
The Middle East and Africa have seen a steady increase in the market for acne treatments over the forecast period. The rising incidence of acne and funding from private and public entities are the main drivers of market growth. According to a report by the International Trade Administration, Saudi Arabia has the most significant healthcare industry in the Middle East. In addition, Saudi Arabia's health and social affairs budget for 2019 calls for an 8% rise from USD 42.4 billion in 2018 to USD 46 billion.
Acne Treatment Market Segmentation Analysis
By Acne Type
The market is bifurcated into moderate acne, mild acne, and moderate to severe acid. The moderate acne segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.21% during the forecast period. Moderate acne is defined as having between 15 and 50 total inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions, 20 and 100 whiteheads or blackheads, or 30 and 125 total lesions. In this situation, the affected person should see a dermatology specialist, and dermatologists typically advise prescribing prescription medication for moderate acne. The most popular treatment for moderate acne is topical combination therapy, which may include BP and antibiotic, Retinoid and antibiotic, Retinoid, BP and antibiotic, or other combinations like an oral antibiotic, topical retinoid and antibiotic, or oral antibiotic, topical retinoid, BP and topical antibiotic.
The minor form of acne, known as mild acne, includes a few papules and pustules and a few white and blackheads in small numbers. Numerous factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, diet, and stress, can contribute to mild acne. It is usually simple to treat and might benefit from over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Topical combination therapy using topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide (BP), and the most popular treatment regimen for mild acne is BP and antibiotic, retinoid and BP, or retinoid, BP and antibiotic. Significant players offer OTC topical creams, gels, and other formulations for treating mild acne.
By Treatment
The market is bifurcated into meditation and therapeutic devices. The meditation segment owns the highest acne treatment market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. Acne medications work by lowering sebum production, treating bacterial infections, and reducing swelling. The recent approval of newer medications for treating acne is driving this market's growth. For instance, Winlevi (clascoterone cream 1%) from CassiopeaSpA, an Italian company, was given FDA approval in August 2020 to treat acne. Like this, the US FDA approved a new drug application for tazarotene (ARAZLO), a 0.045% formulation created by Bausch Health Companies Inc., in December 2019. This medication is intended to treat acne vulgaris on the skin in people nine years of age and older. These medications, which contain retinoic acids or tretinoin, are frequently helpful for treating mild acne and preventing hair follicle plugging.
The laser treatment and microdermabrasion markets are segmented globally based on the therapeutic devices used to treat acne. The development of therapeutic devices for treating acne is being fueled by technological advancement. The goal of laser treatment for acne scars is to reduce the visibility of old acne scars. In order to break up scar tissue and encourage the growth of healthy skin cells to replace the scar tissue, this treatment therapy continuously shines a light on the dermis layer of the skin.
By Type
The market is bifurcated into OTC and prescription. The OTC segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.28% during the forecast period. OTC acne medications frequently include salicylic acid, sulfur, and benzoyl peroxide. These medications come in various forms, including topical and oral medications, and most of the population with mild acne use OTC medications. There is a high demand for over-the-counter medication due to the prevalence of mild acne, which promotes rapid market growth over the forecast period. Additionally, pharmacy shops sell it without a prescription. As a result, these elements support the expansion of the global market for medical acne treatments.
Topical treatment, antibiotics, isotretinoin, laser therapy, and light therapy are the prescription medications used to treat acne. This market has witnessed the prominent development and approval of drugs and therapeutic devices over the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Additionally, the market is expanding due to the FDA recently increasing the number of prescription drugs approved for treating acne.
By Route of Administration
The market is bifurcated into topical, oral, and injectable. The topical segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.92% during the forecast period. Combining oral medication with topical medication is a common practice for treating acne. The most frequently prescribed topical drugs include salicylic acid, retinoids, antibiotics, and azelaic acid. The most popular over-the-counter topical treatment for mild acne is a 20% azelaic acid cream or gel. In addition, major market players are concentrating on product development and launch to increase the number of products they offer.
Oral acne treatments include antibiotics, contraceptives, anti-androgens, and isotretinoin. Oral antibiotics reduce bacteria in moderate to severe acne. Tetracyclines like minocycline and doxycycline are the most popular antibiotics. Macrolides like erythromycin and azithromycin are alternatives for pregnant women and young children. The FDA has also approved Ethinyl estradiol, Ethinyl estradiol, and drospirenone for contraception. If oral antibiotics are ineffective, anti-androgen medications like Aldactone are used. People with moderate to severe acne who do not respond to other treatments should take isotretinoin medications like Amnesteem and Claravis. This segment is expected to grow fastest because it has the most FDA-approved drugs.
By End User
The market is bifurcated into hospitals and clinics and specialty centers. The specialty center segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.21% during the forecast period. The presence of cutting-edge technologies and knowledgeable dermatologists in specialty centers drives the segment. Additionally, the market for acne treatments in this sector is growing significantly due to the rise in specialty care providers and spending on skincare. For instance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the cost of treating patients who sought medical attention for acne in 2013 exceeded USD 1.2 billion.
The rising prevalence of skin disorders, including acne, is fueling the growth of the market for acne treatments in hospitals and clinics. Over 50 million people in the US have acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Nearly 85% of teenagers experience acne at some point during their adolescence. Eventually, hospitals and clinics are involved in all these cases to treat acne. This market's expansion is driven by the increased number of patients visiting hospitals and clinics.
