Cellulite Treatment Market

Market Overview

The global cellulite treatment market size was valued at USD 699 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 1,540 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.17% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

An accumulation of fat under the skin is what causes cellulite. Cellulite is the dimpled skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen. The method that helps to lessen cellulite's visibility is the cellulite treatment. There are various treatments available to improve the appearance of cellulite. Non-invasive, minimally invasive, and topical treatments are available for cellulite. Women tend to suffer from the illness the most. Cellulite develops when bands of connective tissue pull the skin that covers some areas of fat down to the underlying tissues.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Number of Obese Cases Across the Globe

Obesity causes cellulite by increasing the amount of fat encased in the atypically large fat lobules. Obesity is the main contributing factor to the development of cellulite; fat cells (adipocytes) expand and swell with fat in obese people. According to the WHO, since 1975, the number of obese people has tripled. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the US in 2018, obesity affected 40.0% of individuals aged 20 to 39, 44.8% of those aged 40 to 59, and 42.8% of persons aged 60 and older. As a result, the market for cellulite treatments is expanding as the prevalence of obesity increases globally.

Furthermore, the young population varying between 18 to 25, is prone to cellulite deposition due to the high intake of energy-dense food rich in fat and sugars. Likewise, people aged 25-35 are keen on career improvement, so consuming unhealthy food, sitting for long working hours, and minimal physical activities are depositing the fat and tissues in the lower body region. Such a lifestyle drives the cellulite treatment for fat and tissue depositions and is projected to boost the market demand during the forecast period.

Growing Medical Tourism Industry

In recent years, several developing countries have built state-of-the-art medical facilities and offered healthcare services at a fraction of the cost of the developed countries. Cosmetic procedures are one of the most sought-after procedures in the medical tourism industry. As most cosmetic surgeries are paid for out of pocket, cosmetic surgery has become a driving force behind the growth of the global medical tourism industry.

A large number of cosmetic surgery centers are present in medical tourism destinations. Several destination countries, including India, Thailand, and the Philippines, have highly trained English-speaking physicians to draw foreign patients, further driving medical tourism. Moreover, in several countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia, governments actively support and promote medical tourism, thereby causing the market's growth.

Market Restraint

Shortage of Trained and Experienced Dermatologists/ Plastic Surgeons

The limited availability of skilled dermatologists or plastic surgeons is adversely affecting the growth of the global market. In addition, the lack of training programs for dermatologists and the limited availability of scholarship and research funds result in fewer admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate dermatology courses than required. As per the American Medical Association, there were 19,957 dermatologists in the US in 2019. Similarly, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), in 2019, there were 6,900 in the US. Furthermore, the slow adoption of new technologies in emerging countries contributes to the need for dermatologists or plastic surgeons.

Market Opportunities

Rising Adoption of Cosmetic Procedures in Emerging Economies

There has been an increase in the adoption of cosmetic procedures in emerging economies, such as laser treatment, subcision, vacuum-assisted precise tissue release, non-surgical fat reduction, carboxytherapy, chemical peel, radiofrequency, laser-assisted liposuction, ultrasound, and others. This can be credited to cosmetic procedures' increasing popularity and disposable income. Moreover, improving healthcare infrastructure in emerging economies further drives the market's growth.

Furthermore, the increasing number of cosmetic surgeons in emerging economies is further anticipated to provide significant growth opportunities. Moreover, the growing number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures also provides opportunities for market growth. For instance, according to the ISAPS, in 2019, India accounted for about 394,728 surgical procedures and nearly 249,024 total non-surgical procedures in 2019. Likewise, Argentina accounted for about 193,237 complete surgical policies and about 232,584 full non-surgical procedures in 2019. As a result, the global market is expected to see significant expansion due to the rising adoption of cosmetic procedures in emerging economies.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global cellulite treatment market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW).

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global market shareholder and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.45% during the forecast period. The significant reasons attributing to the accelerating market growth include the presence of a large number of market players across the region, an augmenting number of product launches in the region, and increasing awareness about different types of cellulite treatment among the young population. In addition, the industry players have invested huge capital in developing new technologies, devices, therapies, and injectables. For instance, in July 2020, the FDA approved Endo International plc product Qwo injectables to treat moderate and severe cellulite in the buttock of adult women. Additionally, in January 2016, Merz Pharma launched Cellfina in the US and was approved by the FDA to improve cellulite treatment. Such factors are expected to drive market growth across the region.

Europe is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.20% over the forecast period. This is due to the increasing adoption of non-invasive technologies, commercial launch of new products, growing adoption of unhealthy lifestyles and excessive intake of food rich in fats, and rising demand for cosmetic products in cellulite treatment. Other factors influencing the global market across the region include healthcare tourism, and increasing adoption of topical treatment across the region is driving the market growth across Europe. The safety characteristics of topical creams are accelerating their market demand. Moreover, acoustic wave therapy is gaining popularity across the region for cellulite treatment. Likewise, the industry players are launching their cellulite systems in the region. For instance, in September 2020, Lumenis Ltd. Introduced NuEra Tight integrated with FocalRF technology in Europe and the Middle East. The product can be utilized for cellulite treatment, fat reduction, wrinkle reduction, and skin tightening. Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of healthcare tourism and supportive government regulations is luring a large number of patients across the globe. The expanding availability of treatment methods across the region fuels the global market.

Asia-Pacific is growing due to increasing investment in technological advancement, rising investment of market players in R&D activities to develop new treatment devices, growing demand for spas and wellness centers, increasing awareness programs through social media channels across the region, and long sedentary working hours. According to Clockify, Indians have the most extended working hours per year, and Japan has the third-largest working hours per year. Indians tend to work for more than 2,117 hours/per year; however, Japanese work for more than 1,738 hours/per year. The rise in sedentary working hours is the primary reason for cellulite accumulation among employed women in Asia Pacific. Such a lifestyle accelerates the treatment of cellulite removal among young female workers. Moreover, mesotherapy and cryo lipolysis are the popular cellulite treatments among the Asian population.

Furthermore, wellness centers and clinics offer discounted offers to lure potential customers. Moreover, the disruption in networking infrastructure and increasing adoption of smartphones have increased the online purchase of topical creams for self-care. Thus, these factors are anticipated to fuel the future growth of the regional market.

The rest of the world's cellulite treatment market includes the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The global market is gaining market demand due to the extension of distribution channels of the market players across the region, growing demand for fit and slim body shape, increasing purchasing power among the population, and growing investment in wellness and skin therapy is driving the cellulite treatment market throughout the region. In countries like Dubai, non-invasive slimming treatments are the popular technique preferred by customers. Moreover, the growing economic population and increasing adoption of internet facilities have augmented the sales of topical treatment solutions in the rest of the world.

In Latin America, the female population is more interested in keeping their thighs and buttocks in shape, generating possibilities for the market players. Additionally, laser treatment is one of the popular techniques among the population for cellulite treatment. Moreover, hospitals, clinics, and medical centers promote healthcare tourism, further augmenting the rest of the world's cellulite treatment market.

Segmental Analysis

The global market is segmented by treatment procedure, cellulite type, and end-user.

Based on treatment procedure, the global market is divided into non-invasive, minimally invasive, topical treatment, and others.

The non-invasive segment is responsible for the largest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.55% over the forecast period. Instruments are not inserted into the body during non-invasive treatment methods. There is no contact with the mucosa or internal body cavity during this process, and no healthy tissue is harmed. The process uses energy-based technologies, including radiofrequency, infrared light, electromagnetic fields, cryotherapy, and radial impulse therapy. VelaShape, ThermiSmooth Body, Venus Freeze, and Zimmer Z Wave are a few non-invasive procedures that have received FDA approval. Further, the energy-based treatment devices are integrated with advanced technologies to safely target cellulite and underlying fat cells, further improving the appearance of cellulite-affected body areas.

Topical cellulite treatment entails applying creams, lotions, gels, foams, and ointments to the affected area. These products momentarily make cellulite less visible. The treatments tighten the skin that has cellulite, making it tighter and smoother. Further, caffeine is employed in topical treatments due to its diuretic effects. Caffeine improves blood flow to the area where it has been applied and alters the fat's water content, further shaping the contours of the affected area.

Based on cellulite type, the global market is segmented into hard cellulite, soft cellulite, and edematous cellulite.

The soft cellulite segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.19% over the forecast period. Soft cellulite or flaccid cellulite is undulating in appearance and is soft to the touch. This cellulite is prevalent in areas where fat has accumulated, including the buttocks, hips, stomach, arms, and legs. Soft cellulite causes the skin to sag and not hurt when touched. This particular cellulite is also highly gelatinous and undulating. Further, age or weight gain is likely to increase soft cellulite. The best way to treat soft cellulite is to lead a healthy lifestyle, follow a strict diet, and exercise. Cream application, radiofrequency therapies, and electro-stimulation therapies are a few other treatments for soft cellulite.

Hard cellulite, also known as solid or compact cellulite, occurs in people with slim and toned physiques. This kind of cellulite has a tight, granular appearance akin to orange peel. Additionally, there is hard cellulite in the upper thighs and the area around the hips. Walking and other physical activity have little effect on the appearance of the skin in these areas. It is painful to touch and is first noticed in early adolescence. Early therapy is necessary for this cellulite because it might never go away. On the other hand, mesotherapy, endermologie, and other cosmetic procedures aim to raise and separate cellulite from the muscle. Additionally, excision-based minimally invasive treatments provide better cellulite-removal strategies.

Based on end-user, the global  market is segmented into hospitals, specialized dermatology clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and others.

The hospital segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.29% over the forecast period. The rapid adoption of advanced technologies and increasing demand for cellulite treatment has impulse hospitals to integrate non-invasive, minimally invasive devices across small and large hospitals. The rising demand for body sculpting treatments is estimated to drive the hospital's share in the global market. In addition, hospital management aims to equip high-tech equipment to provide advanced treatment facilities to patients. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of healthcare tourism for skin care and body sculpting treatment creates opportunities for the hospital segment to grow.

Ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are also known as outpatient surgery centers. These healthcare facilities focused on same-day surgical care, including diagnostic and preventive procedures. The treatments performed in these centers are less complicated and are carried out on the same day of admission. They do not require overnight hospitalization. The cellulite removal procedure lasts for 1-4 hrs, depending on the affected areas to be treated. However, the recovery takes from one to five days.

Recent Developments

• January 2023- The dermal layer can be targeted and thickened with SofwaveTM, a treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States to minimize the visual appearance of cellulite. Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology (SUPERBTM) is used to stimulate collagen creation in the body using this innovative ultrasound delivery mechanism.
• May 2022- Revelle Aesthetics, Inc. – a VC-backed Silicon Valley MedTech company focused on designing precision technologies that target the root cause of women’s most bothersome aesthetic concerns, announced the launch of Avéli™, a disruptive new cellulite device.