Europe Consumer-Use IPL Hair Removal Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Service Provider (Beauty Clinics/Salons or Aesthetic Centers, Dermatology Clinics, Others), By Gender (Women, Men) and By Country(U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Nordic, Benelux, Rest of Europ) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The Europe consumer-use IPL hair removal services market was valued at USD 97.93 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period, (2020-2027).

The market is growing on account of high spending on aesthetics, the increasing number of IPL service providers, and recent advances in IPL technology. It is currently in the growth phase, fuelled by the significant rise in the adoption of IPL technology for hair removal.

Market Dynamics

The increasing use of intense pulsed light hair removal equipment across Europe drives the regional consumer-use IPL hair removal services market. The mechanism of intense pulsed light hair removal equipment differs from that of laser hair removal equipment. In intense pulsed light hair removal equipment, non-laser high-intensity light sources are used with a high output flash lamp to produce broad wavelength non-coherent light in the 500–1,200nm range.

Many report allergies from the use of laser hair removal devices, which produce heat at the point of contact, causing heat injuries on sensitive body parts. Hair removal treatment through IPL can be altered based on the hair color, texture, thickness, and skin type, which has made it popular, escalating the demand for hair removal through intense pulsed light. The increasing adoption of intense pulsed light hair removal equipment is expected to drive the European consumer IPL hair removal services market during the forecast period. To some extent, the rise of skin and aesthetic clinics across Europe is another factor supporting the market. Skin clinics have adopted intense pulsed light equipment for hair removal procedures due to the rising consumer preference for the same, which is expected to further bolster the Europe consumer IPL hair removal services market.

Primary Advantages of IPL Hair Removal

The primary advantage of IPL technology in hair removal or slow hair regrowth lies in its technicality, as IPL devices use broad-spectrum visible light and target the melanin pigment present in hair, heating it to effectively remove hair. A few of the other advantages of IPL hair removal are briefly discussed below.

• Easy and Less Time Consuming: As IPL devices work on broad-spectrum light, they cover a relatively larger area for hair removal, which makes the treatment quick, easy, and less painful.
• No Wait Time: Unlike in laser treatment, waxing, or epilating, no wait time is necessary between IPL hair removal sittings. Consumers do not have to wait for hair to regrow to continue the procedure.
• Avoiding Ingrown Hair Risk: By heating of the melanin pigment, IPL significantly reduces the risk of ingrown hair, which may lead to infection. The risk of hair ingrowth is relatively high in waxing and shaving.
• Permanent Results: In IPL hair removal, the number of sittings reduces with time, and the time between sittings for hair removal increases, resulting in permanently reduced hair regrowth. Hair does regrow but very slowly and lighter and finer, which makes it less noticeable.

Business Models and Business Strategies

Franchising is by far the most commonly used business model in the hair removal industry as it provides several advantages to the franchisor and franchisee. For successful business operations, market players rely on some additional services.

• Techniques: They use state-of-the-art technological advanced devices and techniques to provide services, complying with the EU services regulations and regulations for devices used for aesthetic purposes as well.
• IntegratedProducts: Players are also engaged in providing cosmetic products to the consumers who visit centers for services. On top of this, to continue providing state-of-the-art services, several players also provide customer service for the products they sell.
• Marketing: Social media marketing is the most effective way of digital marketing adopted by players.
• Booking and Pre-Booking: Adaption to the clients' habits always adds to the revenue; players in the IPL hair removal services market are adapting to the booking and pre-booking habits of clients, significantly increasing client convenience. Bookings and pre-bookings can be made over mobile applications, text services, and calls.
• Client RetentionStrengthening: Client retention is one of the main business strategies for salon businesses, and strengthening it may fetch increased towards the business. Pre-booking through text, phone, application, and the website helps the salon business stay ahead in client retention, significantly increasing client retention rates.

Regional Analysis

Western Europe is the largest consumer of IPL hair removal. Italy, France, and Germany are the important countries in terms of revenue generation in the Western Europe consumer-use IPL hair removal services market. As per the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), 916,869 hair removal procedures were performed in 2018, with Germany accounting for around 4,208 and Italy for 30,784. Rising beauty consciousness and the high efficiency of IPL hair removal technology for long-lasting effects on the growth of body hair propel the demand for IPL hair removal services, which is highly effective in treating retarded hair growth and aids in permanent hair removal.

The presence of established dermatology clinics in developed countries, such as Germany, Italy, and Spain, contributes to the regional market growth. The improving consumer sentiment regarding hair removal products, spas, dermatology clinics, and beauty salons, such as the European Skin Spa, the European Laser Clinic, and the AITEC Beauty Clinic, is increasing the demand for IPL hair removal services.

The rising penetration of at-home hair removal devices, coupled with the growing online distribution channel, is also fostering market growth as various types of IPL hair removal products are available on e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon. The Netherlands, the U.K., and Sweden represent markets that have established e-commerce consumer bases and are accustomed to ordering services and goods over the internet. Advanced infrastructure, high internet penetration, and high consumer trust and familiarity with online shopping contribute to Western Europe's largest value share in the market. The devices are also available in various price ranges for specified usage, such as facial hair removal and body hair removal. Hassel-free ordering, easy return and exchange, doorstep delivery, and attractive discounts and offers by players in the online channel are attracting a large customer base in the region.

Enhanced living conditions and spending power are positively influencing the demand for permanent hair removal in the U.K. In France, the consumer-use IPL hair removal services market is growing on account of the increasing number of non-surgical treatments and rising disposable income. In Germany, the growing youth population and the adoption of non-surgical aesthetic procedures drive market growth.

Segmental Analysis

Beauty clinics/salons or aesthetic centers are trendsetters in enhancing the body's aesthetic value. Unwanted hair removal is among the most performed procedures in beauty clinics. The improving quality of hair removal procedures with the introduction of hair removal techniques and equipment for use in beauty clinics is expected to drive market growth in the beauty clinics segment.

The significant increase in Europeans' spending power also provides a fillip to the beauty clinics segment. As per Finder.com, in 2018, in the U.K, spending on personal care salons reached EUR 9,690.0 million, an equivalent of every person in the U.K. spending about EUR 144.3 per year on personal care treatments, such as hair removal.

Beauty clinics/salons or aesthetic centers/salons or aesthetic centers typically offer minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that improve all facets of cosmetic health and develop a tailored treatment plan to enhance the skin and overall body wellness. This segment is the largest service provider of permanent hair removal services, including IPL, which is attributable to the vast network of these establishments and accounts for the largest revenue share in the market. While beauty clinics/salons or aesthetic centers have attained maturity, emerging dermatology clinics, or small-scale beauty establishments present lucrative market opportunities.

Marketing strategies, such as social media marketing and discounts, undertaken by beauty salons or aesthetic centers, tremendously influence the importance of IPL-like services in improving body aesthetics. Extreme web marketing is also one such strategy. Some of the beauty salons and aesthetic centers have even reported customers visiting the centers after a basic internet search. Appointing a brand ambassador to create brand awareness is also one of the marketing strategies contributing to the high popularity of beauty clinics or salons and aesthetic centers for IPL hair removal.

Impact of covid-19

Dermatological product supply chains are struggling on a global scale due to the COVID-19 healthcare crisis. Disruptions caused due to the pandemic have increased the strain on dermatological products’ availability in the market. Unless restrictions are relaxed, manufacturing operations in key dermatological companies are expected to face a shortage of resources, which will negatively impact manufacturing as well as product sale in the global market.

Recent Developments