The two most popular types of minimally-invasive cosmetic treatments in the United States are botulinum toxin type A and soft tissue filler injections. Both are used to temporarily reduce or eliminate wrinkles. Botulinum toxin type A — commonly known as Botox, but other brand names include Dysport and Xeomin — is a neurotoxin derived from bacteria. It blocks nerve signals to the muscle in which it’s injected. The muscle is unable to contract thereby eliminating wrinkles. It’s most commonly used to smooth frown lines, forehead creases, and crows feet. Soft tissue fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are gel-like substances injected under the skin to smooth out wrinkles. They’re also used to enhance lips and improve symmetry among facial features. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved several types of fillers: hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-l-lactic acid, and polymethylmethacrylate. Hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite are naturally found in skin and bones, respectively. Poly-l-lactic acid and polymethylmethacrylate are synthetic, biocompatible substances. Some brand names include Juvéderm, Radiesse, Sculptura, and Bellafill.

Today’s market size shows the amount spent on injectable cosmetic treatments in 2016 and forecast for 2025 worldwide. In the United States, more than 10 million injectable cosmetic treatments were performed in 2018. Botulinum toxin type A procedures were the most popular; 7.4 million were performed, up 5.4% from 2016. Nearly 2.7 million soft tissue filler procedures were performed in 2018, a 2.9% increase from 2016. While women still comprise the vast majority of patients, globally an estimated 15% of injectable cosmetic treatments are performed on men.

Geographic reference: World
Year: 2016 and 2025
Market size: $6.5 billion and $17.2 billion, respectively
Sources: “Facial Injectables Market Analysis by Product (Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Botulinum Toxin Type A, Calcium Hydroxylapatite, Polymer Fillers), by Application (Aesthetics, Therapeutics), by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2018 – 2025,” Grand View Research Press Release, May 2017 available online here; “Global Facial Injectables Market Size Worth $17.2 Billion By 2025,” Grand View Research Press Release, May 2017 available online here; 2018 National Plastic Surgery Statistics, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, March 2019 available online here; 2017 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2018 available online here; “What Is Botulinum Toxin Type A?” American Society of Plastic Surgeons available online here; “Hold Still,” The Economist, February 9, 2019, page 22; “Injectable Fillers Guide,” American Board of Cosmetic Surgery available online here.
Image source: qimono, “syringe-shot-medicine-bottle-1884758,” Pixabay, December 6, 2016 available online here.