TOP 10 FUTURE TRENDS AND PREDICTIONS

1) GROWTH OF ANTI-AGEING INDUSTRY

The Baby Boomer generation (born between 1947-1964) will continue to fuel the Anti-Ageing industry. The Anti-Ageing market is expected to grow to $41.94 billion in 2006 ("drugs and cosmetics for aging boomers" Business Communications Co.2002).

2) EVOLUTION OF THE ANTI-AGEING MEDI-SPA

Client demands will drive spas to adopt a "one-stop shop" holistic approach incorporating specialised services such as anti-ageing and cosmetic surgery consultations.

3) ANTI-AGEING SUPPLEMENTS AND CREAMS

The bridge between cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and prescription drugs will strengthen, leading toa specialised range of medications and creams that will promote life and wellbeing.

4) MALE GROOMING

The male grooming market will grow at a greater rate than females with the birth of the "male grooming salon". Men will investigate hormone-replacement therapy as part of their anti-ageing way of life.

5) REGULATION

Regulation and monitoring of cosmetic advertisements and claims made by clinics. There will be stringent training and accreditation of doctors and nurses performing cosmetic procedures and the incorporation of licensing and examination of personal-using laser machines e.g. IPL.

6) NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURES

An increase in demand of non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures will continue to grow as they require less down time e.g. suture suspension techniques for the face, Botox and wrinkle fillers.

7) FAT-REMOVAL TRIALS

Experimental techniques and clinical trials will begin to be tested for non-invasive techniques for fat removal and computer simulation as a future alternative to liposuction.

8) NEW PRODUCTS

A new generation of a) breast-implant fillers and coatings will be trialled and tested (titanium style), b) lasers to rejuvenate the skin from inside out and c) permanent injectable fillers for facial wrinkles and lips.

9) GENE THERAPIES, BIOENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

The debate of cloning, gene therapy bioengineering, will continue to escalate and be tested with the advent of face-transplant surgery.

10) ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

With life expectancy on the increase due to advances in medical technology, there will be dramatic economic impacts on governments, aged-care centres and hospitals. Governments will strive to promote wellbeing and preventive medicine to improve economic growth and stability. This will fuel the Anti-Ageing industry as the fastest and strongest growing industry.