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The Age Of Wellness report gives insights into what is really driving UK consumers through the doors of aesthetics clinics.
Global dermal filler and dermo-cosmetics brand Teoxane has published the ‘Age Of Wellness’ report.
Working with independent research agency DRG Global, Teoxane surveyed 2,500 respondents for the report.
Now, in partnership with some of the UK’s leading health professionals, they are issuing the findings to offer insights into what is really driving UK consumers through the doors of aesthetics clinics.
Survey highlights
- Over a third of women in the UK (43%) report having low self-esteem
- Skin quality is the second most popular dermal filler treatment indication (over lips, nose, jawline, eyes and more)
- Lip filler isn’t the most in-demand dermal filler treatment for millennials – it’s not even in the top three. (62%) is to treat fine lines and wrinkles, (55%) is to improve skin quality, and (47%) is to brighten the under-eye area
- 74% of women reveal they’re more confident having photographs taken of them after having dermal filler treatment
- Six-in-10 women in the UK are worried about being judged for having dermal fillers
- There’s a change in filler treatment stigma as findings show women want to treat themselves and do something just for them (30%), the second highest emotional driver after confidence-boosting (45%).
Looking to the future, the desire for aesthetic treatments appears to sit firmly with Gen Z. Over one third of 18–25-year-olds state they are likely to have an aesthetic treatment in the future, and 53% cite confidence as the key reason, with skin quality a secondary driver (32%).
- Over a third of Gen Z want aesthetic treatments, more than any other age group
- More than half (53%) of Gen Z’s want for aesthetic treatments is fuelled by confidence
- Almost half (45%) of Gen Z desire and put under eye treatments as a top concern
- Only 11% of Gen Z in the UK are concerned about unnatural results
- Gen Z say that skin quality is the other outcome they desire most (32%)
- UK’s leading practitioners cite social media as a driver for Gen Z treatments, thanks to the use of heavy and unrealistic filters
- Doctors warn Gen Z that social media beauty standards portray unrealistic expectations.
Leading doctors are putting this down to the increased usage of social media. There is far more content around dermal fillers available via social media platforms – TikTok, in particular, has seen huge growth in the UK since 2020, with monthly active users increasing from just over four million in January 2020 to nearly 8.9 million in January 2024, and hashtags such as #lipfillers, #dermalfillers and #undereyefiller being viewed in the hundreds of millions. This could be a contributing factor to the younger, Gen Z and Millennial generations taking the lead in dermal filler usage in the UK.
Dr Christine Hall commented, “When social media really took off, people would come in with unrealistic expectations and requests, but patients are much more aware of this and that what they are seeing is perhaps not all that it seems. However, the rise in social media and digital presence has certainly made us all more aware of our appearance. Moreso, there is a rise in the acceptance and popularity of aesthetic treatments and the effects that dermal filler can have on facial profiles.”
Dr Bonnie Armstrong added: “I truly believe that social media, influencers and filters have a huge impact on the Gen Z patients. I think it can create unrealistic expectations for our patients and a desire to look different rather than embrace their own natural beauty. Often, patients will want to change their physical appearance to look like others on social media who may be photoshopped or filtered. It’s vital as practitioners that we work with our patients to appreciate their own beauty, to respect individualism and encourage natural enhancements, not huge changes.”
On the statistic that almost half (45%) of Gen Z desire and put under eye treatments as a top concern, Dr Hall said, “The majority of Gen Z patients come in with specific skin concerns – such as acne, acne scarring or rosacea or with specific treatments in mind such as lip filler, under eye filler, non-surgical rhinoplasty, and chin filler. Through the use of social media, filters, and Photoshop, younger patients are exposed daily to images that portray unrealistic expectations and unrealistic ideals of beauty.
“I think Gen Z patients are being influenced by edited images online and, therefore, feel they need treatments to achieve that look. Every day within my clinic, I will have conversations about normalising appearances and trying to break the beauty standards created online. It’s important for patients to understand that lines and skin texture are normal, and I am passionate about promoting natural enhancements and having my patients’ goals be to feel the best version of themselves, not someone else.”
Only 11% of Gen Z in the UK are concerned about unnatural results.
Dr Armstrong commented, “In my opinion, unless there is a medical or psychological need for treatment on a young patient, then we should withhold injectables until they are at an age in which they show appropriate physical signs of ageing. This age is hard to quantify as it can be different per person. Usually, we start to conservatively treat patients around the age of 30.”
Jordan Sheals, deputy country manager at Teoxane, said: “At Teoxane, we believe in an empowered culture. A place in which everyone can feel confident to take control and autonomy over what beauty means to them without fear of judgement or criticism from their peers.
“The truth is, beauty is an entirely individual concept and can be dependent on age, gender identity, ethnicity, sexuality, lifestyle, location...as well as simply personal preference! We aspire to work towards creating an environment that is inclusive and representative of all the factors that represent beauty, giving people the power to make choices that empower them to feel like the best versions of themselves.”