According to market researcher Kline, the professional skin care market in 2012 in the retail sector was valued at around $9.3 billion worldwide and was expected to grow by 5.4% into 2013, which is only slightly lower than the projected compound annual growth rate of 4.9% the market sector is expected to experience between 2013 and 2018.
Uptake
In Europe, the UK in particular is seeing an uptake in professional skin care and this is helped by at-home devices as much of the technology for at-home devices stems from the professional salon sector.
Sales of at-home beauty devices continue to boom globally due to the increasing awareness and popularity of multi-functional devices among consumers, growing prominence of the direct sales distribution channel, improved products, and an increasing number of alliances between beauty marketers and technology companies to introduce new devices.
The fastest growing European markets include the UK, Eastern Europe, France and Germany, respectively; however, in sales terms, Europe is still an emerging market for at-home beauty devices and is dwarfed by the US, and the Asian market, led by Japan, is also ahead of Europe.
Brazil and China
While the UK is currently the jewel in the European crown for professional skin care, Brazil is also seeing an increase in uptake as its cosmetics market is booming on the basis of moisturising and hydrating skin-based products.
China too, is also reaping the benefits of higher disposable incomes leading to a strong cosmetic and skin care market, which has seen hand-held devices gain in popularity.
Influencing trends
According to another researcher, Companies and Markets, a strong anti-ageing sentiment permeating across the skin care market in the US and Asia, and a hair removal drive coming from consumers across Europe is also helping the professional skin care boom, particularly in at-home devices.
“Using the notion of 'after-treatment' care being shorter and more effective through their own products, salon brands are also pushing sales of at-home beauty devices in an effort to continue to drive profits,” adds Companies and Markets.