Say Good-Bye To Cellulite

According to Millennium Research Group's (MRG) US Markets for Body Contouring Devices 2008 report, the cellulite reduction device market was worth almost $80 million in 2007 and will see considerable growth over the next five years, rising to over $215 million by 2012. Growth will be attributed to the vast patient pool -- in 2007, 85% of US adult women had cellulite -- and new products that will enter the market and provide increased efficacy and positive clinical data.

New products that will fuel the cellulite reduction device market include the Eleme Medical's SmoothShapes 100 system and Thermage's ThermaTip CL, which were launched in the US in early 2008. SmoothShapes 100 combines light and laser energy with vacuum massage for an enhanced cosmetic result and the ThermaTip CL uses radiofrequency (RF) to restore collagen connective tissue and improve circulation.

In 2007, Syneron's VelaShape, which utilizes bipolar RF and infrared light, and Alma Lasers' Accent RF, which uses Unipolar RF technology, entered the market. These innovative new technologies will increase the efficacy of temporary cellulite reduction, significantly boosting the demand for this patient-driven procedure through 2012.

"Rising adoption of cellulite reduction devices by core physicians, such as plastic surgeons and dermatologists, will also drive this market," says Cheyne Singh, Analyst at Millennium Research Group. "In 2007, cellulite reduction devices were purchased primarily by noncore physicians, such as obstetricians, gynecologists, general practitioners, and medispas. As these devices become more effective at reducing cellulite and results become increasingly predictable, however, more core physicians will add these products to their practices."