THE TECHNOLOGY OF BEAUTY

EVEN THOUGH IT'S FAR FROM MATURE, THE INTEGRATION OF AI INTO AESTHETIC MEDICINE IS ALREADY MAKING THE PRACTICE SAFER AND MORE EFFECTIVE

- ANNE-FRANCES HUTCHINSON

Are we humans meant to look and feel “forever young?” A quick look at America’s burgeoning aesthetic medicine market holds a pretty good answer.

In 2024, the market size was estimated at USD 23.15 billion. With an expected CAGR of 10% from 2025 to 2034, we’re looking at a USD 60.10 billion market by 2034. North America leads the global market with a 36% share in 2024 that will undoubtedly keep booming.

Whether we’re meant to embrace longevity, the illusion of youth, societal acceptance – or any of the reasons we choose to change the way our bodies look and perform – is our prerogative. The power of bodily autonomy belongs to the individual. And a great many individuals are taking advantage of aesthetic medicine.

It doesn’t matter how we consume media today; advertising touting the benefits of fillers, injectables, and other skin treatments surround us. That in itself is a huge, multigenerational change. Fewer than 50 years ago, women – and the men who dared – kept cosmetic beauty interventions “under wraps” to avoid societal judgment.

The awareness of trends, coupled by a robust medical and healthcare infrastructure and active government involvement in product approvals, has created fertile ground for emerging treatments. Robotics, AI/ML and digital technologies deliver safer, more effective, and minimally invasive solutions. There’s also a steadily growing number of physicians and dentists specializing in cosmetic and plastic surgeries.

So what's the difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery?