Citing confidence and skin quality as key drivers! Leading Doctors Weigh In!
• 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.
Working with independent research agency DRG Global, leading global filler company Teoxane surveyed 2,500 respondents for the Teoxane Age of Wellness 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. Looking to the future, the desire for aesthetic treatments appears to sit firmly with Gen Z, with over 1/3 of 18–25-year-olds stating they are likely to have an aesthetic treatment in the future, and 53% citing confidence as the key reason, and skin quality a secondary driver (32%).
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 4 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 says: “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. But the rise in social media and digital presence has certainly made us all more aware of or appearance. Moreso, the rise in the acceptance of and popularity of aesthetic treatments and seeing the effects that dermal filler can have on facial profile».
Dr Bonnie Armstrong adds: “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 enhancement’s, not huge changes».
”On the statistic that almost Half (45%) of Gen Z desire and put Under Eye Treatments as a top concern, Dr Christine Hall, says: “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, 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 around normalising appearances and trying to break the beauty standards created online. It’s important for patients to understand that lines and skin texture is normal & I am passionate about promoting natural enhancements and having my patients’ goals 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 says: “In my opinion unless there is a medical or psychological need for a 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, Teoxane, says: “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.”
