Scar Treatment Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The scar treatment market is expected to register a CAGR of 9% over the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the scar treatment market. During the pandemic, the e-commerce industry boomed drastically, and people started relying more on online purchases of aesthetic products. This helped the e-commerce end users of the scar treatment market to keep a good pace during the pandemic. However, hospitals and retail drug stores faced a huge decline in the overall sale of products concerned with scar treatment. In addition, due to the lockdown in major countries, travel declined during the pandemic, which resulted in a declining number of road accidents and associated scars. Therefore, it is observed that scar treatment procedures have seen a significant decline in their value during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the pandemic under control and all healthcare services restarted, it is expected that the market will gain momentum rapidly in the short term.

Moreover, the market is majorly driven by factors such as increasing road accidents and burn injuries and growing concerns of the general population about aesthetic appearance. For instance, according to a research study published in the March 2022 issue of the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, about 1 million cases of moderate-to-severe burn injuries that require high-quality medical care are recorded every year in India. Similarly, according to a research study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Research in August 2021, the first-degree burn prevalence was 12.8%, the second-degree burn prevalence was 71.1%, and the third-degree burn prevalence was 16.1%, and the most frequent causes, locations, and types of treatment were hot water injuries (36.1%), upper limbs (62.2%), and skin debridement, respectively. Hence, the growing burden of burn injuries is expected to propel the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Major companies in the global market provide unique products that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. For instance, in April 2021, Pharmaxis, an Australian pharmaceutical research business, partnered with the University of Western Australia (UWA) to launch a world-first clinical trial to examine a cream to prevent scar formation after trauma, particularly burn injuries.

Other driving factors for the market studied include technological advancements in skincare and growing concerns regarding aesthetic appearance, especially in developed markets. However, the high cost of laser-based products is a major barrier to the scar treatment market.

Scar Treatment Market Trends

Atrophic Scars to Witness Rapid Growth Over the Forecast Period

When the skin is unable to repair tissue, atrophic scars develop. As a result, it causes uneven scarring. Atrophic scars are primarily characterized by the sunken area, often visible as pitted skin. Several factors may be responsible for creating atrophic scars in the skin, such as exposure to inflammatory conditions for a long period, accident, surgery, or other genetic factors. One of the corrective measures initially applied are gentle cleansing agents, moisturizers, and soaps, which are not harsh and irritant on the skin, but remove bacteria, dirt, and oil from the skin. The ice-pack scars represent 60-70% of atrophic scars, as stated by the report from AWD Supplies, which is one of the well-known companies providing scar treatment solutions.

New techniques such as triple steps acne scar revision are proving to be effective in treating atrophic scars. In addition, there is a growing trend of aesthetic procedures across developing and developed countries, as suggested by the ISAPS (International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) data in 2021.

When compared to other skin conditions, atrophic scars are relatively common, wherein about 80% of the adolescent population are affected by them, to some degree, as per the National Institute of Health article published in January 2022. The awareness level regarding this scar type is rather high globally. Since atrophic scars are more common, the treatment for the same is being taken largely, which is ultimately increasing the market size.

North America is the largest market for Scar Treatment

North America witnesses a significantly high number of road accidents. In such accidents, several dies, and several are bruised for the long term, where scars naturally occur as part of the healing process. For instance, according to the January 2021 report of the American Burn Association, about 450,000 serious burn injuries are recorded every year in the United States, which require medical attention, and hence, the market is expected to grow in the country.

According to the Car Statistics in Canada published in August 2022, pedestrians made up 15.2% of all fatal car accidents in Canada, while bikers made up 2.9%. In 2020, there were 1,591 fatal vehicle accidents in Canada. Thus, the growing burden of car accidents in Canada is expected to rise in cases of scar, thereby boosting the demand for scar treatment over the forecast period.

Additionally, strategic initiatives by the market players, such as product launches, mergers and acquisitions, and clinical study launches, are expected to propel the growth of the market. For instance, in February 2022, BirchBioMed expected to start assessing CRO pitches for a Phase III study of FS2 for topical scarring in around two months. The trial is planned to begin within six months. Additionally, in September 2021, SkinCeuticals, a Medical Skincare Brand, announced the introduction of their latest innovation, Advanced Scar Control. The new semi-occlusive treatment is designed to protect vulnerable skin to help improve the appearance of new and recent scars.

In North America, insurance is covered for several scar treatment products. The submission of a product as per the insurance codes listed for different types of scars and treatment options varies. However, in the case of laser treatment, since the therapy is considered a cosmetic procedure, most insurance companies do not cover the cost of the treatment. There are several procedures under cosmetic dermatology practices, such as soft tissue augmentation fillers, skin needling, and punch excision, which are popular in scar treatment.

Thus, all the aforementioned factors, such as the rising incidence of burns and launches of treatment trials, are expected to boost market growth in the North American region over the forecast period.

Scar Treatment Market Competitor Analysis

The market is fragmented because of the presence of major market players, and these players are focusing on research and development, market expansions, partnerships, and mergers to experience stable growth. Some of the market players are Alliance Pharma., Bausch Health, Smith & Nephew plc, Merz, Inc., Lumenis, Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mölnlycke Health Care, Cynosure, Inc., Suneva Medical, Inc., and Sientra, Inc.

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