Scar Treatment Market Size and Share Analysis by Treatment Type (Topical, Surface, Laser, Injectable, Surgical), Scar Type (Atrophic and Acne Scar, Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar, Contracture Scar, Stretch Mark), End User (Home-Use, Hospitals, Dermatology Clinics)- Global Industry Demand Forecast to 2030

Scar Treatment Market Size & Share

The scar treatment market size stood at an estimated USD 23.8 billion in 2023, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2% during 2024–2030, to reach USD 52.8 billion by 2030.

The growth is ascribed to the increasing awareness of scar management, advancing medical technology, rising interest of people in having flawless skin, and growing demand for cosmetic procedures. Additionally, people with long-term disfigurement as a result of surgery, accidents, burns, or other reasons are looking for effective ways to enhance their appearance.

The development of numerous therapies that reduce the visibility of scars and enhance the general texture of the skin has been facilitated by the advancements in medical technology. The enhanced cosmetic procedures now available include chemical peels, lasers, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion. These innovations have made it possible to provide less-intrusive and more-effective options to people for enhancing their aesthetics.

Essentially, there has been a rise in the adoption of scar revision solutions due to the increasing understanding of the different treatment options available. The public has benefitted from the information provided by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and skincare experts regarding the advantages of the current and under-trial skin treatments. Further, with the advent of medical tourism and elective surgeries, the number of surgical procedures is rising at an exponential rate. This means that now, more potential patients are looking for post-surgery scar treatment.

Every industry globally was influenced by the COVID-19 epidemic, including the market for scar revision solutions. In the short term, there was a negative effect on the demand for the associated cosmetics, energy-based aesthetic devices, and surgeries, which slowed down the market expansion. However, after the restarting of activities at cosmetics and beauty device manufacturing plants, reopening of skin clinics, and resumption of the import and export of these items, the demand for them experienced a noticeable increase from the last quarter of 2020.

Laser Is Projected To Be Fastest-Growing Category in Global Market

The laser category is expected to experience the highest CAGR, of 12.7%, in the forecast period, based on treatment type. This is because compared to the currently available topical therapies, laser treatments are more advanced. Apart from being effective and, often, permanent treatments, they help reduce scars within a few hours or a few days. Essentially, precision and customization, stimulation of collagen production, minimal downtime, and reduced pain and discomfort encourage people to accept laser treatment over other methods. Additionally, fractional lasers, picosecond lasers, and other innovative laser modalities offer enhanced treatment options. Such procedures speed up the healing of scars by allowing the reorganization of the cells within the damaged tissues and assisting in the production of collagen.

The increasing popularity of aesthetic procedures has driven the demand for high-tech and sophisticated laser systems. These variants provide noticeable results with minimal invasion, due to which the trust of people in them over other technologies has increased. Further, clinical studies and real-world cases have demonstrated the positive impact of laser therapy on skin improvement.

High Demand for Atrophic and Acne Scar Reduction Therapies

Atrophic and acne scar is the largest category, holding a share of 40.1% in 2023, and it is expected to show a similar trend in the forecast years. Acne is one of the most-common dermatological conditions in the world, especially among adolescents. The condition occurs due to the clogging of the hair follicles in the skin with oil, dirt, dead skin cells, sebum, and other impurities, which results in the formation of lesions. Almost 10% of the people around the world suffer from this condition, which makes it the eight-most-common of all health conditions.

Further, it affects around 50 million Americans each year, making it the most-prevalent skin condition in the country, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. A subset of these people may experience more-severe cases, which are more likely to result in scarring, especially if the lesions are deep and inflamed. Moreover, since it is highly incident among teenagers, who are a lot more social than people in other age groups, the focus on alleviating the appearance of the related scars is strong.

Further, atrophic face acne scarring is rather common all over the world. After severe acne lesions have healed, the skin loses collagen, leaving behind depressions or indentations, known as atrophic scars. These can appear in a variety of ways, such as ice pick, rolling, and boxcar scars. Their incidence is, thus, directly proportional to that of acne. Atrophic scars are more common among this population, occurring in 80 to 90% of the acne patients, compared to a minority, who show hypertrophic scars and keloids.

Such scarring can be a major worry for people who have had severe or protracted acne. Effective acne management and scar prevention are crucial given how these conditions affect self-esteem, body image, and the general quality of life. Thus, due to the rising prevalence of both these conditions, people, especially young adults, are showing a strong interest in consulting dermatologists.

Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars To Experience Highest Growth Rate during Forecast Period

The keloid and hypertrophic scar category is expected to witness the fastest growth in revenue generation during the forecast period. This is credited to the rise in the volume of surgeries, as well as the prevalence of burn injuries and traumatic wounds. This is driving the number of procedures using silicone sheets and lasers, thus contributing to the growth of this category.

A relatively recent technique in the management of keloids and HTS is laser therapy. However, it is regarded as a second- or third-line treatment because it is expensive. Additionally, amongst the different laser therapies, fractional ablative carbon dioxide lasers (10,600 nm) and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers (2,940 nm) are more effective in reducing the height, erythema, and pliability of the scars than pulsed-dye lasers (585 nm).

Rising Demand for Contracture Scar Treatment due to Increasing Burning Cases

The contracture scar category is also projected to witness significant advance over this decade. When a scar undergoes contractile wound healing after being sufficiently healed and reepithelialized, it results in a scar contracture. Fibrous tissue outgrowths, known as keloids and hypertrophic scars, are brought on by a stall in the natural healing of wounds.

A particular kind of scar, called a contracture scar, develops after a burn injury or trauma that causes the loss of skin and underlying tissue. The increasing number of burn cases and the potential scarring they can cause contribute to the rising need for contracture scar therapy. The contraction of the scar tissue can result in tightness, restricted movement, and even abnormalities.

After burn injuries, hypertrophic scarring is estimated to occur between 8% and 67% of the time. The current prospective research found an 8% prevalence. There is a lack of information on the prevalence of burn scar contractures; at discharge, the reported prevalence ranged from 38 to 54% and reduced as healing time increased. Up to 10 years after their burn injuries, 5–20% of those who have these scars undergo reconstructive surgery.

Increasing Focus on Stretch Mark Reduction Treatments

In laser skin resurfacing, damaged skin is removed from the surface, while collagen production is boosted and new, healthier skin is allowed to develop in its place. Stretch marks are frequently treated with fractional lasers because they cause micro-injuries to the skin, which start the body's natural healing process. This may cause the stretch marks to gradually become less noticeable over time.

Similarly, the outer layer of the skin is softly sanded during dermabrasion, which brings the body’s defense system into action and, thus, creates new skin cells. By promoting the growth of new collagen, dermabrasion can improve the skin's texture and lessen the visibility of stretch marks.

Microneedling is another method of scar treatment that creates regulated micro-injuries in the skin with a tool equipped with small needles. it is also called collagen induction therapy as it promotes the synthesis of collagen and elastin and improves the texture and look of the skin, by reducing the appearance of stretch marks.

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North America Is Highest-Revenue-Generating Region

The scar treatment market was dominated by North America, with a share of around 37.8%, in 2023. The high disposable income in the region, which leads to an increase in the spending on personal care goods, is one of the biggest contributors to the region’s dominance on the industry. Additionally, the region's population is becoming more aware of its appearance, which has resulted in a rising use of modern scar treatment solutions. Additionally, the increase in the number of people with skin problems, burns, and injuries in the region is driving the demand for scar treatment.

Moreover, the region has a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, characterized by skilled professionals, advanced medical facilities, and cutting-edge technologies. Further, people here are highly concerned about their looks and appearance and are well-informed on the latest medical technologies and treatments available.

In the North American region, the U.S. is the leading country in 2023, and it is expected to showcase the faster growth in the forecast period. The market growth in the country is backed by the technological innovations in medical and cosmetic procedures, strong economy, and high purchasing power.

Top Scar Treatment Product Providers Are:

• Avita Medical Inc.
• Revitol Corporation
• Sonoma Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Mölnlycke Health Care AB
• CCA Industries Inc.
• Sisram Medical Ltd.
• Biodermis
• Candela Corporation
• Smith & Nephew plc
• Scarguard Labs LLC

Market Size Breakdown by Segment

The study uncovers the biggest trends and opportunities in the scar treatment market, along with offering segmentation analysis at the granular level for the period 2017 to 2030.

Segment Analysis, by Treatment Type

• Topical
  • Cream
  • Oil
  • Gel
  • Gel sheet
• Surface
  • Dermabrasion
  • Chemical peeling
  • Cryosurgery
• Laser
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser
  • Erbium-doped: yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser
  • Pulsed-dye laser
• Injectable
  • Tissue/dermal filler injection
  • Steroid injection
• Surgical

Segment Analysis, by Scar Type

• Atrophic and Acne Scar
• Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar
• Contracture Scar
• Stretch Mark

Segment Analysis, by End User

• Home-Use
• Hospitals
• Dermatology Clinics

Region/Countries Reviewed for this Report

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia-Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • U.A.E.