A New Category for Skin Care?

Rhinoplasty begat rhytidectomy which begat blepharoplasty which begat botox. In the U.S., the number of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, which includes lasers, grew to 8.5 million in 2009, compared with 1.1 million in 1997, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

That trend has created demand for a range of post-treatment cosmetic products. According to NPD Group, products whose primary function goes beyond moisturizing to treat redness, spots, lines and the like — is the best-performing segment of the prestige skin care market. While the overall facial skin care market fell 4% last year, the corrective skin care subcategory grew both in units and dollars, up 10% and 6%, respectively.

No wonder, then, why marketers are rushing these treatments to market. According to Karen Grant of NPD,Clinique Dark Spot Correctoris the No. 1 skin care launch of the year. Next month, Clinique also is boldly incorporating the word in its upcoming product called Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector.

Last year, New York dermatologist Fredric Brandt, rolled out new improved versions of his Laser Relief formulas called ime Arrest Laser Tight, Anti-Irritant Laser Relief, Flaws No More Lightening Serum and the two-step Laser A-Peel.

Avon expanded its Anew skin care line with the introduction ofAnew Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum, a topical product formulated with injectable-grade L-aspartic acid to fade dark spots and even skin tone and blotchiness.

According to a study at the University of Göttingen in Germany, facial skin color distribution, or tone, can add or subtract as much as 20 years from a woman’s perceived age.

With patients paying as much as $1,500 for laser treatments, it only makes sense to spend some money on skin care products that can maintain the treatment.