Press Release
MERZ AESTHETICS' SURVEY SHOWS WOMEN LOOK FOR NEXT BEST THING IN AESTHETICS
- The F.R.E.S.H. Study Demonstrates Company's Commitment To Consistently Deliver Innovative Options -
Washington, D.C. [April 26, 2010] – The results of a consumer insights study commissioned by Merz Aesthetics found that although women are largely satisfied with the outcomes of less-invasive treatments such as dermal fillers, they are always looking for the next best thing to enhance their appearance.
The study, named F.R.E.S.H. (Facial Results, Experiences, Satisfaction and Habits), conducted online in November 2009 by Harris Interactive® on behalf of Merz Aesthetics, explored the psychological motivators and barriers among women ages 30-60 in ten metropolitan areas who have ever used dermal fillers and asked what they want in next generation treatments. Merz Aesthetics, a privately held global company, announced these data today from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) meeting in Washington, D.C.
"This unique survey confirms that women are always looking for improvements and upgrades when it comes to aesthetics," said Lawrence Bass, M.D., director of the Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery Program at New York University Medical Center, New York, NY. "For many women, treatments like dermal fillers are no longer viewed as little luxuries; they have become as important as hair color and a gym membership. And these women expect the best."
Merz Aesthetics is primed to continue to introduce novel technologies to consumers. The company is distinguished by its rich and diverse product portfolio that includes RADIESSE® dermal filler as well as several innovative aesthetics products under development. Also, the company recently announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of Asclera® (polidocanol) injection, the first new sclerosant to be approved in over 60 years.
"With our new product portfolio and expanded expertise, we are committed to providing innovative products that will delight our customers," said Dennis Condon, president of BioForm Medical, Inc., a Merz Aesthetics company. "In fact, we want to give women a full 'body by Merz' experience – enhancing the appearance of everything from their face to their legs."
The F.R.E.S.H. Survey is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of uncovering women's underlying motivations behind, and satisfaction with, their cosmetic procedure choices. The survey revealed that 68% of women who had a dermal filler treatment were satisfied to very satisfied with the results and two out of three women (66%) said they would be likely or extremely likely to get a dermal filler treatment at some point in the future. Among the improvements sought to dermal filler treatments, 68% want longer-lasting results, 48% want less bruising and 43% want more comfortable injections. Additionally, when choosing a dermal filler, 41% of women indicated that it was important to them to have immediate results that allow for a quick return to normal activities.
The survey further discovered that, among women who had a dermal filler treatment, 97% of the respondents were concerned about at least one aspect of facial aging. Prominence of nasolabial folds (58%) and visibility of wrinkles (54%) were the top two concerns. More than half (58%) of women were prompted to have a dermal filler treatment because of dissatisfaction with their appearance and about one quarter (27%) were inspired by a life event such as a birthday, career change or a new relationship.
About F.R.E.S.H.
The F.R.E.S.H. Survey (Facial Results, Experiences, Satisfaction and Habits) assessed the experiences and perceptions of dermal filler treatments through an online survey of 225 women ages 30-60 who have ever had a dermal filler treatment and live in one of ten metropolitan areas known to have higher rates of cosmetic procedures (NYC, LA/Orange County, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston, Miami and Phoenix. The survey was conducted between November 13 and December 1, 2009 by Harris Interactive, a global leader in custom market research, on behalf of Merz Aesthetics. For complete methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Danielle Lewis at dlewis@rxmedyn.com.
About Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are made from a variety of substances including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, synthetic poly-L-lactic acid, and collagen and are used most frequently to smooth fine lines and wrinkles on the face and give skin a plumper appearance. Fillers are injected into the skin, directly beneath the surface of the wrinkle, making the skin fuller and the wrinkle less noticeable. Treatment results can vary, depending greatly on the type of dermal filler used and the area of correction. For more information on dermal fillers speak with a healthcare professional.
About Merz Aesthetics
Merz Aesthetics, the new business unit of Merz Pharma Group, is a leader in the global aesthetic medicine market. With a 100-year history of compassion and innovation in healthcare, Merz Aesthetics is committed to delivering a new generation of aesthetic care.
BioForm Medical, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merz, Inc. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, BioForm Medical, Inc. is focused on developing products that enhance aesthetic procedures performed in dermatology and plastic surgery practices. BioForm Medical's lead product is RADIESSE® dermal filler, a long-lasting filler for use in facial aesthetics.
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