Summary of the Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetics Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The medical aesthetics industry in China has a significantly lower penetration rate compared to the US and South Korea, indicating substantial growth potential. The current penetration rate is approximately 2 per 1,000 people, while the US and South Korea have rates of 5‰ and 8‰ respectively, suggesting a large market opportunity for growth [2][3][4] - The consumer repurchase rate for medical aesthetics is high, with stable demand for light medical aesthetics services, which provides a solid foundation for industry development [2][3] Market Dynamics - The medical aesthetics industry is divided into two main segments: medical aesthetics and cosmetics. The medical aesthetics segment remains robust post-pandemic, with a focus on product and material development [3][4] - The upstream raw material sector has high gross margins, with companies like Aimeike achieving margins of 85%-90%. The typical markup at the consumer level is over three times the factory price, ensuring profitability for institutions and sales personnel [2][4] Capital Market Trends - Capital markets are increasingly focused on upstream manufacturers, particularly the transition from hyaluronic acid to active materials such as recombinant collagen and PDRN. This shift is driven by rising consumer demand for facial treatments [7] - The market for light medical aesthetics accounts for approximately 70% in leading hospitals, with new medical aesthetics primarily divided into photonic and injection categories [8] Product Market Size - The market size for hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin at the factory level is estimated to be between 50 to 100 billion yuan. The markup for mature products typically ranges from 2 to 3 times, with high-end products potentially reaching 3 to 4 times [9] - The regenerative materials market has seen rapid growth, with several companies achieving sales exceeding 1 billion yuan since 2021. However, these materials are not fully replacing hyaluronic acid but rather expanding the market [10][11] Material Development and Trends - The development of regenerative materials is significant, with a focus on micro-spheres that stimulate natural repair and collagen regeneration. These materials are expected to enhance treatment effectiveness and safety in soft tissue filling and skin management [15][16] - The future of the medical aesthetics industry is expected to shift towards active micro-spheres and humanized collagen, with a focus on extracellular matrix and various collagen types [15] Cosmetics Industry Overview - The cosmetics industry has seen a clear trend towards domestic brand replacement, with domestic brands now accounting for over 50% of the market. Brands are leveraging e-commerce and live streaming to enhance growth, with increased R&D investments focusing on efficacy and ingredient-driven strategies [2][21] - The market has shifted from high-end luxury products to a broader consumer base, with skincare products maintaining steady growth despite the pandemic [21][22] Sales Dynamics - The sales of domestic cosmetics exhibit seasonal variations, with the first half of the year accounting for about 40% of total sales and the second half for 60%. Major shopping events like 618 and Double Eleven significantly impact annual sales [24] R&D Investment Differences - There is a notable difference in R&D investment between the medical aesthetics and cosmetics industries. The medical aesthetics sector focuses on material iteration, while the cosmetics industry emphasizes brand building and marketing to enhance consumer loyalty [25] Future Outlook - The future of domestic cosmetics companies appears optimistic, with expectations of revenue growth driven by channel changes and ingredient innovations. Companies like Perfect Diary and Proya are projected to reach revenue levels of 20 to 30 billion yuan in the next 3 to 5 years [30]

Summary of Medical Aesthetics Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The medical aesthetics industry is experiencing a slowdown in overall revenue growth, with August showing a 4% increase, influenced by a rise in non-surgical procedures and price transparency leading to a significant drop in average transaction value [1][3] - The average transaction value in July decreased by 5% year-on-year to approximately 3,300 RMB, marking the lowest in recent years. Although it slightly rebounded to around 3,600 RMB in August, it remains below last year's levels [1][4] Key Insights - Major industry players such as Langzi, Yixin, and Liga are facing disappointing revenue growth, with Yixin's retail sales remaining flat in July and August, and some months even showing declines [1][6] - The decline in average transaction value is attributed to increased price transparency, a higher proportion of non-surgical light medical aesthetics projects, and price wars initiated by platforms like Xinyang, which offer low-priced services [1][7] - Medical aesthetics institutions are actively expanding their light medical aesthetics sub-brands, focusing on skin light therapy, injections, and minimally invasive procedures. These smaller stores (500-1,000 square meters) are expanding slowly (3-5 new stores per year) but are expected to be a key growth area due to lower investment and easier scalability [1][9] Operational Differences - Traditional large medical aesthetics institutions and light medical aesthetics stores differ significantly in terms of investment, size, location, revenue, and return cycles. Light medical aesthetics stores require lower initial investments (5-6 million RMB) and have shorter return periods (6 months to break even, 8-10 months to profitability) but operate at lower profit margins [1][10][11] Market Trends - The high-end imported hyaluronic acid products like Juvederm and Restylane are seeing declining sales, with institutions opting for OEM products to reduce procurement costs. Newer domestic products like Gege Needle and Bobo Needle are performing well, compensating for the price drops of traditional brands [1][4][16][17] - The overall market for regenerative collagen products is growing, with Shuyancui emerging as a new growth point, driving market development despite some traditional products experiencing declines [1][19][20] Future Outlook - The industry anticipates continued declines in average transaction value and sluggish revenue growth. However, positive customer traffic growth is expected, prompting institutions to implement more promotional activities and focus on high-margin product lines [1][8] - The medical aesthetics sector typically sees a peak in September and October, with a projected 15% year-on-year growth target for September 2025. Operators plan to boost revenue through repeat purchases and promotional activities [1][15] Product Performance - The sales performance of core products in July and August indicates a decline in high-end imported hyaluronic acid sales, while new injection products are gaining traction. For instance, the sales of the HiTi series from Aimeike dropped significantly, while new products like Gege Needle and Bobo Needle are seeing increased usage [1][18][21] - The overall growth rate for injection collagen products is around 17%, with specific products like Wei Yimei showing a remarkable 45% increase compared to the previous year [1][21] Pricing and Cost Dynamics - Upstream manufacturers have reduced ex-factory prices by approximately 20%-30%, impacting the competitive landscape and prompting institutions to adapt by switching brands to maintain competitiveness [1][26]