I’m sitting in a dermatology clinic and I’ve got to tell you, this place is booming. The waiting room is huge and close to full. There are almost as many pharma sales reps as patients, but still. If you’re looking for market opportunity, there’s no shortage of people wanting to improve their appearance.
While half a dermatologist’s practice is about remediating disorders and diseases of the skin, the other half consists of an ever-growing array of elective procedures. Fixing wrinkles with Botox is so yesterday’s news. Did you know they can just freeze your fat right off? And there’s a procedure that stops underarm sweat. Permanently.
My initial impression was that cosmetic procedures have gone off the rails. But on the other hand, if they really work, they pose minimal risk, and patients are willing to pay the price, where’s the harm? Business is business. And this particular clinic is run by a highly regarded physician who I happen to think is a smart, ethical business man.
Don’t get me wrong; I have no interest in any of that look good, smell good nonsense. I may be vain, but I’m not that vain. I was there because I get way too much sun and have a few pre-cancerous lesions that the good doctor burned off with a few squirts from his handy dandy liquid nitrogen canister.
But Dr. Look Good and I did have an interesting chat about the dizzying assortment of options consumers have to choose from these days. So many apps, gadgets, and services, so little time, money, and credit card limits. You and I may think they’re a waste, but that doesn’t mean they’re not fabulous business and career opportunities.
Remember, one man’s absurdity is another man’s necessity. Not only is it foolish to try to predict which products and services will take off, it’s even more foolish to judge which should and shouldn’t.