Carrie Strom, President of Global Allergan Aesthetics, the industry leader* in aesthetic medicine
Interview by Thierry Piolatto
As a leader* in the aesthetics market, Allergan Aesthetics has led innovation to support healthcare professionals and their patients for decades. Today, Carrie Strom shares Allergan Aesthetics’ ambitions for the future and gives her perspective on the key trends that are driving change within the industry.
ANTI-AGE Magazine (AA Mag): What is the focus for Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie division in 2023? What can we look forward to from the company in the coming year?
Carrie Strom (C.S.): It’s been an exciting couple of years at Allergan Aesthetics and the future looks even brighter. Customer centricity continues to be our focus and our teams are hard at work to make 2023 our best year yet. We have two big milestone anniversaries for our brands coming up. One of our iconic injectable, for its first aesthetics use, will be celebrating 20 years in France. Allergan Aesthetics has always been a pioneer in the aesthetic market to propose innovations that lasts in time. Thanks to our high-end R&D, Allergan Aesthetics brings to the market new categories of products to meet both customers’ and patients’ needs. Speaking of which, we’ll be celebrating the 1-year anniversary of our latest innovation, launched this year across many markets.We continue to focus on skin quality and our body contou-ring programmes as well. Our portfolio of products is one of the things that makes us unique in this space.
AA Mag: Can you give us your thoughts on the evolution of aesthetic medicine and what do you think is next for the aesthetics industry?
C.S.: The popularity of aesthetic medicine has increased dramatically in recent years. With the rise of video meetings, there’s been more interest in beauty treatments and skin care. Social media has amplified conversations, with more people discussing treatments and trends. All of these factors helped reduce the stigma of aesthetic treatments and grow interest. However, interest is only one part of the equation. The re-lationship between the provider and the patient is critical to successful treatments. As we talk about in our Future of Aesthetics trend report, the importance of individualised treatment will only grow in the future.
AA Mag: You mentioned the Allergan Aesthetics’ Future of Aesthetics Trend Report, which trends resonate with you most?
C.S.: I love the report, I reference it all the time. Customers are eager to learn about patients’ interest today and in the future to meet their expectations. Driven by research and social listening, the trends reflect the future direction of the aesthetics industry. Some of the findings – the New Masculine, Diverse Individuality, End of Aging and Gender Inclusive Beauty etc. – have the potential to open up aesthetic treatments to a wider audience and showcase greater personalisation of a patient’s treatment journey. It’s inspiring to see the potential that exists for our industry.
AA Mag: As we welcome industry leaders to France for IMCAS, can you share your perception of French beauty?
C.S.: It’s great to be back in Paris and seeing so many friends in the industry. Honestly, I used to think the term “French beauty” was a bit cliché…until I sat outside at a bistro near the Arc de Triomphe. Each person who walked by was more casually elegant than the next. Perfectly tailored jackets, impeccably assembled accessories, and effortlessly styled hair and makeup. When I think of our Allergan Aesthetics mission, Empowering Confidence, I think of the power of French beauty.
AA Mag: Thank you, Carrie. For our final question, tell us a little about how you got started in aesthetics.
C.S.: I’ve been in pharmaceuticals for more than twenty years and, for the last seven, in Aesthetics. The healthcare market is fascinating, offering so many ways we can help people live longer and better lives. The Aesthetics market drew me in because it’s not limited to a certain diagnosis. Rather, the Aesthetics market is for everyone who wants to empower their own confi dence. Our products are pharmaceuticals and devices which are rigorously developed and proven to deliver results. We get to partner with brilliant healthcare providers to build this market out to its full potential, and the growth for the past two decades has been tremendous. Like I say to my industry colleagues, aesthetics is a one-way door, once you enter, you want to stay forever!
*Marketshare 30% in 2019. Medical Insight Global Aesthetic Market Study XVIII, p443, 2020
