Iontophoresis Units Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Iontophoresis Units Market is Segmented By Type(High-Frequency Iontophoresis Units, Intermediate Iontophoresis Units, Low-Frequency Iontophoresis Units), By Application (Pain Management, Dentistry, Other), By End-User(Hospitals, Home, Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2030.

Iontophoresis units market is estimated to reach at a CAGR during the forecast period (2023-2030). 

During Iontophoresis, a medical device uses mild electrical currents to deliver medication across biological membranes; often, the affected part of the body is submerged in water. Iontophoresis is used primarily to treat hyperhidrosis disorder, resulting in excessive and persistent sweating.

Market Dynamics

The increasing incidence of hyperhidrosis disorder and the growing number of accidents that might lead to muscle, cartilage, or ligament injuries are expected to fuel the iontophoresis unit's market growth.

Increasing incidence of hyperhidrosis disorder is expected to drive the global iontophoresis market.

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disease that affects 1% of the population. However, the condition often interferes with daily activities and can be embarrassing in social situations for those affected. Iontophoresis is usually recommended for people who have tried clinical strength or prescription antiperspirants but need more substantial treatment. In People with hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet, iontophoresis treatments have dramatically decreased sweating. A study found that Iontophoresis helped 91% of patients with excessive sweating of palmoplantar (hands and feet). Another study whereas showed that it reduced palmoplantar sweating by 81%.

 During Iontophoresis, a medical device is used to pass a mild electrical current through water and the skin's surface. There are no severe or significant side effects, and For instance, it is mainly used to treat hyperhidrosis disorder, which results in excessive and persistent sweating. The currents are usually delivered to the hands, feet, or armpits to block sweat glands temporarily. Some feel a slight tingling sensation during the procedure, but the electrical current isn't strong enough to give a shock. This perspiring can happen in specific circumstances, for example, in a sweltering climate or during busy work, or with no trigger. It can also be caused by medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or menopause.

An increasing number of accidents that might lead to muscle, cartilage, or ligament injuries are expected to fuel the global iontophoresis unit's market growth.

For the local delivery of anesthetics, Iontophoresis can be used in physical therapy (such as lidocaine), corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs. And analgesics to inflamed joints, muscles, and subcutaneous tissues. In rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy, Iontophoresis reduces inflammation seen in musculoskeletal conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis,/bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and enthesopathy conditions of various origins. Dexamethasone is the most popular and well-researched iontophoresis application of a corticosteroid in a sodium phosphate solution. The drug in this form is composed of negatively charged ions of dexamethasone phosphate. When loaded into a negatively charged electrode pad or reservoir, the like charges electrical force pushes the medication molecules into the desired area. There are two common ways of applying Iontophoresis. The first is using a current generator with lead wires connected to an active pad and a dispersive pad.

For instance, Iontophoresis is an effective and well-tolerated method for delivering through the dermis the ionized medications use electrical current in a controlled amount. This type of treatment offers benefits to a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders. In physical therapy, dexamethasone for inflammation and acetic acid for calcific deposits have been used in numerous clinical settings for many years. In conjunction with other conservative interventions and treatments, Iontophoresis has been shown to effectively manage painful symptoms associated with superficial tissue structures in a wide variety of patients.

The side effects associated with the use of an iontophoresis unit are expected to hamper the iontophoresis unit's market.

Depending on the applied current density, the Iontophoresis induces a sensation of itching or tingling. Besides these uncomfortable effects, skin irritation is the common local adverse effect of cutaneous Iontophoresis. It occurs at both the cathode and the anode. For instance, erythema's most frequently described negative impact, with a variable frequency according to the iontophoresis protocols. However, rare burns can be observed due to mainly operator error and the incorrect choice of formulation/electrodes composition. Indeed, the electrochemistry at graphite electrodes or bare metal involves the electrolysis of water, which induces changes in the skin's pH by generating H+ and O.H. at the positive and negative electrodes, respectively. Variations beyond the buffer capacities of the skin in pH may lead to burns. High current density or prolonged application and positioning of the electrodes over skin defects increase the risk of burns. Burns are more serious generally under the cathode due to O.H.− and rise in pH.

The leading cause of skin injuries is material defects such as burns, usually resulting from contact between metal components and the skin. For instance, a pediatric patient-reported a partial-thickness burn, attributed to the connection between the skin and a defect in the coating of the wires connecting the controller to the electrode patch.

Iontophoresis Units Market COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented increases in demand for specific medical devices, as well as significant disruptions to global medical device manufacturing and supply chain operations. The FDA closely monitors the medical product supply chain and collaborates with manufacturers and other stakeholders to assess the risk of disruptions and prevent or mitigate their impact on patients, health care providers, and the general public's health. For instance, COVID-19 notifying CDRH of a Permanent Discontinuance or Interruption in Manufacturing of a Device Under Section 506J of the FD&C Act during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff, issued by the FDA, went into effect immediately. Hence, the global iontophoresis units market was affected by COVID-19.

Segmentation Analysis

High-Frequency Iontophoresis Units are expected to dominate the iontophoresis units' market in the forecast period.

The advantages associated with high-frequency iontophoresis units are expected to fuel its growth. For instance, a significant increase in the release and control of therapeutic substances, that includes pharmaceuticals with high molecular weight. Several transdermal approaches have been used, and recently there has been significant attention in using an iontophoretic technique for the transdermal drug delivery of both ionic and non-ionic. This facilitated movement of ions across a membrane under the influence of an externally applied electric potential difference is one of the most promising physical skin penetrations enhancing methods. The highly lipophilic nature of the skin restricts the permeation of hydrophilic, high molecular weight and charged compounds through the stratum corneum into the systemic circulation. However, many therapeutically active drug molecules are hydrophilic and possess high molecular weights, such as peptides.

The iontophoretic technique using a lower current intensity is suitable to improve the transdermal delivery of proteins and peptides within a short period. It can be defined as "the permeation of ionized drug molecules across biological membranes under the influence of electrical current" or a technique that involves the transport of ionic or charged molecules into tissue by the passage of periodic or direct electric current through the solution of an electrolyte containing the ionic molecules to be delivered using an appropriate electrode polarity.

Based on application, hyperhidrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, the conditions segment is expected to dominate the iontophoresis market.

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disease that affects 1% of the population. However, the condition often interferes with their daily activities and can be embarrassing in social situations for those affected. For instance, the annual incidence of R.A. in the United States and northern European countries is approximately 40 per 100,000 persons. Most epidemiologic studies of R.A. have been conducted in the United States or northern European populations.

Iontophoresis treatments for people with hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet have dramatically decreased sweating. A study found that Iontophoresis helped 91% of patients with excessive sweating of palmoplantar (hands and feet). Another study showed that palmoplantar sweating reduced by 81%. In rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy, Iontophoresis is used to reduce inflammation that might be seen in musculoskeletal conditions such as medial epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, lateral epicondylitis, and tendonitis/bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and enthesopathy conditions of various origins. The most popular and well-researched iontophoresis application is dexamethasone, a corticosteroid in a sodium phosphate solution.

Report Scope

Geographical Analysis

North America region is expected to dominate the global iontophoresis unit's market.

The increasing incidence of hyperhidrosis and rising FDA approvals in this region are expected to fuel the market growth.  The projected prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the United States is 2.8% (7.8 million individuals), and 50.8% of this population (4.0 million individuals) reported that they have axillary hyperhidrosis (1.4% of the U.S. population). Only 38% had discussed their sweating with a health care professional. Hyperhidrosis affects about 1 percent of the population. However, the condition often interferes with their daily activities and can be embarrassing in social situations for those affected.

The U.S. FDA has cleared Dermadry's iontophoresis device to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The anti-sweat device has been in the market since receiving its medical device license from Health Canada in October 2018. Dermadry follows the strictest safety standards and has been recognized as the iontophoresis machine with the most certifications and compliances globally. These certifications include a seal of approval of their products from both the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) and L'Ordre des Podiatres du Québec.

Iontophoresis Units Market Competitive Landscape

The global iontophoresis units' market is highly competitive with increasing product launches, company mergers, and acquisitions. Major key players in the worldwide iontophoresis market are R.A. FISCHER, Hidrex USA, Idromed, Drionic, AAM GmbH,  Iskra Medical, I-Tech Medical, Krupa Medi Scan, Indetouch Exporters Enterprise.

Hidrex USA

Overview: Partnered with Hidrex GmbH (Germany), Hidrex USA, LLC is a US-based and American-owned manufacturer of various medical products, including their highly rated iontophoresis machines. The company was formed in January 2015 to introduce select Hidrex products to North, Central, and South America. The company's products have provided healthcare solutions to the European market for over 35 years.

Product Portfolio: The company manufactures DVP1000 Hands & Feet, DP450 Underarms, and DVP1000 Ultimate devices for excessive sweat problems.

Critical Development: In September 2019, three new machines were launched by Hidrex GmbH Rehatechnik and IontoCentre. These improved machines are called Hidrex ConceptION, Hidrex ConnectION, and Hidrex ClassicION.