By NAIMA Education Team · Reviewed by NAIMA Clinical Faculty
Quick answer: McKinsey estimates the combined US and Canadian market for neuromodulators and dermal fillers grew from $2.7 billion in 2019 to $4.4 billion in 2023. In Canada, demand concentrates in large, fast-growing metro areas. NAIMA trains licensed professionals in seven Canadian cities: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Regina.
Key facts
- US and Canadian neuromodulator and filler procedures rose from 11.7 million in 2019 to 19.9 million in 2023 (McKinsey).
- NAIMA's seven cities include Canada's three largest metropolitan areas: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census).
- Calgary had the fastest population growth of any Canadian metro area between July 2023 and July 2024, at 5.8% (Statistics Canada).
- Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo grew 9.9% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the fastest of NAIMA's seven cities.
- Botulinum toxin is a prescription drug in Canada, so demand flows to licensed professionals working within their college's rules.
- NAIMA has 15,000+ graduates and lists 22 instructors.
NAIMA, the North American Institute of Medical Aesthetics, is a professional training and certification platform for licensed practitioners. This article covers where the training opportunity is for nurses, physicians, NPs and dentists entering aesthetics. It is not investment advice, and population is only one signal of demand.
How big is the medical aesthetics market in North America?
Injectables are a large and growing category. McKinsey's "Growth market for medical aesthetics" (2024) looked at neuromodulator and dermal filler injectables in the United States and Canada combined. It reported:
Measure (US and Canada) | 2019 | 2023 | 2025 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
Neuromodulator and filler procedures | 11.7 million | 19.9 million | 23.0 million |
Market size | $2.7 billion | $4.4 billion | $5.2 billion |
Source: McKinsey & Company. McKinsey projected growth (CAGR) for neuromodulators in the US and Canada of 11.9% to 2025, and 3.8% for dermal filler injectables.
The figures combine both countries and do not give a separate Canadian number. We have not found a free, verifiable Canada-only market figure, so we don't quote one. Paid reports, such as GlobalData's Canada aesthetic injectable procedures forecast, offer Canada-specific counts.
Which Canadian cities have the most potential clients?
The three largest metro areas are Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and NAIMA trains in all three. Statistics Canada figures for NAIMA's seven cities:
Census metropolitan area | 2021 Census population | Growth 2016 to 2021 | Growth July 2023 to July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
Toronto, ON | 6,202,225 | 4.6% | 3.9% |
Montréal, QC | 4,291,732 | 4.6% | 2.9% |
Vancouver, BC | 2,642,825 | 7.3% | 4.2% |
Calgary, AB | 1,481,806 | 6.4% | 5.8% |
Edmonton, AB | 1,418,118 | 7.3% | 4.5% |
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, ON | 575,847 | 9.9% | 4.9% |
Regina, SK | 249,217 | 5.3% | Not reported separately |
Sources: Statistics Canada, The Daily, 2021 Census, Table 2; Statistics Canada, Canada's population estimates: Subprovincial areas, July 1, 2024. In those July 2024 estimates, Toronto reached 7,106,379, Montréal 4,615,154 and Vancouver 3,108,941. The July 2024 release does not give a separate figure for Regina.
Note that population growth is a proxy for demand, not a measure of it. Statistics Canada does not track aesthetic procedures by city.
Where is the training opportunity in each city?
Every NAIMA course and masterclass is offered in all seven cities, so the differences are market conditions and provincial rules. All seven follow the same federal rules, but each province's college sets its own requirements.
Toronto
Toronto is Canada's largest metro area, with more than 7 million people in Statistics Canada's July 2024 estimate. It has the deepest client base, and the most competition. 5 Clarence Sq is a training venue NAIMA uses in Toronto. In Ontario, nurses need authorization from a physician or NP (CNO Aesthetic Services guideline). The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) has approved updated standards that require client-specific orders rather than directives for aesthetic procedures (CNO release). Confirm the current requirements with CNO. Read Medical Aesthetics Training in Toronto.
Montreal
Montreal is Canada's second-largest metro area, with 4,615,154 people in the July 2024 estimate. GLIF Medical in Verdun is a training venue NAIMA uses in Montreal, where Dr. Peguy Telusma teaches PRP Hair & Face. In Quebec, nurses need an individual prescription, and a physician must be available onsite within 15 minutes, according to the CMQ and OIIQ. Read Medical Aesthetics Training in Montreal.
Vancouver
Vancouver passed 3 million people in the July 2024 estimate, after 7.3% growth between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. 3609 W 16th Ave is a training venue NAIMA uses in Vancouver, and 3D Lifestyle clinics operate in Vancouver and Coquitlam. The 8-Day Preceptorship Program says graduates "may be eligible" for part-time work at those clinics. This is not guaranteed. BCCNM requires a client-specific order, with the ordering professional present at the facility and immediately available. Read Medical Aesthetics Training in Vancouver.
Calgary
Calgary grew 5.8% between July 2023 and July 2024, the fastest rate of any Canadian metro area in that period. A fast-growing population can mean more potential clients. Your Calgary venue details are confirmed when you book. Faculty include Raj Parmar, listed as Lead Course Instructor - Injectables NAIMA Calgary. In Alberta, nurses need a client-specific order from an authorized prescriber (CRNA). Read Medical Aesthetics Training in Calgary.
Edmonton
Edmonton grew 7.3% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, and 4.5% in the year to July 2024. Whyte Ave Medical Centre is a training venue NAIMA uses in Edmonton, where Dr. Jimmy Kwok hosts the Musculoskeletal Shockwave Therapy & PRP Masterclass. That gives clinicians a regenerative and musculoskeletal option alongside aesthetics. Read Medical Aesthetics Training in Edmonton.
Kitchener-Waterloo
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo is the second-smallest of the seven metro areas, at 575,847 in the 2021 Census. It grew fastest between censuses, at 9.9%, and 4.9% in the year to July 2024. A smaller market with fast growth can suit injectors who want to build a local practice outside the GTA. Your Kitchener venue details are confirmed when you book. Read Medical Aesthetics Training in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Regina
Regina is NAIMA's seventh city and the smallest of the seven metro areas, at 249,217 in the 2021 Census, after 5.3% growth from 2016 (Statistics Canada). It gives Saskatchewan clinicians a training option close to home. Your Regina venue details are confirmed when you book. Read Medical Aesthetics Training in Regina.
Does demand change who can provide treatments?
No. Regulation sets who can provide treatments, whatever the demand. Botulinum toxin (sold as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) is on Health Canada's Prescription Drug List, and dermal fillers are regulated as Class III or IV medical devices. Public advertising of prescription drugs is restricted under section C.01.044 of the Food and Drug Regulations.
Rules differ by province. See the guides for Ontario, BC, Alberta and Quebec. Scope of practice is set by your regulatory college. Confirm with your college before practising.
About the faculty
NAIMA lists 22 instructors, including:
- Maneesha Fraser: Head of NAIMA & Lead Aesthetics Trainer
- Dr. Inna Polyakov: Aesthetic Physician & Chief Medical Officer
- Joe Qureshi and Dr. Fatemeh Totounchian: Head of NAIMA Training, Vancouver
- Raj Parmar: Lead Course Instructor - Injectables NAIMA Calgary
- Dr. Shadi Amin Ranjbar: Program Coordinator - Eastern Canada
Frequently asked questions
How big is the medical aesthetics market in Canada?
McKinsey reports that the combined US and Canadian market for neuromodulator and dermal filler injectables grew from $2.7 billion in 2019 to $4.4 billion in 2023. McKinsey does not publish a separate Canadian figure. Canada-specific procedure counts are available in paid industry reports.
Which Canadian city is growing fastest?
Statistics Canada reported that Calgary had the fastest population growth of any Canadian census metropolitan area between July 2023 and July 2024, at 5.8%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo grew fastest of NAIMA's seven cities, at 9.9%.
Is Toronto the best city to become a nurse injector?
Toronto has the largest population base, at more than 7 million in Statistics Canada's July 2024 estimate, but it also has the most competition. The best city depends on where you will practise and on your province's rules for nurse injectors.
Does more demand mean more professionals can inject?
No. Botulinum toxin is a prescription drug in Canada, and each provincial college sets who can inject and under what orders. Demand does not change scope of practice.
Which cities does NAIMA train in?
NAIMA trains in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Kitchener and Regina, and every NAIMA course and masterclass is offered in each city. Book a call with Admissions to choose your dates.
Next steps
Start with the Neuromodulators Certification, a 2-day course with a minimum of 13 supervised procedures on live models provided by NAIMA. Tuition is CAD $2,500. Tuition is subject to change; confirm with admissions. To plan your training, Book a call with Admissions (a 30-minute call) to choose your dates, or call 416.623.8424 or email education@naimaed.ca.
