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SUPER CUTS ‘Daddy Makeovers’ and Celeb Confessions: Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Soar in Britain

Daddy Makeovers’ and Celeb Confessions: Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Soar in Britain

London – ‪8th February, 2016 – A record number of over 51,000 Britons underwent cosmetic surgery in 2015, demonstrating the public's love affair with surgical enhancement is far from over, despite any previous ‘blips’ as the economy reshaped itself.

New data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk); the only organisation solely dedicated to safety and education in cosmetic surgery, and which represents the vast majority of NHS-trained consultant plastic surgeons in private practice; today reveal that the number of cosmetic ops last year grew 13% overall since 2014 - with ALL procedures seeing an increase in demand.

Surgeons say that with the new trend in A-list celebrities (such as Sharon Stone, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kelly Rowland, Jane Fonda and even Modern Family’s young starlet Ariel Winter) openly confessing to the odd nip or tuck, it’s possible that patients are feeling encouraged by their positive admissions and attractive results. These new attitudes could be one of the drivers for increased acceptance and de-stigmatising of aesthetic enhancement, 7 out of 10 of the most popular procedures seeing a double-digit increase.

Women's cosmetic surgery rose 12.5% from 2014, and while breast augmentation continues to remain the most popular procedure for women (up 12% from 2014), reportedly the oversized ‘glamour model’ or artificial look once associated with implants has all but vanished, as surgeons note patients now opting for smaller sizes for a more natural, proportionate enhancement.

The Association also posits the theory that some of the most dramatic rises - face/neck lifts (up 16%) and liposuction (up 20%) - could be linked to the fact that despite the vast array of non-surgical treatments hyped for these areas in recent years, the public are realising they have limited effect when compared to traditional surgery.

Men, as well, underwent substantially more facial procedures, with face/necklifts climbing 14%, brow lifts (+15.5%), eyelid surgery(+15%), and rhinoplasty (+14%) all gaining huge popularity. Surgeons suggest that possibly, this may be nudged by the decline of last year’s bushy-bearded ‘hyper-masculine’ (or ‘lumbersexual’) aesthetic common amongst hipsters. The trends could mean that as men ditched the facial hair and oversized checked shirts they may have uncovered previously-hidden double chins or ‘dad bod’ belliesfuelling an epic rise of 20% in male liposuction and a 13% jump in ‘man boob’ reductions.

Although men still account for just 9% of the total number of cosmetic surgery operations in the UK, their numbers have nearly doubled over the past decade (from 2,440 procedures in 2005 to 4,614 in 2015).

According to consultant plastic surgeon and former BAAPS President Rajiv Grover, who collated the audit data;

“The 2015 BAAPS audit has shown that demand for cosmetic surgery continues to increase following the quieter period in 2014 which mirrored the British economy. The double digit rise in surgical procedures suggests that the public are choosing to spend on treatments with a proven track record such as facelifts and liposuction which remain as the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and body contouring. The plethora of new non-invasive methods for skin tightening and cellulite that are here today and gone ‪tomorrow, often appear too good to be true and fail to make the cut.”

“Perhaps the decline of the ‘hyper-masculine’ look fashionable last year which has given way to a sharper, more slimline shape has influenced men – and it certainly appears both genders seem encouraged by a new openness in glamorous celebrities admitting they have had ‘a little surgical help’ to enhance their looks. There is a danger however that this presents the image of cosmetic surgery as a commodity, so the public must always be warned that an operation is not something that can simply be returned to the shop if you don’t like it.”

Consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS President Michael Cadier adds;

“There’s no doubt that we are seeing an increase in demand for cosmetic surgery from both men and women. Whether this is inspired by celebrity culture and a recognition that the results of modern aesthetic procedures in the right hands can be subtle, natural-looking and attractive, what is most important is for patients to remember that surgery is on the whole life-changing and irreversible – far from a trivial ‘status symbol’ beauty treatment. The decision to undergo surgery must be well thought-out, with managed expectations, understanding the risks through fully informed consent and; most importantly; choosing the right specialist provider who is properly trained and accredited.”

The figures in full:

MEN & WOMEN COMBINED

The top surgical procedures for men & women in 2015 (total 51,140. A rise of 12.6% from 2014)

In order of popularity:

  • Breast augmentation:                               9,652 – up 12% from last year 
  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery):              8,689 – up 12%
  • Face/Neck Lift:                                         7,419 – up 16%
  • Breast Reduction:                                     6,246 – up 13% 
  • Liposuction:                                              5,551 – up 20% 
  • Rhinoplasty:                                              4,205 – up 14% 
  • Fat Transfer:                                             3,261 – up   3%
  • Abdominoplasty:                                       2,933 – up   8% 
  • Browlift:                                                     2,110 – up   7% 
  • Otoplasty (ear correction):                         1,074 – up 14% 

WOMEN ONLY

The top surgical procedures for women in 2015 (46,526 total. A rise of 12.5% from 2014

Women had 91% of all cosmetic procedures in 2015.

In order of popularity:

  • Breast augmentation:                                     9,642 – up 12% from last year 
  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery):                     7,713 – up 12%
  • Face/Neck Lift:                                                7,047 – up 16%
  • Breast Reduction:                                           5,450 – up 13% 
  • Liposuction:                                                     4,965 – up 20%
  • Rhinoplasty:                                                     3,393 – up 14%
  • Fat Transfer:                                                    3,001 – up   3%
  • Abdominoplasty:                                               2,816 – up   8%
  • Browlift:                                                             1,946 – up   6%
  • Otoplasty (ear correction):                                 553 – up 15%

MEN ONLY

The top surgical procedures for men in 2015 (4,614 total. A rise of 13.5% from 2014)

Men had 9% of all cosmetic procedures in 2015.

In order of popularity:

  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery):                        976 – up 15%
  • Rhinoplasty:                                                       812 – up 14%
  • Breast Reduction:                                              796 – up 13%
  • Liposuction:                                                        586 – up 20%
  • Otoplasty (ear correction):                                  521 – up 13%
  • Face/Neck Lift:                                                    372 – up 14%
  • Fat Transfer                                                        260 – up   8%
  • Brow lifts                                                             164 – up 15.5%
  • Abdominoplasty:                                                 117 – up 11%
  • Breast augmentation:                                         10 – Static

ENDS

About the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at the Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on the website, or by contacting their office at 020 7430 1840. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia and Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishAssociationofAestheticPlasticSurgeons

For all media enquiries, please contact pr@baaps.org.uk

 

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