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More Brits opt for cosmetic ops

19/12/2007

Britons are becoming less squeamish about going under the knife for cosmetic surgery, with 1,600 procedures carried out each day during 2007.

Research from Mintel has also revealed that a total of 577,000 cosmetic operations and treatments were carried out this year, up from 300,000 two years ago.

The cosmetic surgery market is now estimated to be worth just over £900 million and is likely to break the £1 billion mark next year.

This year's estimated worth is more than twice that of 2005 - £430 million.

Demand for non-surgical fillers Botox and collagen fillers is driving the rise in the cosmetic surgery market.

In 2005 just 230,000 of these treatments were carried out but this has now risen to 472,000.

A survey conducted by Mintel found that 44 per cent of Britons would consider cosmetic surgery, with 60 per cent of this number saying self-consciousness would encourage them to seek treatment.

About a quarter said they wanted to look younger and boost their sex appeal.

Television shows and magazines were found to have influences people's attitudes towards cosmetic surgery in ten per cent of those surveyed.

"Today, the British perception of beauty is based on airbrushed images of models and photos of surgically enhanced celebrities, both young and old," said Alexandra Richmond, senior cosmetics analyst at Mintel.

"For many the natural look simply can't compete and leaves them feeling inadequate. This, along with a love of all things anti-ageing is driving Brits towards cosmetic procedures."