More young people than ever are considering undergoing cosmetic procedures
Over 50% of women and 39% of men aged 18 to 34 would consider a cosmetic procedure, according to new research released last week.
The survey, produced by Mintel, offered a conflicted look at the aesthetics industry, with data suggested that while British people under 35 are generally happy with their appearance, around half are also considering plastic surgery.
The research
The research suggests that although young patients have limited experiences with undergoing cosmetic surgery, they are open to the possibility of undergoing cosmetic procedures at a later date.
While just 10% of those surveyed had undergone any form of cosmetic procedure, 52% of women in the lower age bracket (18-34) were ‘interested’ in cosmetic surgery.
In the report, nearly half of British men and women agreed that social media has made getting both surgical and non-surgical procedures more commonplace. This is no doubt largely down to celebrity influence.
Body contouring popularity on the up
The popular procedures that young men and women showed interest in included body contouring surgery. Procedures such as liposuction and tummy tuck surgery topped the wish list, with data revealing the waistline and abdomen area to be the body part most disliked.
Jack Duckett, Consumer Lifestyles Analyst for the company supplying the research, said:
“Brits are generally happy with their appearance, presenting a crucial challenge for an industry that is centred on helping people to change how they look. However, there is scope for operators in the cosmetic procedures market to appeal to a wider audience by moving away from the current association with drastic image changes and to instead highlight how procedures can safeguard people’s best features for the future.”
So what does all this mean?
We know there has been a small decline in cosmetic surgery over the last year, but the procedures that are popular – for example body contouring surgery – only seem to increase.
This is partly down to better/less invasive surgical techniques (such as fat transfer) providing more pleasing results, but also accessibility. As the report demonstrates, there is no denying the role of social media platforms in the decision making process of patients these days.
It is not uncommon to have a patient arrive for a consultation armed with photos from Instagram or Snapchat; these usually involve a celebrity or influencer. Whilst this isn’t unusual there are some important points to be addressed.
– What you see online isn’t always the truth
It’s easy to look at celebrities or fitness bloggers and assume they simple just look that way. In reality the use of filters, photoshop and even apps designed to nip and tuck the body and face are used. Don’t be fooled into thinking these images are an entirely accurate representation.
– Celebrities are paid to show you a certain aesthetic
In many cases, celebrities and social influencers are paid or rewarded for being a spokesperson for a brand or even a surgeon. Why trust the word or advice of someone you’ve never spoken to without doing some research?
– Realistic expectations are important
What works for one person won’t work for another. Just because a famous face has the lips or body shape you find attractive it doesn’t mean this will work for you. Be prepared to be turned away from a plastic surgeon’s clinic if he/she doesn’t believe you have the best motivations and realistic expectations.
Where can I get advice?
If you are considering cosmetic surgery procedures – such as body contouring, fat removal / fat transfer, tummy tuck surgery or breast augmentation – or you would like advice about how to pick a plastic surgeon please contact us today.
