Executive Summary

Cosmetic surgery is showing an increasingly high profile in the UK. Traditionally, cosmetic surgery has been the preserve of the affluent, older woman and patients were generally discrete about any treatment that they had undergone. Cosmetic surgery, or aesthetic plastic surgery as it is also known, is performed in order to correct perceived defects in appearance or minimise the effects of ageing. It is predominantly carried out in the private sector, but can be obtained on the National Health Service (NHS) on a strictly regulated basis, only if there is an evident psychological or functional need.

It is estimated that the most commonly performed procedures are non-surgical techniques including laser therapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasion and collagen therapy. The most common surgical procedures are those of fat reduction, including liposuction, liposculpture and abdominoplasty, at an estimated 11,159 procedures in 1997.

The market for cosmetic surgery was estimated to be worth £119.5m in 1996, growing by 9.3% to £130.6m in 1997. The largest sector in value terms was breast enhancement, with 25.8% of the market, followed by fat reduction at 21.5%. This indicates the high cost of these operations in comparison to non-surgical techniques.

The market is set to grow rapidly, fuelled by developments in medical technology such as `keyhole' surgery and laser surgery, which are increasing the type and scope of procedures, as well as reducing recovery times significantly. Also, the increasing pool of previous surgery recipients is increasing, giving rise to a further long-term increase in the market, as many procedures have a limited life. The market is predicted to rise steadily reaching £208.3m by the year 2002.

The market is largely unregulated, and as the law stands, it is possible for relatively unqualified people to set themselves up as cosmetic surgeons without formal approval. A private member's bill introduced initially in 1994 did not succeed.

The controversy over breast implants rages on, with many recipients claiming different forms of side effects. The product is currently being tested. A number of surveys would seem to indicate that no connective tissue disease is likely and the publicity and bans in the US and France have not deterred many women. The number of women in the UK currently receiving or seeking treatment seems largely unaffected by the publicity.

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