Cosmetic surgery defies recession with rise in male procedures
Last updated 02/02/2010 09:57:19
Cosmetic surgery defies recession with rise in male procedures
The economy may have been sagging but the nation still found ways to remain uplifted during 2009, according to the latest audit figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
The number of surgical procedures last year exceeded 36,400 - a slow but steady rise of 6.7% from 2008, despite the financial downturn.
The most impressive statistics have been recorded specifically in male surgery, the demand for which has grown by 21% overall, with the number of gynaecomastia (or ‘man-boob') ops alone having shot up by 80%.
Nigel Mercer, consultant plastic surgeon and President of the BAAPS; "The public's interest in aesthetic surgery appears to remain strong and indeed growing quite considerably among UK males, despite the economic downturn.
"Wide media coverage has clearly helped to educate both men and women about the latest advances and choices available as well as the potential risks of these treatments. It's encouraging that more people are choosing surgeons with excellent training and credentials."
Some 36,482 surgical procedures were carried out by BAAPS members in 2009, a 6.7% increase from 2008. Women had 32,859 procedures in 2009, up from 31,183 (a modest increase of over 5%) but interest in male surgery far outstripped them with a 21% rise overall. The number of male breast reduction or gynaecomastia ops nearly doubled from 323 to 581, a staggering 80% increase and moving from 5th most popular procedure for men to 3rd.
Breast reduction surgery proved popular among women as well, rising by 17% from 3522 to 4122. Male brow lifts rose quite considerably (up 51%), from 72 to 109, as well as male facelifts which went up by nearly a quarter (23%) and male tummy tucks (up 20%).
Rhinoplasty (or ‘nose jobs') proved very popular with both sexes, increasing by 25% overall, thus rising from 7th most popular procedure to 5th. Although facelifts actually fell in demand by 8% among women, the steadfast rise in brow lifts, eyelid surgery and nose jobs suggests patients may have sought cheaper and more targeted rejuvenation procedures.Breast augmentation remains the most popular procedure with 8,565 performed this year.
Read also >> Beautiful faces: Scientists discover facial golden ratio for attractive women