Procedures leading UK cosmetic surgery

Treatments to remove wrinkles and hands, thighs and stomachs lead to an increase in cosmetic surgery, the Lately from the United Kingdom’s private clinics.

There were 27,462 procedures in 2024 – an increase of 5% in 2023 – more than nine in ten were in women.

Boob jobs remained the most popular treatment, followed by breast reduction surgery in second place.

However, much of the rise was due to increases in facial rejuvenation surgery, such as facial and eyebrow lifts and body contouring procedures such as liposuction and abdomen, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAP).

The president of the Union said surgery has become cheaper and easier access, while some patients say there is less stigma around cosmetic procedures.

Face and neck lifts increased by 8% in 2024 compared to 2023, while eyebrow lifts increased by 20%, according to Baaps data.

Eyelah surgery (eyelid) increased by 13%, exceeding the abdominal pleats (trial) to make the third most popular surgery.

Other border or reform processes of the body also had significant increases.

Fat removal (liposuction) increased by 8%, with 2,623 processes done in 2024.

The arm -bearing – removal of “Bingo Wing” or the overhaul of the upper arm increased by 13%, from 389 to 439.

Non -surgical procedures such as Botox and fillers were also popular: almost 10,000 were carried out by Baaps in 2024.

But the “Designer Vagina” Labiaplasty surgery, which changes the shape or size of the lips, appeared less popular, with the number being 7%.

Nugent said cosmetic surgery had become “more accessible” and while acknowledging that the treatments were still accurate, he said they had become a little more affordable.

This coincided with a “posture shift” towards cosmetic processes over the last decade due to a movement in society “to well -being and care of itself,” he said. Cosmetic surgery is “more normalized”, he added.

Some of the development of cosmetic surgery are also caused by people who had previously had non -surgical procedures, such as filling and botox, who now choose to go under the knife because they have received “fatigue” from the repeated source to clinics to do the project, Nugent said.

And the rise of weight loss injections, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, have also played a role. Nugent said that some people who take these medicines, also known as “skinny piercings”, take surgery on their face.

“As they lose weight they begin to observe deflation and some relaxation of their face,” he said.

Baaps’ statistics do not show how many people have surgery after taking weight loss drugs, but Nugent said that patients who have been treated “increasingly” are people who take medicines.

‘There’s not so much stigma’

People have cosmetic surgery for a wide range of reasons.

Kirsten White, 33, an expert in the acquisition of talent from Sheffield, had a breast reduction and lifting after weight loss with gastric sleeve.

He said that “the breasts were basically under my belly” before surgery, leading to back pain and the need for physiotherapy, he said.

“I don’t think people are surprised when I tell them I had cosmetic surgery, because I think it’s quite normal now,” he said.

“There is not so much the stigma that there was really taboo and people are much more supportive to do what will make you feel happy.”

Men underwent 1,799 surgeries in 2024, a slight decline in 2023 – which make up just 6.6% of all Baaps setting surgery.

Nose jobs (rhinoplasty) remained the most popular among men, with 332 surgeries in 2024, ie a 14% reduction in 2023.

Face and neck lifts increased by 26%, with 140 in 2024, indicating increasing interest in anti -aging procedures between men – although Nugent said it was more difficult to identify trends for men due to smaller numbers undergoing treatment.

The video calls “increased the awareness of our appearance”

Beauty standards are shaped by social media and celebrity culture, said Dr. Beth Daniels, director of the UWE Bristol Research Center.

The pandemic also caused a shift when the move to video calls “increased the awareness of our appearance” because people saw their own faces on their computer screens.

Dr. Daniels said that society gives value to youthful looks, which could push some women to take cosmetic processes.

“As women get older, they often decline in various ways” and “are made to feel invisible to society,” he said.

Baaps Vice President Anthony Macquillan suggested that the overall increase in facelifts could be linked to social changes, such as the growing retirement age.

He said: “For many, this type of surgery is not only aesthetic but also functional, helping to maintain confidence, ensuring employment and reducing age -related stress.”

Baaps data is based on statistics from 233 by its members. Jim Frame, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and a professor at Anglia Ruskin University, said he does not cover all cosmetic surgery businesses in the United Kingdom because some are performed by ENT and Maxillofacial surgeons or non -Baaps.

Data also does not include surgeries performed abroad, where the lowest cost of treatment in countries such as Turkey attracts Britons.

Cosmetic procedures and surgery are under risks and the NHS warns that “they can lead to serious complications if not properly”.

It advises people to investigate in detail earlier, including checking the credibility of the clinic and receiving information on the most common complications of the process.

“There are many sensitive people who are committed to surgery that it will regret a fairly large proportion,” said Prof Frame.