In cosmetic surgery how far is too far? Butt implants? Leg stretching surgery? How about elf ear surgery. Yes there’s a new craze that’s sweeping America by storm and it’s not a hi-tech gadget or sci-fi TV show, its .. Elf ears?

» Read in full

Channel 4 The Ugly Face of Beauty

Last nights TV program “The Ugly Face of Beauty” highlights yet again the importance of asking the right questions and having a fully qualified experienced surgeon.

Dr Christian Jessen from the Embarrassing Bodies series looks into both cosmetic surgery in the UK and abroad to assess the advice, quality of surgery (or lack of) and standards of care provided.

This four-part series on Channel 4, cuts right to the edge showing some very unsightly bodies which have had botched surgery and the marketing hype adopted by some companies to clinch the deal with getting new patients on board.

Finding great deals on clothes, furniture, holidays and even cars, can bring about the impulse buying mode in all of us. It’s hard to walk away on a good saving and we just love a bargain, right?

When it comes to cosmetic surgery and going under the knife for enhancement or reconstruction surgery we should question if it is ethical to be faced with marketing hype, money off vouchers, buy it now and two for one offers.

Cosmetic surgery should be considered a life changing event and your health and well-being should be placed at the very top of the list with both yourself and the consultant that you meet with. Unfortunately the fight for new custom in the cosmetic surgery industry has led to stiffer marketing methods and a stronger than ever focus on sales.

On 19 Jan 2010 the BBC One show questioned the ethics behind some UK Cosmetic surgery companies. Working undercover the reporters went into some cosmetic surgery companies, they enquired about surgery and their options and also interviewed a potential patient to see exactly what was being offered and how the procedures were being sold.

» Read in full

Over the past week several newspapers have reported the lack of regulation in some areas of the cosmetic surgery industry.

The president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Nigel Mercer had voiced his views as part of a series of medical articles on cosmetic surgery. Mr Mercer has said there is a need for tighter regulation and testing of drugs, procedures and implants to offer more protection to patients.

Stiff marketing, cost cutting and increasing media hype have created a worrying cocktail that threatens both patients and practitioners. There is a bigger need than ever before to ensure surgery is to be carried out by an experienced and accredited surgeon and with a reputable and ethical cosmetic surgery company.
» Read in full

It’s clear that the increasing popularity of cosmetic surgery isn’t restricted to women, with more men choosing to enhance their appearance with surgical procedures than ever before.

Last week, I wrote about a surprising study conducted in the UK that revealed that men are now more likely to consider cosmetic surgery procedures than women, with 46.2 per cent of British male respondents expressing interest in cosmetic treatments compared to 45.5 per cent of women. » Read in full