Released on: December 05, 2011, 10:48 am
Author:
Imogen Fry
Industry:
Healthcare,
Consumer Services
The UK’s leading cosmetic surgery group, The Harley Medical Group, have today revealed research findings which bust some of the industry’s biggest myths and uncover what motivates people across the UK to have cosmetic surgery.
In the first ever survey of its kind, conducted across the Group’s 31 clinics nationwide on over 20,000 patients, the results challenge many of the longstanding myths that surround the cosmetic surgery field revealing over 85% of UK patients opt for surgery due to a confidence issue and that 95% will think about having a procedure for more than two years before they go ahead.
Lisa Littlehales, Lead Nurse Counsellor at The Harley Medical Group, says: “Patients who are looking into surgical options have lots of questions about their procedure and it is important that they are properly informed.
“We decided to do the survey as people often people have assumptions about cosmetic surgery, which in reality are completely untrue. One of the biggest myths is that cosmetic surgery is purely about vanity, when in actual fact it is most often a confidence issue which the patient has not been able to resolve through other means.”
Top Myths Revealed by The Harley Medical Group
All facts are according to The Harley Medical Group
MYTH
Having cosmetic surgery is addictive and most people go on to have multiple
procedures after their first.
FACT
95% of patients will only have one procedure that they’ve been thinking about for
several years. It’s a confidence thing with many people.
MYTH
Women who have breast enlargement surgery look fake and just want to have big breasts like Jordan.
FACT
Most women only go up by one or two cup sizes and the average size is a C cup. Women
are now wanting a more natural look opting for a tear-drop shaped implant rather
than the traditional round high contour.
MYTH
Cosmetic surgery is now so commonplace; most people view it as just another beauty
treatment.
FACT
Research shows that on average patients think about their surgery for two to three
years before going ahead with it.
MYTH
More men are now having cosmetic surgery than women!
FACT
There’s been a huge growth in men having surgery, but they still only make up 17% of
patients at The Harley Medical Group.
MYTH
People have cosmetic surgery to stand out.
FACT
Most cosmetic surgery patients don’t have a procedure to stand out; they have
treatment to help them fit in.
MYTH
Most people that book in for surgery are young girls who are over critical about
their appearance.
FACT
45% of all female patients who enquire and have surgery at The Harley Medical Group
are mothers looking for treatments to help combat the effects of pregnancy and
regain their confidence. The Harley Medical Group have also seen a 17% increase in
patients over 65, across their 31 clinics, in the UK and Ireland, between 2005 and
2010.
MYTH
Plastic surgeons can make you look like your favourite celebrity.
FACT
Each patient is individual and a surgeon will work with a patient’s existing factors
in order to produce a desired result – it is not possible to make one person look
exactly like another.
MYTH
If you are overweight you can just have liposuction to make you slim
FACT
Liposuction is not a weight loss technique and produces best results on patients that have lost
weight and are looking to remove small pockets of stubborn fat. Also, it’s not just
women that opt for Liposuction, 25% of Liposuction patients are male.
MYTH
If you’re standing in the supermarket queue, chances are someone in that queue has
had cosmetic surgery of some sort.
FACT
Only about 1% of the population have had surgery.
MYTH
Most people go abroad for surgery because it’s cheaper.
FACT
Many people feel uncomfortable about travelling so far away from home when having a
major operation and feel it’s more risky.
MYTH
You’ll only meet sales people when you go to a big cosmetic surgery provider.
FACT
Reputable providers only use medically trained staff. Patients should always meet
with a medically trained professional nurse counsellor to discuss their procedure
and will always meet their surgeon before the operation.
MYTH
Cosmetic Surgery Industry will be one of the first things to be hit by a credit
crunch as it’s a vanity led industry and not essential.
FACT
Most patients think about and plan their surgery for many years. They are unlikely
to want to put it off and instead consider it an investment. The Harley Medical
Group is currently reporting a 29% YOY increase in demand for surgery, defying the
credit crunch.
More Facts About Cosmetic Surgery:
All research and data comes from The Harley Medical Group unless otherwise stated.
The Harley Medical Group’s Top Procedures for Men & Women in 2011
Top Surgical Procedures for Women:
1. Breast Augmentation
2. Liposuction
3. Rhinoplasty
4. Abdominoplasty
Top Surgical Procedures for Men:
1. Rhinoplasty
2. Liposuction
3. Gynaecomastia
4. Otoplasty
For more information on surgical or non-surgical procedures please visit www.harleymedical.co.uk or call: 0800 085 4984
You can now follow The Harley Medical Group on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/theharleymedicalgroup
[ENDS]
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Harley Medical Group is the UK and Ireland’s largest cosmetic surgery and
non-surgical treatment provider, performing more procedures and with more clinics
than any other cosmetic surgery group. The Group has been established since 1983 and
is one of the most highly-regarded Cosmetic Surgery Groups operating in the UK. It
has treated over 500,000 patients to date.
The Harley Medical Group works tirelessly to maintain the highest standards in the industry for the benefits all cosmetic surgery and non-surgical patients. They are currently at the forefront of the campaign to ensure that the Government continues to regulate the use of certain laser types used in cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments so that patients are protected from rogue practitioners.
In 2004, The Harley Medical Group’s Chairman Mel Braham, at the request of the Department of Health became a member of the department’s Steering Committee, set up to oversee the introduction of new regulations covering the entire Cosmetic Surgery sector. All of The Harley Medical Group’s clinics are registered with the Care Quality Commission. There are now 31 clinics in the UK and Ireland: London (Harley Street, Wimbledon, The City, Chiswick, Finchley & Watford), Marlow, Birmingham, Leeds, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Chester, Nottingham, Southampton, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Dublin, Northampton, Cambridge, Maidstone, Belfast, Reading, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bromley, Glasgow, Cheltenham, Leicester and Guildford.
The Harley Medical Group is renowned for introducing and pioneering most new surgical and non-surgical techniques to the UK and Irish markets, such as Aesthera PPx, Laser Hair Removal, Cool Touch, and Silk Touch Lasers, Collagen for lines and wrinkles, Laser for snoring, Tumescent Liposuction, LPG cellulite treatment, Blepharoplasty etc. All new treatments and techniques are first thoroughly researched and tested before they are submitted for approval by the Group’s Medical Advisory Board.
PRESS ENQUIRIES:
Imogen Fry or Monique Cockerill
Rain Communications UK - 020 7828 0118