Cosmetic Surgery Statistics In The UK

The cosmetic surgery industry is currently booming in the United Kingdom.

The number of surgical and non-surgical procedures that were carried out grew by more than 10% last year. BAAPS released figures showing that a total of 50,122 procedures were undertaken throughout 2013. The data highlights that breast augmentations remained the most popular surgery, however, the biggest increase was seen in liposuction which was up by a staggering 41% in 2013.  

Clinical research, provided by cosmetic surgery group MYA, supports the BAAPS data and has demonstrated the difference in popularity of procedures across different regions in the UK. From 2012 to 2013, the number of breast enlargement procedures observably varied between the north, the midlands and the south as seen in the table below. The information suggests that, 2014 data inclusive, women in the north are undergoing breast enlargements more so than women in any other region in the country. Despite the total figure for the south being relatively high, the total figure per year appears to be decreasing, so it will be interesting to see the final figures for the number of breast enlargements in 2014 which will be published shortly.

* Information is accurate as of the end of August 2014

* Information is accurate as of the end of August 2014

Further backing up the data from BAAPS, MYA’s Vaser Liposuction figures reveal a drastic rise over the last couple of years. As Vaser Liposuction is a fairly new procedure, in comparison to traditional liposuction and breast augmentation for example, the data shows it has become increasingly popular in a very short amount of time – most likely due to the less-invasive nature of the procedure, quick results and recovery time. 

Cosmetic surgery is also growing in popularity amongst males. BAAPS reported that male procedures as a whole grew by 16% in 2013. Liposuction had risen by 28% and male chest reduction, the procedure whereby excess fat on the chest is removed, rose by 24%.

Rajiv Grover, the president of BAAPS, stated: “Both the UK economy and the British public seem to be well on the way to regaining their shape with the most impressive rise in demand for cosmetic surgery we have seen since the onset of the recession in 2008.”

“The continued double-digit rise of cosmetic surgery underlines the fact that whether it is breast augmentation or anti-ageing procedures like face-lifting, the public are choosing tried-and-tested surgical methods rather than the magical-sounding quick fixes that fail to deliver promised results.”

It would appear the cosmetic surgery industry shows no means of slowing down. In 2005 the industry was worth £750m, in 2010 it was £2.3bn and is forecasted to reach £3.6bn by 2015.