Record number of Britons have cosmetic surgery in 2015

Published: 5-Feb-2016

Number of aesthetic procedures in Britain increases post-recession

A record 51,000 people in Great Britain opted to have cosmetic surgery in 2015, according to new data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).

BAAPS says that the number of cosmetic operations has grown 13% since 2014, with an increase in demand for all procedures. Seven out of the ten most popular operations saw double-digit growth.

The organisation says the increase was expected following slower growth in the years following the recession. BAAPS also believes that the number of celebrities admitting to undertaking surgical procedures could also have had an impact.

Breast augmentation remains the most popular procedure, with 12.5% growth from 2014-2015. Surgeons say that the oversized ‘glamour model’ look is no longer in fashion, with consumers requesting a more natural, proportionate look.

Male consumers are also creating increased demand with a huge 20% rise in the number of liposuction procedures carried out on male patients. So-called ‘man boob’ reductions were also increasingly popular with the industry reporting a 13% rise in the number of operations.

Males still account for just 9% of the total cosmetic surgery market in the UK, but the number of procedures carried out on males has almost double in the past ten years.

BAAPS also noted a dramatic increase in the number of face/neck lifts, which rose 16%, and liposuction, which was up 20% overall. The organisation suggested that this was linked to increased awareness about the “limited effect” of non-surgical alternatives.

Rajiv Grovmer, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and former BAAPS President, commented: “The 2015 BAAPS audit has shown that the demand for cosmetic surgery continues to increase following the quieter period in 2014 which mirrored the British economy. The double-digit rise in surgical procedures suggests that the public are choosing to spend on treatments with a proven track record such as facelifts and liposuction, which remain as the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and body contouring. The plethora of new non-invasive methods for skin tightening and cellulite that are here today and gone tomorrow, often appear too good to be true and fail to make the cut.”

Top ten procedures in the UK


Breast augmentation – up 12% to 9,652
Eyelid surgery – up 12% to 8,689
Face and neck lifts – up 16% to 7,419
Breast reductions – up 13% to 6,246
Liposuction – up 20% to 5,551
Nose jobs – up 14% to 4,205
Fat transfer operations – up 3% to 3,261
Tummy tucks – up 8% to 2,933
Browlifts – up 7% to 2,110
Ear corrections – up 14% to 1,074

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