More and more people opting for cosmetic surgery

London, United Kingdom, January 26: Recent statistics show that a great number of people are conscious about looking good and are increasingly opting for cosmetic surgery to correct or beautify their looks, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons said.

According to the data accumulated by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, 22,041 people got minor or major cosmetic surgeries done in 2008 and this indicates a 34 percent rise from 2004.

The data also indicates that more women went in for cosmetic surgery to look beautiful as compared to men. In 2005, 19,601 women underwent cosmetic surgery. While, ratio of men who underwent cosmetic surgery in 2004 was only 8 percent and now it is 11 percent.

There has been a constant rise in the number of women going in for breast augmentation surgery with 5,646 carried out since 2004. Rhinoplasty - a nose job is the popular surgery type among British men.

Among other popular cosmetic treatments are anti-ageing procedures like- facelifts, eyelid surgery

"These figures appear to represent a growing acceptance of aesthetic surgery, particularly in maintaining appearance with age and the number of men choosing to undergo surgery." Mr Adam Searle, a consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS president said in a statement.

Mr. Searle maintained that cosmetic surgery is important to be carried out in a responsible and a correct way or it can be harmful. Many people undergo cosmetic surgery from clinics that are not registered or certified and this can be dangerous for them. Mr. Searle stressed that it will be safe and better for people if they get the surgery done only from a recognized institution that has professional cosmeticians.

To this effect, last month a website was launched by the Department of Health to disseminate correct information about the risks and benefits of cosmetic surgery and to make people aware of the significance of taking advice from a qualified practitioner or cosmetologist before actually undergoing any kind of surgery.

Mr Douglas McGeorge, a consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPs president said, "A growing awareness of the procedures available and their continued safety are all contributors to the popularity of cosmetic procedures. When performed under the right circumstances, aesthetic surgery can have a very positive psychological impact and improve a patient's quality of life.”