RECORD numbers of people across the UK are going under the knife, according to new figures which show a large increase in plastic-surgery procedures.
The figures, released by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps), show the stigma of "having some work done" is falling away.
Some 32,453 people chose to have cosmetic surgery last year, an increase of 12 per cent on 2006,
when 28,921 procedures were carried out.
Facelifts are becoming ever more popular according to data, with 4,238 women opting for the procedure last year, a rise of 37 per cent on 2006.
Breast implants remained the most popular procedure, with 6,497 woman undergoing the operation, while 5,148 women had eye surgery, and 3,990 women had liposuction, an increase of 15 per cent.
While 91 per cent of all cosmetic surgery was carried out on women, the figures show more men than ever are open to "self-improvement".
Last year, 98 men had tummy tucks, a rise of 61 per cent, while the number of males who had liposuction rose by 18 per cent.
Leading plastic surgeons believe factors encouraging the trend include the higher profile of surgery – driven by a rise in TV shows featuring live cosmetic work – and the availability of "softer" options such as botox, which act as an introduction to the idea of face "rejuvenation".
Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon and president of Baaps, said: "This year's audit clearly reflects the UK's continued acceptance of aesthetic surgery, particularly in the area of anti-ageing.
"Wide media coverage has helped educate the public about the latest advances and choices available, but it is crucial that people do their research carefully when choosing a provider."
Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and Baaps secretary, said that the dramatic rise in surgery may be related to the increase in non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as face "fillers" and peels.
He added: "The effects of these less invasive treatments can sometimes be limited once jowling or loose skin has developed, so this could explain why more patients now feel ready for the surgical option."
Concerns have recently been raised about the growth of the industry – predicted to be worth £1 billion by the end of 2008.
Last month, consumer body Which? revealed many clinics used hard-sell techniques to encourage people to opt for expensive or risky operations.
Undercover researchers found unqualified sales assistants made false claims that procedures would last for life, or offered two-for-one deals.
Psychologists also claimed the statistics highlighted a worrying social trend.
Dr Cynthia McVey, head of psychology at Caledonian University, said: "We judge people on youth and beauty, rather than character and behaviour.
"We are all going to get older, but a sense of attractiveness should be more than skin deep."
She added that the increasing willingness of celebrities to admit to "having work done", as well as the reduction in cost, had helped legitimise surgery.
Cary Cooper, professor of psychology at Lancaster University, said: "Some people have a psychological need to have their nose or their tummy or their breasts done to make themselves feel better. They are quite genuinely in psychological distress.
"But I think what we are seeing is a definite rise in the number of people that see surgery as a way of helping them get on – to get a better job or be more successful with the opposite sex.
"They may be actually right about that, but either way it's a sad comment on our society."
ORDEAL OF NEWSREADER ALTHOUGH figures show surgery is soaring, so-called "non-evasive" procedures such as botox and laser therapy are still the most popular treatments.
Almost half a million of them were carried out last year alone.
But BBC newsreader Kate Silverton, left, revealed she had suffered a damaging reaction following therapy.
The 37-year-old said she was left in pain, unable to work for two weeks and facing lasting skin damage, after having Fraxel therapy to reduce facial scarring caused by teenage acne.
She claims she was not properly informed of the risks and has since admitted if she had known such a violent reaction was possible, she would not have gone ahead.
"However brave a face I'm trying to put on this now, I wouldn't wish this, or the regret that I feel, on anybody," she said.
