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.

###