Irwin Mitchell Research Shows People Want A Confidence Boost, Help To Get A Partner Or To Look Like A Celeb

Four in ten Brits are considering having plastic surgery – to boost their confidence, help them get a partner or even to look like their favourite celebrity, research commissioned by national law firm Irwin Mitchell has said.

Millions of adults are considering going under the knife, with a third even saying they have seriously looked into it.

But while wanting to change something they don’t like about their appearance or boosting their confidence are the most common reasons, one in ten believe it will mean they have more success in the romance department.

Another one in ten are even considering plastic surgery to look like someone famous, with Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie and Michelle Keegan the most popular celebrity inspiration for women.

Men are most likely to base their look on David Beckham, George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Worryingly, the poll by legal firm Irwin Mitchell, which commissioned the research to launch its new app, BeautyTracker, also found that four in ten under 25s are already considering cosmetic surgery. 

Expert Opinion

“Almost everyone has things they would like to change about their appearance, but only some that would seriously consider going through with cosmetic surgery.

“Most can understand people wanting to have surgery to help improve something they dislike about their appearance or to boost their confidence.

“However, it’s worrying to see people are considering making what could be drastic changes to their body because they think it will help get them a partner, or even because they want to look like a celebrity.

“Any type of cosmetic surgery, no matter how minor, is a big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“If you decide you want to consider going ahead with a procedure, it’s important to properly research everything about what you would like to have done – from the procedure itself through to the surgery and surgeon who be carrying it out.

“It’s very difficult to undo or correct a procedure which has gone wrong, and you could end up with far less confidence than you had before, especially if you haven’t done thorough research into the cosmetic procedure.”
Mandy Luckman - Director of Strategic Growth (Seriously Injured and Vulnerable Audience)

The study, of 2,000 Brits, found four in ten would think about going under the knife, with 33 per cent seriously considering it now or in the near future.

Almost a third have even gone as far as to talk to a surgeon or surgery about the procedure they are considering having.

Breast enlargements are the most wanted procedures, followed by nose jobs, cosmetic dentistry, breast uplift and arm lifts.

Breast reduction, laser treatments, liposuction and ear pinning are also popular.

It also emerged almost one in twenty have already had some kind of cosmetic surgery, but 52 per cent wish they did more to find out everything they could about the surgery and the doctor who would be carrying it out.

43 per cent even say they regret having the surgery altogether.

Expert Opinion

“As a firm we have been calling for government intervention and greater regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry to protect patient safety for years, after seeing an increasing number of potential claims involving practitioners that are not medically qualified and exposing patients to harm.

“We regularly receive enquiries from individuals that have sustained significant and sometime permanent damage, following cosmetic procedures and there seems to be a pattern that they have not been properly warned of the risks to their health.

“We welcome the latest guidance from the General Medical Council (GMC) who are calling for stricter regulations that will not only provide improved support for people whose lives have been turned upside down by complications during surgery, and ensures lessons are learnt, but also reassures those considering treatments in the future that they will not suffer in the same way as so many have before.

“There needs to be clear and accessible information for patients about what to look for when finding a surgeon, so people can make more informed choices about the treatment they receive.”
Mandy Luckman - Director of Strategic Growth (Seriously Injured and Vulnerable Audience)

Irwin Mitchell has recently launched a new app, ‘BeautyTracker’ which has been designed to help people going through cosmetic procedures to track their journey with practitioners and clinics to improve safety in the industry after a rise in the number of people affected by negligent treatments.

The app also provides expert advice and tips from specialist lawyers, industry experts and Antonia Mariconda who founded the ‘Safety in Beauty’ campaign.

Visit our cosmetic surgery page to learn more about cosmetic surgery negligence claims