Nip and tuck nation: €6.9m surgery boom

IRISH people are set to spend an estimated €6.9 million on cosmetic surgery this year, 20% more than last year.

Wed, 01 Sep, 2004 - 01:00

Colette Keane

Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, which has clinics in Dublin, Cork and Galway, said the rise in the number of divorces, an increased number of men attending the clinics and a significant change in attitudes towards cosmetic surgery is sending more people under the knife than ever.

In Dublin alone, an estimated 680 people spend up to €80,000 every month on non-surgical procedures such as botox injections to smooth wrinkles, and collagen injections for firmer lips.

Last year the company, the country's biggest service provider, performed more than 2,000 operations and many more thousands of non-surgical procedures. The average cost of an operation is €3,500.

Advanced Cosmetic Surgery managing director Halina Ashdown-Shiels said the rising number of men attending clinics has boosted their figures over the last three years as they have become more aware of their looks and are perhaps re-entering the dating scene after a divorce or separation.

"People realise that after a divorce they are back on the market again and want to look their best. They don't want to look ragged around the edges. People also take more holidays abroad and both men and women are very conscious about how they will look in their swimsuits.

"Many woman will now turn around to their husbands and say 'I've had the babies, now restore my figure'. Once the men see the results, they often want to have similar results.

"Attitudes have changed and there is a greater desire to look better, and what's wrong with that?" Ms Ashdown-Shiels said.

Advanced Cosmetic Surgery yesterday released a list of what the most popular procedures are in certain counties, compiled from their database over the last three years.

"Things to look out for are the number of consultations involving pre-operation, the credentials of the surgeon performing the procedure - ideally they should be registered with the Irish medical Council - and the quality of after care service. For all sorts of compelling reasons, it's probably best to avoid so-called cosmetic surgery holidays," Ms Ashdown-Shiels said.