Facelifts losing their lustre

FACELIFTS and other cosmetic surgery procedures are suffering drooping popularity as modern women seek non-permanent ways to prevent skin ageing.

Data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) found the number of cosmetic operations fell 40 per cent last year after hitting record-breaking levels in 2015.

For the first time in a decade cosmetic procedures for women and men combined dipped below 31,000. The top surgical procedure for women was breast augmentation which accounted for 7,732 operations – down 20 per cent from 2015. The favoured operation for men was rhinoplasty, accounting for 529 procedures – down 35 per cent.

BAAPS said chemical peels and microdermabrasion were replacing the traditional nip-and-tuck.

“Patients seem to be getting the message that cosmetic surgery is not a quick fix but a serious commitment and are carefully evaluating the risks as well as benefits,” said Simon Withey, BAAPS president.