UK: Feminists and plastic surgeons unite to outlaw cosmetic surgery ads
[UK Feminista, London, 14 March 2012] UK Feminista has launched a campaign calling on the Government to outlaw the advertising of cosmetic surgery. A new report, ’Cut it Out – End Cosmetic Surgery Advertising,’ reveals how advertising recklessly trivialises invasive surgery and preys on women’s body insecurities. It also surveys the extent of cosmetic surgery advertising in four leading women’s magazines.
Leading plastic surgeons and feminist campaigners have added their support, signing a public letter that urges the government to legally prohibit cosmetic surgery advertising.
100,000 cosmetic surgery procedures are carried out each year in the UK (5), and half of young women now say they would consider having it done (6). Key to the industry’s expansion over the past decade has been advertising campaigns by cosmetic surgery providers - in magazines, in public spaces, on TV and online. Unlike prescription medicines, there are few restrictions on how and where clinics can advertise medically unnecessary invasive procedures. Only voluntary codes govern the content of ads.
A prohibition on cosmetic surgery advertising would follow a precedent set by France, which banned cosmetic surgery advertising in 2005, and would see rules for cosmetic surgery brought in line with those governing prescription medicines, which cannot be advertised.
Kat Banyard, Director of UK Feminista, said:
“Cosmetic surgery adverts are a public health hazard. Their sole purpose is to persuade people to undergo medically unnecessary invasive surgery in order to boost profits. By frequently portraying surgery as quick and easy, they recklessly trivialise risks that include post operative infection, blood clots and, in rare cases, death.
“Cosmetic surgery adverts also ruthlessly prey on women’s widespread unhappiness with their bodies, making false promises of confidence and self esteem. The reality is that people who’ve undergone cosmetic surgery are more likely to have low self esteem than those who haven’t, and women who’ve undergone breast implants are three times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.
“The aggressive marketing tactics of some clinics have got so bad that many in the cosmetic surgery industry are now calling for change. In the interests of public health it’s crucial the Government listens and outlaws these dangerous ads.”
For further information and to request interviews contact Elli Moody on 07910 835 578 or elli@ukfeminista.org.uk
