Nonetheless, they make for interesting reading so we thought you might like a summary of the findings and how they relate to us here at Aurora Clinics:

UK Cosmetic Surgery Last Year:

• Despite the ongoing recession, not one single cosmetic surgery procedure decreased in popularity in 2011!
• In fact, there was a 6% average increase in numbers of all cosmetic surgery procedures combined throughout the year.
• The biggest increasing procedure was the Male Tummy Tuck which increased by a whopping 15%!
• Breast enlargement surgery still remained the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, followed by Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).
• For men, the most popular procedure of 2011 was the nose job or rhinoplasty.

 Do These Statistics Match Aurora Clinics?

At Aurora Clinics, we would agree that Breast Surgery procedures (particularly breast enlargement) are our most popular surgical treatments. Having a number of top Breast Surgery specialist Plastic Surgeons and because we never used PIP implants, we hope that the PIP implants scandal will not affect the fantastic Aurora Clinics reputation for breast surgery. To the contrary, we have been doing our utmost to help all the ladies with PIPs that we possibly can through cost price removal and replacement, whilst still maintaining our usual high standards of breast surgery for new breast enlargement patients.

The rise in male Tummy Tuck and other procedures like Gynecomastia (man boobs) is interesting. As Clinical Director and Surgeon Mr. Adrian Richards observes, “these are not all men who are overweight with beer bellies: many of them are fit and healthy individuals who are simply looking to shape up”. Whilst men had been catching up with women in the facial cosmetic stakes for a while – as the popularity of male rhinoplasty shows – 2011 was the year that men really seemed to begin to care a lot about their figures.

Other top procedures at Aurora Clinics are, as ever, our specialities like Inverted Nipple Correction and Mini Facelifts – treatments which not all cosmetic surgery centres specialise in.

For more information on cosmetic surgery in general or any of the treatments mentioned in this article, please contact Aurora Clinics on 0800 328 5743 or info@aurora-clinics.co.uk . To read more about the BAAPS official statistics 2011, please visit this link.

Already had a Breast Enlargement? Or perhaps you’ve been researching getting one? Either way, you’ve probably heard the recent scandal about PIP “exploding” implants. But how seriously did you take it?

PIP (Poly Implant Prothese) Implants are simply the name of a Brand. They are French and, for the past 20 years, have been very popular as a Low-cost implant option favoured by big Cosmetic Surgery chains. Many BAAPS members, however, (the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons i.e. the Board who all registered surgeons should belong to) always disliked them.

It is now estimated that between 50 -100,000 British women have had PIP implants. This figure is extremely worrying as new test results from the AFSSAPS (the French Competence Authority) has now found that:

• PIP implants have an exceptionally high rupture rate
• The shells of PIP implants are unusually fragile
• Genotoxicity in patients with PIP implants cannot be ruled out.

Put simply, PIP implants did not have the tough, multi-layers of shell which modern breast implants now require. With just one single layer, they are incredibly fragile. To make matters far worse, the silicone used in PIP implants is not of an acceptable quality for breast implants. In fact, as Stephanie Guler of WhereismyDoctor reports, PIP silicone gel is really intended for mattress and pillow production! The high volume of this gel in such a fragile layer of casing made the implants very prone to “rupture”, as the media have been calling it…PIP implants are notorious for, essentially, exploding.

When the implants do leak, states BAAPS, ‘inflammatory reactions can occur in patients’. This is a form of irritation which does not occur with leakage incidents from other types of modern breast implants. There is also a scarily inconclusive possibility that the gel could effect the DNA of cells; further tests are still being done on mice.

Even without any rupturing, however, BAAPS reports problems caused by PIP implants such as fever (sweating) and rashes.

Taking notice yet? Warnings about PIP implants were issued over a year ago, but many women are still feared to not be taking the issue seriously enough. BAAPS has made an official statement that:

 “The BAAPS continues to recommend that women who’ve undergone breast augmentation contact their surgeons to find out what type of implant was used. If it’s PIP they should have an ultrasound in the next six months to establish whether there is any weakening or rupture. Removal of both implants is recommended in these cases.”

As Guler points out, however, only the PIP brand are to blame for this unfortunate situation. ‘Doctors and patients had no way of knowing the dangers of their product because of the company’s false reports’.

At Aurora Clinics, we do not use PIP products. We are more than happy to talk to any past patients who have concerns about their implants and to advise them on the best way forward for them. For patients considering Breast Augmentation surgery, Free Consultations can be arranged on 0800 328 5743 and our expert Surgeons will talk you through all your Breast Implant concerns.

A shocking 30% of women NEVER saw their cosmetic surgeon during treatment

Despite the increasing media attention highlighting potential risks of cosmetic surgery and the dangers when in the hands of an inferior surgeon, women refuse to heed the warning. Even after tragedies like the highly publicized recent death of Claudia Adeseye Aderotimi. This is pure idiocy where, as Liberate (the UK’s largest network of BAAPS and/or BAPRAS accredited cosmetic surgeons) marvel, women are still willing to put ‘price above safety’. 

A top surgeon’s time costs money – those are hours that they could be operating instead. But Liberate surgeons know that giving this time is a vital part of the Cosmetic Surgery process, and (for patients) the extra expense of going to a registered and respected surgeon is a long-term investment for their future wellbeing. Getting to know the experience and qualifications of your surgeon is part of the education process about the potential risks and dangers of cosmetic surgery, which allows patients to make a fully informed decision.  ‘Without the tools needed to make responsible choices’, Liberate warn, ‘cosmetic surgery can end up costing people financially, physically and psychologically’.

More attention is typically paid to the first two; the financial and physical dangers of ill-informed cosmetic surgery. The media has this well covered with regular horror stories: going abroad to a “surgeon” you know little about can result in expensive insurance or corrective surgery back home, scarring and poor results or – in worst case scenarios – death like poor Ms Aderotimi.  But the psychological implications are just as important.

Do this huge proportion of cosmetic surgery patients not care that they never even meet the person to whom they are, essentially, handing over their lives? Or are many Cosmetic Surgery companies failing their patients greatly when it comes to Customer Service and support? 

The Liberate press release suggests that most women do care very much, tellingly using the wording that 74% of women ‘felt it was important to know and see their surgeon throughout the course of treatment’. It is this knowing aspect that is so important. A Patient Coordinator can give you a complete Biography and breakdown of your surgeon’s CV and credentials (and who is to say this is any less true than coming directly from the surgeon themselves). You can ‘see’ your surgeon on countless Documentaries, Youtube clips, in magazine articles and even hurrying past in fleeting glimpses when you visit his team to make a booking. But there is simply no substitute for quality time: a 1-1 meeting with your surgeon where you can ask all the questions you want, only he can answer and you can make up your mind if you really believe everything he’s telling you, buy into his beliefs and ways of working and, most importantly, feel confident that you can trust him to do a good job. Because that trust is something more than just qualifications and a resume: it is a gut-instinct based upon your reaction to the surgeon as a person that no third party reassurance or online profile can instil in you.

Liberate have been formed with a focus on ‘reassurance’. Of course the aim is ‘to give you access to the highest quality cosmetic surgery’, but perhaps equally importantly, a Liberate cosmetic surgeon ‘will be with you every step of the way – from your first consultation through to the finished result. And it doesn’t stop there – your consultant will be there for you after your procedure for as long as you need them’. This is 100% the viewpoint that we endorse (and always have done!) at Aurora clinics. We try to make information open and available to everybody through as broad a range of medias as possible – Youtube, our websites, Facebook, podcasts, free information CDs and information fact sheets – but we are very aware that none of this provides the same Peace of Mind as a face-to-face consultation with your surgeon. That is why Aurora offer free consultations with our friendly and approachable surgeons. You can take the time you need to ask any questions you may have, and rest assured that we are equally dedicated to your aftercare consultations following surgery. 

At Aurora, you will never become one of the “unseen” 30%.

When you call us on 01844 214 362 to book your free consultation… your journey with us is only just beginning!

Hello, I am 12 years old and I would like to get a Breast Reduction.

I am 5ft and size 32c. I don’t suffer from any health problems due to their size, so I understand that i don’t really need it: i only want it because I feel my breasts are too big and I want to be able to exercise and look good in clothes I wear. What are the risks that i will be taking if I had a Breast Reduction?

Thank you for your advice.

Answer :

Thank you for your enquiry.

Unfortunately we do not usually perform Breast Reduction surgery on people who are 12. This is because your bust has not fully developed. Most Plastic Surgeons prefer to wait for you to be 18 before thinking about possible surgery.

In some cases Breast Reduction surgery can be performed earlier- this is normally when your bust develops very quickly to a G or H cup which causes back and neck ache as well as difficulty wearing clothes.

In terms of risks and side effects of Breast Reduction surgery, although Breast Reduction procedures are normally safe, any Surgical procedure carries an element of risk which is why it must be thought through very carefully and discussed at length with your Surgeon. By researching and going to a good, BAAPS-registered Surgeon and equally competent anaesthetist you significantly decrease these risks. You should expect to need 1-2 weeks off work to recover, and approximately 6-8 weeks to return to your maximum normal daily activities. The slight possibility of not being able to breastfeed after breast reduction (though this is not always the case), decreased sensitivity in the nipples and extent of scarring should also be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon and carefully weighed up.  Aurora Clinics offer FREE consultations with our surgeons to discuss your options and talk about the Pros and Cons of surgery in more detail.

Please feel free to contact us on 01844 214 362 if you feel we can be of any more help.

With Best Wishes,
The Aurora Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Team.

Claudia experienced chest pains and difficulty breathing, then died (preliminary post-mortem examinations have shown) when her lung filled with silicone, causing a fatal embolism.

Whilst this story is incredibly sad, it cannot really be used as a Case against Cosmetic Surgery, and should be taken as a lesson to those considering surgical procedures, rather than a cause for alarm.

To begin with: the method of Buttock Augmentation (a procedure to enhance the shape or size of the bottom) chosen by Ms Aderotimi was not an official Surgical procedure at all. Nor was it Legal. She flew out to America, to a budget hotel room near Philadelphia airport, where she was treated with Silicone injections directly into the buttocks. The injection of silicone into this area is illegal (according to the Federation of Food and Drug Administration); the buttocks are large and the force required to inject such huge quantities of silicone here is bound to be very dangerous. In fact, any direct injections of silicone (for buttocks or breasts) are avoided by registered practitioners in the UK and US today.

The identity of her Practitioner is still unconfirmed, but rumoured to be a transgender local HipHop artist. One thing is for sure: whoever injected Claudia was unregistered, trading illegally and the environment was a far-cry from the recommended sterile setup of a Clinic, where there is emergency equipment on-hand if anything goes wrong. It is thought that the person who injected Ms Aderotimi used superglue to seal the puncture site and stop any silicone leaking out, and that the silicone itself may have been Industrial sealant, rather than medical Silicone of the type used in Breast Augmentations.

Although Claudia had undergone this treatment in November and was merely returning for a top-up, Lt. John Walker, police spokesperson, explains that she was always dicing with death. In the end, he told Reuters, “what we believe happened is that the injector nicked a vein and put the substance into the bloodstream. It goes through your vascular system and lands in the lung and since it’s a gel, it will pile up like a rock.”

It did not have to end this way: there are legal, safe and effective ways to get Buttock Augmentation. As Mr Adrian Richards of Aurora emphasises, “it is vital to see a BAAPS-registered surgeon”, who is fully aware of safety requirements and can advise you about possible complications and risks of any surgery. Registered surgeons perform Buttock Augmentation using either Fat Injections which transfer small amounts of fat from other parts of your body, or with Implants (much like Breast Augmentation). The majority of registered surgeons prefer the Implant method as there is less risk of fat re-absorption or being unable to find sufficient fat to transfer (a potential issue in patients whose reason for surgery is to look more voluptuous anyway!)

Even using these methods, it is a major surgery with potential risks and complications: it can take up to several months to completely recover and involves wearing compression garments for many weeks. The aim is to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks, but patients should realise that perfect symmetry is very rare.

Nonetheless, the treatment has become very popular in America thanks to the influence of celebrities. Now its popularity is spreading to the UK and can, admittedly, boost the confidence of men and women who feel out of proportion or unsexy because of their lack of shape: the treatment can increase the appearance, shape and size of the buttocks, in order to achieve an “hour-glass” figure or improve a flat bottom.

Perhaps for Claudia Aderotimi, like others who succumb to the lure of cut-price surgery abroad, the £7000 (approximately) for a legal Buttock Augmentation treatment with a registered surgeon seemed too much and the £1300 she paid for her injections was more affordable. Claudia found out about her Silicone Injections through an online forum, and there are numerous backdoor traders offering similar cheap illegal treatments worldwide via the Internet.

As Mr Richards warns, cheap surgery abroad really is a Russian Roulette. Not only might regulations be far less strict in other countries, but you will have very little Follow-Up care (if any) which is a vital part of the surgical process. Furthermore, if things do go horribly wrong you will be in unfamiliar territory. Always take the time to fully research your options, find a reputable surgeon who offers free consultations and take a look at the surroundings in which you will have your treatment. If it does not seem clean, professional and fully equipped then do not proceed….it simply is not worth the risk.

Despite the recession, there are more cosmetic surgery procedures being carried out in the UK than ever: a 5% increase on the previous year.

But whilst some procedures are clearly on the rise – most notably Breast Enlargements and Male Breast Reductions – others, like Prominent Ear Correction and Abdominoplasty are decreasing in popularity.

What factors might be responsible for these trends and can we predict what factors may influence Cosmetic Surgery trends in 2011?

Women still account for 90% of the 38,274 cosmetic surgery procedures carried out by BAAPS-approved surgeons in 2010 (the same percentage as 2009). The fact that Cosmetic Surgery procedures have risen by 5% despite the recession suggests that we Brits – particularly British women – are simply not willing to compromise our looks or self-esteem no matter how tricky the economy gets. Clearly, saving hard for a much-desired treatment, using savings or trying to find funding is perfectly acceptable today and a good indication of the “worth” of Cosmetic Surgery to modern society.

For these women, easily the most popular Surgery seems to be Breast Augmentation (enlargement with implants). After two years of very little increase, there has suddenly been a considerable (10%) rise in Breast Augmentation procedures. There were 9430 Breast Enlargements in the UK by BAAPS surgeons last year. Blepheroplasty (eyelids) and Face/Neck Lifts also all seem to be increasing in popularity.

It is not only women finding the funds for cosmetic surgery, however. Amongst the 10% of male patients in the UK, there was a huge increase in popularity of Male Breast (Man Boob / Moob) Reduction (up 28%). Possibly this surge is due to better publicity about Gynaecomastia and availability of this treatment. Taking away some of the “taboo” about this condition may have made men feel it is more acceptable to come forward for this confidence-enhancing treatment. The ever-popular male nose-job (rhinoplasty) is also steadily rising in numbers.

Abdominoplasty procedures, however, seem to have fallen slightly in popularity last year with both genders. So has Liposuction for women, but not for men. This could possibly be explained by the growing protocol for Cosmetic Surgeons to advise patients to reach an optimum Body Mass Index before embarking upon cosmetic surgery. This may well have dissuaded those who intended to use such procedures as a “quick fix” for losing weight, instead of exercise and sensible dieting. Perhaps men are more willing than women to embark upon the prescribed exercise regime and return for treatment.

For men and women alike, 2010 saw a considerable decrease (23%) in Otoplasty surgery, to correct prominent ears. As this source recognises, people with protruding ears often feel they are the first thing people notice, yet “ears are generally a less important part of our appearance since they are placed and shaped in a way that our surroundings do not notice them.” Perhaps this explains why this procedure is one which has been compromised at a time when money is tight and sacrifices must be made. Added to this is the growing “fashionability” of larger ears as a cute quirk thanks to a number of high-profile figures: Will Smith (and his daughter, Willow); Channing Tatum; Barrack Obama; Kate Hudson; Gary Lineker; Lee Evans.

For 2011, there are a few social trends emerging already which could fuel Cosmetic Surgery predictions. Weight Loss and Body Mass are hot topics which could lead people to become increasingly self-conscious about their physiques and cause a return to Abdominoplasty / Liposuction procedures, particularly if coupled with health regimes. Chairman of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors, Dr Mike Comins, predicts that as costs of living worsen, people will turn increasingly to smaller, cheaper procedures like Botox and Fillers or cheaper, “mini” versions of treatments like a Mini Tummytuck or Vaser-Lipo.

The terms ‘plastic surgery’ and ‘cosmetic surgery’ are often used interchangeably or cause confusion: many people in the UK think that ‘plastic surgery’ is just the American term, when in fact it is a completely different field.

When looking into procedures to change the way you look, it is important to get the basic terminology correct so that any research you do or requests you make return the best results.

Plastic Surgery was developed during the Second World War, when everyday surgeons had to learn the art of patching up serious injuries and repairing facial damage with as little scarring as possible. The term originates from the Greek word ‘Plastikos’, meaning “to mould or reshape”, which is deceptive as it now makes people think of artificiality and Barbie Dolls! Modern Plastic Surgery is a highly-skilled, specialist discipline tailored towards reconstruction i.e. fixing and rebuilding parts of the body or face which have become damaged (perhaps through accident or ill-health) or were born genetically “abnormal” in the eyes of the patient. Patients may be referred for Plastic Surgery for medical reasons, so there may be a Doctor’s influence behind the decision to undergo surgery.

Common Plastic Surgery procedures include Rhinoplasty (Nose Reconstruction) after breakage; Breast Reconstruction after Breast Cancer or Cleft Lip Repair.

Cosmetic Surgery, on the other hand, is usually for aesthetic reasons to an otherwise “normal” body although this is often not merely for vanity but to improve a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem (see our previous blog: Are Most Cosmetic Surgery Patients Vain?) . Cosmetic Surgery is elective (entirely the patient’s own decision) and not for medical reasons.

Popular Cosmetic Surgery procedures include Breast Augmentation (enlargement); Abdominoplasty (Tummy-Tuck); Liposuction; Mastopexy (Breast Uplift) and Facelift.

Some procedures obviously could fall into either category, depending entirely on the reason for having treatment. Whilst Rhinoplasty due to breakage is Plastic Surgery, for example, if a patient opted for this procedure purely because they felt their nose was a bit large, it would be Cosmetic Surgery. That said, somebody with a clearly out-of-proportionally huge nose could be argued to be having Plastic Surgery in this region: it becomes an interesting debate on “what is normal”.

Understanding which type of procedure you require is important as it could affect your approach to getting treatment.

If you think you need Plastic Surgery, for example, you may want to research these specific types of procedure in books and websites targeted at Reconstruction for abnormalities / medical issues. If you have not already got a GP referral, you may also want to make an appointment to do so as reconstructive surgery to correct, or improve, congenital abnormalities and injuries will usually be carried out free of charge on the NHS.  See this NHS web-page for more information on securing NHS funding for Plastic Surgery: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/890.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=154

For Cosmetic Surgery, there a number of procedure options and Surgeons to choose from. It is hugely important to do your research carefully, pick a reputable BAAPS-registered surgeon who you feel comfortable with after consultation and be totally certain of the results you would like, what your surgery will involve and the potential complications. There are numerous articles related to this in the Aurora Clinics Blog archives.

Thanks to the following sources for informing and guiding this article:

http://www.carefair.com/Skincare/Treatments/Plastic_and_Cosmetic_Surgery_2490.html

http://www.essortment.com/articles/facial_vs_plastic_surgery_boyd_4554.htm

http://www.articlesbase.com/womens-health-articles/plastic-surgery-the-difference-between-reconstructive-surgery-and-cosmetic-surgery-338728.html

Stoppard, Miriam. What’s the Difference between plastic and Cosmetic Surgery? Daily Mirror. 25/01/11.

Do you think nip/tuck is only for women?

Think again because there are many options available for men and becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Here are some statistics to start with:

• The top cosmetic surgery procedures for men in 2007 include liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, male breast reduction, and facelift.
• The top non-surgical procedures for men in 2007 include botox, micro-dermabrasion and skin peel.
• The total number of cosmetic surgery procedures including non-surgical processes performed on men in the US was almost 1 million in 2007.
• In the UK, Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) was the top cosmetic surgery procedure for men. According to BAAPS, 716 men underwent this procedure, which is an increase of 36% since 2006.
• The biggest increase recorded so far has been in male abdominoplasty or tummy tucks at 61% in 2007
• Another cosmetic surgery procedure for men that witnessed an increase is liposuction and the increase was by 18%. As of date, it is considered as the 2nd most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for men
• The third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for men is breast reduction, which has increased by 27%. BAAPS members conducted 224 procedures on men for breast reduction in 2007 vis-à-vis 177 procedures in 2006

So what are the top 3 cosmetic surgery procedures for men in the UK?

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job): This is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in men, mainly amongst the 20+ age-group. The surgery can be performed internally (inside the nose) or externally. It takes 2-3 hours.

Liposuction: This is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure among men who are in their early or mid 30’s. In 2007, almost 582 liposuction procedures were carried out on men in the UK. The total time for the surgery mostly depends on the size of the area where liposuction has to be conducted and the amount of fat taken out.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia):  This is an increasingly common procedure in the UK so men should not feel in any way shy or ashamed to come forward for it. Between 2007-2008, there was a 44% increase in the UK in Male Breast Reduction operations, and a lot of men choose to combine this procedure with Liposuction. Sometimes linked to obesity, but more often simply a genetic flaw in average-sized men, this relatively simple procedure is a confidence-boosting option for image-conscious men.

The demand for cosmetic surgery has grown in the UK (as in the US and the rest of the world) over the last few years. This trend has been fuelled by the stars and the celebrities of the world. The cosmetic surgery market in the UK has grown at a rapid pace over the past 5 years and includes both non-surgical and surgical procedures. At the end of 2007, it was worth £493m and showed an annual growth rate of 69% since 2003.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), the actual number of  UK consumers for cosmetic surgery is quite small compared to the US Market. In fact, the number of people undergoing cosmetic surgery is less than 0.05% of the total British population. One of the reasons cosmetic surgical procedures have not been widely accepted in the UK may be because they are not easily affordable for every consumer. But in the last few years, due to rising disposable incomes amongst young men and women, procedures like liposuction and breast augmentation have seen rapid growth. One of the major drivers of this market is the technological advancement of less-invasive techniques, especially in the field of facial surgery. This has encouraged many older people who are opting for eyelid surgery and face lifts.

Another important factor that has led to the growth of the cosmetic surgery market in the UK is the expansion and availability of various non-surgical procedures thanks to state-of-the-art technology. One of the recent examples is the dermal filler treatments whose effectiveness and non-surgical nature is encouraging more women to try different types of facial treatments. Apart from this, there have also been advancements in laser technology, another form of non-surgical procedures.

Here are some facts and statistics given out by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) for 2007:

• In 2007, BAAPS members carried out almost 32,453 surgical procedures, which is a jump of 12.2% since 2006 which saw 28,921 surgical procedures
• Women topped the cosmetic surgery procedures list with 91% while men lagged behind with only 17.5% opting for cosmetic surgery procedures.
• 29,572 procedures were carried out on women in 2007 vis-à-vis 26,469 in 2006
• Most popular cosmetic surgery procedure was facelift and showed a rise of 36% in 2007 as against 2006. In total 4,468 procedures were for facelift

According to RED magazine’s  latest cover story (“Warning: Botox Pushers at Work!” Dec 2010), visiting a cosmetic clinic like Aurora is akin to braving a mobile phone dealer’s the week before pay-day with your archaic current model on display and a neon “mug” sign flashing above your head. Expect to be pounced on (Ruth Elkins claims) by packs of commission-hungry co-ordinators whose sole aim is to sign you up to a lifetime “contract” of one cosmetic procedure after another, regardless of your emotional/financial wellbeing.

This could not be further from the truth at Aurora.

For starters: our team do not work for commission. They are facilitators, not sales reps; helping to – completely openly – give all the facts and possibilities for procedures that might benefit you so that you understand what is available and possible. The Aurora experience is about empowerment: What you choose to do with this information is entirely up to you. We respect the intelligence of our clients and know many have already put lots of thought and research into their decision to come forward for treatment. Consultations are entirely voluntary, with no need for “pushing”, cold calling or hard sales! We never pressurise you into a procedure at any time and often suggest taking time in-between your consultation and booking treatment to think about whether this is what you really want.

The RED article implies that clinics make clients see “all the problems” with their faces and therefore feel paranoid so that they have more work done. In fact, at Aurora, far from “pushing” people into treatments they do not really need, Mr. Richards and the Aurora practitioners often recommend non-surgical procedures like botox or dermal fillers  to clients who initially enquired about more radical surgery. This is an aspect Ruth Elkins neglects to mention; that there is truth in the claim that “the earlier you start, the less chance wrinkles will take hold” and so the non-surgical treatments and “expensive skincare products” she berates can actually be a preventative measure for clients who are already sure they want to alter their appearance.

“Make your own decisions”, as Ruth Elkins herself recommends! Do not let articles like this tell you what to think. If you feel that cosmetic procedures – non-surgical or surgical – could make a positive change to your life then come along to a free, NO PRESSURE consultation at Aurora where you can get all the facts for yourself and make an informed, independent decision.

NB: Aurora accepts that some clinics may be less scrupulous. We thoroughly support the advice from BAAPS (the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) as published in RED on “How to Avoid the Push”:

1 – Make your own decisions

2 – Don’t let anyone talk you into a procedure that you do not really want.

3 – Be informed: accept the limitations and risks of any procedure

4 – Speak to practitioners as well as co-ordinators

5 – Avoid paying booking fees or non-refundable deposits

6 – Make sure the timing of cosmetic procedures/surgery is right for you.