The pink pound finances new surge in plastic surgery

Survey shows rise in demand for nose jobs, liposuction and male breast reductions in the UK

Economic slowdown or not, for some there's always the money for self-improvement. While some 60 per cent of US plastic surgeons may be complaining of a slowdown, their British counterparts are confident that the pink pound will see them through the recession – as new research reveals that nearly a quarter of gay men in Britain have gone under the knife.

The survey found that 69 per cent of gay men would like to have cosmetic surgery, with 22 per cent confessing that they have already succumbed to the surgeon's scalpel.

"Around a third of our male clients are gay. The vast majority are very well groomed with spare money to spend," said Shami Thomas, a spokesperson for Transform, one of the UK's leading cosmetic surgery clinics.

The findings of the poll, conducted by two gay lifestyle websites which asked more than 1,000 men for their views on cosmetic surgery, reflect an upsurge in plastic surgery among British men of all sexual orientations.

Figures from the UK's largest cosmetic surgery provider, the Harley Medical Group, show a 20 per cent increase in the number of male patients over the past five years, with requests for nose jobs, male breast reduction and tummy tucks all rising.

"Initially, men started coming in for nose jobs to correct sporting injuries, but the number of men coming in for liposuction and breast reduction has increased at an incredible rate over the last five years," said Liz Dale, director of the group.

"We are still seeing high demand for many of our non-surgical treatments among men, particularly in our City clinic. City boys are using Botox and 'fillers' to help them keep looking young – especially important if they're going for interviews."

Some have attributed the popularity of cosmetic surgery among gay men to the fact that there is perceived to be a greater emphasis on physical appearance within the gay community, and that homosexual men are thought to earn more than their heterosexual counterparts.

"With the average gay man earning £5,203 more than the national average [taking home, on average, £31,099 a year], gay men have a higher disposable income and, as a result, the pink pound is doing well," said Patrick Preston, of Millivres, the company behind Gay Times that commissioned the research.

While the increasing popularity of cosmetic surgery among the UK gay community may have plastic surgeons rubbing their hands together with glee, some see this as preying on the vulnerable. "A lot of gay men have experienced bullying and negativity when they were growing up, and that is inevitably going to undermine their confidence. Some gay men like to 'power dress' to counteract this. Others turn to surgery, as looking good suggests success," said Joe Heaney, deputy editor of Gay Times.

"I think it creates a dangerous stereotype – the more men who do it, the more it becomes the default. It will perpetuate the idea that only a certain look is attractive."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Patrick Cockburn: I fear this terrible massacre will be the beginning of a long civil war in Syria

Patrick Cockburn

I fear this terrible massacre will be the beginning of a long civil war in Syria
Hardeep Singh Kohli: For me, it is all about 'Gregory's Girl', a record of first love

Hardeep Singh Kohli

For me, it is all about 'Gregory's Girl', a record of first love
Christian Louboutin: 'I don't think comfort equals happiness'

Christian Louboutin interview

'I don't think comfort equals happiness'
Happy birthday, Hotel Babylon!

Happy birthday, Hotel Babylon!

Hollywood's home to the A-list celebrates 100 years of discreet luxury
Rupert Cornwell: Low-rise capital could finally reach for the sky

Rupert Cornwell: Out of America

Low-rise capital could finally reach for the sky
The secret life of the red carpet

The secret life of the red carpet

As Cannes reaches its climax with the Palme d'Or and the celebrities gather in London for the Baftas tonight, Kate Youde and Jack Dean investigate the real star of the show
It's not easy being Professor Green: The rapper, the heiress and a drama made in Chelsea...

It's not easy being Professor Green

The rapper, the heiress and a drama made in Chelsea...
Hardcore, hard-wired: How the prevalence of porn is changing our everyday lives

How porn is changing our lives

It's everywhere - from pop videos to fashion magazines to the theatrical stage.
River Phoenix: the final reel

River Phoenix: the final reel

Twenty years after the actor's death, his last film is to be released
Facebook: The shares shenanigans

Facebook: The shares shenanigans

Investors are crying foul over the huge losses they incurred when the social network site floated on the stock market last week
Up and away – how '7 Up' went global

Up and away – how '7 Up' went global

As the last episode of Britain's '56 Up' airs, the first episode of '28 Up', from the former USSR, starts. Then there's the US, Japan, Germany...
You'll soon pick this up: Tuck into Bill Granger's fresh street food

Tuck into Bill Granger's fresh street food

It provides perfect party fare for some fun in the sun...
All to play for: How is Ukraine shaping up ahead of Euro 2012?

How is Ukraine shaping up ahead of Euro 2012?

Peter Popham casts his eye over the state of the Euro 2012 co-host ahead of the tournament.
Red or not, here they come: Artists reimagine the iconic telephone booth

BT ArtBoxes: Red or not, here they come

Artists reimagine the iconic telephone booth...
The Last Word: Premier bullies devise youth system bound to end in tears

The Last Word

Premier bullies devise youth system bound to end in tears