According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons revealed that 2016 saw a huge 40% reduction in cosmetic operations, reaching a ten year low.
Does this mean we are all learning to love our bodies? Not exactly. In the US, Botox tops the charts for the most-performed procedure, and anecdotally, doctors report the same trend here.
Let's talk about 'Scrotox'
The stigma of men and plastic surgery is still present but is continually on the decline as more and more celebrities admit to getting the odd procedure. In the past six months or so, men are becoming more and more vocal about their use of Botox.... in their scrotum. Yes, you read that right. Scrotox is the latest male beauty trend that involves having Botox injected into the Scrotum to smooth out wrinkles and make their testicles appear larger.
It's not new for Botox to be used in areas of the body other than the face. For example, some people have Botox injected for headaches or into their armpits to avoid embarrassing sweat stains and smells. In some cases in the United States, Botox has also been known to help women who experience chronic vaginal pain. A number of conditions can cause vaginal pain, making sex very difficult, if not impossible for them. Botox stops the muscles from contracting and can last 'down there' for up to six months.
Safety advice
Whether you're getting Botox in your face, your genitals, or your armpits, you should be very careful about who's giving it to you. Currently, fillers aren't licensed, so technically anyone can administer it, and while Botox is medically regulated, it's still possible for people to get their hands on it. Mr Ash Mosahebi of Twenty-five Harley Street day clinic, one of the UK's top Cosmetic Surgeons and spokesperson for the British Association of Aesthetics and Plastic Surgeons, says,
"On the surface, these may seem convenient and sometimes cheaper ways to have Botox, but it’s important to understand that this is a specialist medical treatment and the delivery of cosmetic injectables should be given by a trained cosmetic doctor or nurse."
He warns people to be particularly weary of Botox parties (events where someone comes to your house to give Botox to a number of people). “Your practitioner may be distracted, your guard may be down and you could feel less inclined to speak up if you’re uncomfortable with the practitioner due to group pressure."
It is also illegal to advertise Botox because it's a trademarked prescription drug, and while UK regulations over promoting this procedure are strict, the rules over who can actually administer it aren't up to scratch.
Mr Mosahebi also warns that, "The lack of regulation in the UK is a big problem. The government's view is that restrictive practices are counterproductive to the economy. Our view (as members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, BAAPS, a voluntary professional body whose members adhere to strict standards) is that they are important for patient safety."
Twenty-five Harley Street offer a range of aesthetic treatments, all of which are carried out by medical specialists and experts in their field. For a full list of 25 Harley Street's doctors click here.