The move has already been nicknamed ‘the boob tax’ and would see cosmetic procedure prices increase by 20 percent on procedures such as breast enlargements, liposuction and tummy tucks. At present, only minor treatments – such as Botox and chemical face peels – carried out in High Street Salons have been subject to VAT.

The only exception to the tax would be if the patient was having a cosmetic procedure for therapeutic reasons where a doctor or psychologist has identified that the patient has a medical condition (e.g. body dysmorphic disorder) or disfigurement.

Some cosmetic surgeons are worried that there will be grey areas when it comes to who has to pay VAT and who doesn’t. Some have questioned how easy it will be to distinguish between which procedures should be taxed and which shouldn’t. For example, should a child with really prominent ears who possibly could be bullied have the tax applied to their procedure? How large to breasts need to become before they are deemed to be a truly physical problem that can allow a treatment without the tax? What level of asymmetry would be deemed as a ‘disfigurement’?

A similar cosmetic surgery tax – which was nicknamed ‘Bo-tax’ – was introduced in the US by President Obama in 2009. However it was subsequently dropped after claims that it discriminated against patients who hailed from poorer backgrounds.

HMRC have claimed that the new tax is a change of policy – instead, they are saying that they are only clarifying the current situation which was set out in a 2007 document. A statement from HMRC reads, “there have been no changes to, nor are there any plans to change, the VAT liability of cosmetic services.

“Medical care provided by registered health professionals in hospitals or clinics is, and will continue to be, VAT-free, along with cosmetic services carried out for therapeutic purposes.

“Medical treatment for purely aesthetic reasons has been, and continues to be, liable to VAT at the standard rate.”

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Superdrug, who are the UK’s second largest health & beauty high street retailer, are the only high street chain to offer cosmetic treatments. There are a range of treatments available – from eyebrow threading to manicures, anti-wrinkle injections to lip volumisers, leg thread vein removal to chemical peels.

The anti-wrinkle injections will cost £145 for one area of the face – around a third of the more normal price range. The initial consultation will be around 15 minutes long with treatment taking as little as 10 minutes. This means that patients will be able to have these anti-wrinkle injections during their lunchbreaks.

Some cynics believe that this is not a good move for the high street store. Superdrug had a trial beauty clinic in Brighton in 2007 however it closed after just six months. However Superdrug are convinced that they have learnt from the experience and the new service will be a hit.

Some health care professionals have also commented that people would be better off going to a specialised clinic. Talking to British newspaper the Daily Mail, London cosmetic surgeon Dr Michael Prager compared it to ‘going to the barber’s to have your hair cut, instead of a Nicky Clarke hair salon’.

He explained, “They both use scissors but you end up with completely different results.

“You get what you pay for with cosmetic surgery.

“Having Botox is not like having a flu jab – it very much depends on the skill of the practitioner carrying out the procedure.’

“There is not a large profit to be made from anti-wrinkle injections. I would imagine Superdrug wants a decent profit margin so, for just £145 per injection, I would question how much you are getting for your money.”

The first Superdrug ‘clinic’ opens in Kensington, London, later this week with a second one planned for Milton Keynes in the near future.

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Have you suffered from cosmetic cock-ups or beauty gone bad? We want to hear from you! If you’ve undergone an unsuccessful procedure and have been left with a trout pout, wonky boob job, lumpy lipo, a chemical peel catastrophe or botched Botox – get in touch!

Filming for the new series is already underway so, if you get your application form in today, you could be seen by one of the Doctors within a few weeks. If you are interesting in taking part, please contact Toral Davda on t.davda@mavericktv.co.uk or 0121 2248362

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Just as with any other part of the body, the earlobe will go through the natural ageing process. The earlobe is also constantly exposed to the sun and there are few people who will remember to apply sunscreen to their ears when applying it to the rest of their body!

Earlobes often become elongated over time thanks to a reduction in collagen meaning the elasticity in the skin is reduced. The skin also tends to become elongated, thin and saggy and surface wrinkles may appear. Women who like to wear dangly earrings are particularly at risk as the weight of the earrings may help to pull the earlobe down, accentuating the elongation and sagginess of the lobe.

Given that ear lobes are now known to be a sign to look for as a clue to a woman’s real age, it comes as no surprise that there is a cosmetic surgery procedure to help. The ‘earlobe rejuvenation’, sometimes also known as the ‘ear lobe lift’, is already popular in the US.

Costing around $2,000 for both ears, the cosmetic surgery takes around 40 minutes and uses local anaesthetic therefore can be done during a lunch break.

The earlobe lift involves the cosmetic surgeon making an incision close to where the ear connects to the side of the face. A small amount of tissue and skin is then removed. The incision is precisely made so that it is virtually impossible to see once the wounds have healed. Two internal stitches, which dissolve over time, are then applied and ten stitches are made on the outside of the ear. These are removed after about a week. Invisible surgical tape is then applied rather than standard bandages so that the cosmetic surgery signs are well hidden. The earlobe rejuvenation surgery makes the earlobe look plumper, more rounded and smaller – making the earlobe look ‘younger’.

For those who don’t fancy the idea of cosmetic surgery, facial fillers can also help. Injectable fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Sculptra can all be injected into the earlobe to smoothen the skin, plump the ear lobe up and make it look younger. For women who wear earrings and whose earring hole has stretched, it is claimed that dermal filler injections can help make the hole smaller. Because the ear doesn’t move much, dermal fillers in the earlobe will tend to last longer than those injected into the face – sometimes up to twice as long.

It is also possible to have a chemical peel on the ear lobe to help improve the skin’s appearance.

So whether you are happy having cosmetic surgery or not, there is now no excuse for having aged earlobes!

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1. Concealer
Concealer is good for covering up scars, blemishes and small veins. It has a relatively low cost and is easy and quick to apply. Foundations also tend to hide most blemishes quickly. Adding a light touch of pressed powder over the top will help make the concealer look more natural. Specialist make-ups are slightly more expensive but can be better at hiding a larger range of flaws, from acne to sun damage, rosacea to birthmarks.

2. Prescription Make-up
There are several make-up brands which are available on prescription only. These make-ups are all waterproof and can last for up to four days. These products have good coverage and can help disguise not just scars and blemishes, but also problems such as stretchmarks.

3. Creams for Thread Veins
Thread veins, sometimes known as spider veins, have strong genetic ties therefore if your parents suffered from them, you have a high likelihood of also suffering. There are many products on the market which claim to reduce the appearance of these veins, but not appear to have the required effects.

4. Scar Reduction Products
Scars tend to be caused because of deep-tissue damage therefore it is unclear as to whether scar reduction creams really do any good with conflicting evidence over whether they work or not. However some patches may help reduce large or itchy scars. Be warned that many of these products require a long time to work – for example Elastoplast’s scar reduction patches recommend they be worn for at least 12 hours a day for four to eight weeks – therefore they are not a quick fix.

5. Stretchmark Quick Fixes
Probably one of the quickest and easiest fixes for stretchmarks is to apply some fake tan or self-tanning lotion as this disguises the unevenness on the skin. There is also evidence to support the theory that some prescription products such as retinoid creams can help reduce the appearance of stretchmarks but only if they are still pin – once they turn white, there is little evidence to show that any form of cream will help reduce their appearance.

6. Cosmetic Procedures
As a last resort, there are plenty of different cosmetic procedures that can help improve the skin. The least intrusive procedures are probably the fillers and chemical peels which can help to reduce the appearance of scarring or stretchmarks, and also help the skin look more youthful.

Micro-dermabrasion can be used to help treat spots and scars. There is a myriad of laser treatments available for the skin, for example to help reduce spider veins and varicose veins.

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Which? And The Observer conducted an investigation into the cosmetic surgery industry – an investigation which led to the head of the industry admitting that bad practice was rife.

There are many different problems highlighted some of these included unqualified staff injecting patients with Botox; not giving prospective patients enough time to mull over their cosmetic surgery decision; not training their staff well enough so if the patient has an allergic reaction, the staff may not know how to handle the situation.

The problem is so serious that the Metropolitan Police are investigating several cases including one where a woman was passing herself off as a Doctor and prescribing Botox to patients despite not being registered with the General Medical Council.

The UK has seen a massive growth in the cosmetic surgery industry with numbers soaring over the past few years – in 2001, around 202,000 treatments were carried out; In 2005, the number had risen to around 700,000. Around 85% of treatments are non-invasive treatments such as Botox or chemical peels, with the remaining 15% being invasive surgery such as liposuction, breast implants or face lifts.

The rise in cosmetic surgery has bred cowboy clinicians – people who have lack the necessary qualifications but are keen to tap in on this burgeoning industry. Many of these cowboys advertise two-for-offers or encourage patients to have multiple surgeries – some they may not have considered before or need. The surgery tends to end up being for the surgery’s benefit, rather than the patients.

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After decades of faddy diets, ‘miracle’ pills, gruelling work-outs and extreme makeovers, the baby boomers are realising that it’s all a bit of a no-win game and that life should really be lived to the full instead. Their attitude seems to against the current trend of staying ever-youthful appearances. Instead, the attitude is pro-aging with a realization that wrinkles aren’t the end of the world.

That’s not to say that they don’t want to look good – the generation that gave brought aerobics into the mainstream, 80 hour working weeks, and facelifts have turned to a less aggressive side with activities that stimulate both mind and body, and gently tone and develop the muscles, mind and spirit together.

Dove are ahead of the game with their advertising campaign for ‘real beauty’, promoting the natural variance of human beings and celebrating different forms of beauty to the A-list look. Slowly, people are realising that the Hollywood body is not necessarily the only beautiful look in the world, and by eating balanced diets and doing moderate exercise, they can look equally beautiful in their own way.

This turn to the passive side is not necessarily a bad thing for the cosmetic surgery industry – instead of invasive procedures such as face lifts and breast implants, baby boomers are turning to less invasive cosmetic surgery techniques such as chemical peels and fillers, although clients are adamant that any procedures are not overdone to ensure they remain looking fairly natural.

Perhaps they have the right attitude. In an age where many people feel they can only be accepted if they have cosmetic surgery and don’t feel comfortable in their own bodies, the more holistic approach may in fact do more good. After all, if you aren’t a healthy person, there is only so much than drugs and surgery can do.

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BAAPS has said the high-pressure sales techniques and ‘cowboy’ operators were fuelling a massive market in cosmetic surgery procedures such as Botox, face peels and laser treatments, and patients are at risk of serious complications, injuries and possibly even death.

The Manchester conference was initially aimed at British GPs who paid £2,000 to attend the weekend. After practising Botox injections on volunteers on the hotel’s staff, the GPs could opt to pay £35,000 for enough equipment to start their own practice and 10% of all operating profits.

In the UK, there is little that can be done to stop the rise of these sorts of seminars as the British Government recently did a U-Turn on the regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry. This means that the market is essentially unregulated and anyone can start up a business with little or no knowledge. Unfortunately, there are more and more people reporting problems with service with a quarter of all complaints to the Healthcare Commission being about ‘simple’ cosmetic surgery procedures such as Botox and chemical peels.

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The most common cosmetic surgery procedures are nose reshaping, male breast reductions, breast implants, breast lifts and liposuction.

There are many reasons for this increase in popularity – cosmetic surgery is losing it’s stigma; more young people are feeling increasingly pressured to look good and cosmetic surgery can be seen as the quick and easy fix. Some parents now use cosmetic surgery as a reward for doing well in exams. It is also seen as a good time to have surgery as they have the summer break in which to recover.

Many are concerned about the rise in youngsters undergoing cosmetic surgery – teenagers are still growing and the operations are often not reversible. As the teenagers are still growing, the surgery may only have good effects in the short term.

However, there are those who say having surgery young is a good thing. They argue that plastic surgery can build self-esteem, which is a good thing if they are about to go to college or start a new job. They say that teenagers can feel like they are starting from a totally new slate without any of their old insecurities.

While we live in a society where everyone is chasing perfection and youth, it is no wonder that cosmetic surgery is on the increase. Celebrities, singers and actors all have perfect, toned bodies and act as role models for the younger generation. Many of this perfection has only been achieved by cosmetic surgery so it is only logical that the some of the population will want to follow suit.

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Chemical peels are not new – there is evidence that they go back over 3,500 years. Over the years, chemical peels have changed. There is evidence that substances such as sour milk, fermented grape skins and alabaster were used. These days, different acids are used to remove the outer layer of skin. There are three main types of chemical peel:

Superficial Peel
This is the most common type of peel. It removes the top layer of skin cells and gently exfoliates the skin, leaving a healthy glow.

This is a quick and easy treatment. First, your face will be cleaned and then the acid will be painted on and left for up to ten minutes. The peel is then washed off and neutralised. Some people do feel mild stinging during the treatment. Directly after the peel, the skin will look quite pink and there may be mild blotchiness which should go within 24 hours. It is generally recommended that these peels are done every 4-6 weeks to keep the glow achieved by the peel.

Medium-Depth Peel
These peels go deeper into the skin. They can help remove scars (for example from acne) and small wrinkles. They also help to even out skin tone and colour.

First, the skin will be cleaned and the peel applied. The areas treated will turn a white-grey in colour. The face may also swell slightly and most people will feel burning or stinging on their face for up to 2 hours after the treatment. Saline compresses will be applied to the face to neutralise the acid.

Recovery takes about a week, depending on the rate at which your skin heals. During the healing period, the skin may turn a dark brown with white streaks; it will also start to peel off and it may be very itchy. After the skin has started to peel, the skin will turn bright red before starting to fade to pink over the next few weeks.

It is recommended that patients have a peel every month until they get the results they way. After this, a maintenance peel is recommended every 6-12 months.

Deep Peel
These peels are not common. The peel penetrates the dermal layer of the skin and helps remove or lessen the appearance of deep wrinkles, lines and scars.

Patients are often sedated during this procedure. Local anaesthetic is applied to the face to numb the skin. The skin is the cleansed thoroughly and the peel applied. The peel will be left on for about half an hour before being neutralised. Many patients will feel ill after the procedure, and many experience moderate to severe pain in the days following the chemical peel. The face will be swollen during the first few days and can be incredibly itchy. It normally takes about a fortnight before most people venture back into the public.

The results from a deep peel can often last up to 10 years, so the effects can be very dramatic.

What are the risks?
If you have a history of skin scarring, chemical peels are probably not for you. Abnormal pigmentation, people with facial warts, Afro-Carribeans and Asians, red hair and freckled skin, or recent use of acne treatments may also prevent you from having a chemical peel done.

The main risk of chemical peels are skin infections or very red/blotchy skin. Both of these should be resolved within a month or so of the procedure. Permanent scarring may also occur, but this is fairly rare. With the deep peels, some people may find that they completely lose the pigmentation in their skin, however this normally heals over time. It is important to wear high protection sun screen after any of the treatments to ensure that the new skin (which is very delicate) is not exposed to too much sun.

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