Right across the spectrum of cosmetic surgery from tooth whitening to breast enlargement , cosmetic practitioners are noticing a vast upsurge in demand for the treatment. But what are the reasons for this increased demand for treatment? Could it be that societal pressure to look good is becoming too much for people and they are increasingly resorting to surgery? Some critics of cosmetic surgery might argue that this is the case but is this necessarily true?

Evidence has been found to suggest that cosmetic surgery has been being performed for thousands of years. Further evidence suggests that extensive cosmetic surgery was carried out in India as early as 800BC. This would seem to indicate that a desire to change your appearance to fit societal norms is not just a product of modern civilisation. It is also true that fashion, style and even trends for body shapes have changed over the years and people have always tried to fit the current trend. This can be seen from the penchant for larger more curvaceous women seen so often in renaissance art. That was the ideal of beauty at the time, somewhat different to our modern image of an attractive female form.

So if the desire for cosmetic surgery is not symptomatic of the modern age then what is causing it? The simple answer is probably availability and affordability. This is the first generation that has had the opportunity and financial means to pay for surgery and it seems many thousands of people are willing to do just that.

Even fifteen years ago, the price of surgery made it the sole preserve of the rich and famous, but as practitioners have developed new and cheaper methods of surgery it has become more available to the general public.

So many people choose cosmetic surgery as it is seen as a way of improving self-image and self-confidence. A successful surgery can really dramatically alter the appearance for the better, often bringing to an end many years of concern and anxiety over appearance. Surgery is now safer and recovery times vastly improved and who knows what the future of surgery has to offer. Improved treatments may open up the door of cosmetic surgery to even more people with treatments becoming part of routine daily life and no longer anything exceptional.