ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of developments in the cosmetic surgery industry, with a particular focus on the UK. Firstly, it is necessary to explore the concepts of ‘cosmetic’, ‘plastic’, ‘aesthetic’, and ‘reconstructive’ surgery as various interpretations and conceptualisations have been put forward. Moreover, a brief history of cosmetic procedures as well as an outline of the current state of the cosmetic surgery industry are presented. Following this, previous literature on the topic of representations – and the normalisation – of cosmetic procedures, particularly in the media, is discussed. As most of the literature explored in the first three sections relates to cosmetic procedures for women, the final part of this chapter concentrates on previous research that has investigated the cosmetic surgery market for men in particular.
