British consumers are becoming ever more image conscious with the cosmetic surgery industry growing at an astounding rate. Over the past two years, the number of cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments has risen by 95 percent and according to analysts Mintel, the industry will break through the £1 billion mark in 2008.

Non-invasive procedures such as Botox and other wrinkle fillers have seen the biggest rise in popularity, probably because they are viewed as less risky than full-blown surgery and treatments can normally be administered in a lunch-time. They also require repeat top-ups, helping boost their figures.

In 2005, 300,000 cosmetic procedures were done, 230,000 of which were non-surgical. In 2007, 577,000 cosmetic procedures were done, 472,000 of which were non-surgical. However surgical procedures make up the bulk of the money being spent by consumers this year £604 million was spend on surgical treatments with just £302 spend on non-surgical procedures.

Two of the most popular cosmetic surgeries are facelifts and breast surgery, although body shaping techniques such as liposuction, tummy tucks, arm reduction surgery and buttock lifts are also popular.

And it isn’t just women who are heading under the knife there is an increase in the number of men seeking cosmetic surgery with the most popular surgical procedure being the nose job.