Love Island is Behind the Shocking Rise in Cosmetic Surgery

Current Love Island star, Shaughna Phillips, has quickly won over the hearts of many viewers with her straight-talking ‘down-to-earth’ demeanor and inspiring weight loss story. Over the last 4 years, Shauna has been on a dramatic weight loss journey, which has helped to ensure she quickly became a fan favorite in the villa.

Despite fans of the show showing their admiration for the Love Island star, there are some who are questioning just what cosmetic procedures and surgical procedures she has had done to further enhance her look.

Experts are suggesting that Shaughna may have undergone some rhinoplasty work to sculpt the shape of her nose, it also looks like some enhancements have been made to the lips and some Botox work has been carried out.

The previous contestant Megan Barton-Hanson was also put under the spotlight when her “before” photos surfaced, showing an unbelievable transformation which included having her ears pinned back, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty.

There seems to be an unwritten understanding that, in order to have a chance to appear on the show, cosmetic treatments are a must.

The stats don’t lie; the British public is obsessed with seeing how the Love Island contestants looked before their treatments. According to Google, the search terms for “before and after” relating to Love Island has increased 100% in the first week that the show aired, with a spike of searches relating to the twins who entered the villa, Jess and Eve Gale, and even searches for “Maura Love Island before and after” increasing despite her featuring on the previous season of Love Island. This data further highlights just how much interest there is in the surgery and cosmetic treatments the Islanders are getting before they enter the villa.

Cosmetic Surgery ‘the Norm’?

The "Love Island effect" doesn’t just seem to be affecting a small minority of individuals; the average age of women going under the knife has dropped from 42 in 2012 to 37 in 2018, making it the youngest it has ever been. Research from BBC Radio 5 Live discovered that watching just a couple of episodes of Love Island increased the likelihood of 18-34 years olds to consider lip fillers by 11%. Research from BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) shows that breast augmentation is up 7% when compared to the previous year, with rhinoplasty up just 1%. Although, a clinic in Manchester reported a 200% increase in demand for this procedure following Megan Barton-Hanson’s entrance into the villa two years ago.

A poll conducted by VICE UK found that 59% of 51,000 respondents believe that getting lip fillers are comparable to getting a haircut or manicure, which was a particularly worrying statistic, as cosmetic surgery is being normalized to the point where individuals are not fully researching procedures.

Some beauty clinics have been capitalizing on the show’s success by offering package deals of anti-wrinkle injections and fillers using catchphrases and slogans from the show to entice fans into buying. The exclusive deals expire when the series ends and have been criticized for encouraging young people to opt for the procedures without researching them first.

One such clinic even featured Molly-Mae on their social media posts, highlighting what specific work she had done to her face and promising that they could achieve the same look.

Is This Promotion of Cosmetic Surgery a Good Thing?

Whilst many would be quick to criticize the likes of Love Island unintentionally promoting cosmetic procedures, it can also be thought of in a more positive light. Such a popular show that showcases people who have undergone cosmetic procedures, many of whom are open about the work they’ve had done, could serve to help make those who feel unhappy with their appearance have the confidence to seek cosmetic solutions.

However, it is worth remembering that cosmetic treatments, especially surgeries, are not to be taken lightly. You should always think very carefully before having any procedures, do some research and take time to consider if it’s for you. If you decide it is something you would like to explore further, you can book a consultation with an aesthetic doctor who will be able to offer you guidance on the best course of action.