Cosmetic Surgery Banned for Under 18s on Social Media

Michael Saul
By Michael Saul

Michael Saul heads up TJL Solicitors' cosmetic surgery negligence department, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors.


The new Instagram and Facebook rules preventing under-18s from seeing posts about cosmetic surgery are welcomed but could go further, with 74 percent of Brits calling for an age limit earlier in the year.

Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors launched a petition with the government-approved register of accredited practitioners, Save Face in February 2019, following a national survey of more than 1,000 people.

74% of respondents agreed that there should be an age limit on content that promotes or demonstrates the effects of cosmetic procedures.

The most popular suggested age limit should be 21 years old, with 35% choosing this option:

  • 35 % back an age limit of 21 and older
  • 31 % back an age limit of 18 and older
  • 8 % back an age limit of 16 and older

The survey also asked respondents if the images posted on social media of cosmetic procedures influenced how they felt about their appearance.

 

Social media age limits
  • 48% said these images had no influence on them
  • 23% reported feeling more negatively about their own appearance as a result, and this figure rose to 38% among 21-25-year-olds
  • 52% of survey participants backed the idea of verified accounts using a specific hashtag to declare if they have had cosmetic enhancements while promoting any kind of health, well-being, or beauty treatments and products on social media.

Our petition called for an age limit of 21, which would go further to protect even more vulnerable young people from making snap decisions that could seriously impact their health and quality of life.

The new restrictions only apply to under 18s that have declared their real age to Instagram and Facebook, so it is still crucial for parents of teenagers to remain vigilant and speak to their children about safe habits online.

For the full results of the survey, visit www.cosmeticsurgerysolicitors.co.uk/about/sign-our-petition 

Many thanks to the author of this blog Michael Saul who is a Partner at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors.

Michael Saul heads up TJL Solicitors' cosmetic surgery negligence department, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors - the first specialist legal department in England and Wales dedicated to helping victims of negligent cosmetic surgery.

His team has successfully concluded many cases arising from the full range of cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments.

Thanks to the author

If you want to read more, the experts at Consulting Room really know what they're talking about and have put together some eyelid lifttummy tuckfaceliftBreast implantsnose jobsrhinoplasty and cosmetic surgery treatments treatment FAQs just for you. 

If you have more questions, you can use the eyelid lifttummy tuckfaceliftBreast implantsnose jobsrhinoplasty and cosmetic surgery treatment questions feature to talk to our panel of trained medical experts. 

If you're keen to get started with any of these treatments right away then you're in luck - those clever folks also have a list of trusted, accredited eyelid lift clinicstummy tuck clinics, facelift clinicsBreast implantnose jobrhinoplasty and cosmetic surgery clinics in your area.


More great blogs our experts wrote for you...

What Are The Best Foods for PCOS

30
Apr
2025

What Are The Best Foods for PCOS

Struggling to manage PCOS through diet? The weight loss experts break down the best foods to support hormone balance, weight management, and overall wellbeing.

Did Anne Hathaway Really Have a Facelift? Experts Reveal the Subtle Signs You Might've Missed

29
Apr
2025

Did Anne Hathaway Really Have a Facelift? Experts Reveal the Subtle Signs You Might've Missed

With her radiant skin and sculpted features sparking buzz online, we asked a surgeon and cosmetic doctor to weigh in on whether Anne Hathaway’s glow is all natural—or the result of a quiet cosmetic tweak.

Simple Hacks to Eat Less and Feel Full

05
Mar
2025

Simple Hacks to Eat Less and Feel Full

Changing the way you go about eating can make it easier to eat less without feeling deprived!


Hey, wait!

Before you go.....

Let's stay in touch, pop your details here and we'll send our editor's hand-picked updates on your fave subjects.