Having read a recent Body Image Report, published last month by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Talent Management can’t help but notice how much its findings highlight the vulnerability of young people, with half the UK public suffering from negative body image.

Praying on the low self esteem of Britain, cosmetic surgery ads have been highlighted as having a negative impact on vulnerable people and particularly children. As such, APPG has recommended that a separate code of regulations be drawn up governing cosmetic surgery advertising.

As a leading modelling agency promoting diverse beauty and body confidence, we whole-heartedly agree with the group, as do the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons; an organisation that has even called for an outright ban on ads of this type in public places such as billboards and public transport.

Consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS President Fazel Fatah said: “The public enquiry found that the media and advertising combined account for more than 60% of the influence on body image in society, and that the ‘ideal’ image portrayed is simply not achievable by the vast majority of those exposed to it. We fully support the Group’s recommendation for the establishment of a separate code for cosmetic surgery advertising. The unrestricted ads, which we see on television and on the side of buses are clearly having a negative impact on vulnerable people and particularly children, and should be severely restricted if not banned outright.”

The problem is so acute that girls as young as five now worry about their size and appearance and half of girls and one quarter of boys believe their peers have body image problems.

Last year, Talent Management highlighted examples of advertising and promotions that could prey on vulnerabilities and was shocked by news of Botox injections being offered next to cupcake stalls,  boob jobs being offered as competition prizes in magazines, and a cosmetic surgery nightclub – all of which evoked strong criticism from the team and models here.

Over the last decade, other shocking examples have included  travel vouchers as incentive for booking surgical ‘body overhauls’, ‘Divorce Feel-Good’ packages combining breast augmentation and liposuction for women going through this difficult period, cosmetic surgery gift/Christmas vouchers, and loyalty cards and surgical procedures sold via online discount sites such as Groupon.

Let Talent Management know your thoughts on the issue – do you think there needs to be stricter rules on governing cosmetic surgery advertising?