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North England and Scotland crowned beauty treatment hotspots as "Love Island effect" grips UK high streets

North England and Scotland crowned beauty treatment hotspots as "Love Island effect" grips UK high streets

• The number of beauty salons on the high street has increased by 31% over five years, and dental surgeries by 16%, according to new Experian data analysis

• One clinic based in Cheshire has received twelve times the number of enquiries for filler packages since this year's summer series of Love Island, with costs at approximately £300 per appointment

• Ex-Love Island contestant Malin Andersson joins Experian in a campaign to encourage people considering treatments to ensure they can finance them responsibly

UK, 29th July 2024: New data from Experian suggests popular reality TV programmes are having a direct impact on the UK high street, with more businesses in the beauty industry opening premises. The number of beauty salons - including cosmetic procedure clinics and tanning salons - has increased by 31% over the past five years. Research also found dental surgery premises up by 16% over the same period.

The regions across the UK which have seen the biggest growth in beauty salons include the North of England (46% increase), Scotland (42% increase) and the West Midlands (26% increase), compared to 26% for the Southeast. While those seeing the highest number of dental surgeries include the North East (22%), the North West (21%) and the South East (18.6%).

There is clear consumer demand for procedures, and according to Cheshire-based Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics, the number of enquiries for filler packages at the clinic has increased by 12 times since the start of this year's summer season of Love Island. Cost for Botox can be up to £300 each time and can require three to four top ups a year for those looking to maintain the effects.

Millions of people across the UK tune in to reality TV each evening, so Experian is partnering with ex-Love Island star Malin Andersson to encourage people exploring cosmetic procedures to consider how it will be funded and protect their financial health, as well as their physical health.

Malin Andersson, Reality TV star and social media content creator said: "From the ages of 16-25 I had liposuction and two breast uplifts, as well as endless lip filler and botox. It seemed so normal at the time, then even more so after Love Island when my fellow co-stars used the same doctor - so I just followed the crowd.

"Starting treatments at a young age meant that I used a significant portion of my savings, while I have used credit cards to support my expenses. With time I started to lose perception of my true self and what I looked like. I became delusional and kept thinking I needed more and more adjustments, and with hindsight I could have saved money as well as avoided some of the damaging side effects. I shouldn't have followed the trend and wish I had just learned to love myself, without seeking the validation of society and succumbing to the pressures that came with being on a reality show."

"I don't want to tell people what not to do, but instead raise awareness of my own experiences so that people are thinking about possible longer-term effects. Let's not forget treatment can be positively lifechanging, and that it's a personal decision. For me, I wish that when I was younger more people had spoken authentically about the reality of the treatment as well as the costs involved - one procedure doesn't mean you'll be finished - with trends constantly changing, meaning the go-to in 2016 looks totally different to 2024!"

John Webb, Consumer Affairs Expert at Experian said: "Cosmetic procedures have increased in popularity in recent years, meaning more demand and an increase in cosmetic treatments available on the high street. Lots of procedures come with credit plans, such as loans or even Buy Now Pay Later agreements. Before booking any appointments, it's important to ensure you're comfortable with any repayment plan you decide to apply for. These procedures can be costly, so make sure you've explored your options and make sure it's affordable.

"If you're considering paying for treatment on a credit card or loan, then it's incredibly important to think about a repayment plan alongside any long-term health effects. If you're not able to pay back any money borrowed to pay for your treatment this could affect other life goals. For example, missing any repayments will affect your credit score and possible access to future credit including the most competitive mortgage deals."

Aesthetic clinic case study

A leading aesthetic doctor based in Cheshire, Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics, has received twelve times the number of enquiries for filler packages since this year's summer series of Love Island, when comparing interest to the previous six months.

Dr Ed Robinson, Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics, said: "With the start of Love Island, I've had a surge of people requesting specific looks or asking for procedures to make them look like one person or another - known as 'The Love Island look'".

"I have two concerns as a doctor - the first being that I would urge my clients to think about how they're going to afford treatments and whether there will be any recurring costs they've not though through initially. Secondly, I really want to stress that aesthetics is not about making you look like one person. It is about small tweaks to enhance your natural appearance, not dramatically change the shape of your face. Everyone needs their own bespoke and considered approach to get the best outcome for them."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Research from analysis of dental surgeries and beauty salons over the past five years using Experian Goad

Beauty salons include businesses such as skin clinics, cosmetic procedure clinics, brow bars, nail salons and tanning salons.

Media contact:

Brands2Life for Experian

Tel: 0207 592 1200 / Email: [email protected]

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