Kiwis are increasingly fuelling a multimillion-dollar cosmetic surgery and appearance-medicine industry, driven by social media, a perceived need to look young to compete at work or simply because they want to look healthy. Jane Phare looks at what’s on offer, what it costs and who’s having work done. Anabelle* a former Auckland events organiser first had cosmetic surgery 30 years ago - a breast reduction in her late 30s.
“Men would stare at my boobs all the time and it would drive me nuts. I could never wear strapless dresses.” Next was a lower facelift to remove sagging around her jawline, and neck surgery to remove tethered skin beneath her chin – something she’d always disliked.
Some years later she had a second lower facelift. Since then there have been fillers, a “vampire” facial – a micro-needling procedure using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) - and regular injections of botulinum toxins (Botox is one of three brands approved in New Zealand). She’s lost count of the thousands of dollars worth of cosmetic and appearance medicine procedures she’s had but says the cost was worth it.
Now retired from her previous career, but still having regular Botox injections, Anabelle says her desire for surgery was driven by the pressure to look good in her public job – presenting at meetings and pitching for contracts. Looking back she regrets none of it, saying the facial improvements made her feel more confident. She’s one of thousands of Kiwis who regularly i.
