A new survey carried out by Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors has found that the vast majority of people believe that the current age of consent (18) is too young for someone to make an informed decision about undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Having questioned 1,212 people to gain a better understanding of their attitudes towards the appropriate age for undergoing cosmetic procedures, we found that a staggering 91% of respondents either ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that people are undergoing cosmetic treatments when they are too young.

Our research comes as new legislation has been introduced banning under 18s from getting dermal fillers or Botox - the new legislation is expected to prevent around 41,000 botox injections being administered to minors every year.

While the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act has been celebrated by practitioners, our data suggests that it might not go far enough. Only 5% of those who responded to our survey felt it was acceptable to undergo cosmetic surgery under the age of 21.

In response to the survey findings, Michael Saul, Partner at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, said: “We are currently in the midst of a body image crisis whereby our youth are bombarded with unrealistic and unattainable body image standards that start to affect their opinions of themselves.

“While the announcement of the new legislation is a much-needed step in the right direction, it does not go far enough in protecting young people - predominantly Generation Z or younger - from the harmful emotional effects that seeking cosmetic procedures at a young age can cause.”

Check out all our survey data below:

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: I think people are undergoing cosmetic surgery when they are too young?

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: 18 is too young to make an informed decision about getting cosmetic surgery?

At what age do you think it is acceptable to undergo cosmetic surgery?

At what age would you tell your child they could undergo cosmetic surgery?

Would you expect your child to ask for permission before undergoing a cosmetic procedure?

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: I think too many people are getting cosmetic surgery these days?

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: Social media is partly to blame for the rising popularity of cosmetic surgery?