Breast augmentation

How it works: This is by far the most controversial of all cosmetic surgery procedures, and there is much debate about the safety of silicone implants. After lots of studies and a short-term US embargo on the use of this most popular procedure, there's still no scientific evidence that they're harmful. 'The worst complication is a seven to eight per cent risk of scar tissue thickening, which hardens the implant,' says Dr Percival. Other known risks include decreased nipple sensation, and the operation usually needs repeating every 10 years.

There are three different types of incision: under the arm, around the nipple and underneath the breast. Alternative implants include saline, which became the popular during the silicone scare in the US.

Effects and side effects: 'There is a quite high instance of leaking with the saline implants, and they wrinkle a lot,' says Professor Sharpe. 'And because they have to be over-inflated, so that the internal edges of the shell don't fracture, they can have a slightly unnatural appearance,' he adds.

All other implants, including the soya and hydrogen gel types, have been banned in the UK due to risk, non-reliability or lack of information about their long-term effects.