Jordan has done it, Sharon Osbourne swears by it and it has now become acceptable among the public that its reckoned we'll spend more on nips and tucks next year than on cups of tea.

Our quest for physical perfection could lead us to spend £659 million next year on a variety of procedures from facelifts to boob jobs, according to analysts Mintel.

Work on the face and neck are the most popular choices, but breast enlargements are close behind. They're up 150 per cent compared to 2003, with around 26,000 operations carried out last year.

Louise Braham of the Harley Medical Group believes TV shows featuring cosmetic surgery and its popularity among celebrities such as Jordan and Sharon Osbourne has helped fuel the trend.

"Publicity has taken the taboo and scariness away. People now feel more confident about exploring what's available and have more disposable income to fund it.

Those opting for cosmetic help generally fall into two categories. There are those who want what they regard as a life-changing op to alter a feature they believe is affecting their confidence and self-esteem. Then there are those who want to refresh their looks for vanity reasons.

This year there will be some 690,000 cosmetic surgery procedures in Britain, up 40pc on last year. But increasing popularity doesn't mean it's risk-free.

"Ideally, people should regard surgery as putting right a feature which is maybe making them extremely self-conscious or seriously affecting their lifestyle," she advises.

"Most reputable clinics don't use adverts in the back of newspapers encouraging people to come along. "Don't rush into anything. Even for a minor operation there can be serious risks involved, and a hasty decision could result in irreparable damage."

RISKS: There are general risks associated with surgery. Scars usually fade after a year, but will be permanent. Puckering on the outside edge of the scar may remain.

RESULT: Most people find they look about 10 years younger afterwards. The scars of the operation will be permanent, although they are usually hidden by your hair.

RISKS: Some people can suffer hair loss, scarring and rough skin. Risks also include nerve damage which can cause numbness or temporary paralysis of part or all of the movement of the facial muscles.

RESULT: The area treated should appear smoother and less wrinkled. Results may take two to three weeks to appear and the effects last for around three to four months.

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