Cosmetic Interventions - Survey of Scottish Population

This report presents the key findings from an online survey of Scottish adults. It is based on research about private cosmetic procedures in Scotland and focuses on topics including public awareness and perceptions, procedures the public have undergone, expectations and understanding of procedures, resulting health problems, consideration for future procedures, and seeking advice through resources.


Annex A: demographic analysis of a boosted sample of people who have had a private cosmetic procedure

Introduction

In addition to the nationally representative sample of 1,980 Scottish adults, a boost of 92 people who have had a private cosmetic procedure was carried out to allow for more detailed demographic analysis of this group. In total, 171 Scottish adults who have had a private cosmetic procedure were interviewed.

While the main report reflects only the responses of the 79 people within the nationally representative sample who have had a private cosmetic procedure, demographic analysis incorporating the boosted sample is reported in this annex.

Demographic profile of Scottish adults who have had a private cosmetic procedure

The Scottish adults who report having had a cosmetic procedure in their lifetime are predominately female, with 71% being women and 29% men.

As chart 20 illustrates, two in five adults who have had a procedure fall within each of the 30-49 (39%) and 50-69 (40%) age groups, and smaller proportions are 18-29 (13%) or 70+ years old (8%).

Chart 20: Demographic split by age of those who have had a cosmetic procedure

Chart 20: Demographic split by age of those who have had a cosmetic procedure

Base: all who have had a private cosmetic procedure (171)

One quarter (27%) of those who have had a cosmetic procedure are made up of people with a university or CNAA first degree. Secondarily, 19% have a university or CNAA higher degree. Smaller proportions are represented by those who have another technical, professional or higher qualification (14%), a GCE A level/Higher Certificate/Scottish Higher Certificate (14%), a Scottish Ordinary/Lower Certificate or less (11%), or a professional qualification/diploma (8%). Four per cent have no formal qualifications.

Chart 21: Demographic split by education of those who have had a cosmetic procedure

Chart 21: Demographic split by education of those who have had a cosmetic procedure

Base: all who have had a private cosmetic procedure (171)

The ethnic breakdown of those who have had a cosmetic procedure matches the nationally representative proportions of white and minority ethnic groups in the Scottish adult population, with 96% belonging to a white ethnic group and 4% representing minority ethnic groups.

When examining the division of those who have had a cosmetic procedure by region within Scotland, the demographic split closely matches the nationally representative figures. Those who live in Glasgow, however, represent a larger proportion of those who have had a cosmetic procedure than Glasgow residents do in the national population (18% compared with 12% in the national adult population).

Chart 22: Demographic split by region of those who have had a cosmetic procedure compared with the national adult population

Chart 22: Demographic split by region of those who have had a cosmetic procedure compared with the national adult population

Base: all who have had a private cosmetic procedure (171)

How to access background or source data

The data collected for this social research publication:

☒ are available via Health Analytical Services Department in the Scottish Government.

Contact

Email: Reme Diaz

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