Advertisements for cosmetic surgery that could affect people under the age of 18, such as breast augmentation, are banned in the UK.
Companies will no longer be able to advertise in the media about operations that can attract the attention of people under the age of 18 and change the physical appearance, such as chest or nose surgeries. This includes television and social media.
The application of these operations to those under the age of 18 is already prohibited by law, but there was no restriction on advertisements before.
This advertising ban, which includes fillers, teeth-whitening products and chemical peels, was announced by the Advertising Enforcement Committee (CAP) in November to deal with the risk of operations, as well as body shape pressures and mental health issues.
The ban came a few weeks before the new season of Love Island began. Earlier, on Love Island, the voice-over had received 17 complaints from the Mental Health Foundation, including the Mental Health Foundation, saying “These girls got their breasts enlarged with MYA and they’re feeling great” while showing women by the pool.
‘Destroys mental health’
“Advertising, whether it’s fast food, clothing, or cosmetic operations, works by creating needs, targeting habits, and creating desire in customers,” says Leslie Hallam, who teaches advertising psychology at Lancaster University.
Therefore, although people under the age of 18 cannot have an operation legally, these advertisements create a desire for them.
Hallam states that there is strong evidence that advertisements cause mental health and eating habits disorders in people under the age of 18.
With the ban, such advertisements will not be able to take place in television and radio programs. In other media, these advertisements will be banned under the age of 18.