Merz Australia held a launch at the stunning harbourside restaurant of Aria on Monday to reveal the findings of their in-depth cosmetic surgery survey to beauty journalists over a delicious lunch.
Cathrin Siegmann, Merz Aesthetics, Cherie Herrmann, Beauty Heaven, Danielle Jackson, Who, Adam Downer, Costhetics.
Cathrin Siegmann, Merz Australia’s marketing & PR manager, introduced guests to the history of Merz Aesthetics which was founded in 1908 and has had a number of significant launches since but is most well-known in Australia for its fillers including Radiesse.
Cathrin then introduced Dr Naomi McCullum, a cosmetic physician based in Paddington, Sydney, who revealed some of the most interesting findings of the survey, which 4,000 Europeans and 1,200 Australians (both male and female) participated in. Some of the key findings included:
The main reason respondents said they'd undergo a cosmetic procedure is to be more at home in their own skin (36 per cent male and 55 per cent female). As for post-treatment feelings; 28 per cent of males and 29 per cent of females said they feel like themselves again post-treatment and are closer to their idealised self.
Aussies are least competitive when it comes to beauty, with 17 per cent of NSW ladies wanting to keep their beauty secrets to themselves. Ninety-five per cent of respondents believe that we can stay attractive despite getting old; 92 per cent believe you can have beauty at any age and 57 per cent think beauty can be created.
Russia was the country which ranked as the least open to cosmetic beauty procedures with the UK being the most. The UK and Australia were in fact the most open to injectibles.
Dr Naomi McCullum presenting the findings
Dr McCullum notices her patients have not only physically changed post-surgery but also have a greater confidence and self-esteem. Many of her patients send in pics of themselves pre- and post-surgery and she has even started a “hottie of the week” pinboard. Evidence suggest the stigma associated with achieving beauty through cosmetic surgery has subsided in recent years. She said injectibles will be as acceptable as lippie in 10 years time due to their addictive nature.
The addictive nature of cosmetic procedures also means that some women will go make sacrifices in order to afford regular procedures. One third of respondents would forgo buying clothes and shoes; one quarter would take on an extra job to afford a procedure and 15 per cent would take out a loan. Findings show those already having treatments are the most likely to make the sacrifice.
When asked their preferred area to change, 70 per cent of participants would change their eye area; 47 per cent their forehead; 39 per cent would improve sagginess; 38 per cent their lips; 23 per cent their jawline; 21 per cent creepy skin; 21 percent their cheeks/cheek bones; 19 per cent their nose; 18 per cent their hands and 13 per cent their chin.
As for social or peer pressure, Italian women feel the most pressured to improve their appearance (58 per cent) followed by British women (47 per cent). The survey also revealed that Italian men are four times more likely to highlight a woman’s wrinkles than Aussie men.
As for whose the vainest of them all, Russian women check themselves in the mirror most frequently (58 per cent) with the Aussies and French being the least vain in this case (3 per cent).
When it comes to the work place, German women (50 per cent) are the most likely to use beauty to their advantage and Spanish women are the most eager to play it down.
At the end of her factual presentation, Dr McCullum left guests with an inspiring Coco Chanel quote: “You can be gorgeous at thirty, charmimg at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life,” which is made all the more real by the capabilities of cosmetic surgery.
Visit www.merzaesthetics.com.au to find out more.