'Silver surgery' for older workers

Last updated at 14:53 09 May 2005


Older workers desperate to compete with younger colleagues are having facelifts and other youth-boosting operations, figures reveal.

'Silver surgery' is booming as more people opt to work longer amid growing concerns about having a decent pension.

Some 40 per cent of fifty and sixtysomethings who had cosmetic surgery said they wanted "to remain a player in the workplace."

Both sexes have facelifts, with women also opting for brow and breast uplifts and Botox. Most older men change a feature they have never been happy with, such as the nose.

The Harley Medical Group said the proportion of its cosmetic surgery patients who were over 50 had risen from five per cent to 21 per cent in five years.

It found that people did not want to be on the "retirement list before they are ready to quit."

"Perhaps they've been considering surgery for many years, and for the first time can spend hard-earned income as they choose," said the clinics chain.

But Age Concern added: "Little wonder older people feel pressure to stay looking young when they are discriminated against at work.

"It's still legal to kick someone out of a job when they reach a certain age. Older employees tend not to be offered as much training and promotion. But it's a myth that work-rate and ability deteriorate as you get older."

Most watched News videos