ASA upholds multiple claims against providers of overseas surgery

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld multiple claims against providers of overseas surgery, deeming their advertisements as trivialising the decision to undergo surgical procedures. 

Three separate ads from Turkish companies faced scrutiny. The first, promoting gastric balloon surgery, used phrases like ‘inner beauty’ and ‘permanent beauty,’ exploiting body image insecurities.

The second encouraged nose procedures, implying that patients’ noses overshadowed their faces, and using the phrase 'Choose to be the greater beauty that you can be'. It also omitted that a consultation would be necessary for the procedure. Its use of discounts was considered irresponsible by the ASA, encouraging patients to have a treatment they may not need.

The third advertised rhinoplasty as a “holiday,” downplaying the seriousness of surgery, and offered a limited time deal, encouraging patients to rush into a big surgical decision.

The ASA found all three ads in violation of responsible advertising practices, demanding that they not reappear in the same format and avoid trivialising surgical decisions