It seems like the show is addictive in more ways than one…
A Dublin-based cosmetic surgery clinic has claimed that their most recent surge in popularity for facial enhancement procedures is down to the ‘Love Island effect.’
SISU Clinics, a chain of aesthetic clinics in Ireland, has seen a massive increase in demand for lip fillers, Botox, dermal fillers and other non-surgical treatments in the past number of weeks, something they believe is down to the reality show phenomenon that is ITV’s Love Island.
For those unfamiliar with the show, it centres on a group of singles (of which the number fluctuates as people are added and leave all the time) who are sent to an island in Mallorca to find love and create some extremely entertaining telly along the way.
Rumours have been rife from the beginning claiming that the show’s cast members have work done, with one cast member in particular, Megan Barton-Hanson, rumoured to have spent upwards of £25,000 on her appearance.
Surgeons in SISU clinics in Dublin, Cork and Killarney have, in recent weeks, noticed a 200% surge in bookings and lip fillers, something they can only put down to the phenomenon that is the ITV show.
More than 35% of these bookings have been for men, resulting in the new fad ‘Mantox’ (Botox for men) now officially becoming a thing in Ireland.
“Pop culture personalities tend to pique interest in certain treatments,” says SISU CEO Pat Phelan.
“But the Love Island phenomenon is on a whole new level. The increase in patients booking off the back of the show is astonishing. Women of all ages are looking for that Megan Barton-Hanson look – full lips, smooth skin, perfect nose. Men are impressed by the male contestants, so they are also driving SISU’s bookings with male patients.”
So popular is the show with SISU’s patients that the clinic is now offering a Love Island Package.
This includes three areas of Botox and 1ml lip fillers for €450. Patients can also add nonsurgical rhinoplasty (nose job) to the special package for €350.
“As the market for aesthetic treatments continues to boom, consumers are eager to be treated as individual patients and given access to innovative cosmetic treatments,” Phelan said.
“SISU’s clinics exist to meet that demand, whether it’s driven by Love Island or the natural desire to put one’s best face forward.”
Fellow cosmetic clinic Therapie have also crunched the numbers, which reveal that 1 in 10 (11%) Irish people have admitted to having Botox or fillers. They too have seen an increase in bookings since Love Island began airing – 75% in fact.
“We’ve seen a spike in enquiries for fillers and Botox over the past few weeks, our bookings have been rapidly filling up,” says Thérapie Clinic Medical Director, Dr. Paul Reddy.
“There has been a lot of speculation around the cast of Love Island and if they have or have not had fillers / Botox. Since Megan entered the villa, we’ve had countless clients ask for lip fillers to get a similar look.
“We’ve had many asking about Botox safety with upcoming holidays mentioning the show’s cast and how they would like to see similar results. Since the show has aired we have easily seen an increase of 75% in enquiries about injectable treatments.”
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