A boob job in your lunch-break

We have had Botox party nights and 20-minute face lifts. Now the latest fashion in cosmetic surgery looks set to be the "lunch-time boob job".

A new type of breast enhancement which does not use implants and can be performed under local anaesthetic within an hour has been developed and could be available within two years.

Cosmetic surgeons predict that the injection will eclipse even the frown smoothing Botox treatment to become one of the most popular procedures in Britain's booming plastic surgery market.

It involves injecting hyaluronic acid, which has previously been used as a "wrinkle filler", to change the shape and boost the size of the breasts.

Professor Brian Coughlan, president of the Royal Society of Medicine's plastic surgery division, said: "This is one of my top predictions for developments in cosmetic surgery in the future.

"Women no longer want huge, very artificial-looking breast implants that completely change the shape of their bodies - they want something that will make a difference, but not be immediately obvious.

"That is particularly important for British women, who are more reticent than Americans about cosmetic surgery. Women in the US will go to lunch and talk about their plastic surgeon. British women don't want people to immediately think they have had surgery - they want a more subtle look that enhances their natural shape."

The new procedure uses Non-Animal Stabilised Hyaluronic Acid (Nasha) in a gel form, made by Swedish company Q-Med. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the body. Nasha gel is used to smooth out wrinkles and boost the size of lips. Now scientists have found that it can be used to boost breasts. The first clinical trials are due to start in weeks.

Professor Coughlan said: "I think women who may be a bit squeamish about the idea of having silicone breast implants may be tempted by the idea of a non-surgical procedure which can enhance or augment their breasts."

The effects will not be as dramatic as conventional breast implants and will only last for two to three years rather than being permanent.

Anna Tenstam-Lunduall, a vice-president of Q-Med, said: "Women will have a local anaesthetic and then a syringe will be used to inject the breasts.

"All in all, it should take between 30 minutes and an hour. We are looking at pricing but it should be cheaper than having normal implants."