Send Nudes: Inside the bizarre TV programme where people view their naked bodies via state-of-the-art avatars before a panel of STRANGERS helps them decide whether or not to get cosmetic surgery(PHOTO)

While plastic surgery was once seen as a last resort for people unhappy with their appearance, more than 28,000 procedures now take place in the UK every year.

This month, E4 launched a bizarre new programme called Send Nudes Body SOS, with the aim of helping people considering surgery to make a decision.

In the series, participants have their naked bodies scanned using virtual reality technology, to create avatars with their desired body augmentations, which they can view from every angle.

A panel of 50 strangers then provides feedback on the changes to help the participants decide whether to go for the surgery.

Viewers of the TV programme have raised concerns that Send Nudes plays off participants’ insecurities and encourages cosmetic surgery, with one calling it a ‘horrifying concept.’ 

MailOnline spoke to Francis Mathew, a Senior Production Manager at Crackit Productions, the production company behind the programme, to find out about the technology – and why he believes the show does not encourage cosmetic surgery.

The programme is hosted by Vogue Williams, who first speaks to the participants about their body concerns and the surgery they’re considering. 

For example, in the pilot episode, a participant called Steven discusses whether or not to opt for surgery to lengthen his penis, while a woman called Steph considers breast-reduction surgery. 

Crackit Productions joined forces with two companies, FBFX and Fluid Pictures, on the technology behind Send Nudes. 

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Mathew explained: ‘The first stage was to scan all 20 of the show’s contributors, completely naked at the FBFX studio.’

FBFX used 256 cameras to scan the participants’ bodies from every angle, before using photogrammetry software to create fully textured 3D models.