Once a topic discussed in hushed whispers behind restaurant menus, cosmetic surgery has gone on to become a standard dinner table conversation in the Middle East. This shift is partly due to the developments in aesthetic techniques that are changing the face of plastic surgery (pun intended). Quick lunchtime procedures with minimal downtime such as Botox, facial fillers, and laser treatments are certainly more attractive options than “going under the knife” and spending weeks with an obtrusive white bandage across one’s face. But what exactly are women in the Middle East lining up for at the doctor’s office? Khaoula Ghanem spoke to Dr. Alessi, the renowned plastic surgeon and medical director of the Alessi Institute in Beverly Hills—who also runs an in-demand clinic in Dubai—to learn the top cosmetic surgery trends in the Middle East.
1. INJECTIBLES
Facial fillers and Botox—especially ones like Restylane and Juvederm—are more common now than ever before. They have skyrocketed in popularity because of their ease, safety, and immediacy. “They provide for quick and easy fixes,” explained Dr. Alessi. Injectables are fast and non-invasive procedures with minimal to no downtime. Facial fillers are most commonly used to restore elasticity, plump the lips, sculpt cheekbones, and erase fine lines and wrinkles.
2. FAT INJECTIONS
The procedure is simple. Fat from your abdomen or thighs is injected into your face, breasts, buttocks, or any other region that you want to add volume to. “Fat used to have poor survival rates when injected,” said Dr. Alessi. “But modern techniques have allowed fat to survive much better,” he continued. Since they are natural, fat injections are a safer alternative to synthetic fillers; and as there is a much lower risk of suffering allergic reactions, this cosmetic technique makes for a pleasant cosmetic experience.
3. RHINOPLASTY
“Nose enhancements have always been popular,” noted Dr. Alessi, adding that the popularity is at an all-time high thanks to advanced techniques. Modern procedures—including non-surgical rhinoplasty—rely upon injectables instead of a scalpel to smoothen out bumps and correct the shape of the nose, and the result is a more natural and predictable outcome with immediate results.
