Background: In the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of cosmetic procedures performed globally. About one-third of individuals who undergo cosmetic procedures are under the age of 35. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a regional hub for cosmetic procedures. This cross-sectional study examines the perception of cosmetic procedures among youth in the UAE.
Methods: A 63-question survey was electronically disseminated to university students to identify factors associated with the use of cosmetic procedures in this population.
Results: Ninety-one percent of the 178 participants were female, and 58 percent of them were aged 19 to 21. The majority of the participants felt cosmetic procedures are gaining acceptance in UAE society. Nearly 70 percent of participants felt that a legal and regulatory framework was important to determine the permissible age for undergoing cosmetic surgeries.
Limitations: One limitation of the study lies in a modest response rate of 35.6 percent. There was a small number of male responders, and the assessment of differences between sex was not easy to conduct.
Conclusion: Cosmetic procedures are increasingly being accepted among youth in the Middle East, with skin and nasal procedures being the most popular. The youth's concept of ideal body shape is in alignment with the Western ideas of beauty. Future research could characterize these perceptions in other cultures and explore differences in what is perceived to be beautiful in various parts of the world.
Keywords: Body image; Middle East; United Arab Emirates; cosmetic procedures; plastic surgery; youth.
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