Dubai: About seven in 10 residents in the region, as well as in India and Pakistan, are obsessed with looking young, a new survey shows.
Findings of a new study conducted among nearly 900 respondents showed that residents in India and Pakistan (76 per cent) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (74 per cent) are the most preoccupied with youthfulness.
However, while most people in the region dread aging, many of them don’t like the idea of going through cosmetic surgeries and procedures just to make their skin look young and healthy.
In fact, two-thirds (67 per cent) of the respondents polled by YouGov claim they are against cosmetic surgery.
They said they favour the natural approach, with the greatest proportion claiming that following a healthy diet actually helps (65 per cent). Women are more obsessed about eating healthily (73 per cent) than men (62 per cent).
The other popular approach is “staying positive” (54 per cent), followed by regular exercise (50 per cent).
Aesthetics procedures, such as Botox, fillers, and cosmetic surgery are the least preferred options among the respondents ( 3 per cent and 2 per cent respectively).
“Indeed, results suggest respondents prefer to steer clear of artificial methods when it comes to achieving younger-looking skin,” YouGov said.
However, other statistics would show that while cosmetic procedures are frowned upon in this market, people resort to beauty products to look great.
The Middle East is one of biggest markets for beauty and personal care, with sales of creams, make-up and other products reaching $24.2 billion in 2013.
According to Euromonitor International, the Middle East and Africa region was "second only to Latin America as the fastest growing global market for beauty and personal care products over the past six years."
By the end of 2018, the annual sales will exceed $30 billion.
When YouGov asked consumers about their skincare and fitness routines, artificial approach did not come into the picture.
The majority (61 per cent) said they drink lots of water and eat nutritious and less-calorie laden foods instead.
Nearly half (43 per cent) of the respondents favour washing their face with soap or facial wash, while only 11 per cent resort to anti-aging creams. Botox and skin procedures were favoured by only 1 per cent of the respondents.
