UAE preferred destination for cosmetic surgery

Dubai: Marian D. had always wanted thick eyebrows.

Having lived in the UAE for 14 years, Marian, who is back in the country for a few months, knows about how highly coveted beauty standards are in the region. “Middle Eastern culture prizes big, bold brows,” she said. “Because I have thin eyebrows, I thought I should do something about them.”

So Marian did what many in her situation secretly would: turn to cosmetic surgery.

Instead of going through with the procedure back home, Marian decided to wait until she returned to the UAE to undergo the procedure.

“There are a lot of clinics here,” she said. “Some of them have offers on Groupon.”

“Women here are always in top shape so it inspires everyone to keep up a good image [of themselves],” she said.

But Marian isn’t the only one who believes the UAE is a great place to undergo cosmetic surgery.

Dr Michael Salivaras, a Dubai-based cosmetic surgeon, attributes this preference to a particular phenomenon. “It’s called ‘medical tourism’,” he told Gulf News. “Patients [opt for the UAE] because it’s cheaper here, their country [probably] has a long waiting list or because the service is better here.”

Dr Salivaras left his native Brazil, another hot-spot for plastic surgery, to join Clinica Joelle in Dubai in 2009. He has provided cosmetic surgery to people from around the Middle East, Europe and even the United States.

According to statistics provided by Clinica Joelle, over 75 per cent of their nearly 9,000 clients in 2014 and 2015 have been expatriates. Dr Salivaras says it has been his observation that people sometimes opt for cosmetic surgery while on vacation.

“People decide on the UAE because of the quality of service [offered here],” he said. “The facilities in India, Iran, Lebanon and Thailand are cheaper but people want quality.”

Marian acknowledged that although the cost in the UAE may be more compared to back home, it’s a justifiable price for the good work that is involved.

“Even if it’s more expensive, I still think it’s more preferable in the UAE,” she said. “Almost all my mum’s friends have had something done here, but if I ask them, they would deny it.”

According to a 2015 report by the Dubai Health Authority, the city has the highest ratio of plastic surgeons per capita in the world — 50 doctors for every million people. In 2005, it was 10 for every million.

In addition, membership to the Emirates Plastic Surgery Society has tripled from 60 in 2006 to 180 in 2016.

There is a reason cosmetic surgeons have been flocking to the UAE.

“In the UAE, we are trying to have the latest technology and the tourists know it is a safe and wonderful place to undergo surgery,” Dr Saba Al Marush, a French plastic surgeon practising in Dubai, told Gulf News. “As a female, I can understand the embarrassment of not wanting to talk about it.”

Patients come to see Dr Al Marush to be able to feel more confident and comfortable with their body.

Dr Salivaras, on the other hand, believes that people come to him for the same reason they buy perfume or use lotions — because they believe it adds value to their appearance.

“The importance people in the UAE attach to looking good is high,” he said. “Everyone wants to look young and beautiful and if a salon can make someone feel better, they would return for the services.

“We get repeat female customers who come in after delivering a baby,” Dr Salivaras added, “because it makes them feel good again.”

For young women like Marian, looking good is not an issue to be compromised with vis-a-vis the cost.

“Since they have such a high demand here and a lot of competition, I trust they have more strict requirements for doctors and equipment,” she said. “And feeling safe is worth the bigger bill.”

(Joseph Gideon is an intern with Gulf News)