Social media leading UAE teens to get surgical enhancements

Dr Maurizio Viel, left, and Dr Roberto Viel of the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery in Dubai say selfies are driving millennials to have plastic surgery in an attempt to boost their image on social media sites. Amy LeangShow less

DUBAI // Selfies are driving millennials to have plastic surgery in an attempt to boost their image on social media sites, surgeons say.

“Unfortunately, this is a new issue that parents of the next generation face,” said Dr Maurizio Viel and Dr Roberto Viel of the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery in Dubai. “Some children and millenials will be increasingly self-conscious and, in most cases, unnecessarily concerned. It is important that cosmetic surgeons treat patients only if it is strictly necessary.”

The surgeons said that in most cases, they would never consider treating anyone under 18.

“It is important to choose the least invasive methods and only if age-appropriate and there are the appropriate indications,” they said. “There are cases of sticking-out ears and mole removals where we may consider treating younger patients.

“It is essential to educate this new generation that beauty does not only come from cosmetic surgery and that it is more important to be healthy and have an important understanding of self, which needs to come from schools and parents.”

Dubai plastic surgeon Dr Matteo Vigo said the number of requests for plastic surgery was increasing on a daily basis in the UAE and wider Middle East – and younger age groups were no exception. Teenagers were requesting otoplasties – a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of a person’s ears – and rhinoplasties to change or reduce the shape of their nose.

Dr Luiz Toledo, a surgeon in Dubai, said he was seeing moe younger patients request a “mummy makeover” – a term used to describe the combination of stomach surgery and breast surgery that addresses the change in a woman’s body after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

“Often in this region, a 26-year-old woman has had five or six children and wants a mummy makeover,” Dr Toledo said.

“If it is safe and will make you happier, why not?”