Saudi Gazette Some 18 percent of Saudi women between the ages of 20 and 30 years, 40 percent of women between the ages of 30 and 37 years, and 25 percent of women between 37 and 50 years of age resort to plastic surgery, according to consultant plastic surgeon Dr. Ayman Farhat. This equals to 83 percent of all Saudi women receiving some form of beauty treatments, Dr. Farhat said, quoting statistics. “The most common beauty procedures that Saudi women are scheduling are liposuction, plastic surgery on the nose, Botox injections and fillers, and hair removal by laser. Men also seek treatment, mainly for plastic surgery and reshaping of the nose, hair implants, and liposuction,” said Dr. Farhat. The number of plastic surgery and dermatology clinics in the Kingdom's major cities is a reflection of Saudi women's high economic status and their increased awareness of and demand for the latest in beauty care treatments. On the other hand, it may also be an indication that many women are insecure, lack self-confidence, and self conscious about their looks. In Jeddah alone, there are 400 clinics dedicated to women's beauty. Dr. Farhat advises women to go only to an experienced plastic surgeon with an impeccable reputation at a certified clinic. He said that the safety and success rate for plastic surgery is now 90 percent if a reputed physician is consulted and if the woman has no existing health complications, and if correct pre and post-operative procedures are followed. Women who expect an extremely drastic change may end up disappointed. Sometimes the change is small yet noticeable, but since the patient had unreasonable expectations, she may be dissatisfied with the results. In addition, some women make unsuitable requests like drastically shrinking the size of the nose. The plastic surgeon will usually reject such requests since an extremely small nose on a large face will look odd and out of proportion. “As a physician, I have to take all factors into consideration. For example, with nose correction surgery, I must carefully examine the size of the face, the angles, and the size of all the features to end up with uniform and acceptable results,” said Dr. Farhat. Dr. Farhat added that the face is the window to the inner self and inner beauty, which is the real and lasting beauty. Positive facial expressions often contribute to a person's attractiveness and charm. There are 80 facial muscles that work to allow the different expressions as your feelings vary. Studies show that those who smile frequently are perceived as beautiful and they appear younger than their actual physical age. People like being around those with a magnetic personality even if their facial features are flawed and they have an imperfect body. The predominant opinion of Islamic scholars in Saudi Arabia is that plastic surgery is permissible only for reasons such as fixing a birth defect, or after being disfigured from burns or an accident, but not for vanity and an obsession with the physical appearance. __
