In recent years, Syria has witnessed a notable increase in the popularity of plastic surgery, a phenomenon that reflects both shifting beauty ideals and the growth of the cosmetic industry.
There is a complex interplay between personal desires for self-enhancement and the commercialization of beauty standards.
The allure of plastic surgery lies in its promise of transformation. As societal beauty norms evolve, individuals seek ways to align their appearance with these new ideals. Syrians, much like many people around the world, are drawn to the potential boost in self-confidence and positive body image that surgical interventions offer. Procedures such as rhinoplasties, lip augmentations, and facelifts have gained prominence, a fact that gives us a visual representation of the quest for this perceived perfection.
In times before the war, Syria was highly regarded for its medical school, and Syrian doctors were recruited worldwide. Back then, you actually had to work and be a high achiever to become a doctor. However, the path to joining the medical field gradually became easier and more corrupt. Beneath the surface of this trend lies a darker side-the rampant commercialization and potential exploitation of the field of plastic surgery.
The surge in demand for plastic surgery in Syria has given rise to a proliferation of clinics and practitioners. However, due to the different financial capabilities of Syria’s social classes, these clinics and practitioners can either be licensed or unlicensed. You can be a high school graduate, or not even that, and pay off a couple of people here and there to open your own “specialized” beauty clinic.
Compared to other countries, plastic surgery in Syria is actually very cheap. However, for someone earning in the Syrian Pound, this can translate to an extremely pricey procedure. If you are a Syrian of the diaspora visiting Syria, or if you are an “upper class” Syrian resident, you would go to a surgeon based in Damascus. Otherwise, you would go to a surgeon in the coastal region where you can get plastic surgeries for a quarter of the price.
What should be a deeply personal journey is now being turned into a mere transaction. Vulnerable Syrians are manipulated into believing that surgical alterations are the sole path towards acceptance and self-worth in a social circle that values looks over what’s in someone’s heart. Some business-owners even pay for their secretary’s rhinoplasty, Botox, and lip fillers because she “represents the company,” basically turning her into a magnet for men. Plastic surgery in Syria is often used as a tool for generating profit rather than fostering genuine empowerment.
Doctors often focus on showcasing successful transformations, luring prospective clients with images of flawless outcomes. However, hidden from the spotlight are the less successful cases, where surgeries and procedures did not go as planned. This selective advertisement creates an incomplete and often misleading picture of the plastic surgery landscape, leading to patients flocking to the same doctors and getting identical noses and features, or in other words, creating a “clone effect.”
Finding a path forward is a must. We need to make a collective effort to strike a balance between making personal choices and informed decisions. It is imperative that Syrians prioritize finding licensed professionals and thoroughly researching clinics to ensure their safety. Recognizing that true beauty lies in diversity and embracing one’s natural appearance should be celebrated rather than stigmatized.
Over the past decade, a lot of attention has been directed towards Syria, the beating heart of the Middle East, which embodies a complex human story as it fights to
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