In line with global trends, traditional techniques such as liposuction and Botox remain at the top of the list of cosmetic surgeries in the Middle East, while joined by new ones such as lip pigmentation, says a new report.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital (AACSH), a reference centre in the Middle East, today (July 19) released a review of aesthetic medicine market trends in the first half of 2016.

The study reveals that the leading procedures during this time correlate with the desire to look young and demonstrate continued popularity for traditional treatments including: liposuction (46 per cent), breast surgery (18 per cent), abdominoplasty (15 per cent), cosmetic gynaecology (11 per cent) and rhinoplasty (10 per cent).

While most surgical treatments steadily remain at the top, a surge in bookings for abdominoplasty means that it has overtaken cosmetic gynaecology as the third leading treatment in comparison to 2015. Involving the removal of sagging skin around the abdomen, the surgical procedure has shot to popularity, with increased influence from the media and the trend of ‘Instagram Celebrities’ boasting defined stomach muscles.

The report also reveals that patients are looking to new technologies for the traditional treatments, with a rise in popularity for Stem Cell Technology – through which patients can harvest their body’s cells to use in the future for treatments such as breast augmentation.

Botox and fillers (53 per cent) remain in the top spot for non-invasive procedures, followed by body contouring (17 per cent), skin rejuvenation with platelet rich plasma (14 per cent), face lift and rejuvenation (9 per cent) and fat reduction (6 per cent).

Within the Dental Clinic, lip pigmentation reduction leads the way, accounting for nearly half of all dental procedures (46 per cent).

In addition to the leading treatments, the ‘Aesthetic Medicine Market Trends’ report for the first half of 2016 uncovers that patients from Saudi Arabia are leading the way within the rising medical tourism industry, with 59 per cent of GCC patients deriving from Saudi Arabia.

With an estimated global annual growth of 20 per cent, the medical tourism industry at AACSH is thriving with 49 per cent of patients travelling from Mena (13 per cent), GCC (12 per cent), European (10 per cent) and other (14 per cent) regions.

Dr Peter Cruse, CEO at The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital said: “Conducting analyses such as the ‘Aesthetic Medicine Market Trends’ report are integral for us to grow our services to match patient demand.”

“Although global trends offer a useful indication for us, we adapt services according to our market, catering for UAE residents as well as international visitors seeking quality care, with the rise of medical tourism. We plan to develop our provisions, increase the pool of doctors and grow existing and new services as part of our future development.”

The leading health provider which is dedicated to aesthetic medicine welcomed 20,000 visitors in 2015 and based on figures for H1 2016, the projected growth for 2016 is a staggering 40 per cent. – TradeArabia News Service