Perception of Cosmetic Procedures among Saudis during COVID-19 Pandemic

The influence of social media on public attitudes and behaviors towards cosmetic dermatologic procedures and skin care practices: A study in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Social media has fostered a landscape where trends, ideals, and beauty standards have significantly proliferated. Images of flawless skin, sculpted features, and curated aesthetics inundate user feeds, potentially shaping their self-perceptions and aspirations. The rise of influencers, dermatologist social media engagement, and beauty campaigns sharing skincare routines and product recommendations wield substantial influence over individual appearance-related decisions.

AIMS

The main aim of this study is to determine the pattern of behavior in using social media to seek dermatological procedures and skin care routine.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide, online cross-sectional study targeting the general Saudi population. Our survey aimed to understand participant social media behaviors and gather insights into skincare products, cosmetic procedures, and makeup habits.

RESULTS

Gender-related differences emerged in seeking skincare advice. Females preferred dermatologists on social media (p < 0.001) and beauty influencers (p < 0.001), whereas men leaned towards pharmacists (p < 0.001). Women displayed stronger engagement with dermatologist social media reputation regarding non-cosmetic concerns (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), and social media impact on cosmetic decisions (p = 0.001). They frequently sought dermatologists on social media before appointments (p = 0.001), whereas men emphasized dermatologists' fame (p = 0.024). Common cosmetic barriers included high costs (62.5%), complications (40.3%), and trust issues (40.2%). Women underwent various cosmetic procedures (p < 0.05), influenced by social media in their decisions and skincare routines.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals significant gender-based disparities in seeking skincare advice. Women rely on social media, clinics, friends, and beauty influencers, whereas men prefer pharmacists. Additionally, women depend on dermatologists' social media reputation and conduct thorough pre-appointment research. Their heightened social media engagement links to skincare practices and influences cosmetic procedure considerations based on age and usage frequency.

Cosmetic Surgery and the Diversity of Cultural and Ethnic Perceptions of Facial, Breast, and Gluteal Aesthetics in Women: A Comprehensive Review

An increasing number of people are opting for cosmetic surgeries. For many years, the physical and aesthetic appearance of Caucasians has been considered to be ideal. However, it is now commonly acknowledged that attractiveness and aesthetic standards vary among cultural backgrounds and ethnic groups and that Western attractiveness criteria no longer apply to all. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive review of studies that examined cultural and ethnic variations in preferences for facial, breast, and gluteal aesthetics, as well as reviewed studies that investigated ethnic disparities in attitudes and motivations for cosmetic surgery. A total of 4532 references were identified, 66 of which met the inclusion criteria. Several studies have reported that facial golden ratios are invalid for representing perceived attractiveness standards among different ethnicities. The majority of studies also indicated that facial aesthetic interventions should not aim to Westernize but to optimize ethnic traits. Significant ethnic differences in preferences for upper- and lower-pole breast proportions have been reported. The size of the buttocks and waist-to-hip ratio were identified as the main factors of buttock aesthetics, with buttock size preferences having a high ethnic diversity. Interest in cosmetic surgical procedures while maintaining ethnic identity continues to grow among young women worldwide. This comprehensive review strongly suggests that accommodating cultural and ethnic differences in aesthetic standards in cosmetic surgery planning can lead to more acceptable cosmetic outcomes.

Local Community View of Aesthetic Surgery: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey

Background Aesthetic surgery has increased in popularity, reflecting the increased consumer demand. However, the variation in patients' ethnic and cultural beliefs has led to many challenges. Therefore, those who manage aesthetics should always listen and recognize the variability of cultural identities, desires, attitudes, anxieties, and uncertainties of the patient. Emerging from a diversity of cultures and its transforming trends, the scope of cosmetic surgery and its practice reflect not only the individual's personality but also the culture as a whole. When counseling an individual, one has to recognize that even in groups of seemingly identical social or cultural standards, there are subtle differences in attitude. Aim To assess the perception of the local community about aesthetic procedures and to determine the possible factors influencing their level of acceptance through a randomized cross-sectional survey. Methodology A community-based, qualitative, cross-sectional study was performed through an anonymous questionnaire that was randomly distributed among the local population. Questions with regard to the sociodemographic data were implemented, as well as the core questions, to assess the perceptions that are based on the modified Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS). Results A total of 857 participants responded to the study questionnaire. Their age ranged from 18 to more than 55 years, with a mean of 23.1 ± 12.9 years. Out of the total number, 630 (73.5%) were females while the remaining 227 (26.5%) were males. More than half of them were single (53.4%), and the remaining were married. Regarding perception, the highest score in percentage was for the interpersonal subscale (18.7 ± 7.9; 53.4%), followed by the consider subscale (18.2 7.2; 52%) and the social subscale (15.5 ± 7.9; 44.3%). The overall mean score was (52.4 ± 21.1; 49.9%). As for the procedure, the most intended was rhinoplasty (41.1%), followed by liposuction (32.9%), abdominoplasty (31.1%), face-lift (24.4%), reconstructive surgeries (24.4%), and lips filler (20.8%) while the least intended was gluteal flat grafting (8.7%). Conclusions Female patients are more eager to undergo cosmetic and aesthetic surgery compared to their male counterparts. Age did not have a major impact as a motive to look for cosmetic surgery.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on esthetic dermatology

In general, the world population interest has increased for maintaining youthfulness and having better appearance since this leads to a better mental wellbeing and self-estimate. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has revolutionized every field of medicine. As every specialty has been affected by limitations caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), this branch of medicine has also needed certain precautions for safer practice in the COVID era. With the global vaccination program against COVID-19, reports of some cutaneous reactions in patients have been undergone various esthetic procedures including filler or botox injection would be increasingly demonstrated. Although the end of pandemic was announced, the necessity of continuing COVID vaccination in future mandates gathering data regarding safety of vaccines. Herein, we presented a comprehensive review on various aspects of association between esthetic medicine or cosmetic dermatology and COVID-19.

Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed attitudes and behaviors concerning cosmetic care and procedures among patients presenting to the dermatology outpatient clinic? A multicenter study with 1437 participants

Background

The rate of cosmetic procedures and use of skincare products is considered to be affected during the pandemic period; however, this has not been investigated yet.

Objective

To determine whether the ongoing pandemic has changed people's habits related to skincare products and cosmetic procedures.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter survey study covering both private and public hospitals. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical diagnoses of the patients were noted by dermatologists. A survey was used to determine the type and application areas of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic, whether the patients were concerned about being infected, and any change in the make‐up habits of female patients.

Results

Of the 1437 patients, 86.7% presented to the hospital due to dermatological complaints and 13.3% for cosmetic procedures. The rate of those that did not use skincare products was 0.05% before and 0.06% during the pandemic. Of the participants, 43.2% had undergone cosmetic procedures before and 38.1% during the pandemic. For both periods, the most frequent cosmetic procedure applied was laser epilation, followed by skincare treatment and chemical peeling. While undergoing these procedures, 34.9% of the patients were concerned about contracting coronavirus.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in the use of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic. The majority of the patients continued to undergo these procedures despite their fear of being infected. This shows that during the pandemic period, patients are concerned with their appearance and continue to undergo cosmetic procedures and pay attention to their skincare.