Egypt’s cosmetic surgery industry is booming as more Egyptians are going under the knife than ever before.



The number of cosmetic surgery clinics dotted around Cairo has grown from a handful to hundreds of dedicated practices offering everything from breast augmentation to tummy tucks.



“The cosmetic surgery market is quite popular in Egypt. It's been popular for some time and its popularity keeps on growing,”Cairo surgeon Dr. Youssef Khashaba told Al Bawaba News.



Cosmetic surgery, which was once the preserve of the ultra-wealthy, is now available to all in public hospitals at a discounted rate.

“Almost every stratum of society takes a share in the market, Dr. Khashaba said.



“Some are even having some cosmetic procedures free of charge in public hospitals,” he said.



As most procedures are carried out in private clinics, it is difficult to find out exactly how many operations are carried out each year in Egypt.

However, a walk through Cairo’s Heliopolis district reveals that business is booming for many clinics, with advertisements offering a variety of procedures including breast augmentation and hair replacement therapy popping up almost every week.



“As part of the international market, what's common with the world is common in here as well,” said Dr. Khashaba.

“The most common procedure for ladies are tummy tucks and breast lifts for women, while breast enhancements and reductions are also popular,” he added.



“In Middle Eastern countries ladies tend to get married at young age, and after repeated pregnancy and childbirth, especially with increased rates of c-section deliveries, many ladies have a sagging abdomen. Some get a tummy tuck for this.

“Similarly, after a few Breast fed babies, breast lifting, either solo or combined with an augmentation or a reduction is a frequent demand.”



But it’s not just women who are going under the knife, according to Dr. Khashaba.

“Men make up a smaller percentage of the market. They tend to go for almost hair transplant, gynecomastia or liposuction,” he added.



Meanwhile, the industry itself has undergone a makeover in recent years following the closure of unlicensed clinics and the introduction of discounted surgery in public hospitals.

In the past, poorer patients suffered burns from chemical peels, nerve damage in facelifts and crooked noses from failed nose jobs, in illegal cut price clinics.



One thing I'm used to telling my patients is this, ‘having cosmetic surgery is safer than crossing the road in Cairo on foot,’ he added.