Public Views About Cosmetic Procedures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background In the past decade, there has been a clear, massive increase in the number of patients undergoing cosmetic procedures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This study aims to compare the demographic characteristics of patients in Riyadh undergoing cosmetic procedures. Methodology This is an analytical, observational, and cross-sectional study used to seek the public views about cosmetic procedures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia using the snowball sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically among the target population via social media. The questionnaire was pre-tested in a pilot study of 10 individuals to ensure comprehension and ease of administration and to determine the time needed to complete it. The final adjustments were made after the pilot study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 25.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results In the current study, we were able to collect the data from 600 participants, of whom females represented 527 (87.8%) of the sample. Satisfaction with their current physical appearance (370, 61.7%), financial factors (73, 12.2%), and fear of having the procedure (59, 9.8%) were the main reasons for refusing to undergo cosmetic procedures, while pleasing themselves (432, 72.1%), influence from others who have undergone cosmetic procedures (188, 31.4%), and personal dislike of one's appearance (184, 30.7%) were the main reasons for conducting cosmetic procedures. Firstly, gender showed a significant relationship with having undergone a cosmetic procedure (p-value = 0.018), with 9 (12.3%) of males and 131 (24.9%) of females reporting having undergone such a procedure. Age also played a role, with the 29-39 age group having the highest number of individuals (31.9%) who had undergone a cosmetic procedure. Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the demographic characteristics, attitudes, and perceptions surrounding cosmetic procedures in Riyadh. The findings highlight the influence of cultural expectations, self-acceptance, social factors, and media on individuals' motivations and decision-making processes. The increasing acceptability of cosmetic interventions and the rising demand for aesthetic modifications in the locality suggest a shifting societal landscape.