Cultural and Religious Beliefs and Acceptance of Facial Cosmetic Surgery in Saudi Arabia

This study examines the acceptance of facial cosmetic surgery in Saudi Arabia and the influence of social, cultural, and religious factors on public attitudes. It aims to improve the understanding of these factors to support patient education and informed decision-making.

A cross‑sectional study was conducted using a validated, self‑administered electronic questionnaire distributed across all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. Saudi adults aged 18 years or older who could read Arabic and consented to participate were included, whereas non‑Saudis, individuals younger than 18 years, and questionnaires with incomplete responses were excluded. A total of 1027 eligible participants completed the survey (with a completion rate of 55.7%). The questionnaire assessed demographics, history of facial cosmetic procedures, reasons for considering surgery, religious and cultural beliefs, and surgeon preferences. Associations were analyzed using χ² tests, with significance set at a P value of less than 0.05.

Acceptance of facial cosmetic surgery showed significant associations with sex, income, and occupation (P < 0.001). Religious factors demonstrated strong relationships with acceptance, including perceived alignment with Islamic teachings and prior consultation with a religious scholar (P < 0.001). Surgeon gender preference was also significantly associated with acceptance, whereas cultural influence alone did not show comparable statistical significance.

Acceptance of facial cosmetic surgery in Saudi Arabia is shaped primarily by religious beliefs, medical necessity, and demographic factors. Religious permissibility plays a more influential role than cultural norms. These findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive, religion‑aware counseling to support informed decision-making.