As the cosmetic surgery landscape goes from strength to strength, MOJEH uncovers why more and more of us are submitting to the knife (or needle) in the name of beauty
In a post-pandemic era, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a fear of Covid might be keeping the offices of dermatologists and plastic surgeons empty. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Instead, demand for cosmetic interventions has gone up significantly over the last few years, and during the course of the pandemic in particular, and the UAE is just one of the countries leading the way. Perhaps it’s down to the fact that many people’s connection to the world is now through Zoom or FaceTime, or maybe we’re feeling the need for a little more Botox as we begin to get out there again, but both surgical and aesthetic procedures are most certainly feeling the boom. From the latest high-tech procedures on the market to the treatments that will have you in and out the clinic in just 10 minutes, MOJEH speaks to Dr Leandro Junqueira MD of Junqueira Medical Clinic to get the lowdown. After all, if you’re going to do it, then do it right.
How would you describe the cosmetic landscape in the UAE?
The cosmetic surgery and aesthetic market is majorly driven by the young and aspirational who are able to significantly invest in beauty, so it’s no surprise that the UAE has one of the largest cosmetic surgery markets in the Middle East. That’s partly down to its big population and significant tourism appeal, and partly down to its positioning as a local hub for the beauty and aesthetic industry. And not forgetting the impact social media has too – it helps with word of mouth and is an effective marketing tool.
The demand for cosmetic procedures is rising at an extremely quick rate – why do you think this is?
You’re right - the industry is accelerating so quickly that Dubai is already being hailed as the new Beverly Hills of the Middle East. People are living longer and have a better quality of life than ever before, and everybody wants to keep on looking great, whatever their age. Just like a person needs to see a doctor when they are ill, my patients see me when they have a physical issue they feel they need help with, and in turn we can help boost their confidence and self-esteem.
What is your most popular surgery or treatment request?
When it comes to surgery, breast and buttocks augmentation are the most popular requests, while it’s Botox and fillers for aesthetic treatments.
What makes Junqueira Medical Clinic stand out from its competitors?
There are a huge number of options when it comes to selecting a beauty clinic, but I believe we have four unique selling points. Firstly, we provide a wide variety of services to cater to everyone; secondly, we have only the best and most experienced professionals on our books that ensure we can meet the growing demands of the client; thirdly, our facility has all the latest technology in the field of plastic surgery; and finally, we have great marketing. This allows us to engage with both our existing and future clients effectively while ensuring customer loyalty.
Women in Dubai lead very fast-paced lives...what are the most effective treatments with the least downtime?
Simple yet effective, it would have to be Botox. Not only does it help to smooth deep, persistent lines between your eyebrows, it can also be used to treat the horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. One treatment involves just a few tiny injections, only takes about 10 minutes, and patients can see results in just two to seven days.
What would you say is the biggest myth around cosmetic surgery?
That it is only for people who are overly concerned with their image. Of course, a big part of plastic surgery is wanting to improve your cosmetic appearance, but there’s so much more to it than that. It has the power to help people feel more confident and improve their quality of life, and I believe that is a huge deciding factor for those who opt for plastic surgery.
Do you find a lot of young women and men coming in trying to look like models and celebrities on social media?
Yes, I do have a lot of people that show me a picture of their favourite celebrity or influencer and explain they want to look like them. In this instance, the first thing I always do is to diagnose the patient and check that these changes would actually work for them, or if there is an alternative that would be more suitable.
What trends are you currently seeing in cosmetic surgery?
People have been taking better care of their skin in recent years, and that’s why the demand for nonsurgical procedures for the face neck, and chin are more popular than ever.
Can you tell us one new treatment or procedure you are excited about and why?
One of my favourites is the Thread Lift, which is a non-surgical procedure that uses specialised surgical threads. It always excites me to perform the procedure using these because I can provide a lift on a sagging skin and give a tighter and more youthful appearance to my patient’s faces.
What does beauty look like, according to a cosmetic surgeon?
What makes a person beautiful varies from person to person. Body satisfaction is truly individual, and everyone deserves a plastic surgeon who understands their intentions and also puts their safety first. It’s my job as a surgeon to guide and advise the patient on their decision-making before undergoing any procedure or surgery. Dr Leandro Junqueira MD is a plastic surgeon at Junqueira Medical Clinic, Galleria Mall. Book now
