According to doctors, this trend focuses on having an incredibly thin waist, often referred to as 'snatched' (very tight and delicate), alongside very prominent breasts, buttocks, and thighs; a look that is increasingly influenced by social media and beauty standards promoted by influencers.

The emergence of the 'XS-XL' aesthetic

Experts say that in recent years, a new ideal of body shape has emerged in clinics across the Emirates, attracting many applicants.

A plastic surgeon and consultant in Abu Dhabi states:

 "In the past few years, we have seen a significant change in patient requests. About ten years ago, most people were looking for subtle and natural changes; that is, a look that appears just a bit more beautiful than the natural state."

He explained this trend:

 "The 'XS-XL' trend refers to a very exaggerated and extremely curvy appearance. In this style, the goal is to create a very thin waist (XS) alongside a very large bust, hips, and buttocks (XL). This is the exaggerated hourglass figure that is typically achieved through a combination of several surgical procedures, including aggressive 360-degree liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), and breast augmentation or implants."

He also believes that Dubai's luxurious lifestyle and the city's position as one of the world's medical tourism hubs play a significant role in increasing this demand.

Social media filters and increasing surgical risks

Doctors emphasize that social media plays a prominent role in shaping patient expectations and has blurred the lines between edited images and medical reality.

A plastic surgery specialist said:

 "The problem is that many of the images people see online are created using filters, editing, lighting, camera angles, or Photoshop. These images create unrealistic expectations about what is truly possible, safe, or natural."

According to him, a significant part of doctors' responsibilities today is to educate patients:

 "We explain that creating a very stark difference between waist size and other body parts can carry serious surgical risks. The result should align with each individual's natural body structure to look beautiful and maintain its quality over time. If a request is not medically safe or appropriate, we reject it, and we see this as part of our professional responsibility, not as losing a patient."

Source: Gulf Times