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Gone are the days when plastic surgery was just for the rich and famous. In Cyprus, cosmetic procedures have gone mainstream, and business is booming. Whether it’s smoothing out wrinkles, enhancing curves, or going for bolder body transformations, more people are turning to plastic surgery not just to feel better about themselves but to keep up with fast-changing beauty trends, many of which are driven by social media.
To get a real look behind the scenes, Must's Maria Karamanou went to see three leading plastic surgeons in Cyprus who opened up about what’s trending, who’s walking through their doors, and just how far some patients are willing to go in the pursuit of their “perfect” look.
Extreme makeovers and unreal requests
Dr. Sophocles Nicolaides of MORFI Clinic in Limassol says he's heard it all. One of the wildest requests? A teenage boy asking for penis enhancement due to underdevelopment, and a man wanting silicone implants as a first step toward gender reassignment. But not every request gets a green light. “If it crosses the line of medical or aesthetic standards, we say no,” he said, adding that he’s had to turn people down more than once.
Dr. Hector Hadjipanagis shared a particularly surreal case: a person who wanted to look like a character from an anime — extreme facial proportions and all. “These cases are complex not just medically, but psychologically,” he said, noting how important it is for doctors to protect patients from making choices that may not be in their best interest.
Most popular procedures and who’s getting them
For women, the most sought-after procedures in Cyprus are breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, and facial treatments like Botox and fillers, especially for lips. Men are increasingly getting in on the action too, especially with treatments like nose jobs (rhinoplasty), eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), and even Botox. There's also a noticeable rise in body contouring procedures like liposuction and male breast reduction (gynecomastia).
Interestingly, doctors say the average age of patients is getting younger. People in their 30s and 40s make up the bulk of clients, but some are coming in even younger, particularly for things like lip enhancements. At the same time, older clients are also showing up, looking for subtle tweaks to keep looking fresh.
From taboo to trendy
All three doctors agree that in Cyprus, the stigma around plastic surgery has faded dramatically, especially among younger generations. Once whispered about, cosmetic enhancements are now openly discussed. Some women even compare results and recommend their favorite surgeons like they would a great hairstylist.
But while openness has grown, responsibility remains key. Dr. Theodora Papavassiliou, who has both international awards and patents under her belt, put it clearly: “Safety and ethics are non-negotiable. If a procedure doesn’t have a solid medical basis, I say no.” Her job, she says, isn’t just to meet every demand but to guide patients wisely, especially when expectations are unrealistic.
Not just vanity, a culture of self-care
Ultimately, today’s cosmetic procedures aren’t just about vanity. Many people view them as part of their overall self-care, in the same way they might hit the gym or eat healthy. Whether it’s post-pregnancy body changes, weight loss, or simply a confidence boost, cosmetic treatments are seen as one more tool in the kit.
And while the world of aesthetic medicine in Cyprus now includes everything from subtle touch-ups to sci-fi-level transformations, one thing is clear: plastic surgeons here are navigating the fine line between helping people look their best and protecting them from going too far.
*This article is a translated summary of the original story that appeared on Must.
