Dr. Babak Azizzadeh was featured in Forbes Middle East in the article āThe Business Of Youth: How Anti-Aging Beauty Became A Growth Engine In The Gulf.ā The story explores how anti-aging has evolved from a discreet luxury service into a major economic driver across the Middle East.
The feature highlights the rapid expansion of the anti-aging market in the UAEāvalued at approximately $610 millionāand its broader impact across the MENA region, where beauty and personal care spending exceeds $46 billion. Anti-aging now spans injectables, surgery, skincare, supplements, and AI-guided regimens, aligning closely with Gulf economic diversification strategies beyond oil.
Dr. Azizzadeh emphasized the sophistication of the regional market:
āThe Middle East represents one of the fastest-moving and most aesthetically sophisticated beauty markets globally. Patients here are highly informed, highly discerning, and increasingly focused on long-term outcomes rather than quick cosmetic fixes.ā
The article also explores the rise of male aesthetic consumers and the growing trend of āprejuvenation,ā where younger patients in their 20s and 30s seek preventative treatments rather than corrective ones. Dr. Azizzadeh noted that men often pursue subtle, low-maintenance treatment plans framed around fatigue reduction and professional competitiveness.
In discussing surgical innovation, he highlighted the evolution of procedures such as the deep plane facelift:
āProcedures like the deep plane facelift are no longer about dramatic transformation. Theyāre about restoring anatomy and aging gracefully, with results designed to last.ā
The feature also addresses ingredient literacy, longevity-driven skincare, regulatory oversight in the UAE, and the rise of medical tourism hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dr. Azizzadeh cautioned against social media hype, underscoring the importance of expertise and evidence-based decision-making:
āSocial media acts as both an accelerator and a distortion mechanism. It increases awareness but can oversimplify complex medical decisions.ā
As personalization, prevention, and proof-based medicine continue to shape the industry, the Gulf region is positioned as one of the most dynamic anti-aging markets in the world.
š Read the full article: The Business Of Youth: How Anti-Aging Beauty Became A Growth Engine In The Gulf