logo
Nose job boom in Iran where procedure can boost social status

Nose job boom in Iran where procedure can boost social status

Yahoo08-04-2025

All of the women in Iranian model Azadeh's family have had nose surgeries, each feeling the pressure to conform with Western beauty standards in a country where female bodies are heavily policed.
To Azadeh, smoothing out the bump in what Iranians would call the "Persian nose" she was born with proved a lucrative investment.
Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iranian women have been required to dress modestly and cover their hair, and the beauty industry has become almost entirely centred on the face.
Having rhinoplasty -- a nose job -- can make a major difference, Azadeh told AFP.
"After the operation, not only have I earned myself a modelling job with better social standing but I'm also earning three times more and I'm more respected by clients," she said.
Azadeh, 29, asked that her surname be withheld because women models can face social pressure in Iran.
According to the US-based International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), more than 264,000 cosmetic operations were performed in Iran in 2023, with rhinoplasty being the most common.
- A cultural trend -
Across Tehran and other Iranian cities, brightly coloured billboards advertise beauty clinics and cosmetic procedures, offering promises of sculpted noses, flawless skin and perfect teeth.
Many people with bandaged noses can be seen on the streets, a testament to the popularity of rhinoplasty.
"It has become more of a cultural trend," said rhinoplasty surgeon Hamidreza Hosnani who performs up to 20 operations a week at his well-equipped clinic in the capital.
And that trend has evolved, becoming more and more tied to social identity and status, especially as more women have defied the strict dress code.
Such defiance became more marked following the mass protests sparked by the 2022 death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini.
In Iran, where the minimum wage is around $100, basic rhinoplasty costs up to $1,000 -- significantly cheaper than in other countries, Hosnani said.
Millions of Iranians have long struggled with soaring prices and a plunging currency, driven in part by years of international sanctions.
"I even had to borrow the money required for the operation from my friends and family, but the money was well spent, and it was completely worth it," Azadeh said.
Reyhaneh Khoshhali, a 28-year-old surgical assistant, had the operation four years ago, and regrets not having it sooner.
"My nose really did not look good aesthetically and I wanted to be more beautiful," she said.
"If I could go back, I would have had the operation earlier."
- Unauthorised clinics -
For years, Iran has hosted highly advanced medical centres, even becoming a destination for foreigners seeking high-quality and affordable cosmetic surgery.
However, the procedures can also come with risks.
The Iranian authorities have repeatedly warned about the growing number of unauthorised clinics performing cosmetic procedures.
In February, a dozen unlicenced practitioners were arrested and several operating theatres in Tehran's Apadana Hospital were closed because of unauthorised cosmetic procedures, the health ministry said.
In 2023, three women died in a single day -- November 7 -- during cosmetic surgery in three separate incidents in Tehran, media reported at the time.
Ava Goli has yet to undergo her rhinoplasty operation, and said that finding a reliable doctor involved some research.
"I saw some people whose nose job did not look good... and yeah, it really made me scared at times," the 23-year-old told AFP.
Yet the demand for cosmetic surgery in Iran remains high -- and the pressure to keep up is not limited to women.
Bahador Sayyadi, a 33-year-old accountant, said he had to borrow money so he could have a hair transplant.
"My financial situation isn't great, but thanks to a loan I got recently, I will be doing the procedure just in time before my wedding," he said.
"Men should also take care of themselves these days, just like women."
pdm/mz/srm/ser/tc

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

House votes to cut global health funding
House votes to cut global health funding

The Hill

time2 hours ago

  • The Hill

House votes to cut global health funding

The Big Story The House on Thursday narrowly passed a 'recissions' proposal to cancel $9.4 billion in money Congress already appropriated, including $900 million in funding for global health initiatives. Four Republicans voted against it. © AFP via Getty The vote codifies cuts championed by the Department of Government Efficiency, which was led by billionaire Elon Musk. It includes slashing $500 million of the $6 billion appropriated in fiscal year 2025 for global health programs like the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that are within the Department of State and $400 million of the $4 billion appropriated for USAID global health programs. Included in that plan is ending all funding for Gavi, a global program that purchases shots to help vaccinate children in developing countries against some of the world's deadliest diseases. PEPFAR is seen as one of the most successful U.S.-led international aid programs and has typically enjoyed bipartisan support. It's credited with having saved 26 million lives and enabling 7.8 million babies to be born without HIV infection. Global health experts and proponents of PEPFAR have said the cuts will have a devastating impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. It would endanger access to lifesaving antiretroviral medication and put millions of children and adults at risk. The White House wants to phase down its investment in PEPFAR and have other countries absorb most of the cost. 'It is something that our budget will be very trim on because we believe that many of these nonprofits are not geared toward the viewpoints of the administration, and we're $37 trillion in debt,' White House budget director Russ Vought told appropriators last week. 'So, at some point, the continent of Africa needs to absorb more of the burden of providing this health care.' Advocates agree the program wasn't meant to last forever, but the groundwork hasn't been done to make sure PEPFAR can be transitioned successfully. The White House plan would cut off funding without a plan. But the Senate will have the final say on how sweeping the clawbacks are. Congress has 45 days to act, and not every Republican senator is on board. Senate Appropriations Committee chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has said she is opposed to PEPFAR cuts, and others have expressed concern about the other funding cuts in the package, like public broadcasting programs. Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Prenatal exposure to 'forever chemicals' may raise blood pressure during teen years: Study Humans exposed to toxic 'forever chemicals' before birth may exhibit higher blood pressure during their teenage years, a new study has found. This connection was particularly pronounced in boys and in children born to non-Hispanic Black mothers, scientists observed in the study, published Thursday in the Journal of the American Heart Association. While previous research has shown these synthetic compounds may affect a rapidly … CDC backtracks, will rehire more than 450 people it laid off The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is rehiring about 460 employees who had previously been laid off, according to an email notice reviewed by The Hill. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed on Thursday that reinstatement notices were sent but provided few other details. 'The Trump Administration is committed to protecting essential services—whether it's supporting coal … Trump's former surgeon general rips RFK Jr.'s purge of vaccine board President Trump's former surgeon general blasted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to fire the entirety of a federal advisory committee on vaccine guidance, saying the move jeopardizes public health and threatens public trust in health institutions. In an op-ed published by Time, former Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote that Kennedy's recent actions cast doubt over his pledge … In Other News Branch out with a different read: Cassidy in a bind as RFK Jr. blows up vaccine policy Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has put Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) in a political bind, squeezed by his loyalty to President Trump and commitment to medicine. Cassidy, the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, publicly wavered over Kennedy's confirmation, sharply criticizing his views before eventually voting for him. Cassidy said he secured a series … Around the Nation Local and state headlines on health care: What We're Reading Health news we've flagged from other outlets: What Others are Reading Most read stories on The Hill right now: Republicans lay groundwork for 'total tax cliff' at end of Trump's term Congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork for a tax cliff at the end of President Trump's term in office. While the conference is pushing … Read more Padilla forcibly removed from Noem press conference, handcuffed Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed and then handcuffed after he interrupted a press conference Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem … Read more What People Think Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here

Transformative ‘med-cations' are the ultimate 2025 wellness trend
Transformative ‘med-cations' are the ultimate 2025 wellness trend

New York Post

time10 hours ago

  • New York Post

Transformative ‘med-cations' are the ultimate 2025 wellness trend

Biohacking, bloodwork, transcranial electro-stimulation and an alkalizing daily miso soup for breakfast might not sound like the sexiest way to spend your vacation. But health is wealth and a growing contingent of high-net-worth, leisure-class travelers are trading R&R for self-prescribed 'med-cations.' 'The trend of viewing vacations as investments in health and well-being is gaining momentum, with travelers increasingly seeking experiences that offer tangible health benefits,' Alejandro Bataller, vice president of SHA Mexico, which opened in January 2024. I visited the clinic, located in Costa Mujeres, Mexico, where I went through their intensive four-day Rebalance and Energize Program. The experience was less vacation, more exhaustive crash course in my overall health and functionality on a physical and psychological level. 3 It may look like a relaxation retreat but you'll leave poked, flushed and thoroughly scanned. Courtesy of SHA Wellness Clinic It came complete with blood panels, gut health dinners, ozone therapy and, of course, daily miso soup for breakfast. While I've never left such a beautiful place less relaxed, the experience left me both physically and spiritually altered. 'If you're gonna spend all this money on a vacation, you might as well be investing in your health,' a guest named 'Rick' told me over a bowl of pea ice cream and beetroot foam after a gut health talk one night. A Miami-based banker, Rick says he searched far and wide for a wellness resort that could help him get on the right track physically and mentally after experiencing what he described as 'burnout' from his job. Ultimately, it was SHA's integrative approach to wellness — connecting natural therapies and advanced medicine using cutting-edge technology to customize an itinerary to the needs and well-being of each guest — that sold him. 'I don't do yoga in my personal life, and I knew I needed something more than just mindfulness and meditation,' he said. 'I needed something more transformative and science-based to really move the needle.' 'I needed something more transformative and science-based to really move the needle.' 'Rick,' a guest of SHA. As more and more travelers like Rick place a premium on destinations that offer 'transformative' experiences rooted in both Eastern and Western science-based medicine, specialty resorts are popping up to serve them. Co-founded by self-help guru Tony Robbins and global hotelier Sam Nazarian, four new preventative health and longevity hotels and residences called the Estate will debut in 2026. 'We're rewriting the narrative by seamlessly integrating luxury, science and longevity into one transformative experience,' said Nazarian. 'This is about more than wellness; it's about giving people the tools to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.' Cutting-edge treatments based on scientific medicine, the Estate will offer preventive, genetic and anti-aging programs that will be individually tailored to each guest. Partnering with industry leader Fountain Life, the Estate aims to become the largest ecosystem of preventative medicine and longevity centers in the world. 3 Tony Robbins' the Estate plans to turn back the clock with anti-aging programs. Handout 'The future of preventative health is personalized, proactive and purpose-driven, and the Estate is where that future comes to life,' Nazarian said. 'We're not just building destinations — we're building a legacy of well-being.' In partnership with Fountain Life, a company co-founded by Robbins that specializes in disease detection and prevention, services including full-body MRI scans, AI-enabled coronary CT scans, genome sequencing and advanced blood diagnostics aimed at optimizing the mental as well as physical well-being are just the tip of the 'We're at a tipping point in how people approach their health,' Nazarian added. 'Vacations are no longer just escapes; they're investments in wellness and longevity.' 3 The Estate has a goal of becoming the world's largest ecosystem of preventative medicine and longevity centers. Alamy Stock Photo Expanding its global presence in 2026, SHA will open a new location in the coastal Al Jurf region of the United Arab Emirates called SHA Island Emirates. 'This facility aims to create a sanctuary where guests can disconnect from urban life and focus on their health, offering programs that blend SHA's renowned integrative methods with the unique cultural and environmental aspects of the region,' said Bataller. 'Our goal is to create the sixth blue zone on the planet.' The starting rate at SHA Mexico is $5,770, including the 4-day Rebalance Program, SHA Nutrition plan, and in-room accommodations in an Ocean Front Deluxe room.

Advocates optimistic that Congress could renew downwinder compensation in budget bill
Advocates optimistic that Congress could renew downwinder compensation in budget bill

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Advocates optimistic that Congress could renew downwinder compensation in budget bill

One year to the day since federal lawmakers let compensation for downwinders expire, advocates say they feel more optimistic than they have in months about getting an expansion of the program through Congress. Although a majority of senators voted to renew and expand the program last year, the bill was never considered in the House of Representatives. But some now see President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' budget bill as a potential vehicle and are urging lawmakers to include compensation in the Senate version of the bill. 'As we know, fallout knows no boundaries,' said Steve Erickson, a longtime volunteer with Downwinders Inc, during a press conference outside the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building Tuesday. 'There's plenty of evidence — it's overwhelming, in fact — that hundreds of thousands of cancers were caused by atomic fallout, and so it's time that — past time now for some years — that RECA be expanded to cover far more of those who suffered from those unwitting exposures.' Erickson was referring to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990, which provided some restitution to people with illnesses linked to exposure to nuclear fallout from tests conducted by the U.S. government at the Nevada Test Site and others. Downwinders from 10 counties in southern Utah were covered under the act, along with people who lived in northern Arizona and Nevada at the time of the tests. The act was renewed for two years in 2022, but advocates have sought to have the pool of eligible applicants be expanded to cover downwinders across several Western states – including all of Utah — and miners exposed to uranium in Missouri. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, sponsored the Senate expansion bill last year and is said to be working on reintroducing some version of the legislation as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Utah downwinders say they've been in touch with Hawley's office and that the senator is optimistic about the progress being made behind the scenes. They praised Utah's congressional delegation for working toward a solution — Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Celeste Maloy in particular, who sponsored a two-year extension of the program last year — but urged Utah's elected officials to support something similar to the expanded bill Hawley pushed last year. Lee gave a statement to advocates, saying, 'I am proud to work toward RECA reauthorization and to ensure that the Americans who rely upon it continue to receive the care they need.' The first nuclear test was conducted 80 years ago next month, and downwinders are urging Congress to act quickly to preserve compensation for aging Americans who are suffering from illnesses likely caused by exposure to radiation. They say the federal government has a responsibility to help those who were exposed to radiation from tests without knowledge of the long-term effects. 'I've watched families, friends, colleagues and neighbors suffer from the consequences of the decisions that were made. Those people had no say in any of those decisions,' Claudia Peterson, a downwinder from St. George, said in a statement. 'Tomorrow, I will be sitting at the bedside of my childhood friend as she goes through another surgery related to another cancer, and she is scared to death. There are no words to say what it takes to watch the heartache, to paint a true picture of watching a loved one suffer.' 'And the legacy is what has been left by decisions made by our government,' she added. A bipartisan group of 41 state lawmakers wrote to Congress urging the extension and expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in April, but Erickson said he hasn't heard a response from Washington. Although the program has expired, the Justice Department has continued to process claims that were submitted prior to its sunset, but those are dwindling, and the program will soon be shuttered. 'Those few claims that are left are still being settled, and when they are done, the program is done, the doors will close, and it will shut down,' Erickson said. 'It'll be harder and more expensive to restart the Justice Department compensation program under RECA if it isn't renewed soon, so it's imperative that Congress act now.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store