Beauty Tourism Continues to Grow post-COVID

During COVID the “Zoom Effect” created a spike in demand for plastic surgeries in critical markets which were open. People traveled to Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Turkey to seek cosmetic procedures despite travel restrictions.

More people started to go back to the office, discarding their Covid-era loungewear. There is a growing desire to change lifestyle and physical appearance to regain self-confidence.

As more countries drop covid-related restrictions and open their borders to international tourists, once again, the beauty dreams are becoming feasible driven by more affordable plastic surgeries abroad.

Mommy makeover, a high-demand plastic surgery procedure costs over $16,000 in America or UK. Women wanting to transform their appearance by tightening their abdominal muscles, sagging skins, and fuller and more youthful breasts can travel to Mexico or Turkey and pay only $7,000 on average. It’s not only that they’ll save over 50% of their money, but also enjoy a relaxing vacation in a new culture with family or friends. 

Liposuction in the UK is over $6,500, while in Turkey around $3,000. A Canadian patient will rather take a flight to Colombia and pay only $4,500 for a facelift instead of paying over $11,000 in their country. 

Popular procedures for women like liposuction, breast augmentation, BBL, mommy makeover, rhinoplasty, facelift and tummy tuck are more affordable in Central Europe, Central and South America, and Asian countries than in the USA, the UK, Canada, or Australia. 

Similarly, more men are seeking procedures like gynecomastia, liposuction, tummy tuck, nose job, hair transplant, penile augmentation that are increasingly becoming mainstream further driving the global demand. Men also want to feel and look their best.

Cost Comparison of Plastic Surgery Around the World

Patients from developed countries who are going to Turkey, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, or India, are looking for cost-savings. They can save from 40% to 80% on cosmetic treatment in a less developed country. 

Comparing plastic surgery costs for beauty procedures in various countries provides a clear perspective on why beauty tourism continues to sustain during difficult times:

Cost Comparison Table for Cosmetic Surgery Abroad
Countries Mommy Makeover  BBL Tummy Tuck  Breast Implants  Liposuction Rhinoplasty  Facelift
Mexico $7,000 $4,500 $4,500 $3,700  $3,200 $3,500 $5,200
Turkey $7,500 $4,000 $4,100 $4,500 $2,950 $3,500 $4,200
Costa Rica $7,000 $4,000 $4,000 $3,500 $2,300 $2,900 $3,500
Thailand $8,000 $4,000 $5,100 $3,400 $1,500 $3,800 $3,500
India $5,000 $3,000  $3,000  $2,500 $3,500 $2,000 $3,500
Colombia $6,000 $4,000 $3,500 $2,500 $2,000 $2,200 $4,500
Dominican Republic $8,700  $3,500 $4,000 $3,500 $3,000 $2,500 $4,500
Croatia $5,500 $ 3,400 $3,000 $2,000 $2,000 $3,000 $2,500 
Spain $9,500  $4,500 $5,500  $4,500 $5,000 $5,800 $5,500
Germany $11,000 $7,500 $6,500 $9,000 $3,500  $9,500 $4,300 
Australia $9,500 $9,000 $8,000 $12,500 $5,500  $9,000  $9,000 
Canada $21,500  $10,500 $9,800 $7,000  $5,500  $10,000 $11,000
USA $20,000  $12,000 $11,000 $8,000 $6,500  $9,500 $8,000 
UK $16,000 $8,000  $7,500 $7,000 $6,550 $6,500 $6,000 
 Source: PlacidWay Medical Tourism Research

Beauty tourism is a regional phenomenon. People from North America go south of the border to Mexico or Colombia. For example, in the US breast augmentation surgery could cost an average of $8,000 while traveling to Mexico it will be under $4,000. 

We have patients from America and Canada who go to the Mexican border towns of Tijuana and Mexicali or travel to tourist destinations such as Cancun.

South Korea, India and Philippines are top destinations for Asian or Oceanic customers. Women in Australia will have to pay $12,500 for breast implants. Therefore, they travel to Thailand and pay only $3,000 on average. 

Turkey, Croatia, Poland and Spain are desirable countries to opt for plastic surgery for the Western Europeans. A customer from England will have to pay over $6,500 for rhinoplasty while only $3,500 in Turkey. 

However, the low cost of plastic surgery doesn’t mean poor quality. A patient will pay less abroad while getting the same standard of care as in America or the UK. 

Feeling confident in their body is the driving force that attracts people to find hope in plastic surgery. As the plastic surgery market keeps growing and expanding, more patients seek cosmetic treatments. Clinics are offering all-inclusive packages where they save more money by undergoing two or more surgeries at once. 

Reasons for the Low Costs of Beauty Tourism Abroad 

The healthcare system in countries such as Mexico, Turkey, or Thailand can be compared to western standards. Most centers for plastic surgery abroad use the same equipment and technology as the most advanced hospitals in the US and the UK. 

In addition, the medical team and plastic surgeons are highly experienced, and the surgery meets or exceeds the highest expectations. The main reasons for the low cost of plastic surgeries abroad are:

  • Lower cost of labor 

  • Lower infrastructure costs 

  • Favorable exchange rates 

  • Lower government taxes  

  • Cheaper medical equipment & consumables costs 

  • Lower insurance and legal costs

Beauty Tourism – Experience It!

By choosing to go abroad for beauty care treatments, a patient will have the opportunity to receive a high standard of services at affordable prices. Clinics provide excellent solutions for overseas patients and professional surgeons attended international training to specialize in various cosmetic procedures. 

Patients are safe in the hands of plastic surgeons who have years of practice in plastic surgery. Our PlacidWay team is here for all patients' needs to help and guide them on their beauty tourism journey abroad.