Doctors performing plastic surgery procedure/HANDOUT
Kenyans are increasingly embracing plastic surgery as a way
of enhancing their physical appearance, boosting self-confidence and improving
overall well-being, with doctors reporting a noticeable surge in demand during
the festive season.
Medical practitioners say the end-of-year holidays, often
associated with rest, reflection and self-renewal, have become a popular period
for individuals seeking both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
With many people taking time off work and social obligations
easing, the festive season offers an ideal window for recovery and healing.
According to Dr Martin Ajujo, a plastic surgeon at AJ
Plastic Surgery Centre, the growing acceptance of plastic surgery in Kenya
reflects changing attitudes towards self-care and body image. He notes that
more Kenyans are now viewing surgical procedures not as taboo or luxury
interventions, but as legitimate medical and personal wellness choices.
“Plastic surgery is the process of reconstructing a defect
that someone has been born with or has acquired through an accident, burns or
infection,” Dr Ajujo explained.
“Then there is the cosmetic or aesthetic aspect of plastic
surgery, where we try to change form and appearance to make it more appealing,
while still maintaining safety and natural results.”
Ajujo said reconstructive procedures remain essential for
patients recovering from trauma, burns or congenital conditions, but cosmetic
surgeries such as liposuction, body contouring, breast procedures and facial
enhancements have gained popularity, particularly among urban professionals.
As the festive mood sets in, many Kenyans are opting to
“gift” themselves aesthetic procedures, motivated by a desire to feel refreshed
and confident going into the new year.
Ajujo says plastic surgery is no longer the reserve of the
rich and famous, nor is it used solely for aesthetic purposes.
According to Ajujo, there are increasing clients, especially
among the women who are visiting their services for appearance and
“appealing good” to enhance their lifestyle.
“As other Kenyans are looking forward to spending time
during Christmas, others especially women want to look good by enhancing
lifestyle like breast augmentation, reduction etc to look good and have a good
appearance.”
Dr Martin Ajujo, a plastic surgeon at AJ Plastic Surgery Centre at a past event/HANDOUT
There are numerous options, ranging from resizing of the
breasts to Botox.
Botox is a neurotoxin injected into specific facial muscles
to temporarily block nerve signals, causing muscle relaxation, which smooths
dynamic wrinkles like frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead creases, creating
a younger, less tired appearance by reducing muscle contractions that cause
these lines.
One of the common procedures, breast surgery can be breast
reduction.
Excessive large breasts come with pain and discomfort so you
will have to resize them to have a size that is bearable.
Agatha, one of the women who have undergone breast reduction
explains her journey to the recovery of her body.
“I was fine with my body but now when I got to child-bearing
age and started having babies, my body never shrank back and my breasts never
shrank back to normal. At some point it became a baggage,” she explains.
She began experiencing pain and the discomfort associated
with extra weight. She eventually sought plastic surgery to reduce her breasts
and the extra weight.
“It’s a big issue when you are not able to do your normal
chores. A woman in the village cannot feed her children because she cannot
carry a load that she would normally carry comfortably,” she says.
Another procedure is breast augmentation, where you have
small breasts and you want to add volume by using fat or have silicon implants.
Among the most popular options are Botox, dermal fillers,
and hair transplants.
Botox has steadily gained acceptance and appreciation in the
country. Professionals in their 30s as well as retirees in their 60s are
increasingly turning to injectables not only for beauty, but for preventive
care.
It is not about assuming a fake physical appearance, but to
simply feel good and more comfortable in their bodies.
“Today’s Botox treatments are not about frozen expressions
or dramatic transformations. They are about softening the signs of ageing while
keeping your expressions intact. Professionals in corporate settings come to us
looking to stay refreshed and confident. Brides and grooms request touch-ups
before weddings. Men are using it to keep forehead lines in check. It’s not a
secret anymore,” intimates Ajujo.
However, stigma and misinformation remain a barrier for many
people seeking Botox as a way of revitalizing their physical appearance.
Some people still associate Botox with insecurity or vanity.
Others fear that they will not look natural after treatment.
Further, there is a misconception that injectables are for
the affluent or something done in foreign countries.
Surprisingly, foreigners come to Kenya to seek plastic
surgery and non-invasive procedures.
For example, international patients go to AJ Plastic Surgery
Centre in Nairobi looking for a better cost-to-care ration. The cost of plastic
surgery in Nairobi is significantly low compared to the United States, Europe,
and the Gulf region.
Still, there are worries that the low costs are accompanied
by higher risks or poor results.
Ajujo allays the fears, explaining that plastic surgeons in
the country are internationally trained and have high credentials.
“Cost savings never mean cutting corners. Every procedure at
our clinic is performed under strict safety protocols, within accredited
facilities, by highly trained specialists who have worked both locally and
internationally,” he says.
Nevertheless, he cautions against the risks of seeking
plastic surgery services from unqualified individuals.
“We have seen the consequences of cheap, unlicensed
providers: droopy eyelids, uneven smiles, and even infections. There is a need
to prioritise medical precision, sterile environments, and facial anatomy
expertise,” he says, “For instance, our specialists assess your facial
structure, explain the treatment clearly, and ensure results that enhance your
natural features, not erase them.”
Ajujo urged Kenyans wishing to know more about plastic surgery to visit https://ajplasticsurgery.co.ke/
Anyone seeking to enhance their bodies and look good this
festive season do not have to worry about high costs, duration of the
procedure, or unnatural results. Botox, for instance, takes only 15 minutes.
Most people begin to see results between three and seven
days. They can enjoy a fresher and smoother skin for up to four months after
which they can seek repeat treatments.