Afghanistan: Despite the Taliban’s strict rule in Afghanistan, cosmetic surgery culture has rapidly become popular among women.

Here, around 20 clinics offer services such as Botox (injections to reduce wrinkles), facelifts (to tighten loose skin), and hair transplants. Both men and women visit these clinics.

Men mostly seek treatment for baldness, while women, who are usually in burqas, are getting facelifts and other surgeries. Despite the ban in the capital, Kabul, around 20 cosmetic surgery clinics are operating.

The growing trend of Botox among women in Afghanistan is trending on social media as ‘Botox Under Burqa’.

In 2023, the Taliban banned beauty parlors

In July 2023, the Taliban imposed a ban on beauty parlors and hair salons across the country. These salons were ordered to close within a month. At that time, there were about 12,000-13,000 beauty parlors in Kabul, which were not only a source of income for Afghan women but also a means of social interaction.

According to the United Nations and Afghan women’s groups, these salons were a symbol of freedom and self-reliance for women. But the Taliban shut them down, calling them immoral.

Surgery is performed as a medical treatment

Despite the closure of salons, cosmetic surgery clinics are not only operating but thriving. Since it is performed as medical surgery, the Taliban is unable to interfere.

Clinic staff say the government does not interfere in their work, but police ensure that there are separate nurses for male and female patients. Some claim that Taliban members are also customers of these clinics.

Doctors from Türkiye are coming to Kabul to provide training

Foreign collaboration plays a major role in the success of these clinics. Doctors from countries like Türkiye come to Kabul to train Afghan doctors, while many Afghan doctors are doing internships in Istanbul.

Devices used in the clinics are imported from Asia and Europe. The deputy director of Negin Asia Clinic stated that they have advanced Chinese equipment, which is on par with technology used abroad.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a historically rich crossroads of civilizations, with a legacy shaped by empires like the Persians, Greeks, and Mughals. It is home to ancient cultural sites, most notably the Buddhas of Bamiyan, and has long been a strategic location along the Silk Road. In recent history, the country has faced decades of conflict and instability.

Kabul

Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with a history dating back over 3,500 years. It has long been a cultural and economic hub strategically located along the Silk Road, though it has suffered significant damage from recent decades of conflict. The city is home to historic sites like the Gardens of Babur and the ancient Kabul Citadel.

Taliban

The Taliban is an Islamist political movement and military organization that emerged in Afghanistan in the early 1990s. It first rose to power in 1996, establishing a government known for its strict interpretation of Sharia law. Following the US-led invasion in 2001, it was removed from power but has since re-emerged as a potent insurgency and retook control of the country in 2021.

United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. It was established to replace the ineffective League of Nations and is headquartered on international territory in New York City. The UN provides a forum for its 193 member states to address global issues such as conflict, human rights, and sustainable development.

Negin Asia Clinic

I am unable to find any historical or cultural information on a place called “Negin Asia Clinic.” It appears this may be a private medical facility or a local business, rather than a publicly recognized cultural or historical site. Without verifiable information, I cannot provide a meaningful summary.

Türkiye

Türkiye is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a history spanning millennia as the seat of empires including the Byzantine and Ottoman. Its cultural landscape is defined by iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia and the rock formations of Cappadocia, reflecting its unique position as a historical crossroads. Modern Türkiye was founded as a republic in 1923, inheriting a profound legacy from its imperial past.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a historic metropolis in Turkey that straddles the Bosphorus Strait, uniquely situated on two continents, Europe and Asia. It was founded as Byzantium, later became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire known as Constantinople, and served as the heart of the Ottoman Empire after its conquest in 1453. The city is renowned for its iconic cultural landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace.

Asia

Asia is not a single place or cultural site but the world’s largest and most populous continent, encompassing a vast collection of diverse countries, cultures, and historic landmarks. Its history is incredibly deep and complex, being the birthplace of major world civilizations, religions, and empires that have shaped human history for millennia. From the ancient Indus Valley and Mesopotamian civilizations to the Great Wall of China and the temples of Angkor Wat, Asia’s heritage is foundational to global culture.