ISTANBUL 

Iran has lowered the minimum age for cosmetic surgery to 14 for girls and 16 for boys, according to an official announcement.

“From a scientific perspective, these ages are now considered suitable. Girls can undergo surgery starting at 14, while boys are eligible from age 16,” Ibrahim Rezmpa, a board member of the Iranian Rhinology Association, told the Iranian Students' News Agency.

The previous minimum age was 18, he said, adding that factors such as growth, physical and psychological development, and emotional maturity are also crucial in determining a person's suitability for surgery.

Rezmpa highlighted the growing demand for cosmetic procedures in the country but did not provide specific figures on the number of surgeries done.

Experts suggest that the increase in cosmetic surgeries in Iran is driven by peer pressure, media influence, and prevailing cultural norms.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi