Mustache surgery on the rise in Middle East

ISTANBUL

Ibrahim Tatlıses, Hürriyet photo

Middle Eastern men are increasingly going under knife to achieve strong mustaches that provide a more masculine mature and wise look, CNN has reported.

Turkish plastic surgeon Selahattin Tulunay told CNN that he had been performing increasing numbers of mustache surgeries over the last few years - around 50 to 60 procedures per month on average.

In most of the operations, a small amount of hair is taken from areas of dense hair on the patient's body and transplanted to the mustache area.

"They have some celebrities as role models," Tulunay said, identifying Turkish singer İbrahim Tatlıses as one of the most popular models for those undergoing mustache surgery. Tatlıses is known for his distinctive voice and charismatic dark mustache.

Medical tourism has been on the rise in the Middle East, particularly in Turkey, over the last few years.