PRS-GO Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open · 2025

Impact of Mask-Wearing on Public Attitudes, Perceptions, and Interest in Rhinoplasty During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Alsuhaim MM, Fallatah AA, Shawosh MH, Althobaity AN.

PubMed 40092501 Publisher (DOI)Free full text (PMC)

What this paper says

Surveying the Saudi public during the pandemic, 62.8 percent disagreed that rhinoplasty is unnecessary while masks are worn, indicating continued interest despite the nose being covered.

Overview

The authors investigated how mask wearing affected attitudes, perceptions and interest in rhinoplasty in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sample size was calculated with Epi Info software and a pilot study confirmed feasibility. Analysis used both descriptive and inferential statistics, with participant privacy maintained throughout.

Sections of note

Design: cross sectional public survey in Saudi Arabia.
Most participants were women, 81.7 percent, aged 18 to 24, single, and from the eastern region.
16.3 percent believed rhinoplasty is exclusive to women; 15.1 percent considered it solely cosmetic; 50.3 percent thought it should be restricted to adults.
25 participants, 3.9 percent, had undergone rhinoplasty. Of those, 64 percent decided independently while acquaintances influenced the rest.
62.8 percent disagreed that rhinoplasty is unnecessary while wearing a mask.
Chi-square testing found significant associations between preference for rhinoplasty during mask use and sex, gender exclusivity beliefs, cosmetic purpose, cultural discouragement and surgeon type.
Stated conclusion: mask wearing led to increased interest in rhinoplasty.

What it means for a patient

Covering the nose in public did not reduce interest in changing it, which suggests the motivation is not solely about how others see it.
Half the respondents thought rhinoplasty should be restricted to adults, and a sixth still associated it with women only.
About two thirds of those who had surgery made the decision themselves rather than under influence from others.
Limits: cross sectional survey, one country, respondents skewed heavily female and young, and the abstract does not state the total number surveyed.

Why this paper matters

The pandemic was widely reported to have increased demand for facial surgery, attributed to video calls and to masks concealing recovery. Survey data tests that in one population and finds continued interest. The authors note the study cannot show whether the interest translated into more operations.

Terms

Cross-sectional study: a study measuring a population at one point in time.
Chi-square test: a statistical test comparing categories between groups.
Descriptive statistics: summaries such as counts and percentages.
Inferential statistics: methods testing whether observed differences are likely real.
Epi Info: public health software used for sample size calculation and analysis.

Summary written by rhinoplasty.cc from the abstract, 2026-09-09; not medical advice. The authors' own abstract follows.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the influence of mask use on attitudes, perceptions, and interests in rhinoplasty during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Our objective is to identify the factors influencing public attitudes, perceptions, and interest in undergoing rhinoplasty during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the elements that altered individuals' decisions regarding the procedure.

Methods: Epi Info software was used to calculate sample size, and a pilot study confirmed the feasibility of the research. Data analysis incorporated both descriptive and inferential statistics, with results illustrated in tables and graphs. Participant privacy was ensured throughout.

Results: Most participants were women (81.7%), 18-24 years, single, and from the eastern region. Only 16.3% believed rhinoplasty is exclusive to women, 15.1% considered it solely cosmetic, and 50.3% thought it should be restricted to adults. Among 25 participants (3.9%) who had rhinoplasty, 64% made the decision independently, whereas acquaintances influenced the rest. Additionally, 62.8% disagreed with the notion that rhinoplasty is unnecessary while wearing masks, indicating a preference for the procedure even with mask use. A χ2 test revealed significant associations between rhinoplasty preference during mask usage and sex (P = 0.019), gender exclusivity (P < 0.001), cosmetic purpose (P = 0.033), cultural discouragement (P < 0.001), and surgeon type (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased interest in rhinoplasty. However, further research is needed to determine if this interest in rhinoplasty translates into an increase in surgical procedures being performed.

Abstract as indexed by PubMed; the article is open access (PubMed Central).