They are the magicians of anatomy and are now waving their wands over a larger portion of the population.

According to plastic surgeon Chris Snijman, president of the Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Southern Africa, all South Africans are now accessing a field of medicine that was once deemed the preserve of the rich.

“Plastic surgery is accessible. All reconstruction is covered to some extent by your medical aid scheme and all government hospitals have a plastic surgeon representation.

“Until a decade ago, cosmetic surgery was deemed to be for the fabulously wealthy and was probably more Caucasian.

“Now there’s a massive change in what I call aesthetic surgery for people of colour.”

[“People of all races] can afford it. It’s become socially acceptable and there’s a heightened awareness of it.”