Some people are going to great lengths or, in this case, great distances. Well, we are talking about beauty tourism, a practice of seeking medical treatments abroad, often in countries where the cost of such procedures is significantly lower than in one's home country.
One such enthusiast, Bryn Elise Wright from Colorado, has embraced this concept with gusto, claiming to have saved a whopping $40,000 on various treatments over nearly three years.
Wright's journey into beauty tourism began in the summer of 2021 when she encountered soaring prices for hair extensions in her home state. Determined to explore more cost-effective alternatives, she turned to the idea of getting her hair done abroad. Her first experience was in Istanbul, Turkey, where she found a skilled professional willing to provide the service for a mere $500, a fraction of the cost in the United States.
Since that initial foray into international beauty treatments, Wright has fully embraced beauty tourism, embarking on trips to 14 countries with her boyfriend, Cody Jorgenson, to undergo various procedures. Her journey has included not only hair extensions but also dental treatments, Botox injections, laser hair removal, and even hospital stays for unexpected illnesses.
Wright's cost savings have been substantial. She estimates saving $10,000 on hair extensions, another $10,000 on dental treatments, and a remarkable $20,000 on a hospital stay for a flu bug. Some of her notable beauty treatment highlights include getting Botox for $140 in Istanbul, compared to the $700-$800 price range in the US, and laser hair removal in Paris for $400 instead of $2,000.
Additional instances of savings include a tooth treatment in Bali, Thailand, for $70 instead of the US cost ranging from $600 to $700, as well as a new crown and deep teeth cleaning in Turkey for $240, a fraction of the $1,800 expense at home. Even a 24-hour hospital stay in Thailand cost Wright and Jorgenson a mere $120 each, a stark contrast to the potentially astronomical bills they might have faced in the United States.
Wright is not alone in her pursuit of affordable beauty treatments abroad. Reports indicate that others, such as a California-based TikToker and a British couple, have also ventured overseas for various cosmetic procedures, attesting to the growing popularity of beauty tourism as a viable and cost-effective option.
