Once mostly confined to rich Caucasian women, cosmetic plastic surgery is increasingly crossing racial boundaries. More African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American individuals are undergoing plastic surgery. 760,691 cosmetic procedures were performed on Asian-Americans in 2010. This was an increase of two percent from 2009.
At the beginning of every year the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) publishes a report of the prior year’s procedure statistics. The most popular surgical cosmetic procedures for Asian-Americans in 2010 were as follows:
1. Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation involves enhancing the size and shape of the breasts with saline or silicone implants, or with autologous fat. The unique characteristics of breast scarring and the body shape of Asian females require an approach to breast augmentation that is different than the approach used in Caucasian breast enhancement surgery.
Asian women, especially Japanese women, are usually of a smaller build than the average American woman and thus their breast implant needs are different. Additionally, populations with darker skin pigmentation, such as Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics are more susceptible to adverse scarring. Thus different approaches may be necessary for breast augmentation.
2. Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty involves surgical reshaping of the nose.
The goal of Asian rhinoplasty surgery is not to create a Caucasian nose, but to create a nose that is compatible with the Asian face. While the purpose of Caucasian nose surgery is usually to make the nose smaller, Asian rhinoplasty typically involves increasing the nose’s projection.3. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Blepharoplasty usually involves reshaping the eyelids by removing excess eyelid skin or by removing the bags under the eyes.
Blepharoplasty in the Asian population often has a different purpose. Some Asians do not have an upper eyelid crease and therefore undergo Asian Blepharoplasty also known as “double eyelid surgery” to create an upper eyelid crease.See Blepharoplasty Before and After Photos
Asian Double Eyelid Surgery Before and After
