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Ethnic Plastic Surgery: Enhancing Without Erasing

To some people, "ethnic plastic surgery" can bring to mind controversial concepts of aesthetic homogenization, focused on altering the traditional facial features of an ethnic group to better fit into an "Anglo" mold of perceived attractiveness. In actuality, ethnic cosmetic surgery procedures, which include ethnic eyelid surgery and ethnic rhinoplasty, can be a way of enhancing certain features for minority patients, while preserving their unique physical heritage and natural beauty.

The Rise of Ethnic Plastic Surgery

According to annual statistics by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), more African American, Hispanic and Asian patients have undergone cosmetic surgery in the past few years than ever before. The reasons for this plastic surgery sea change aren't completely known. However, it's estimated that increased cultural acceptance of cosmetic surgery, an increase in minorities' economic standing, and/or higher numbers of minority surgeons and specialists offer some explanation. In 2000, the ASAPS reported that ethnic minority patients accounted for 17% of total cosmetic procedures performed in 1999. By 2007, that number had risen to 22%.

In the past, there was a negative stigma surrounding plastic surgery for minorities. This was largely due to the rarity of ethnic plastic surgery procedures being performed, and thus an unfamiliarity with the practice in general. Poor opinions weren't improved by the highly publicized, bizarre surgical alterations of black celebrities like Michael Jackson. As the public watched Michael Jackson's skin color and his facial features undergo simultaneous dramatic changes, some minorities concluded that plastic surgery would only create unnatural or extreme results; or render them completely unrecognizable.

However, in recent years, many minorities in the entertainment world have been undergoing more cosmetic surgery procedures, and this has fueled more interest in and acceptance of ethnic plastic surgery. Among African American celebrities, breast augmentation and ethnic rhinoplasty have been extremely popular. Beyoncé, Tyra Banks, Kelly Rowland, Lil' Kim, Amerie, and even Halle Berry are rumored to have undergone rhinoplasty surgery in recent years. The most common ethnic cosmetic surgery procedures among Asian Americans are breast augmentation and double eyelid surgery, which Jackie Chan reportedly had early on in his acting career. For Mexican Americans or Hispanic individuals, rhinoplasty surgery and breast augmentation are also very popular options. Buttock lift surgery or buttock enhancement is yet another commonly requested ethnic cosmetic procedure, more so in the black and Hispanic patient communities than in the Asian community. Read on for a little more information about ethnic rhinoplasty and ethnic blepharoplasty surgery, to understand each in better detail.

Ethnic Rhinoplasty

Known as one of the top cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the U.S., rhinoplasty is, unsurprisingly, also a very popular procedure among minority groups. Today, rhinoplasty surgery can be customized to create more specific nose shapes, and can easily achieve a nose shape that's more proportional or symmetric without sacrificing uniqueness and hereditary traits. With new surgical techniques, rhinoplasty surgeons can alter not only the bridge width and length, but the shape of the nostrils and the tip as well.

While the natural nose structure of African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics and Asians tends to differ from one another, patients from all ethnic groups choose rhinoplasty surgery to define and contour their natural nose shape. When undergoing rhinoplasty, it's important to understand that the shape and size of the nose has a large impact on overall facial appearance—an experienced ethnic rhinoplasty surgeon should be able to help patients achieve their rhinoplasty goals while ensuring the finished result looks natural, and remains true to the patient's unique face shape and appearance.

Ethnic Eyelid Surgery

For ethnic eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, the patients might be seeking a more "open" eye appearance, or simply want to remove excess skin or abnormalities. It's important to remember that a blepharoplasty surgeon can alter the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both at a patient's specifications. The double eyelid surgery that has proven popular among Asian patients creates a crease in the upper eyelid to define the eyes a little more. This is achieved with either lasers or sutures. Some individuals feel that this type of eyelid surgery is ruining a distinctive Asian trait, but others claim they have no desire to erase their physical heritage, they just want to enhance their overall eye appearance, and possibly improve their vision by removing bags or skin that impedes their line of sight as they age.

Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery can also be chosen strictly for its anti-aging benefits, since the procedure can naturally lift and tighten the skin around the eyes in conjunction with changing the shape and appearance. Since different ethnic groups display certain trait differences in their eye shapes, it's helpful to have a blepharoplasty surgeon with experience in ethnic eyelid surgery; to achieve a natural and individual look no matter what your reasons for surgery are.

Who Will Perform Your Ethnic Plastic Surgery?

As mentioned above, part of the reason ethnic plastic surgery is becoming more popular and acceptable lately has to do with the increasing number of surgeons who offer it and specialize in it. Many minority cosmetic surgery patients may prefer going to a minority plastic surgeon or aesthetic professional to perform their treatments—they believe that a plastic surgeon of the same ethnic background will best understand their cosmetic tastes and preferences, and be more attuned to their surgical needs and their physicality. However, the most important factor that will affect your personal plastic surgery results will be your plastic surgeon's medical skills and clinical experience.

Before undergoing treatment, patients should find out exactly what their surgeon's experience and specialties include. If a surgeon doesn't offer treatments or surgical techniques that will be appropriate for you, you can always look elsewhere—this is true no matter what your skin type and ethnic background. Additionally, you can ask to see before and after photos of a surgeon's work to gain a better idea of where their skills and experience lie.

If you'd like to find out more about plastic surgeons in your area, and whether or not they have experience with ethnic plastic surgery or ethnic skin care, contact our representatives today. They can help answer more of your questions, and even schedule your first consultation for rhinoplasty or blepharoplasty surgery with a surgeon near you.