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Rise in Ethnic Plastic Surgery

Rise in Ethnic Plastic Surgery

How much have ethnic plastic surgery procedures increased?

Ethnic plastic surgery procedures have more than quadrupled since 2000. Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills cites the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reporting a 243 percent increase from 2000 to 2010, reflecting how cosmetic procedures have become a mainstream choice across every ethnicity and income level.

Do ethnic patients want to change their ethnic appearance?

No, the vast majority of ethnic patients do not want to escape their identity or look Caucasian. Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills emphasizes that these patients want to enhance their own beauty while maintaining their ethnic appearance, and seeing good results reduces fear for other ethnic patients.

What were the most common procedures among ethnic patients in 2010?

Nose reshaping was the most common procedure across groups. Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills notes Asian patients most commonly chose nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, and breast augmentation; African American patients chose nose reshaping, breast reduction, and liposuction; Hispanic patients chose nose reshaping, breast augmentation, and liposuction.

What surgical risks are higher for ethnic patients?

Ethnic patients face increased risk of hypertrophic scarring, keloids, and pigment problems along incisions or in areas treated with peels or lasers. Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills explains these can include hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, sometimes temporary and treatable, and in other cases permanent, so risks should be discussed thoroughly beforehand.

Ethnic plastic surgery procedures have more than quadrupled since 2000.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes a 243 percent increase from 2000 to 2010. These days having cosmetic procedures are a mainstream, everyday occurrence. Patients of every ethnicity and income level set some money aside for enhancing their appearance.

In 2010 alone there were 13.1 million cosmetic procedures performed. 25 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2010 were in “ethnic” patients, described for purposes of the study as Asian, Black, or Hispanic. Seeing great results in ethnic patients reduces the fear for other ethnic patients, and brings awareness that one can achieve an enhanced appearance while maintaining one’s ethnic appearance.

It’s important to note that the vast majority of ethnic patients having plastic surgery do not want to escape their identity or “look Caucasian”, but rather want to enhance their own beauty.

Trends by ethnic group in 2010:

Asian Patients: Made up six percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2010. Most common procedures: nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation.

African American Patients: Made up eight percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2010. Most common procedures: nose reshaping, breast reduction, liposuction.

Hispanic Patients: Made up 11 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2010. Most common procedures: nose reshaping, breast augmentation, liposuction.

In terms of surgical risk, ethnic patients are at increased risk of issues such as hypertrophic scarring, keloids, or pigment issues, whether along incisions or generalized over an area treated with peels or lasers. There can be hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, in some cases treatable and temporary, and in other cases permanent.

Prior to undergoing any procedure or nonsurgical treatment, the surgeon and patient should have a thorough discussion of possible risks and how to minimize them and get the best possible result.

Questions

Rise in Ethnic Plastic Surgery — FAQ

In 2010, 25 percent of all cosmetic procedures were in ethnic patients, defined for the study as Asian, Black, or Hispanic, out of 13.1 million cosmetic procedures that year, says Dr. Anita Patel.

Ethnic patients face higher risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation along incisions or treated areas. In some cases these are temporary and treatable, and in other cases they can be permanent.

Yes. Most ethnic patients want to enhance their own beauty rather than look Caucasian, achieving an improved appearance while maintaining their ethnic appearance, according to Dr. Anita Patel.

Before any procedure, the surgeon and patient should thoroughly discuss possible risks, such as keloids and pigment changes, and how to minimize them for the best possible result, advises Dr. Anita Patel.