On the cosmetic treatment informational platformRealSelf, surgeons around the United States submit before-and-after pictures of their patients.
The people in the photos vary in age and gender, but one recurring factor is their ethnicity.
Blepharoplasty isthe most popular cosmetic surgeryin Asia and the third most popular amongst Asian Americans.
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Asia has a robust and unabashed relationship with plastic surgery.
And in the West, the stigma of cosmetic enhancement is dissipating.
“Botox babies” are so common now, theNew York Timeswrote a whole story about them.
Their clinic is situated in a ground-floor storefront.
But it’s not only Asian Americans who are gravitating towards this look.
South Korea, for example, is home to thehighest plastic surgery rateper capita.
With regard to cosmetic adjustment, double-eyelid surgery is just the tip of the Westernization iceberg.
Things start to get a little different when you consider the AsianAmericanbeauty aesthetic. "
I am seeing much more interest in Eastern aesthetic surgery even amongst my non-Asian patients."
The procedure that bridges both Eastern and Western Asian beauty ideals, apparently, is the nose job.
In effect, this creates a higher bridge and a more traditionally Eurocentric nose shape.
“I frequently have patients come in with photos of their ideal goals.
“Now I am seeing much more interest in Eastern aesthetic surgery even amongst my non-Asian patients.”
“What makes me most anxious are patients who have poor self image but also unrealistic expectations.”
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery experiences similar requests.
Gabriel unravels the rationale for cosmetic enhancement with each of his patients.
“It really depends on your surroundings and the culture you’re in,” explains Gabriel.
“Just say you want an Asian who looks white,” Chungrespondedon social media.
Even when attempting to be inclusive, these industries often fall short.
“The ‘China look’ isn’t a one-size-fits-all look for Asian Americans.”
Chung has been a vocaladvocatefor the eradication of the forehead-tugging pose and hasposted repeatedlyon thesubject.
I am truly so dumbfounded by the stupidity and ignorance.”
“Why not build a campaign celebrating the beautiful Asian almond eye? "
The Chius are similarly uncomfortable.
“If there wasn’t an association with a racial aesthetic, then it might be different.
Why not build a campaign celebrating the beautiful Asian almond eye?
By instead attributing it to an animal, it feels like a slap in the face.”
“[It’s] Asian appropriation,” echoes Gabriel.
At this point, cultural appropriation by the dominant society seems par for the course.
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