Cosmetic surgery for women of color

Pick your surgeon after careful consideration

Photo of a woman with dark skin showing her beautiful skin after a treatment.Whether medical treatments should vary by race is a controversial issue but when it comes to plastic surgery, the discussion is somewhat less complex. While certain procedures like gastric bypass surgery or tummy tuck are race-neutral, other procedures like chemical peel and laser treatments either cannot be done on people with dark skin or some changes in the way the procedure is done may be needed. For similar reasons, the eyes, nose, and facial surgeries need to be done in a way for people of different ethnicities that the original features are maintained and the overall look is still in harmony.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Hispanic, Asian and African-American patients had 20% of all cosmetic procedures in 2004, an increase from 14 percent in 2000. No surprise then that plastic surgeons are not only appreciating this reality but also actively working to promote an individual look. Dr. Daniel Greenwald of Tampa Bay believes in providing specialized attention to each particular patient, striving for a personalized look that pays homage to the individualized beauty of the patient’s ethnic and cultural background while creating aesthetically pleasing results. The patient’s own needs, cultural history, specific desires and individual goals are an integral facet of successful surgery, he says.
   It does not, however, mean that everyone believes in this philosophy. Several Asian women often undertake surgery to reduce their oriental look and become more like everyone else, but the key point is that those women who do want to maintain their original look now have a choice. That explains the emergence of plastic surgery clinics specializing in certain types of ethnic groups or skin color. One clinic that has attracted a lot of attention is the Cultura Cosmetic Medical Spa. Founded by Dr. Eliot F. Battle Jr., a dermatologist, and Dr. Monte O. Harris, a facial surgeon -- experts in cosmetic treatments for blacks, Asians and Latinos -- the clinic has attracted several celebrities also who found that a typical Beverly Hills plastic surgeon only knew how to operate on Caucasians.

How to pick the right surgeon for your skin color or ethnicity?

While picking a surgeon of your own race/ethnicity may be the way to get started, what is really important is to pick the surgeon based on relevant experience. When it comes to plastic surgery, experience is key. Ask your surgeon directly about her/his level of expertise in working on people like you. If the answer is no, you would be better off searching for another surgeon. The other way to find is to ask people that are like you and have had cosmetic surgery.

Related articles: How to select a cosmetic surgeon?    Juvista