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Monday 29 April 2013

Asian Eyelid Surgery

By Tracey Christensen


Asian double eyelid surgery is becoming increasingly popular and with this comes the inevitable debate as to whether it a bad thing or good thing. In the last ten years or so, double eyelid surgery for Asians has become so common that in some Asian countries it is an expectation that girls (and sometimes boys) will undergo the procedure once they become teenagers. Rightfully, this has become a talking point in the Asian (and non Asian) community with some people believing this is an unnecessary process that may cause a loss of ethnic identity. The argument for Asian eyelid surgery is that it is a simple procedure that makes the most of the Asian eye and not a desire to appear more western.

Asian double eyelid surgery is a procedure that involves creating a crease in the eyelid which gives the eye a more open look. Approximately 75 percent of all Koreans and 50 percent of all other Asians are born without the double eyelid crease. The procedure can be done in a number of ways, some more invasive than others. New techniques have been designed which can be done under twilight sedation and do not involve making an incision. The Durable Suture technique involves inserting a row of sutures and tightening and securing them to create a permanent crease, or double eyelid.

Asians living in western countries are, ironically, more likely to object to the idea of double eyelid surgery than their Asian based counterparts. Korea and Japan have embraced the procedure to the point that it is considered common place and those choosing to have the surgery are unlikely to come up against opposition. Similar to a Caucasian undergoing a breast reduction or rhinoplasty in Australia, nobody would argue that they are trying to look more 'Asian'. Large, open eyes have been considered beautiful the world over for a long time and both Asians and non Asians aspire to the look.

One of Australia's leading surgeons in Asian cosmetic surgery, Dr Peter Kim believes that he is creating 'more beautiful Asian eyes' not more westernised ones.

"In all my years of performing Asian double eyelid surgery, I have never been shown a picture of a western person as an example of the finished product a patient wishes to achieve," he says.

Plastic surgery in general has increased in popularity across all races and nations since its invention, not only amongst the Asian community. This trend indicates that it is an international dissatisfaction with our appearance that drives the popularity of cosmetic surgery and not just a dissatisfaction amongst Asians. A comment made recently by an Asian girl on a negative online article about the Asian cosmetic surgery industry sums it up well.

"Western women are having tans, butt implants and their lips made bigger, I wonder which race of women they are trying to look like?"

While some women and men continue to invest time and money and are happy to put up with considerable amounts of discomfort or even pain in the name of beauty, the for and against commentary will continue. Some would argue that the money spent on fashion, shoes, beauty products and hair styling is no different to that spent on cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic surgery can be seen as an extension of this type of vanity and who can dictate whether it is acceptable to have botox but not to have eyelid surgery or vice versa. Ultimately the decision to undergo any form of enhancement should be left up to the individual whether they are black, white or of Asian descent. Surely anything that makes a person feel better about themselves is a good thing.




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