The Era of Ethnically Correct Plastic Surgery?

New Trend in Minority Makeovers Rejects Traditional Beauty Ideals

The rest of the world appears to be learning what Dr. Anthony Griffin and his patients already know: You don’t have to match the traditional beauty ideals anymore. You can make yourself more beautiful while preserving your ethnic identity.

Minorities are discovering that they don’t have to have a Roman nose or a flat figure like a European fashion model. They are not trying to look like a Barbie doll nowadays; they find they can look great and maintain their authentic ethnicity.

In recent interviews for Time Magazine, CNN and other major media outlets, Dr. Griffin points out that “Minorities no longer feel pressured to have Anglo-Saxon features. They are finding they can enhance their beauty without losing their ethnic identity.”

Nose jobs and eye procedures are now looking more natural and ethnically appropriate, whether for African Americans, Asians or Hispanics. More natural figures are back, as more patients opt for procedures like Dr. Griffin’s “Brazilian Butt Lift” that present a behind more like J-Lo or Beyoncé. “Many ethnic patients feel they should have larger buttocks nowadays,” Dr. Griffin says. “If they don’t, they are distraught.” He added “In Brazil, the butt is emphasized, just the opposite of the USA. But that is changing.”

Even the hugely popular makeover reality shows are reflecting the trend. Dr. Griffin can currently be seen demonstrating his procedures on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover,” as well as on the Discovery Network, the National Geographic Channel and E! Entertainment Network.

According to statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Caucasian procedures slid 10% to 5.5 million in 2002. Minority surgeries in the last five years quadrupled to 1 million in 2002. One of the major factors is that non-whites are at higher risk for scarring. New procedures mean they no longer have to fear the knife as they did in the past.

“The increase in African American patients is also attributable to new surgical techniques that make it safer than ever before for darker skin types,” said Dr. Griffin, pioneer of the new techniques. “In the past, there was always a risk of scarring that could appear long after surgery.”

“Darker skin types tend to have thicker and more fragile skin. This can lead to abnormal keloid scarring,” the doctor said in his guide “Surgery Without Scars: A Worry-Free Multi-Cultural Guide to Plastic Surgery Today.” “With the new techniques, people can enjoy the results of their cosmetic surgery without the worry of developing an unsightly scar.”