Two of the most common surgeries across the globe are the non-invasive lip filler and, strangely, eye surgery. In South Korea, for example, eye reshaping is now so commonplace it isn’t even considered surgery, according to a makeup artist quoted by The American Conservative website.
The article goes on to highlight two potentially worrying trends. The first is that Korean society seems to be coming to a consensus on what constitutes a good-looking face. That’s not the worrying bit. The worrying bit is that it doesn’t look Korean. The AC quotes a film director who finds it difficult to even find actresses with traditional (i.e. non-Westernized) Korean features. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that women going under the knife are aiming to take away a part of their heritage by trying to look less Korean.
Why Would They Want To Do That?
Well, surgeons are reporting that their patients fall into two categories. Those looking for a job in an increasingly competitive market, and those who want to get married. Or, as the quote puts it “women entering the marriage and job markets.” Even more worryingly, this isn’t even the worst trend.
Linked to the desire to get a job in a specific market, the new trend is for Koreans to undergo surgery that leaves their lips in a kind of ever present grin. The article cites “flight attendants, consultants and others in industries aiming to offer service with a smile” as being those where applicants are going under the knife to have this somewhat bizarre form of cosmetic procedure.
It’s not all boom time for the industry, though, as the New York Times points out. For instance, it says, the Education Ministry has issued a booklet that cites Michael Jackson and a Korean woman who committed suicide after a procedure went wrong as examples of the danger of cosmetic surgery.
This has been followed by a television documentary that secretly filmed a consultation in which the surgeon indicated that the would-be patient needed to “take the risk” if she was intending to get married. “You want to get married? Then you have to do this,” he is quoted as saying in the New York Times article.
No Pressure, Then
What this does highlight, however, is that there is a need to consult with surgeons who have an ethical code of practice and respect for the ethnicity of their patients. The aforementioned surgeon isn’t really to blame – he’s probably just reacting to the needs (or desires) of the market – but arguably that shouldn’t be used as an excuse.
A recent experiment by Australian Cleo magazine’s Phoebe Hooke revealed that she was told that, despite being young and beautiful, she needed thousands of dollars of plastic surgery in order to fit into the glamorous world of the magazine industry.
Her editor, Sharri Markson, was less than impressed, telling the News.com.au website that “surgeons should be turning these girls away, telling them they’re beautiful as they are.”
Her comments were aimed at the 18-29 market segment where girls, rather than comparing themselves to their peer group, have started to compare themselves with beauty bloggers and Instagram posters.
Wanting to look your best is one thing, but having unnecessary treatment in the search of something that just doesn’t fit isn’t advisable. Just ask anyone who has received a Trout Pout full of lip filler.
The Trout Pout
Lips can be made to look younger by plumping them a little with filler. There are non-invasive and invasive procedures that are carried out by skilled professional such as Dr. Naderi that can improve lip lines and lip shape.
For example, Dr. Naderi has a specific lip lift procedure which has something in common with the Korean Smile Lipt (permanent smile lip lift) in that it lets a few teeth show with a smiling or relaxed expression. This kind of procedure is ethnically sensitive, and enhances the natural good looks of a person rather than changing their expression irrevocably.
If a patient feels that they’d like a bit more definition and fuller lips, then a lip implant can be considered. Again, this is applied skillfully and with close attention paid to the balance and symmetry of the patient’s face, rather than trying to recreate some pre-conceived idea of aesthetic perfection.
For those who would like fuller lips but without full surgery, there are also fillers that can be used to plump up lips and add definition. They can also help turn up downturned mouths that can lead to a sad expression.
It’s easy to go over the top, though, leading to what has become known as the Trout Pout, but Dr. Naderi and Dr. Kulak are skilled in bringing out the best without exaggerating the effect.
As for eye surgery, they have a number of options that can help you to restore symmetry, as well as correct imperfections in the shape, whilst retaining the vital essence that gives each face its individuality.
The Importance of Subtlety in Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery should be used to enhance and perfect, not necessarily alter completely. It is an art mixed with scientific techniques that can, if need be, restore damaged faces, and even change them completely, but often the best effects are the most subtle.
To learn more about lip and eye surgery, facelifts, revision and plastic surgery, as well as non-invasive procedures such as fillers, please contact us at 703-481-0002 in Virginia or 301-222-2020 in Maryland for a consultation today.
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