In many Asian cultures, there has been a noticeable shift towards valuing certain facial features such as wide eyes, slimmer jaws, and high-bridge noses. These aesthetic preferences have, in part, been influenced by global beauty standards, media representations, and cultural trends, leading to a rise in cosmetic surgery procedures aimed at achieving these features. Procedures like double eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), jawline reduction, and rhinoplasty are becoming more common as people seek to meet these beauty ideals.
The emphasis on these features is often associated with a desire for a more "Westernized" appearance, though it is not always explicitly framed as such. The beauty standard of having wide eyes, for example, is linked to perceptions of youthfulness and vibrancy, while slimmer jaws and high-bridge noses are seen as refined and elegant.
A significant trend that plastic surgeons are noticing is the growing popularity of these procedures among younger individuals, sometimes even in their teens and early twenties. This trend may be driven by a variety of factors, including social media influence, peer pressure, and an increased focus on appearance in the digital age, where photo editing apps and filters play a large role in shaping beauty ideals. Additionally, the normalization of cosmetic procedures in popular culture has made them more acceptable and accessible to younger generations.
The increasing demand for these surgeries in Asian countries underscores how beauty standards are evolving, often blending traditional and contemporary influences, and how they are shaping the choices of a younger demographic.
The Eyes - Double eyelid surgery and Canthoplasty
The double eyelid surgery creates a fold in the upper eyelid when the eye is open. The monolid, or single eyelid, is a common feature in people from East Asia, which is why this has become so popular in Asian aesthetics. This procedure varies between cases to suit the patient's needs. For example, some have excess tissue in the upper eyelid that needs to be removed to create the desired fold. In cases like this, an incision is made on the upper eyelid. There are also cases where there is no excess tissue, so only sutures are needed to create the fold in the skin.
A Canthoplasty looks at the canthal tilt of the eye. This is determined by comparing the point at which the upper and lower eyelids meet in the inner eye and the outer eye. The inner eye is used as a base. Then, look at whether the meeting point of the outer eye is lower than (negative tilt), in line with (neutral tilt), or above (positive tilt) the inner meeting point. A negative or neutral tilt is associated with looking bored/tired and can encourage sagging of the outer eye with age. So, a canthoplasty tackles this by tightening the ligaments in the outer eye. This creates an elongated look, as well as positioning the outer eye into a positive canthal tilt.
These two procedures are performed to prevent the eyes from looking tired or sagging or reduce this if this has already started to show. For many, having a single eyelid or a negative canthal tilt can make them appear older than they are, or appear bored. Trying to tackle this at an early stage can often prevent signs of ageing and help with confidence. Having large, youthful eyes is a beauty standard that many countries around the world hold, but Asian countries tend to also focus on achieving an almost shaped eye with a double eyelid as well.
The Jaw - Asian Jawline Reduction
Jawline revision surgery, along with the double eyelid surgery, is one of the most popular treatments in Asian aesthetics right now. This is also one of the most obvious places where beauty standards differ from the West. In the West, a strong, angular jaw paired with a shorter chin is seen as very attractive. However, in East Asia, many praise the softer shape, trying to achieve a heart-shaped or inverted triangle-shaped face. This means a slimmer jawline with a more pointed chin to create this shape. The standard tries to steer women away from looking ‘harsh’ by creating this overall look.
This procedure is done by making incisions inside the mouth to reach the lower jaw bone or the mandible. The focus of this surgery when achieving the slimmer look is to reduce the size of the angle in the mandible bone. The bone will be shaved down to create the desired look, and the incisions will be closed. This is not a procedure performed by Mr Ho-Asjoe, but it is available at other London clinics.
The Nose - Asian Rhinoplasty
Generally, in the West, many focus on having a smaller nose with an upturned tip. The ‘ski slope’ look is very favourable, and many think that the smaller the nose, the better. In Asian aesthetics, many look for a nose with a higher (yet still slender) bridge, with the tip at a 90-degree angle. With this look, for some, adding volume to the nose has led to developments in procedures used for this.
A traditional rhinoplasty, if being used to create a higher bridge, will use grafts from places such as the ear cartilage or the skill bone. This is a trusted method, but is very invasive. So, the non-surgical rhinoplasty became a popular option. A non-surgical rhinoplasty uses dermal fillers to create the desired shape in the nose. A cannula is inserted through the tip of the nose and the filler is injected as needed.
A non-surgical rhinoplasty is a popular option as it is not only less invasive but is reversible. Fillers generally last for up to two years and can be dissolved as needed. This allows patients the option to reverse the procedure if they are not happy with the results.
Conclusions
Many believe that Asian aesthetics are used to erase typical Asian features, but this is not true. Many of these standards come from cultural standards and norms that are only seen in East Asia. For example, the idea of creating a heart-shaped face differs from the Western ideal of the more prominent jawline. All procedures used take care to preserve each patient's features and unique look, whilst also achieving the goals the patient has envisioned.
Mr Mark Ho Asjoe has worked in Asian aesthetics for many years. Book a consultation with Mr Mark Ho Asjoe to begin discussing your needs and to make a bespoke plan to tackle your issues.