How Much is Plastic Surgery in Korea Becoming Acceptable?

Written by Chelsea Kim. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

When Korea was still guided by traditional values and Confucian teachings, getting plastic surgery in Korea was still relatively unheard of, or at least most people would hide the fact that they had done so. But in modern day Korea, this fear of being harshly reprimanded is no longer pronounced. Now, many people from all over the world believe that transforming their bodies through cosmetic surgery is just another way to better themselves; this is especially the case for Koreans who strongly believe in empowerment through surgery. How much is plastic surgery in Korea becoming acceptable, really?

Look at modern day North Korea: they have relaxed their fashion rules as a sign of progress, and now, many of the women in North Korea are openly seeking out cosmetic surgery procedures. Previously, they would have to abide by strict codes of conduct on their appearances. Now, there is a stronger demand for women to look physically beautiful and many university students are turning to cosmetic surgery for a chance to work abroad.

“The demand on women to look beautiful is much stronger than it used to be,” a source in Yangkang Province had told the Daily NK. “Blepharoplasty [known as double eyelid surgery, a common procedure in South Korea] and cosmetic tattooing on the eyes and lips are all getting more popular these days.”

Still, it is said that minor procedures are the most common for young, 20-something year old women. In South Korea, the trend is the same here according to plastic surgery statistics – less invasive hair and skin treatments are all the rage and account for the most number of procedures done.

Disclaimer: (The picture above was derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp)

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Korean-American Author on Extreme Korean Plastic Surgery: I Don’t Hate Myself or Want to Be White

Written by Chelsea Kim. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

Often enough, there are numerous monthly news reports on the extreme Korean plastic surgery that’s going on in Asia. The overall message in these articles are all chiming to the tune of "Asians want to look less Asian". Eung Hong, a Korean-American writer has had a lot to say about this; in fact, she wholly disagrees with the notion, as reported in an article by the Huffington Post, “I Don’t Hate Myself or Want to be White”. We think that it is a refreshing take on the matter, and it's about time someone had spoken up about it.

She argues with the common assumption that Asians opting for plastic surgery in Korea are trying to look like people of a different race. This assumption is unfortunately one of the top 3 myths about Asian surgery. As she told HuffPost Live, “We need to stop assuming that a person’s choice to have a cosmetic procedure is fueled by negative self-assessment or a desire to adhere to a Western beauty standard.”

Eung Hong had grown up in South Korea and is familiar with South Korea's image-conscious culture; she had undergone double eyelid surgery. In a Wall Street editorial piece, last year, Hong had said her decision to get her eyes done had nothing to do with “Asian self-hatred and white worship”, a common criticism aimed at Asian women who choose to go under the knife. As she further explains, “I did it because I was dissatisfied with my appearance, of course, but not because I wanted to look Caucasian.” She even jokingly says that her choice was simply done for vanity. Eung Hong’s reasons may lie in self-empowerment, but she is not a blind supporter of cosmetic surgery; she does not recommend the same for everyone else, going on to say, “I think it’s healthy to be suspicious of cosmetic surgery. I think there are definitely cases in which it should not be done, like young children.”

Note: The related HuffPost Live video of Eung Hang speaking her mind can be found over at the Huffington Post.

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What to Know Before the Korean Plastic Surgery Thigh Lift Operation

Written by Chelsea Kim. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

The purpose of the Korean plastic surgery thigh lift operation is to reshape the thighs and give them a much firmer appearance. This is done by reducing the amount of excess skin, and if needed, some inner thigh liposuction as well.

When do you need this?

Fitness and weight loss are certainly important when it comes to getting the physique that you want, but there are certain things that cannot be changed entirely, and one of the is the consistency of your skin. Your skin has the amazing ability to shrink and stretch to your body’s shape; however, there is a certain limit to its abilities, especially when the changes that you are making are drastic ones. Thigh lift surgery falls under the category of Korean skin surgery, precisely because it focuses on the skin.

The best candidates for this procedure are patients whose weight is now relatively stable. While you can still gain and lose some weight after the surgery, if you resort to drastic changes, chances are that your thigh skin will become loose again. These types of surgeries are best done on healthy individuals who have now chosen to lead a physical active lifestyle that will keep their weight relatively stable.

The operation procedure

The thigh lift operation is done under general anaesthesia, which gives the best comfort to the patient, and also allows the doctor to work under less stressful conditions. Where the incisions will be made depends entirely on which parts of your thighs have the most loose skin that needs adjusting. It is common that an incision will be made in groin area, because this would speed up the recovery process and make the potential scars look least visible. The matrix of the tissue will be rearranged, and the skin will be either reduced or re-draped, depending on the plan of the procedure.

The recovery process for this cosmetic surgery in Korea begins with bandages applied to your incisions, as well as a resting period so that the recovery process can begin as soon as possible. Patients are usually kept in the clinic for a day of two so that they can rest and the doctors can have a look at the initial healing taking place immediately after the operation. Once the patient is allowed to return to their home, they are required to keep all physical activity to a minimum during the first week, after which they can gradually begin to move more. It is important that the incisions heal as best they can without being torn by movement. The doctor will give specific instructions on more detailed recovery plans at home which should be followed at all times. If the patient experiences any shortness of breath, swelling, or any other irregularities, they must report to their doctor immediately for a check up. The results can be seen almost immediately after the operation, and they will continue to be strongly visible for as long as the patient continue with a healthy and active lifestyle.

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Asian Male Rhinoplasty and Other Cosmetic Surgeries Experiences a Surge in Popularity

Written by Chelsea Kim. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

South Korea has come a long way in earning a reputation for being one of the world’s most cosmetically enhanced country.

According to plastic surgery statistics, getting rhinoplasty done in Korea is on the rise for both men and women. Looking at 2013, the AAFPRS had found a 10 percent increase in rhinoplasty procedures done in 2013 over 2012. Another study of theirs have also found that the rise of “selfies” has been a huge impact on the increase in requests for plastic surgery procedures.

Perhaps this case is not limited to America alone. Looking back to the last few decades, Seoul’s Gangnam district was one of the least developed areas. Now, it’s described as the heart of Seoul’s cosmetic surgery industry, with over hundreds of clinics packed together in this district alone.
It’s been going on for a while now: In 2007, around 38 percent of Korean male adolescents between the ages 15 to 19 had been opposed to the idea of getting plastic surgery in Korea and elsewhere in the world. They were just against the entire idea. Only 32 percent were for, and not against the idea.

This year, according to Yonhap News Agency, a recent poll that was conducted has found that half of Seoul’s teenage boys favours plastic surgery -- 49.4% to be exact. As for how many were opposed to the idea? A drop in percentage, with only 16.9% who answered, “no” instead of 2007’s recorded 38% rate of rejection. The most popularly requested of the lot includes minor skin and hair treatments, eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty, followed by more invasive facial contouring. So, it's really not just women but men who are embracing this; it even has its own terms on the internet now, with "Asian Male Rhinoplasty" or "Male Cosmetic Surgery" being a thing.

Times are changing, that’s for sure; getting plastic surgery in Asia was never really a huge thing until very recently, with more and more people becoming more tolerant of this pursuit, whereas once it was a taboo subject subjugated by the country’s conservative culture and Confucian teachings.

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The Korean Plastic Surgery Brow Lift Procedure

Written by Chelsea Kim. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

The Korean plastic surgery brow lift procedure is popular with the older generation crowd. As people age, the skin on their brows begins to soften and to sag a little. This drop causes additional wrinkles to appear on the face, which can change your ‘resting’ expression to angry, sad or tired. Facial contouring surgery can help with this problem by placing your brows in a higher position.

How is a brow lift achieved?

In order for a surgeon to achieve this he must cut a line from ear to ear behind the hair line. This allows him access to the most prominent face muscles, after which he can release the required muscles, remove extra skin, and then lift the eyebrows to a higher position. This procedure can be modified to fit any shape of head and forehead, and the place of the cut is slightly different from person to person depending on their anatomy. Sometimes, the surgeon will insert small hooks in the back of the cut which will hold the skin and muscles in place. The hooks are made of natural material and they will melt over time as the operation heals. Once they disappear completely, the patient will be left with higher brows and less wrinkles. Patients who ask for this procedure as usually between 40 and 60 years old, since this is the age when the skin begins to sag.

What can you do as a patient to help?

As with any cosmetic surgery in Korea, you need to be as informed about the procedure as possible. The Korean plastic surgery brow lift will usually feel a little uncomfortable right after the operation is done. This is because the cuts and the new changes made to your skin will need some time to heal before you have access to all of your facial expressions again. There is nothing to worry about however, because your skin will heal quite quickly, and will allow itself to be reshaped according to the doctor’s incisions made.

In order for the entire procedure to heal, it usually takes 10 to 14 days. Patients are advised not to try and use other products to speed up the healing process, because the best end results will only appear if you allow your body to regenerate and heal at its own pace. You can of course make sure that you drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet, because this will give your body the strength and energy it needs to recover.

Plastic surgery in Asia has evolved to give its customers comfort, satisfaction and greater self-esteem. While you should always make sure that you are in touch with the best doctors available, the plastic surgery industry as a whole in South Korea is one of the best known in the world. In fact, with plastic surgeries being so popular in Korea, it will be a lot easier for you as a patient to find reviews by people who have done it in certain clinics before, and with this information, to find the clinic that is the best one for you.

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