It’s the biggest news in ethnic plastic surgery since Queen Latifah’s boob job.

Recently released statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that cosmetic procedures were up in 2008 by 11 percent among ethnic patients, while declining by 2 percent among Caucasians.

Part of the increase can be linked to our diversifying society. Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. They also accounted for the largest rise in ethnic procedures, with an increase of 18 percent.

But the increases can also be linked to advancements in procedures that allow patients to maintain their ethnic appearance, says ASPS President John Canady. The rise in variety and popularity of minimally-invasive procedures also has to be factored in. Today’s laser technology can be used on dark skin as well as light skin without significant risk of scarring. And more doctors of color are specializing in plastics and dermatology.

Skins vary from ethnic group to ethnic group in more ways than just color. Textures differ, and darker skin tends to be thicker. A concern for African-American patients is often keloid scarring. But minimally-invasive treatments – the most requested of which among multicultural clients are Botox, injectable fillers and chemical peels – have a lower chance of these unwanted side effects. The most requested surgeries among African-Americans are breast reduction and liposuction.

According to the ASPS, Hispanics comprised 10 percent of the 12 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed in 2008, with nearly 1.3 million procedures; African Americans made up 8 percent with 910,000 procedures, up 10 percent; and Asians accounted for 7 percent with 866,000 procedures, up 5 percent.
PlasticSurgery.com http://www.plasticsurgery.com/nose-surgery/more-ethnic-groups-seek-plastic-surgery-a378.aspx

• What’s the deal with Queen Latifah?  Click here.
• Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgeons in  Beverly Hills specializes in ethnic procedures.