Cosmetic Surgery and the Diversity of Cultural and Ethnic Perceptions of Facial, Breast, and Gluteal Aesthetics in Women: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

An increasing number of people are opting for cosmetic surgeries. For many years, the physical and aesthetic appearance of Caucasians has been considered to be ideal. However, it is now commonly acknowledged that attractiveness and aesthetic standards vary among cultural backgrounds and ethnic groups and that Western attractiveness criteria no longer apply to all. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive review of studies that examined cultural and ethnic variations in preferences for facial, breast, and gluteal aesthetics, as well as reviewed studies that investigated ethnic disparities in attitudes and motivations for cosmetic surgery. A total of 4532 references were identified, 66 of which met the inclusion criteria. Several studies have reported that facial golden ratios are invalid for representing perceived attractiveness standards among different ethnicities. The majority of studies also indicated that facial aesthetic interventions should not aim to Westernize but to optimize ethnic traits. Significant ethnic differences in preferences for upper- and lower-pole breast proportions have been reported. The size of the buttocks and waist-to-hip ratio were identified as the main factors of buttock aesthetics, with buttock size preferences having a high ethnic diversity. Interest in cosmetic surgical procedures while maintaining ethnic identity continues to grow among young women worldwide. This comprehensive review strongly suggests that accommodating cultural and ethnic differences in aesthetic standards in cosmetic surgery planning can lead to more acceptable cosmetic outcomes.

Public Views About Cosmetic Procedures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…A significant proportion of individuals indicated the impact of media and celebrity culture. The aforementioned discovery aligns with previous research that highlights the influence of media and cultural ideals of beauty on individuals' perceptions of their own bodies and aspirations for cosmetic procedures [7,22]. The proposition posits that media depictions and the sway of celebrities have the capacity to mold individuals' conceptions of attractiveness and play a role in their impetus to pursue cosmetic interventions [3,7].…”

Aesthetically Ideal Breasts Created With Artificial Intelligence: Validating the Literature, Racial Differences, and Deep Fakes

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Cross‐cultural perspectives on patient expectations in cosmetic dermatology: A comparative analysis across countries and ethnicities

“…[3][4][5] The rise of globalization has led to an increased occurrence of cosmetic surgical interventions, where the diverse ethnic backgrounds of surgeons and patients are interfacing on the operation table. 6 Similarly, research suggests that favorable aesthetic features in beauty are predominantly influenced by subjective editorial decisions rather than objective principles, highlighting the emphasis on North American and European standards of beauty. 7 Alongside, the proliferation of social media and media exposure has become a significant factor in disseminating Western beauty standards and exerting influence.…”