| At one time, the scope and outcome of many | | | | success. In the past, lasers often burned and |
| cosmetic surgery procedures was limited by a lack of | | | | discolored African American skin, making it look blotchy |
| resources and a misunderstanding of the wide variety | | | | and uneven. |
| of aesthetic preferences that exists. | | | | Now skilled technicians have a greater understanding |
| Plastic surgery was often reserved for the few elite | | | | of how to successfully treat darker pigments. Laser |
| who usually preferred upturned button noses and large | | | | resurfacing can help remove acne scars, rough skin, |
| breasts. Today cosmetic surgery is more affordable | | | | and uneven skin tone. Laser hair removal is also |
| and available to a wider variety of people from | | | | possible and able to treat ingrown hairs that can be |
| different ethnic backgrounds than ever before. | | | | prevalent in the African American population. |
| Because cosmetic surgery has evolved so much in | | | | Although Caucasians often prefer breast |
| the past decades, more people than ever are | | | | augmentation, breast reduction is gaining popularity |
| embracing the opportunity to enhance their unique | | | | among African American women. Beyond aesthetics, |
| individual beauty, including the African American | | | | excessively large breasts can cause emotional and |
| community. And in order to meet these individual | | | | physical discomfort. Posture is affected, back pain is |
| needs, there are many plastic surgeons that specialize | | | | common, and finding properly fitted clothing and |
| in treating African American patients. | | | | undergarments can be difficult. Breast reduction |
| The goal of a specialized cosmetic surgeon is not to | | | | surgery relieves associated pain and often boosts |
| erase ethnic identity, but rather to address specific | | | | confidence allowing women to partake in more |
| needs and challenges that occur within the population; | | | | activities such as athletics. It is also one of the few |
| the outcome of which improves natural beauty, boosts | | | | cosmetic procedures that is covered by many health |
| self-esteem, and retains individuality. | | | | insurance companies. |
| Within the African American community there are | | | | Lack of understanding and skill is no longer an issue for |
| genetic predispositions that have made plastic surgery | | | | people of different ethnic backgrounds. If you're |
| difficult in the past. For example, keloid scars can | | | | interested in undergoing plastic surgery, either to |
| develop on any patient after incision; however, African | | | | improve your appearance, confidence, or to find relief |
| Americans and those with dark skin pigmentation have | | | | from a painful condition, there are many specialized |
| a fifteen percent greater chance of developing them. | | | | cosmetic surgeons who are sensitive to the unique |
| A keloid scar has an unpleasant texture, can feel itchy | | | | nature and needs of different ethnic backgrounds. |
| and uncomfortable, and often causes emotional | | | | New technology and techniques allow people of all |
| distress due to its prominence. Although this is a risk | | | | races and communities to undergo successful |
| that everyone will face after a cosmetic surgery, there | | | | cosmetic procedures without compromising their |
| are procedures that can help remove them (as well as | | | | individuality. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon, |
| keloids caused by previous injuries). | | | | researching the procedure, and having realistic |
| Laser skin treatments are another cosmetic surgery | | | | expectations can help you achieve your aesthetic |
| that, at one time, could not be performed on darker | | | | goals no matter what your background. |
| pigmented skin, but now can be performed with great | | | | |