In Search of Symmetry

AsianWeek.com
January 2003
www.asianweek.com/2003_01_17/feature.html

Culturally Defined Beauty
Cultural anthropology professor Yoshiko Miko Yamamoto opens a museum journal with photographs of centuries-old Asian masks and lays it next to the pages of a contemporary fashion magazine. Pointing to the features of the masks, she remarks that many of the “beautiful” visages are not symmetrical, while the contemporary fashion magazines contain page after page of young, childish waifs with round eyes and contrived, forced smiles.

“Cute is popular,” Yamamoto said. “The average person is not symmetrical but it’s a natural phenomena not to accept it,” she said, brushing away her salt-and-peppered hair.

Pushing back her glasses and intently studying the photographs, Yamamoto argues that beauty is not strictly defined by anatomical standards but is influenced by culture.

“The contrasting images of old and new ideas of beauty reflect the dynamic nature of human perception of society’s ideal,” she said. Yet, she does point out that “growing need for physical perfection” will continue to make cosmetic surgery a growing industry.

The time period, class, status and environment are the cultural variables that help mold “modern versions of beauty,” Yamamoto said. In Japan, The Tale of Genji — a novel written about courtly life in the 11th century — influenced beauty ideals and aristocratic appearance, creating an emphasis on pale faces, a robust body and flamboyant dress.

“The more roundish body showed affluence,” she said. “It was a symbol or sign of wealth. Today, everyone is getting slimmer and prefers dark skin. Many years ago, farmers use to cover their faces to prevent a dark complexion.”

Yamamoto states that with the economic affluence in modernized countries, people opt to change their lifestyles and image. “Ideals are not necessarily global,” Yamamoto remarked. “Versions of beauty vary from culture to culture. Media influences and the idolization of popular star icons have made a drastic change in contemporary Japan’s version of beauty.”

She theorizes that young people are a “lost generation who seek identity” with a peer group. Standards of beauty are getting more uniform through media, which appeals to young generations.

“Plastic surgery won’t change genetics. But the growing impact of technology and cultural contact with other countries will allow plastic surgery to survive because styles and types will change and human nature will persuade people to go under the knife,” she said.

Still slightly optimistic, Yamamoto sighs, “Pretty won’t get you far though. Creativity and uniqueness is rewarded. Facial modification is not permanent because the face changes and constantly needs to be modified as one ages. It’s also time-consuming and expensive.”

Asian Pacific American Beauty
Dr. Won Hyok Bae contends that culture has redefined techniques
— especially concerning blepharoplasty. Ten to 20 years ago, many eyelid surgeries were performed to make the eyes look Caucasian. Bae points out that the anatomical structure of the Asian lid prevents this procedure from resulting in an aesthetically pleasing result.

“The current trend is more natural and Asian-looking eyelid and natural fold,” Bae said.

Bae, whose client base is 90 percent Korean, claims that Korean television and movie stars have a different appearance and that many of the trends in plastic surgery reflect this. Sam Mi Ja, a movie star 10 years ago had a tall, high eyelid fold with a deep-set orbital area which resulted from too much fat removal. Recent Korean icons like Shim Eun Ha have small creases and many of her fans request a similar look.

Bae also points out that Asians tend to have a mesocephalic shaped head — one that is shorter and rounder. He contends that Caucasian heads tend to have a dolichocephalic head — one that is slender and longer.

“Applying the same proportions to the different skeletal frame would be making a huge, horrendous mistake,” Bae said.

Maas agrees that surgical procedures on APAs have changed. “Older western versions of the high lid fold are not as popular,” he explains. “ Surgeons are increasingly becoming more culturally and ethnically sensitive.”

Constant Remodeling
Rita*, a solidly built Laotian woman, walks through the door with a self-assured presence. Her gait is firm and one can’t help but notice her smart clothes, gold accessories, coifed hair and quiet elegance.

“Hello,” she says, as she seats herself on the sofa. “Are you the one I was suppose to speak to?”

Her lips are swollen and she speaks carefully and deliberately.

“Are you here to see the doctor?” I ask.

She explains that she has recently had surgery on her lips. A small, soft piece of synthetic foam was inserted into her lips to give them a fuller effect. She says she feels prettier after having her operation 18 days ago. Though her lips feel tight and are not quite healed yet, her confidence in her surgeon is still strong.

“He’s very good,” she says.

Upon talking to her, I discover that cosmetic surgery has been a part of her life for the past 10 years. At age 42, she admits to having had blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, breast enlargement, liposuction, scar removal and lip surgery. In five years, she plans to have a facelift. None of her surgery has been covered by insurance and she explains that it has been a costly habit.

“I attract more attention and people say nice things to me,” Rita explains. “I like to dress up and people say I look sexy. I don’t care what people think of me. I feel confident.”

With Rita, plastic surgery operations have been another way of life. Her comfortable income as a business executive has allowed her to continue her operations. Looking at her face, it is hard to imagine what she looked like before the operation. There are no traces of scars; however, her face seems stiff, tight and poreless. She explains that her standards of beauty are not affected by mathematical standards, cultural influences or idol worshipping. She contends that all of the operations were done out of a personal vision of beauty.

Constantly changing her face has been a way to “bring out her confidence” but some doctors say that patients like Rita, with numerous surgeries under their belts, may border on obsessive-compulsive behavior.

“People who overuse cosmetic surgery have a body image disorder,” Maas said. “It’s like anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Treatment can be dangerous to these patients. It’s all about managing expectations and educating people of clear and realistic outcomes. We concentrate on people who want to look good on the outside as they feel on the inside.”

Rita’s name is called by the receptionist and she excuses herself and walks to the front desk.

Shortly afterwards, Vicki returns to the reception area and sits down. She watches Rita walk into the surgeons office, the door closes tightly behind her. The receptionist delivers one last compliment, “That Rita is gorgeous,” she says. “Just gorgeous.”


*Names have been changed.


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