More Black Women Trying Cosmetic Surgery
Some Question Motives
by Shaena Henry
From the Howard University News Service
Growing numbers of women of color who no longer fear the stigma or shame associated with cosmetic surgery are going under the knife. (see video)
In 2005, African Americans accounted for more than 760,000 cosmetic procedures performed, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The most commonly requested cosmetic procedures by are rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), liposuction, and breast reduction, which raises the question of patients attempting to erase the broader noses and curvier silhouettes associated with their ethnicity.
Doctors say sistas store more fat in the breasts and buttocks than women of other races and liposuction is an affective resolution. Thus, cosmetic surgery is being viewed as Generation Next's alternative to skin bleaching creams and hair straightening products from the days of Madame C.J. Walker.
In the 2005 documentary, “A Girl Like Me”, director Kiri Davis interviews young African-American girls about the standards of beauty that have been forced on them by society and how it influences their self-image. She also directs the “doll test”, originally conducted by Dr. Kenneth Clark for use in the case of Brown vs. the Board of Education. Davis’ test results showed that 15 out of 21 children preferred a white doll over a Black doll.
That doesn't seem to matter, however, to out people these days. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery quadrupled among African Americans between 1999 and 2001. Looks like if you have a problem with a nip/tuck in 07, you're just going to have to get over it.