Asian Breast Characteristics
As stated in a study published by the National Institutes of Health, Asian women tend to be short and slender, with low body mass index compared to African Americans and Westerners. Most Asian women have small breasts, small areolas, and large nipples. Many Asian women have B-cup sized breasts, while some are closer to A-cup.
A common breast deformity observed frequently among Asian women, particularly after childbirth, is an extremely large, round-shaped nipple with a small areola. Patients with this flaw often want it corrected at the same time as their breast augmentation surgery.
Asian Breast Augmentation Surgical Procedures
Cosmetic plastic surgeons and their patients have many choices to make before beginning breast augmentation surgery, including:
- Implant type (saline, silicone, cohesive gel)
- Implant manufacturer and model
- Implant characteristics
- Placement of the implant
- Incision
Although each patient is unique, Asian women in general prefer a transaxillary surgical approach (incision in the natural fold of the armpit), high-profile saline implants, and implant placement under the muscle. Average augmentation is approximately 300 cubic centimeters. Cohesive silicone implants are the most popular implant type, but every option will be discussed so you can make an educated decision.
Asian Breast Augmentation Considerations
In considering a surgical approach for Asian breast augmentation, the Asian tendency to produce hypertrophic scars must be taken into account. Hypertrophic scarring is an excessive overgrowth of dense, red, pink, or purple collagen tissue at the site of the injury. Because of the risk of scarring, an incision in the inframammary fold, where the base of the breast meets the rib case, may not be the best option for Asian American patients.
Surgical alternatives to avoid visible brown scarring under the breasts may include:
- Trans-umbilical approach (via the navel)
- Peri-areola approach (incision is made half-way around the edge of the areola)
- Transaxillary approach (incision in the fold of the armpit)
Because Asian women tend to be small and slender, implant size is also an important consideration. The appropriate implant size for any given Asian woman will depend on several factors, including physical measurements and pre-operative breast tissue volume.
A naturally occurring C or D cup is uncommon among Asian women. Larger implants should be generally avoided for a breast appearance that is attractive and feminine, but still natural-looking in proportion to the rest of the body, for aesthetic balance.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon for Asian Breast Augmentation
If you are an Asian American woman considering breast augmentation surgery, it is important to choose your implant size and your surgeon very carefully. Tracy Pfeifer, MD is a plastic surgeon who has been successfully performing breast augmentation procedures on people from all walks of life, and various ethnicities, for more than 18 years.
Dr. Pfeifer has been rated 4.82 out of 5 on Real Patient Ratings, based on 253 ratings, with excellent patient reviews. She has been recognized in New York Magazine as a plastic surgeon “on the cutting edge.” She is committed to excellent care and providing her patients with warm and personalized attention to their needs. Call our office for a consultation.