BREAST AUGMENTATION IN ASIAN WOMEN - A DIFFERENT BALLGAME

 

BREAST AUGMENTATION IN ASIAN WOMEN

Breast augmentation, aka breast enlargement surgery, is one of the most sought after procedures in the world. Asia has been a hotspot for plastic surgery, where many people from overseas even choose to have their operation here. With that in mind, you would think that breast augmentation among Asian women would be common. In reality, the number of breast surgery performed in Asian women is not as high as you might expect. This is probably because of the stigma that many Asian countries still have about plastic surgery.

However, times are changing. Many are becoming more open about their desire to undergo surgery. As a result, many clinics are offering breast surgery services specifically for Asian women. Surgeons have more factors to consider when working with an Asian patient, compared to their Western counterparts.

Asian women usually have a shorter, slimmer frame, with lower body mass. They typically have smaller breasts, with small areolas and large nipples. A common trait of Asian breasts are large, round-shaped nipples with a small areola. It is also common for Asian women to lose breast volume as they age, or after pregnancy, thus resulting in sagging breasts.

That is why many Asian women are now opting to  undergo breast augmentation to get that youthful, active look. Along with breast augmentation, many also opt to have the size of their nipples reduced to create more proportionate looking breasts.

If you’re of Asian descent and are considering undergoing breast augmentation, here is a guide on some of the factors you need to think about, to give you a better understanding of the procedure, before you see your surgeon.

Implant Size

Most women consider D-cup breasts as the ideal size when considering breast enlargement surgery. However, as we established earlier, Asian women have a more petite frame, resulting in smaller breasts and chest diameter. A significant number of Asian women have B-sized cups, and some are even closer to A-cups.

For breast augmentation For Asian women, smaller size implants are better. Increasing your breast from an A cup to a B or C cup achieves a more feminine and natural silhouette depending on your built and bone structure. Going up to a D cup can result in breasts that look disproportionately bigger than your frame, leading you to feel uncomfortable about your body. During your consultation, it is best to follow the advice of your surgeon and to manage your own expectations.

Implant Profile

An essential factor to consider when thinking about the overall look of your breasts is projection. With breast enlargement for Asian women, accounts may vary when it comes to their surgery’s recommended implant profile.

Moderate profile implants are said to give great cleavage but in a more subtle and wholesome manner. An extra high profile implant desired in many Western countries may also work, though it creates a more “done” look. At the same time, it has a higher risk of rippling among Asian women.

It is essential to talk to your surgeon in detail about this to find the right profile for your body type. You can choose between a high or moderate profile implant. Some brands even offer implant projection between those two called moderate plus, giving you both profiles’ benefits.

Implant Texture

Textured implants, or the ones with a rough exterior shell, have been found to cause complications, both aesthetic and health-wise. It usually results in too much rippling for thinner frames. More importantly, it increases the risk of Breast Implant-Associated Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of lymphoma that can form around implants, as its textured surface is more prone to catch bacteria, and invoke a negative response with the immune system.

Many surgeons prefer smooth texture implants or microtextured implants as they produce softer, more natural results, with fewer risks of implant-related complications.

Implant Filling

Again, rippling is a common issue when doing breast enlargement surgery among Asian women. Saline breast implants are filled with a sterilized saltwater solution after the shell is placed in the breast area. This may cause rippling or ‘wrinkling’ because of the water-like consistency of the solution.

On the other hand, silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel, which results in a firmer feel. It produces more natural looking results.

Surgical Incision

Aside from breast size, Asians’ skin reacts differently to scarring compared to their Western counterparts. Their skin is very fine and delicate, which is impressive as it makes them age more gracefully. However, when it comes to surgery, they tend to develop either pigmented or raised scars. Also, Asian women are more private about having work done, hiding any possible scars that indicate their operation. During the consultation, make sure your plastic surgeon uses an incision technique that results in minimal scarring.

A common incision technique used in breast augmentation for Asian women is the Trans-Axillary incision. Here, the incisions are made in the armpit’s crease, and the implant is inserted through specialized cameras and instruments. It leaves a small scar in the armpit- none in the breast area- only visible when you raise your arm.

With that said, Trans-Axillary incisions give the surgeon less control with the implant’s placement, which may result in complications and undesirable results. So, most surgeons either use Periareolar or Inframammary incisions to their patients, including Asian women. 

A periareolar incision is done around the inferior areolar edge. This is a valuable option if you want a mild to moderate breast lift from your surgery. On the other hand, Inframammary incision is done in the crease underneath the breast. This is the ideal incision as it leaves only a thin, 1 to 2-inch scar hidden under the crease. It also gives your surgeon the best access to the surgical site.

Ideally your surgeon should have all the knowledge and skills in scar enhancement post-surgery such as the use of appropriate laser therapy such as CO2 fractional, Microneedling Radiofrequency, Pico Laser and Tixel therapy. 

Implant Placement

Because of their smaller breasts, Asian women have less breast tissue to work with. The wrong placement of the breast implant may lead to rippling and other aesthetic issues. For Asian women undergoing breast enlargement, extra coverage sometimes with fat grafting is essential.

Many surgeons recommend placing the implant under the chest muscle, which they call the “Subpectoral” or “Submuscular” placement. As it is placed under the muscle, implants become less visible, creating a more natural look and accentuating the breast tissue over it. There is also less risk of sagging because the muscle supports the weight of your breast.

Motiva Implants® for Breast Augmentation among Asian Women

Motiva®, the 6th generation breast implants, has brought satisfaction to many Asian women who underwent breast enlargement surgery, since it has been cleared for commercial distribution in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and, now, the Philippines.

The Motiva® Round Implants are filled with a silicone gel known as ProgressiveGel® Plus, giving a younger and fuller aesthetic appearance, with the highest projection. With over 500 types of implants- of varying sizes and profiles- to choose from, Motiva® makes it easier for you to find implants proportionate to your body. Its stable gel also results in a firmer feel, lessening the risk of rippling after surgery.

Motiva Implants® have a SmoothSilk®/SilkSurface® shell, achieved through 3D nanotechnology imprinting. This smooth surface minimizes bacteria’s growth and attachment, reducing the risk of capsular contracture, late seroma, and BIA-ALCL. It also allows your surgeon to insert the implant through smaller incisions, resulting in minimal scarring.

Speaking of scarring, Motiva® has a TrueMonobloc® shell, creating an implant structure with equal tensile strength. This allows the implant to be easily inserted through a smaller incision (2.5cm to 3cm), thus a smaller scar post-operation.

Finally, a 6-year prospective study shows that breast augmentation surgeries, using Motiva Implants® resulted in less than 1% of cases of implant complications. It has lower capsular contraction rates, late seroma, and BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma).

Skin Check Malaysia (Medical Specialist Clinic 2nd floor), Selangor, Malaysia | Motiva®

Right Surgeon for Breast Augmentation on Asian Women

Aside from the right implant, a credible and experienced surgeon is vital in breast augmentation among Asian women. As we established, Asian bodies have particular needs during surgery. 

Does your surgeon routinely perform breast augmentation- How many cases has he performed? Can you see his body of work? Does he have patients whom you can speak to who had underwent breast augmentation surgery under his care? Where was your surgeon trained in breast augmentation? Is your surgeon an authority on breast surgery - published scientific research and books on the subject matter? 

With the right implant and a professional surgeon, you are assured with a safe operation, achieving your desired results.