Plastic Surgery in Japan - Statistics and Curiosities

Browsing the website of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, it is easy to find a specific ranking. In it, Japan appears consistently among the top countries.

This ranking is of the countries that perform the most plastic surgeries and aesthetic procedures in the world. And it is normal almost anywhere in the world to want to improve one's appearance.

This number has been growing steadily, among both men and women. Whether in Japan, Brazil, or elsewhere in the world, demand for these procedures keeps rising.

Surgeries

The most common surgeries are those that modify the face and head. They are surgeries such as:

• eyebrow lifts;
• ear surgery (otoplasty)
• eyelid surgeries
• hair transplants
• Rhinoplasty

In this ranking, Japan was classified in 2016 with a total of 165,496 surgical procedures. It ranked behind Brazil, the USA, Russia, Mexico, and India, and accounted for 3.9% of all surgeries of this type worldwide.

I do not know exactly why, but the most sought-after surgery in Japan is eyelid surgery. In other words, that eyelid fold seems to be a kind of beauty standard there.

So much so that the country is already one of the specialists in this technique. The number of procedures performed in 2016 reached the incredible figure of 106,177. That means more than 60% of the total surgeries of this type.

It is followed, from a distance, by rhinoplasty, which narrows the nose. With just over 23,000 procedures, the other surgeries are much less numerous and do not need much attention here.

Eyelid Surgery

Since this surgery is so common in Japan, let us explain it a little better.

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is meant to improve the appearance of the eyelids. It can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The goal is to rejuvenate the eye area, especially in a country known for its aging population.

This surgery can treat cases such as:

• Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid
• Fat deposits that appear as swelling in the eyelids
• Bags under the eyes
• Lower eyelids that sag, revealing white below the iris
• Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid

That is a simple way to understand why this procedure is so popular in Japan. The purpose of the surgery can vary beyond the examples listed here.

Conclusion

Surgeries are a major dilemma for many people. Some believe that one should not change what nature created, while others think cosmetic procedures are worth it if done with care. In the end, the important thing is to always look for accredited doctors and professionals.

We are not presenting exact figures here, but complications and deaths in surgical procedures are a serious concern. Most of those cases come from unaccredited or illegal clinics. Safety must always come first. After all, surgery has a price, but life does not.

If this topic interests you, you may also want to read about Japanese beauty tips. Share the page if you enjoyed it, and tell us in the comments what you think about plastic surgery in Japan. Thank you for reading.