Plastic Surgery In Japan
Hilda Bagnoli
The remaining stigma has not discouraged thousands of Japanese patients from seeking aesthetic enhancements each year. According to the ISAPS International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures performed in 2020, Japan ranked fourth for most procedures performed in the world, after the USA, Brazil and Germany. The survey reports that:
Modern plastic surgery gained a strong foothold in Japan in the 1950s. Methods of reconstructive plastic surgery used to treat World War II battlefield injuries were adapted for elective cosmetic surgery. This eventually led to the first annual meeting of the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 1958.
During this period, technologies and techniques were primarily brought to Japan from Western countries, where cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery was already a well-established specialty. Many Japanese doctors studied in Western countries before returning to Japan to practice.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery became an official specialty in Japan in 1975. This era saw some young Japanese surgeons succeeding overseas, while others at home developed innovations in microsurgery, craniofacial surgery and tissue expansion.
Overall, Japanese patients were significantly more likely to be motivated by external factors than patients in the four other countries/regions included in the study (China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan).
Today, attitudes towards cosmetic surgery are noticeably more liberal. This has been attributed to a variety of factors, including greater emphasis on self-expression, extreme competition in the job market and the proliferation of noninvasive techniques that are more convenient, affordable and temporary.
Where nonsurgical procedures are concerned, the 2020 ISAPS survey found that hair removal was the most popular choice for Japanese patients. It was followed in the top five by treatments to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, nonsurgical fat reduction treatments and photorejuvenation.
As interest in Japanese plastic surgery grows around the world, more and more patients in Australia seek surgeons who understand the techniques and sensibilities that make the Japanese approach distinctive. Our specialist plastic surgeons founded Asian Plastic Surgery to serve the needs of this unique and discerning community.
To request a consultation for Japanese plastic surgery in Sydney, contact us on (02) 5104 9703 or fill out our enquiry form today. Our team aim to provide the very highest standard of care to Asian patients in Sydney and throughout Australia.
There are a number of plastic surgery clinics in Tokyo that have English-speaking staff and are well-accustomed to dealing with international clients. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most popular plastic surgery clinics in Tokyo as well as common procedures available in Japan.
Nestled in the heart of Minato-ku, the BIOTOPE CLINIC and Kojimachi Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Clinic stand as beacons of excellence in the world of cosmetic and regenerative treatments. Boasting a diverse team of specialists, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, physicians, psychologists, and orthopedicians, this esteemed facility ensures top-tier care. Each doctor has attained at least an associate professor level at prestigious institutions like the University of Tokyo or Juntendo University, guaranteeing unparalleled expertise and service. While the staff's English proficiency may vary, there's no need for an interpreter as the doctors themselves are fluent in English, ensuring clear and effective communication for all patients. Experience the pinnacle of personalized care and transformative results at these premier Tokyo clinics.
Located in Meguro, Jiyugaoka Clinic is an acclaimed surgical provider known for offering a high level of quality in cosmetic treatments. There are a range of doctors on staff, all of whom have achieved a minimum level of associate professor status at a university research hospital or director level at a beauty clinic. This allows the clinic to provide the best services possible to its customers. It is recommended to bring an interpreter if you do not speak Japanese well or at all, as not all staff speak English.
Located in Hiroo, Plaza Clinic is reputed as the only plastic surgery clinic in Japan operated by a U.S. Board-certified plastic surgeon who also practiced for 18 years in the United States, serving celebrities among his clientele. The clinic specializes in both same-day laser treatments and plastic surgery procedures, including liposuction, rhinoplasty, facelift surgery, eye surgery (blepharoplasty), non-incisive eyelid surgery, and breast augmentation. Walk-in services for non-surgical treatments, such as Botox and Restylane, are also available.
Shinjuku Biyou Geka Clinic (Japanese-language website) has branches located in Tokyo and Yokohama. The key focus is on making patients feel comfortable and at ease when consulting about plastic surgery procedures, as it can be a difficult process. The clinic has a number of well-qualified doctors who are able to address a variety of cosmetic issues, primarily around the face, but also including the body.
Takadanobaba Dermatology and Plastic Surgery is located in Shinjuku, making it very convenient for residents of Tokyo and surrounding areas. As it is a combined dermatology and plastic surgery clinic, the main focus of treatments is on skin issues, including wrinkles, moles, skin texture, and more.
Located in Dolce Shibuya, Takako Clinic (Japanese-language website) is operated by Dr. Takako, who specializes in breast formation and reconstruction, especially for breast cancer patients. She also provides laser therapy for skin rejuvenation and eye and ear procedures. While the website is not available in English, the clinic employs English-speaking staff.
Serving over 30,000 national and international patients each year, Tokyo Skin & Plastic Surgery Clinic was founded in 2000 on the concept of affordable cosmetic treatments. It is staffed by a team of English-speaking male and female doctors who specialize in non-incisional eyelid surgery. Located in Ginza, the clinic is a three-minute walk from Exit A13, Ginza Station.
Plastic surgery has long been a quiet, yet widely accepted practice, and is only becoming more commonplace as time goes on. While women typically make up the majority of plastic surgery patients, the number of men seeking services and even children opting for corrective procedures are on the rise.
As part of a culture that places great importance on appearance, Tokyo looks to raise its profile as an international hub for plastic surgery. The city will likely see an even bigger boom in plastic surgery demand as its prominence in this field becomes more visible on the global stage.
A brow lift, or forehead lift, is used to help improved the appearance of the brow area, upper eyelids, and forehead. It is used to help create a youthful appearance by lifting the brow area and reducing sagging and swelling of the upper eyelids.
This surgery reshapes bone and cartilage to create a straighter, sharper profile. Rhinoplasty corrects breathing problems and disfigurements. The procedure uses either general or local anesthesia to partially or fully sedate the patient. Recovery usually takes at least two weeks, with the nose fully normalizing after six months.
Hair transplants are an increasingly popular procedure especially for men. It involves taking already existing hair follicles and transplanting them to an area of thinning or balding hair. This is often done by taking hairs from the back of the head, where the hair is thicker and moving them to the temples or front hairline, which are some of the first areas to show balding/thinning hair.
This popular procedure has three variations in Japan, ranging from the Mini Lift (tightening targeted portions of the face) to the Full Facelift (tightening the face from forehead to chin). The operation can take up to six hours to complete, and the effects of the procedure last up to 10 years.
Breast augmentation is a very popular plastic surgery procedure that involves increasing the breast size or changing the breast appearance. Most breast augmentations use silicone implants, which are placed under the breast tissue to increase the size.
Another option is hyaluronic acid fillers instead of silicone implants, which can increase the size of the breasts and improve the feel. This procedure is often a way to experiment with increasing breast size before taking the more serious step of silicone implants.
There are certain other plastic surgery procedures that can be done to improve or change breast appearance. These include breast reduction, which reduces the size of the breasts, and can be useful for women who suffer from back pain, headaches, and other issues due to their breast size. There is also a breast lift, which helps address the issue of skin stretching and sagging breasts due to age.
Fat grafting is a cost-efficient alternative to more permanent facelifts, and uses liposuction to transfer tissue from fatty areas of the body (thighs, midriff, or buttocks) to the face, filling in sunken cheeks, shallow scars, thin lips, and laugh lines.
Abdominoplasty tightens the abdomen, removes loose skin and stretch marks, and strengthens wall muscles unaffected by dieting and exercise. This incisional surgery spans from hip to hip, and refashions the abdominal muscles like a girdle, resulting in a narrower waist, and firmer thighs and buttocks.
U.S. Air Force medical professionals representing the first Athena mission in over five years pose for a photo at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 12, 2024. This team of medical providers worked together to perform 33 procedures during the recent Athena mission, a program where a stateside-based plastic surgeon travels overseas to provide plastic surgery services to bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)
From the left, U.S. Air Force Col. Bryan Curtis, 60th Medical Group plastic surgeon, and Maj. Christopher Ng, 374th MDG chief of general surgery, pose for a photo at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 12, 2024. The team of medical providers worked together to perform 33 procedures during the recent Athena mission, a program where a stateside-based plastic surgeon travels overseas to provide plastic surgery services to bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)
c80f0f1006