Periorbital rejuvenation and the African American patient: a survey approach

The number of African Americans pursuing cosmetic plastic surgery is increasing. Nonetheless, the authors postulate that the African American patients pursuing certain cosmetic procedures still have preconceived notions and concerns distinct from their Caucasian counterparts, thereby demanding a different surgical strategy. A questionnaire approach was used to determine the concerns, expectations, and desires of African American patients regarding periorbital rejuvenation and to compare these outcomes with those of Caucasian patients.

One hundred five African American female subjects and 30 Caucasian female subjects affiliated with the senior surgeon's cosmetic practice were contacted. Of these, 85 African American and 26 Caucasian subjects were administered a survey of 18 standardized questions. Patients were stratified in terms of age and race to dissect generational and ethnologic concepts toward oculoplastic surgery and features of the African American eyelid. The Caucasian subjects served as the control group.

Of the African American subjects, 85.9 percent had a favorable or neutral opinion of plastic surgery, and 72.9 percent did not feel plastic surgery was exclusively for Caucasians. Nearly half of all African American subjects interviewed likened African American periorbital characteristics to those of Asians, whereas only 19.2 percent of Caucasian subjects acknowledged such similarities in African Americans.

This study demonstrates the idea that a directed approach to blepharoplasty is necessary to help African American patients achieve their desire to maintain their ethnic identity while rejuvenating their appearance.