A recent study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery determined that 1/3rd of patients who present for rhinoplasty surgery have Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or BDD. I recently discussed this troubling statistic, and how this relates to people of color in a segment of NPR’s Tell Me More with Michel Martin.
Youn says there are potential neurological reasons for BDD, but social influences are major factors.
“We’re really a society that is based on a Caucasian ideal of beauty. If you ever look at People magazine’s ’50 Sexiest People in the World,’ there are very few No. 1 Asian-American males in that demographic in those groups. And you see that also with other types of ethnicities,” Youn said.
And the country with the highest per capita rate of plastic surgery is South Korea, says Youn.
To listen to the entire interview, click here.
Thank you to Michel Martin and the staff at NPR’s Tell Me More for inviting me on the show again!
