The westernisation of the Asian face consists of making subtle modifications to bring certain facial features closer to Western beauty standards. The most frequent requests concern refining the jaw, enhancing the cheekbones, modifying the shape of the nose and enlarging the eyes. As for the skin, lightening it is one of the primary concerns of Asian women. These procedures can be performed without surgery, using aesthetic-oriented medicine techniques. The results are natural and respectful of each patient’s unique anatomy.
The westernisation of the Asian face is a growing trend in the field of aesthetic-oriented medicine. This concept refers to a series of procedures aimed at modifying certain specific facial characteristics to move closer to Western beauty standards, while respecting the natural harmony of the patient’s features. Some studies show that one in five Asian women undergoes “aesthetic” techniques of facial westernisation.
The westernisation of the Asian face is a rapidly expanding field
expansion, meeting a growing desire for personalisation and cosmopolitanism in terms of beauty.
Thanks to aesthetic-oriented medicine techniques, it is now possible to modify certain facial features in a non-invasive way, for elegant and natural results. Refining the jaw, enhancing the cheekbones, reshaping the nose and opening the gaze : medical techniques offer personalised solutions for a harmonious and balanced face.
The desire to modify certain facial features can be explained by various factors, including the influence of international aesthetic trends, standards conveyed by the media as well as the search for an appearance perceived as more sophisticated or more cosmopolitan. It should however be emphasised that the notion of westernisation does not in any way imply a radical transformation of the features. It rather refers to measured adjustments, defined according to the expectations and the aesthetic sensitivity specific to each individual. This approach primarily aims to strengthen patients’ confidence, while preserving the identity and the natural harmony of their face.
Horizontal thirds : in Asians, as in Caucasians, the upper third of the face is larger than the lower third. In Asians, the middle third of the face is larger than the upper third, unlike in Caucasians. In Caucasians, the lower third is larger than the middle third, whereas in Asians these two thirds are equivalent.
Vertical fifths : the neoclassical canons of the face divide it into five equal parts. These canons stipulate that the intercanthal distance, the width of the eye and the width of the base of the nose should be equal. This proportion exists in European women. In Asian women, the average intercanthal distance is 1,24 times greater than the width of the eye. In Asians, the base of the nose is wider than in Europeans, the width of the base of the nose is 1,11 times greater than the intercanthal distance.
Nose : there is no difference between Caucasian and Asian women regarding the naso-mental, mento-cervical, and naso-facial angles. The naso-frontal angle is more open in Asians and the nasal dorsum is less projected.
Mouth : in Caucasian women, the ends of the labial commissures pass through the centre of the iris. The majority of Asian women have a mouth as wide as Caucasian women, one third have a narrower mouth.
Eyebrows : in Caucasian women, the brow arch (the highest point of the eyebrow) is located on an imaginary line that starts from the wing of the nose and passes through the centre of the upper eyelid, in Asians the highest point is at the level of the outer edge of the iris. In Caucasian women, as in Asians, the tail of the eyebrow is located on an imaginary line that starts from the wing of the nose and passes through the external canthus of the eye (outer corner of the eye).
Eyelids : approximately one third of Asians do not have a supratarsal eyelid crease. When it is present, this crease can be either parallel to the free edge of the eyelid, or convergent towards the medial part. The supratarsal crease in Asians is about 6 mm from the ciliary margin, this distance is greater in Caucasian women.
The westernisation of the Asian face must be approached with care and respect. Each face has a unique beauty that deserves to be enhanced in a natural way. The initial consultation makes it possible to identify the wishes and expectations of each patient, and to determine the techniques best suited to achieve a harmonious result. The objective is to enhance the natural features and to bring subtle modifications that meet the desired beauty standards, without altering the patient’s identity.
One of the most frequent requests concerns the jaw slimming to soften the angular appearance of Asian faces. Specific injection techniques are used and adapted to the patient’s anatomy. This procedure is non-invasive, it is quick and offers a natural result, ideal for refining the face and giving it a heart shape.
More prominent cheekbones often correspond to Western beauty standards and contribute to an increased perception of youthfulness and femininity of the face. Hyaluronic acid injections make it possible to add a measured volume to this area, which promotes a visual lifting of the middle third of the face and directs the gaze towards its upper part. This approach improves facial structure and enhances the harmony of the features, for a natural and elegant result.
Non-surgical nose reshaping is a popular technique to refine or project the nose in a natural way. This method makes it possible to create a straighter and more defined nasal bridge, and to correct any irregularities. Medical rhinoplasty modifies the shape of the nose in a temporary but effective way, for a more harmonious profile without the need for surgical intervention.
A more open and expressive gaze is often sought by Asians. Botulinum toxin injections, performed for the treatment of crow’s feet wrinkles and the frown line, open the gaze and lift the eyebrow.
Sculptra is a biostimulatory treatment that stimulates collagen production in the skin, thereby restoring volume and firmness. The injection of Sculptra is performed in strategic areas of the face, which makes it possible to redefine the contours and create a more slender and balanced face. This treatment provides progressive and long-lasting results, while respecting the natural morphology of the face.
The projection of the brow through hyaluronic acid injections is a technique commonly used in the westernisation of the Asian face. The latter is often characterised by a flatter, less prominent brow ridge than in Europeans.
Hyaluronic acid injection makes it possible to modify the projection of the brow, to enhance it, thus giving a deeper and more defined look, characteristic of Western features. This technique is appreciated for its non-invasive and reversible nature, as hyaluronic acid is naturally resorbed over time. Moreover, it is highly precise as it allows subtle definition of the brow ridge to achieve a natural, harmonious and personalised result.
The westernisation of the Asian face in aesthetic-oriented medicine consists of subtly modifying certain features to move closer to Western aesthetic standards. This may include refining the oval of the face, enhancing the cheekbones, projecting the nose or widening the eyes, while respecting the overall harmony of the face.
The most sought-after criteria include a V-shaped face, a more projected and defined nose, high cheekbones, larger eyes with well-visible upper eyelids and a more refined jaw. The objective is often to preserve the elegance of Asian features while adding more definition and balance.
Non-permanent treatments, such as hyaluronic acid or botulinum toxin injections, are reversible. The effect fades naturally over a few months.
Yes, the modern approach in aesthetic-oriented medicine favours natural and subtle results. The objective is to enhance existing features while preserving the patient’s cultural identity. A personalised assessment makes it possible to respect the morphology and to achieve a result in harmony with Asian characteristics.
The most common treatments include :
• Botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of crow’s feet wrinkles and frown lines.
• Hyaluronic acid injections to reshape the nose, enhance the cheekbones or refine the chin.
• Cryolipolysis to reduce localised fat deposits, particularly under the chin.
• Radiofrequency to firm the oval of the face.
