According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more members of minority groups are having plastic surgery than ever before. In fact, according to the organization, the number of minorities going under the knife has more than doubled since 2005, the fastest-growing demographic of any group seeking to have themselves cosmetically altered.

The most common surgeries among minorities happen in the African American and Asian communities. Black patients often seek to have their noses narrowed, while Asian patients usually request some kind of eyelid surgery in order to make their eyes wider than they currently are. Cosmetic surgeons see this as a way to both preserve ethnic characteristics while looking more conventionally attractive.

While some critics argue that this is a way for minority communities to conform to an idealized version of “beauty” – which often translates to “white” – many experts in this field argue against this point. Minorities having plastic surgery is no different from their Caucasian counterparts, meaning that people simply want to look like the absolute best versions of themselves and nothing more. Plastic surgery is about fine-tuning what is already there, as often as it is about a total appearance overhaul.

“We’re not trying to go for this one homogenous idea of beauty that should apply to everyone and all races and all ethnicities,” Virginia-based plastic surgeon Dr. Travis Shaw told local a NBC affiliate. “How can we better make small changes and refinements to attain balance with those patients?”

If you are interested in having work done, whether you want a simple tummy tuck or a full mommy makeover, be sure to schedule an appointment with Christopher Craft Cosmetic Surgery as soon as possible!