Facial Plastic Surgery: A Growing Specialty in Latin America

Facial plastic and cosmetic procedures have become increasingly important in Latin America in the past few decades. Globalization and ease of access to all types of information have created a huge snowball effect of cosmetic procedures that are performed across the continent. Facial plastic surgery procedures today are performed by general plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, facial plastic surgeons, and cosmetic surgeons. This has opened the realm of surgical possibilities that are being offered to patients, although rhinoplasty is still the most commonly performed surgery throughout the continent.

Latin Americans are the result of a mixture of ethnic groups and races that will vary depending on where the patient is from. Beauty has always played a significant role in our culture. Beauty pageants are important events in many of our countries, and it is not uncommon for many of these beauty queens to become important figures in the media, popularizing the “Latino looks” or “Latin faces.” With this in mind, it is not surprising to find that patients are constantly seeking opportunities to look better without losing their cultural and ethnic identities.

In this issue, you will be able to read about the experience of different authors across Latin America regarding the techniques that are currently used in facial plastic surgery. Our focus is the Latin American patient, but with the huge variety of ethnic groups that compose this population, it is clear that the focus is the multiracial patient. Techniques are oriented more to correct or improve specific problems than to treat a specific racial group.

It is important to thank all of the contributing authors. They have dedicated time and effort to share their valuable experience in this exciting field. I am sure the readers will find some important tips and techniques they can incorporate into their practices to enrich the options they can offer patients.