The practice of cosmetic surgery has now been established in Taiwan for many years. This country performs approximately 1.34 cosmetic surgeries for every 1,000 people, which places the country among the 20 highest plastic surgery rates per capita worldwide.
Plastic surgeons in Taiwan serve residents as well as international visitors seeking cosmetic procedures. Because of its quality infrastructure, affordable medical care and skilled surgeons, Western patients as well as those from Asian countries like China frequently travel to Taiwan for plastic surgery. Around 400,000 patients came to Taiwan in 2018 for everything from cosmetic surgery to fertility treatments.
Interested in different regions? Read more about Korean plastic surgery, Chinese plastic surgery, Japanese plastic surgery, Vietnamese plastic surgery and Thai plastic surgery.
What Is the History of Plastic Surgery in Taiwan?
The foundations of Taiwan plastic surgery were established when M. Samuel Noordhoff, M.D., arrived as a medical missionary in Taiwan in 1959. He introduced several medical services that had not been available in the country before, such as the first intensive care unit, a dedicated burn unit and structured anaesthesia services.
He later became the first Superintendent of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and founded its Department of Plastic Surgery, which grew into an internationally recognised training centre. Noordhoff developed Taiwan’s first residency-style plastic surgery training pathway and supported the development of craniofacial care by establishing the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation with his wife in 1989.
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Fu-Chan Wei, inspired by the work of Dr. Noordhoff, returned from training in North America to develop the microsurgery program at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. His work introduced several reconstructive techniques, such as toe-to-hand microsurgical transfers.
Dr. Wei is the only Asian physician to be named as the top 20 greatest innovators in plastic surgery history by the ASPS. Because of his work and the work of other surgeons at the Chang Gung Microsurgery Center, Taiwan has become a centre for cosmetic surgery training and procedures.
How Popular Is Plastic Surgery in Taiwan?
Taiwan ranks 18th for plastic surgery per capita. In a survey covering several East Asian regions, Taiwan had the highest number of participants who responded as having had at least one aesthetic procedure (surgical and non-surgical). While a large number of these participants sought out non-surgical treatments such as laser resurfacing, plastic surgeons also conduct between 60,000-80,000 upper eyelid surgeries every year, among other types of cosmetic surgery.
Why Is Plastic Surgery in Taiwan Rising?
More Infrastructure
The number of plastic surgery clinics rose about 6% between 2020 and 2024 in Taiwan. This has given patients in Taiwan greater accessibility to procedures that they may be interested in. The growing number of clinics has come in response to sustained interest in plastic and aesthetic surgery services. The Taiwan government has responded to this rising number with increased oversight to set a high standard for safety in these clinics.
Social Media
Social media is a contributing factor to increasing interest in cosmetic procedures. Online platforms make information about plastic surgery more visible and accessible. Social media normalizes cosmetic procedures and makes them seem more familiar, which can drive demand. Time spent on video conferencing has also led to more people seeking out plastic surgery because of dissatisfaction with their appearance online.
Medical Tourism
Medical tourism has increased in Taiwan. This country offers competitive pricing, well-trained surgeons and internationally accredited hospitals, which are all factors that appeal to international patients seeking plastic surgery abroad. Clinics in major cities cater to international patients through multilingual staff and medical travel packages that make logistics more convenient.
What Are the Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures in Taiwan?
Blepharoplasty
When surveying a group of people from different geographical regions in East Asia, the most common plastic surgery in Taiwan was upper blepharoplasty. This surgery opens up the eye and, in some cases, creates an upper eyelid crease. Newer techniques, such as Asian blepharoplasty, are specifically used for Asian patients who want to see changes in the eyelids without westernizing their look.
Rhinoplasty
The second most common plastic surgery in Taiwan is rhinoplasty. Today, Asian patients seek surgery that considers ethnic factors while addressing goals such as increased dorsal height, additional definition and projection at the tip and less width. Because autologous septal grafts are often not a good option due to a lack of cartilage in Asian patients, surgeons in Taiwan may use silicone implants instead to improve the shape and stability of the nose.
Laser and Other Non-Surgical Treatments
Non-surgical treatments are the most commonly performed types of cosmetic services in Taiwan. Popular treatments include injectables, laser therapy, intense pulsed light (IPL) and ultrasound-based treatments. These options are sought out for their ability to improve skin tone and texture or to make subtle adjustments to facial features such as the nose or lips without surgery.
Finding the Right Surgeon for Taiwanese Plastic Surgery
The results of Taiwanese plastic surgery are only as good as the surgeon who performs the procedure. Asian patients should find a surgeon with a deep understanding of Asian facial anatomy and the structural and ethnic nuances common in Taiwanese patients.
The right surgeon will remain up to date with advances in surgical and non-surgical techniques for Asian patients with technology that continues to evolve. Before and after photos of similar surgeries are helpful for seeing how a surgeon approaches surgeries like rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and facial bone contouring.
Is Taiwanese Plastic Surgery Available in Sydney?
Interest in East Asian plastic surgery methods, including those developed and refined in Taiwan, has expanded in Australia. Patients of Asian descent are seeking surgeons who are familiar with the distinct anatomical characteristics of East Asian facial structure and can apply regionally specific surgical techniques without the need to travel internationally.
Asian Plastic Surgery was established to meet this need. Our practice focuses on surgical techniques suited to Asian patients, drawing on international training and cultural awareness. Dr Quan Ngo and Dr Ellis Choy, Specialist Plastic Surgeons, bring experience in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, including microsurgery and facial surgery, informed by additional training in Taiwan and other international centres.
Taiwanese-Inspired Plastic Surgery in Sydney
At Asian Plastic Surgery, we give patients in Sydney access to surgical techniques shaped by the long-standing tradition and technical expertise of Taiwanese plastic surgery. Our specialist plastic surgeons combine international training with a focus on Asian anatomy.
If you are considering Taiwanese-style plastic surgery in Australia, we invite you to book a consultation. Contact Asian Plastic Surgery on (02) 8985 9850 or use our online enquiry form to learn more.
