Ethnic Rhinoplasty
All noses are not created equal. Nevertheless, there are common characteristics among ethnic noses. For instance, patients of ethnicity often have thicker skin on the nose, yet flimsy cartilage in the nasal tip. An Ethnic Rhinoplasty refers to nasal surgery performed on patients of ethnicity, including those of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Middle Eastern descent.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
The proportions of the nose are relative to the rest of the face’s prominent features in its lower half, namely the upper and lower jaw (maxilla and mandible), and the lips. Dr. Rubinstein takes into account the unique facial features of each individual during an Ethnic Rhinoplasty, and is careful to maintain as much of the patient’s ethnic identity as the patient desires.
To See More Before & After Pictures Visit our Gallery of Patient Results
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The end goal of the surgery is to produce a natural-looking nose with minimal soft tissues present, a smooth bridge of a proportionate height to the face, nostrils that are neither too wide nor too narrow, and a columella, or the bit of skin that divides the two nostrils, with a slight projection and within a certain angle to the upper lip. In turn, this correction alters the nasolabial angle, resulting in a meeting point close to 100 degrees.
Candidates for Ethnic Rhinoplasty
African American, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, or other patients of ethnic descent can enhance their profile through an ethnic rhinoplasty. Benefits of this surgery are geared toward non-Caucasian noses. Patients should be in good health, both physically and mentally, and have a realistic vision of the results Dr. Rubinstein can achieve.
Treatment
The corrections to the nose made with ethnic rhinoplasty can be performed using techniques created for those of Non-Indo European descent, which is more typical with African American and Asian patients, as well as those from Native American descent. The nostrils are often altered to form a more oval shape, and the bridge of the nose may be built up (through grafting or other techniques), which is typical with African American, Hispanic, and Asian patients, or lowered, which is more common with Middle Eastern patients. The tip of the nose may be restructured to better suit the nose’s new form. The nasolabial angle, which is the area between the nose and upper lip, may be corrected to form a more pleasing side profile that highlights the structure of the jawbones and lips.
Each patient’s surgical experience will differ depending on their preferences and anatomical limitations. Procedural durations vary, with some surgeries lasting up to three hours. During a typical Caucasian Rhinoplasty surgery, a patient may request augmentations to refine existing cartilage, remove dorsal humps, and limit the projection of the nasal tip. An ethnic rhinoplasty, on the other hand, usually relies on dorsal augmentation, narrowing the nostrils, and increasing nasal projection by adding cartilage to the tip of the nose in order to achieve refinement and balance. The nose may be operated on in an open or closed fashion, and the surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
Some stitches may be used during the procedure, most typically the self-dissolving type. The patient of an ethnic rhinoplasty faces no more risks or complications than a traditional rhinoplasty patient.
Recovery and Results
The recovery of an ethnic rhinoplasty can vary greatly among patients as varying requests create different healing times. Results can be seen immediately, though swelling may remain visible for a number of weeks, with minor changes taking shape for up to 18 months following the surgery. Most patients can return to work in 1-2 weeks, but strenuous activities should not be resumed for at least 2 weeks or more.
