African American rhinoplasty

UsefulRhinoplastyInformation.com is intended as a helpful resource for people considering nose surgery, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Nose jobs rank highly among the most popular cosmetic procedures. The operation is becoming increasingly requested among the African American population, by individuals who believe their nose not fit their 'beauty ideal'. However, black rhinoplasty differs from Caucasian nose jobs and if you are searching for a rhinoplasty surgeon it is important to bear this in mind. A beautiful nose is one that looks harmonious with the other facial features and which also is in keeping with the patient's ethnicity, and it is essential to find a rhinoplasty surgeon with the experience and skills to help achieve this.

The physiology of an African American nose is very different to that of a Caucasian nose. They are typically much wider and the tip of the nose is less defined, giving it the appearance of being quite flat. The thickness of a patient's skin will be taken into account by a good rhinoplasty surgeon as this can affect the results of the nose job. For this reason, it is preferable to use a surgeon who has previously operated on African American patients and is familiar working with their skin type, as they naturally have much thicker skin than Caucasians.

The most commonly requested procedure among African American rhinoplasty patients is the narrowing of the nose while increasing the nasal projection of the tip. Surgeons usually thin the nose by carefully fracturing the bones and resetting them in their new structure. This can also increase nasal projection, if desired, although the result is usually quite subtle. If the patient is particularly unhappy with the 'flat' appearance of their nose they may prefer to augment the tip of their nose through the use of an implant. A majority of surgeons choose to use natural tissue for the implants, as this greatly reduces the risk of the patient's body rejecting the new implant. Typical sources of tissue include the septum (the inner nose) or, in some cases, the ear. If it is impractical to use bodily tissue for the implant then silicon is also an option.

The third most popular request in black rhinoplasty patients is the straightening of the nose. A small hump can be reduced by opening up the nose and filing the cartilage. If the curve of the nose is more pronounced, it may be necessary for the surgeon to remove some of the cartilage and a small implant to the tip of the nose may also be essential to the success of the procedure.

One of the risks for any patient when undergoing a nose job is that the patient may be unhappy with the appearance of their new nose, which in a small number of cases can lead to depression or the need for revision rhinoplasty. In non Caucasian rhinoplasty patients, the chance that they will have trouble adjusting to their new appearance is increased. This is because, in the hands of a less rhinoplasty specialist, there is a possibility that the new nose will be too Western in its look, triggering a loss of identity in the patient.

Always research the rhinoplasty procedure thoroughly and consult several surgeons before committing to the one who will perform your nose job. A good place to start looking is on the internet as many clinics provide before and after photos of nose job operations, often providing a selection of pictures of patients with different ethnic backgrounds, in order to demonstrate the surgeon's skill.