Ethnic Rhinoplasty in Atlanta, GA
According to the most recent statistics collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, non-white patients make up nearly 30% of all rhinoplasty procedures. Rhinoplasty
There are several challenges with ethnic rhinoplasty because skin, bone, and cartilage structure all differ among African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian ethnicities as does one’s propensity for scarring. Dr. Whiteman acknowledges structural differences between these groups; calling on his nearly 20 years of plastic surgery experience and employing specialized techniques, he yields aesthetically pleasing, yet natural-looking results. Each patient is unique, so the type of incision and length of downtime required will depend largely on the individual. The most important goal of ethnic rhinoplasty is to preserve ethnic identity while addressing cosmetic concerns.
View the Ethnic Rhinoplasty Video Below
African American / Black
African American noses are generally thicker than Caucasian noses with a wide tip, flat bridge, and flared nostrils. To reduce the appearance of a large or flat nose, Dr. Whiteman focuses on building the bridge of the nose to create a more defined appearance. Often, African American noses contain weaker cartilage and shorter nasal bones that must be handled with precision. Because African American skin is thicker and darker, it is more likely to scar. Therefore it is important for your surgeon to be experienced and knowledgeable about ethnic rhinoplasty. Unlike traditional rhinoplasty which involves reducing the amount of cartilage or bone, in African American rhinoplasty, the nose cartilage is elevated to narrow the appearance of the tip. Instead of using implants, Dr. Whiteman safely uses grafts made of cartilage and tissue from other areas of the patient’s body to augment the nose.
Asian
Asian noses often have thicker skin with a low bridge and wide base. Most Asian patients have smaller or shorter noses. While Caucasian rhinoplasty is intended to reduce and narrow the size of a nose, Asian rhinoplasty often augments the size. To enlarge a patient’s nose, Dr. Whiteman transfers tissue and cartilage from other areas of the body, such as the ears, to add volume and sculpt a more defined tip. Asian rhinoplasty is also used to resolve breathing problems because the Asian nose contains different structures that may obstruct breathing. Since Asian noses contain a low, straight bridge, nose implants may shift and not yield the most natural results due to the weight of added silicone. For this reason, Dr. Whiteman prefers using tissue and cartilage from the patient’s own body to sculpt the nose for a more natural appearance.
Hispanic / Latino
Hispanic noses have their own unique features that must be considered in order to preserve their ethnic appearance. Wide nasal bridges, weaker cartilage, and a wide base create a slightly wider nose with a low tip. Hispanic facial features are also larger than most Caucasian nasal structures, so it is important to build the new nose to fit into a more rounded face. The inherently different facial structure of Hispanics requires a more refined nose with stronger cartilage grafts to define and lift them. Dr. Whiteman employs his implantless technique to sculpt and shape the nose with tissue and cartilage grafts from other areas of the patient’s body for more natural-looking results. If you live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and are considering rhinoplasty, contact Dr. Whiteman today for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is Ethnic Rhinoplasty different from a normal Rhinoplasty procedure?
Ethnic rhinoplasty procedures are performed on patients of ethnic groups that wish to accentuate or minimize certain characteristics found commonly among certain ethnic groups. Features include elevation of the nasal dorsum and reduction in the nostril with an improvement in the definition of cartilaginous tips.
Q: How much time will I need for recovery following my Ethnic Rhinoplasty procedure?
The recovery time from an ethnic rhinoplasty is no different than that of a standard rhinoplasty. Protective nasal dressings will be required for up to a week after your procedure and you will experience bruising and swelling in the area around your eyes and nose for up to two weeks.
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1 American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery : Economic, Regional and Ethnic Information 2011.