An African-American (AA) rhinoplasty is a nose performed...

An African-American (AA) rhinoplasty is a nose performed on a patient of that ethnicity. Everyone's nose is different, but there are some common characteristics in different races.

The AA nose is commonly wide with large nostrils. The nasal bones are usually short, flat, and wide. The lower 2/3 cartilage structure is weak. The skin is commonly thick and oily.

Therefore the procedure is usually performed through an external of "open" approach using the patients own nasal septal cartilage (or other implants) to build up the structure of the nose. Techniques are then used to narrow the base of the nose, as well as the nasal bones.

There is no standard African-American rhinoplasty as each patient has individual desires for the final appearance of their nose. Dr. P

When people speak about African American rhinoplasty, in general they are referring to Augmentation Rhinoplasty, and by that we mean that rather than trying to make the nose a lot smaller, we try to refine and define the nose. But to narrow African American rhinoplasty to something so general is, in our opinion, missing the point.

In general, people have always identified African American noses as ones with a wide, short nasal bridge with wide nostrils. However, in point of fact there is tremendous variability in every parameter of the African American nose, including: nostril shape and flare, nasal length, skin thickness, columella length, nasal projection, and bridge height. Unfortunately people continue to try to “pigeon- hole” African Americans into one type.

All this being said, what we at Profiles have found is that if we were to compare our average African American nose to our average Caucasian nose, we find that our African American patients tend to have:

• Wider nasal bridges
• Lower nasal bridges
• Thicker skin
• Wider, more bulbous nasal tips
• Thicker soft tissue overlying the nasal tip
• Softer cartilage
• Nasal tips that appears to droop
• Shorter nasal tips
• Wider variability in nostril shape
• Greater nostril flare (bigger nostril curvature)

So what does all of this mean to you if you are considering surgery?

It means that it is very important that you find a surgeon who is comfortable operating on people of different ethnicities. It is important for your surgeon to understand how thick skin differs from thin skin when dealing with rhinoplasty. It is also important for your surgeon to be able to individualize your surgery to achieve your goals. And most importantly, it is important for you to know what you want to achieve with the surgery.

We take all these factors into consideration in planning your surgery and in explaining to you, our patient, what can be accomplished with your surgery. We will sit with you in consultation as we work together to define what your goals are using computer imaging. Based on your desires and your individual anatomy, we will then determine a surgical plan which is best suited to achieve your individual goals.