What Makes an African American Noses So Much Different from Other Noses?

I have been considering a nose job because I feel my nose is to wide and I having been reading alot about this. I read that African American Rhinoplastys should be done properly the first time because revisions are notorious from being very difficult. I also heard that African American noses can grow back after surgery, something about fatty cells in the nose that produce fat and make it bulbuos. I was just wondering if this only happens to African American patients or is that just for everyone?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Angel in GA

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African American Rhinoplasty

This is an interesting question! Historically African American noses have been treated very differently with aggressive procedures aimed primarily at reducing the size of the nasal tip and nostrils. Unfortunately, many of these rhinoplasties resulted in unnatural looking noses and caused some stigma against rhinoplasty in the African American community. Fortunately, we have since learned that on the contrary, African American noses need to be augmented to add definition, not... more

Africa

Platyrrhine noses from Africa generally possess thick skin and rather weak cartilaginous support structures. The nose is usually broad and the dorsum (bridge) is frequently shallow. The nasal tip often has poor projection. Therefore, you must carefully decide, with your Cosmetic Surgeon, which aspects of our own nose that you would like to change (hopefully for the better). Best of Luck!

African American rhinoplasty.

The skin of African Americans and Asians and some Caucasians can be thick and difficult to show cartilage detail below the thick skin. It does NOT grow back once properly removed. These noses require an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon so choose wisely.

Toby Mayer, MD

7 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

African american nose

Every nose is different and each one requires a different "playbook" to achieve the goals of the various patients. It is best to go for a consultation to be evaluated. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

African American Rhinoplasty

Hi, Thats a very good question, African American noses are quite different anatomically than caucasion noses. Some of the notable differences include a low and wide nasal bridge, weak and thin lower lateral cartilages (or tip cartilages), thick skin esp at the nasal tip, more sucutaneous fat in the tip contributing to bulbous tips and wide, flared nostrils. These differences make African American and Caucasion rhinoplasty completely different in surgcal approach and desired cosmetic... more