Can African American rhinoplasty be achieved with a more nautral ethnic look?

I am an African American women and I wonder if doctors can recontruct more cartiladge than bone. I have seen many rhinoplasty and they seem to always narrow the nose in such an unnautral way. I saw somewhere that they can put an s shaped implant to build the bridge up. My concerns are my profile and the flatting of my nose when I smile.

5 answers to “Can African American rhinoplasty be...”

A: African American Rhinoplasty

By Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD - New York City Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi, A custom nasal implant can be fashioned to raise the bridge of your nose, this will improve your profile and decrease the widening effect when you smile. In a addition, your nostrils can be narrowed in a horizontal dimension which will also decrease the width when you smile. Best, Dr.S.

A: Ethnic Rhinoplasty for African American Patients

By C. Spencer Cochran, MD - Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

When approaching ethnic rhinoplasty patients, determining the preoperative goals and confirming the patient’s expectations is of paramount importance. The goals of ethnic rhinoplasty should therefore address the patient’s desire for preservation or alteration of ethnicity, balance of surrounding... more

A: African American Rhinoplasty Can Result in a More Natural Ethnic Look

By Michael A. Persky, MD - Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi Rod, Yes, a natural ethnic result can, and should be achieved in African American rhinoplasty. You are correct in that augmentation of the nose with an implant via an external rhinoplasty approach would help to support the flattening of your nose when you smile, as well as building up the bridge of... more

A: All rhinoplasties are not the same

By Shahram Salemy, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

This is a very good question, and the key issue is that principles of an African-American rhinoplasty is quite different than a caucasian rhinoplasty. You can absolutely achieve a very natural result, but you want to find a surgeon who is experienced in rhinoplasties of all types. Ask him or her to describe... more

A: Find a surgeon who individualizes the procedure for each patient

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

This is a great question. The most important thing is to find a surgeon who individualizes the procedure for each patient. Many surgeons have one way they approach rhinoplasty which is centered more on the caucasian nose. However, many people want a nose that matches their face and fits into their culture,... more

Comments (1)

abigale
unregistered guest

12 Mar 2009

I am thankful that all 3 of you surgeons have stepped up and said this. This has brought positiveness to my mind and also has brought me some sort of hope that African Americans can achieve a more natural looking nose after they have gotten rihnoplasty.