Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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How is Rhinoplasty in Hispanic Patients Different Than in Other Patients?

I've read in other places on this site that rhinoplasty surgery is different for certain ethnicities so I'm wondering, is rhinoplasty surgery different for Hispanic patients too?

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Individuals of Hispanic background exhibit skin that is...

Individuals of Hispanic background exhibit skin that is oily, thick, and olive in color. These traits slow the healing process when compared to non-Hispanic patients. As a result, it takes longer for the final results of the surgery to emerge. Hispanic Rhinoplasty sometimes requires structural cartilage grafting, which prolongs swelling in the area above the tip of the nose. These patients require sometimes require cortisone shots in the tip of the nose during the post-operative healing... more

Your rhinoplasty surgery should focus on your personal nasal features

As would be expected with any ethnic population, we have found that there is a continuum of nasal features in our Hispanic population, rather than distinct types. Rather than trying to categorize various subgroups, here at Profiles we focus on your individual characteristics and your goals. In general, we have found that our Hispanic patients’ facial and nasal characteristics can be differentiated from our Caucasian patients in the following ways: Broader faces, commonly with... more

Hispanic Rhinoplasty is Different

You are right: many ethnicities pose specific factors that are important in Rhinoplasty: aesthetics and ethnic identity may be related thickness of skin: Hispanic skin tends to be thicker, so refinements are limited nostril shape and size is an important element in shaping and balancing the nose; techniques to change the nostrils are limited or come with specific trade-offs support framework: the cartilage can be less able to support the skin in a way that lets... more

In general, my Hispanic patients tend to have thicker,...

In general, my Hispanic patients tend to have thicker, oilier skin. Also, their noses tend to be flatter and broader. If the bridge of the nose needs building up, then grafting material (cartilage, bone, silicone, medpore) is used. Tip grafts are usually necessary to provide tip definition. Finally, the base of the nostrils is often narrowed to balance off the other features of the nose. With all this said, it is important to refine the nose without losing one's ethnicity.

Hispanic Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is an operation that seeks to refine and improve upon the balance between a patient's nose and face. Certain aspects of the operation can be individualized based upon a patient's desires and what would look best on the person. Hispanic Rhinoplasty is no exception. Rhinoplasty in Hispanic patients is as diverse as it is in the rest of the world's populations. A significant reason for this is that most Latin populations are very multicultural. Historically, many different groups... more

Hispanic Rhinoplasty (nose job)

Of course this is a generalization but certain ethnicities may have a tendency for patterns of anatomic characteristics that lend themselves to specific techniques. The hispanic culture can vary tremendously in the skin pigmentation, thickness, sebacesous quality as well as the presence of a prominent nasal bridge or lack thereof as well as quality and shape of the tip cartilages and width of the nostrils. All of these play a role in shaping which operation will achieve the desired results... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Hispanic rhinoplasty is different for many reasons

Here's a list of why hispanic rhinoplasty is different. 1. Thicker skin envelope 2. Weaker cartilage 3. Skin envelope has more sebaceous skin 4. Craniofacial skeleton normally has more fullness along pre-maxilla This is just a quick list. These variables have to be accounted for to get a good result that is harmonious and in balance with the rest of the face.

Hispanic Rhinoplasty

Surgeons who perform Hispanic rhinoplasty must understand the anatomic and aesthetic differences. Anatomically, Hispanic patients have a wide variety of skin types and nasal shapes, which may or may not include thicker skin and softer tip cartilages. Aesthetically, Hispanic patients have a wide range of likes which includes some desiring a more stylized nose versus others wanting a more natural appearance. I find computer imaging effective to help communicate different... more

Rhinoplasty in Hispanic Patients

Definitely each ethnicity has different characteristics. Once upon a time surgeons were trained to view the Caucasian aesthetic as the ideal look when performing a rhinoplasty. However, over time that training has evolved, and instead of a “one size fits all” mentality, surgeons now try to create an ideal that fits the individual, rather than the masses. The goal usually is to achieve an aesthetic that is pleasing to the patient without diminishing ethnic traits, and... more

Ethnic Rhinoplasty

The goal of “ethnic rhinoplasty” is to refine the nose and achieve an optimal, natural aesthetic result without diminishing all traits of ethnicity. In the past, plastic surgeons were trained to have a very narrow, homogenized perception of beauty that was based on the Caucasian ideal. A “one-size fits all” attitude was applied to rhinoplasty where nearly the same operation was performed on each patient seeking rhinoplasty. Now, doctors, patients, and current... more

Rhinoplasty is tailored to the patient areas of concern

Rhinplasty has traditionally been divided into Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, Asian, Arabic, South Asian. The surgeon should be familiar with the most common requests based on Ethnicity, but it is more important for the surgeon to know how to achieve a balanced nose in each patient based on the specific diagnosis. The surgeon should be comfortable working with all patients.

Robert Mounsey, MD

5 reviews

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

revesse.ca

Hispanic rhinoplasty

There are some characteristics of Hispanic ethnicity which allow for some differences in approach in both males and females when performing a rhinoplasty. Specifically the nasal bones are a bit thicker and the skin slightly thicker as well. These, of course, are generalities and individual variations will vary considerably. Wishing you the best, Tal Raine MD

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Successful rhinoplasty in Hispanic patients

Not all Hispanic patients have the same nasal anatomy, therefore you can not apply the same techniques to all Hispanic patients. There are some unique characteristics in Hispanic rhinoplasty patients, such as thicker nasal skin, weaker nasal tip cartilages, somewhat underdeveloped bridge, etc. As you probably have learned by now rhinoplasty is one of the more difficult procedures for a surgeon to master. Some surgeons are able to perform rhinoplasty in one specific fashion... more

Ethnic differences with Rhinoplasty for Hispanic patients

The term Hispanic refers to a wide variety of ethnic groups, which can range from Spanish to Mayan to Portuguese characteristics. However, the “classic” Hispanic nose is one that has some features of African-Americans with weak cartilages, wide nasal bridge, thick skin, and underprojected tip. As such, a surgeon experienced in dealing with these different features can improve upon them, creating the desired cosmetic improvement after discussion- and in my hands, computer... more

Rhinoplasty in Hispanic patients

Rhinoplasty is a popular and effective surgery to recontour the shape of your nose. As every patient is unique, so should every rhinoplasty. Here in Miami, we commonly perform rhinoplasty on Hispanic patients. Although described as Hispanics, there is a huge variety in our cultures and genetic backgrounds (I myself am from Ecuador). For this reason, your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in rhinoplasty and ethnic rhinoplasty. They... more

Your Ancestry and How it Affects Your Rhinoplasty

The first thing to realize about any individual is just that, they are a single unique individual. That person needs to be evaluated and treated without preconceived notions. Having said that, clearly there are similarities among people of different genetic backgrounds. Being aware of those traits and having experience with them is invaluable. With Hispanic individuals you more often see thicker skin, softer cartilage, a broader base, and less prominent profile. ... more

Rhinoplasty in ethnic patients

There may or may not be any specific differences in a given Hispanic patient. In general, Latino patients have thicker skin and poor tip support but that is not an absolute and by no means a 100% rule. Your surgeon should be able to evaluate your nose and determine what techniques should be used to deal with your anatomy to give you the best results.

Rhinoplasty in Hispanic Patients

Being in a border town like San Diego, we have quite a bit of experience in Hispanic rhinoplasty patients. Some of the major differences between Hispanic rhinoplasty patients and other ethnic rhinoplasty patients include a thicker, oily soft tissue skin covering. In addition, Hispanic noses tend to have a more rounded, wider appearance overall. What this means for the rhinoplasty surgeon is that more work needs to be done to the underlying cartilage and bone structural framework in order... more

Rhinoplasty is different for every individual I treat....

Rhinoplasty is different for every individual I treat. In general, My hispanic patients tend to have thicker tissues, and sometimes flatter and wider noses than some of my caucasian patients. Sometimes I have to add a graft onto the bridge of their nose to give them a better projection of the dorsum or profile. Work on the tip itself can be difficult to appreciate if the tissues are thick. They may prevent the fine detail of work that is done on the tip that would be more evident in a... more