Realistic Expectation on Rhinoplasty for Patients with Thick Skin?

asked 2 years ago by isam in Virignia
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,670 times
Tags: age 17 or under, nose, male, crooked, bulbous, skin, thicken

Hi, I want to get Rhinoplasty when I am about 17 years old. I'm a male. Me and my mom are looking for a surgeon and are looking at what is reasonable to expect.

I think I broke my nose around 6th grade and I never really went in to get a diagnosis of it. It is now crooked and seemingly VERY bulbous. I read alot about the procedure but I am scared that I have thick skin on my nose which would really limit results. Is my nose skin thick and will complicate the surgery? Thank you.

9 answers to Realistic Expectation on Rhinoplasty for Patients with Thick Skin?

Rhinoplasty with thick skin

First of all, it is important to wait until you are physicially mature before having rhinoplasty surgery. The challenge with thick skin is achieving definition in the tip. These noses are improved everyday by changing the contour of the tip cartilages or using cartilage grafts to increase projection. Don't give up hope; talk to an experienced surgeon.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty limitations for patients with thick skin

Indeed, thick, olive, oily skin does limit the amount of improvement that can be accomplished with rhinoplasty. Some patients get subdermal fibrosis and thickening and fluid retention and scar formation in the supratip area, which are addressed through a series of cortisone shots to the area. The first cortisone shot is given at the time of the surgery and after surgery every 4-6 weeks up to six months if needed. This is to prevent the thickening that can occur in the supratip area. ... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Thick skin can be thinned

Along with this, the nose can have more definition with grafts. Wait until you are done growing, then see an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon whose work on noses like yours is what you are looking for.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and skin type

It does not appear that your nose has the typical thick skin that makes rhinoplasty more difficult. These patients are mostly older with more sebaceous (oily) skin. The skin thinkness just makes the work done underneath show up less. Therefore, less defined. In your case, you should not have this problem. A bulbous tip would be an easy thing to correct. Also, since you broke your nose in the past, you may also have some functional problems that may be reimbursed by your insurance... more

Henry Daniel Sandel IV, MD
Annapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty can accommodate thicker skin

Techniques in rhinoplasty today can accommodate thicker skin. The shape and form of the nose is produced by changing the support under the skin, the bone and cartilage upon which the skin is draped. Much of rhinoplasty is shaping the tissues underneath by means of reducing, or building up structure within the nose. Individuals with thicker skin can have a very nice result, and most will require cartilage grafts to improve support and projection which will show through the thicker skin. Best... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty

Without a formal exam it is difficult to give an adequate assessment of your concerns. If the skin is very thick, it can be difficult to get a really defined tip.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Realistic Rhinoplasty Expectations

Hi Isam, It is difficult to answer your question without examining your nose and determining the strength of your cartilaginous skeleton. It appears that your nose and skin can undergo rhinoplasty with good results, but your rhinoplasty surgeon will need to be the one who makes that decision. As young men get older, thick and oily nasal skin may become less oily and not as thick. Sometimes it is worth waiting a few extra years before undergoing the surgery if your nose isn't bothering... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Thick skin is no deterrent to a good Rhinoplasty result

Think of reconstructive or aesthetic rhinoplasty as a modification of the underlying structures such as the substructure of poles that hold up a circus tent. The skin is analogous to the canvas covering of the tent. Thin skin readjusts itself quicker and it shows the underlying structure of the nose more than thick skin, which takes longer to shrink and readjust. The surgeon will take that into consideration in determining what approach to use and how to modify the underlying structure by... more

Jack A. Friedland, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty on thick nose skin

It's hard to tell if your skin is thick except by examining it and feeling the thickness. If your skin is thick, then a reduction rhinoplasty where cartilage is removed to refine the nose may not work because the skin will not redrape as well. For thicker skinned people, you need augment the nose and bridge to make it appear more narrow and refined. This is counterintuitive but is the only technique that works with thick skinned noses. Good luck!