Hispanic rhinoplasty - can I achieve a more refined feminine nose with thick skin? (photos)

Question

Hello- I am a Hispanic women and am wondering if I can achieve a more refined feminine nose given I have thick skin. Other issues include a hump, bulbous tip and and a droop. I've included 3 photos. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

You can still obtain a nice result even with slightly thicker skin.  The changes to the inderlying osseocartilaginous structure need to be slightly more aggressive.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @MMW312. You are a great candidate for a rhinoplasty. I recommend seeing an expert rhinoplasty specialist for an in person examination. There are several options for you that can be determined after examination.

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. All the issues you mentioned –a bulbous tip, hump, and a droopy nose –can all be addressed with a rhinoplasty procedure, regardless of the thickness of the skin. It will all depend on the expertise and technique used by your surgeon. Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex plastic surgery procedures, so I highly recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon, particularly one with a strong rhinoplasty portfolio. Your surgeon can properly assess your nose, recommend the best surgical approach, use digital photography to show projected results, and ensure the best possible outcome.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you appear to have a wide nasal appearance in our bridge, tip and nostrils, along with a profile bump and a droopy tip. You appear to have medium thickness skin which is favorable to work with. Consider consulting with several reputable rhinoplasty specialists so you could see what might be achieved with rhinoplasty. Thank you. Dr Joseph

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Even though your skin is thick, you can certainly make a nice improvement with a well performed rhinoplasty. You just have to be realistic - it will never be a really thin nose, but definitely thinner, better shaped, and natural for you. The bump and droop can be addressed at the same time

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear MMW312,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from rhinoplasty. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos, you seem to be excellent candidate for rhinoplasty. Thicker skin should not be a problem. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, expert in rhinoplasty, is recommended. Good luck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You do have thick skin but you would still get a nice result with rhinoplasty. After surgery there are ways of helping the swelling go down and thinning out the tissue such as taping at night and steroid injections into your tip

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Could you get a more refined nose with thick skin? During a rhinoplasty some of the Cartlidge of the tip of the nose is trimmed and in some cases other maneuvers are performed to make the tip of the nose thinner. How much thinner it gets then depends on the thickness of the skin. The thicker the skin the more limited the change. An improvement would be expected but less than in someone with medium skin. Cortizone injection after the surgery has healed could further refine the tip and area above the tip called the supratip in most patients.

Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear MMW312,Thanks for your question and uploading your photos. In brief, you are a candidate for a rhinoplasty to achieve a more refined, feminine nose. You have a bump to your nose and a droopy nasal tip which can be improved with surgery. Hispanic patients have thick skin and weak cartilages. This translates to an amorphous shape to the nasal tip. In order to improve this and refine your nose, the surgeon can thin your native skin (not too much because that can compromise the blood supply to your nose skin) and use cartilage grafts (generally from your own nose septum) to give strength and support to the tip of your nose. These grafts allow for the tip to push against the thick skin, and this gives more shape and form to your nose.I hope this helps answer your question!
All the best,Dr. Sanan, MDDouble board certified facial plastic surgeonAkshay Sanan, MD Facial Plastic SurgeryLos Angeles, CA

Hispanic rhinoplasty - can I achieve a more refined feminine nose with thick skin? (photos)

Answers (12)

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