An ethnic rhinoplasty is a cosmetic nose surgery procedure that meets the expectations of patients of African, Middle Eastern, Caribbean or Asian origin who present certain anatomical characteristics. An ethnic rhinoplasty aims to make the nose narrower, the tip finer, with greater projection and less visible nostrils.
What is an ethnic rhinoplasty?
The term "ethnic rhinoplasty" refers to cosmetic nose surgery procedures performed on patients who are not of Caucasian origin. Ethnic rhinoplasties are generally performed on patients of African or Asian origin, or of mixed heritage.
Patients of African or Asian origin often have different morphological characteristics in the nose. The anatomical specifics of these patients' noses require particular techniques as well as mastery of specific techniques on the surgeon's part.
The pursuit of a natural result
The goal of an ethnic rhinoplasty is not to "westernize" the nose, but to modify its shape to achieve a well-proportioned nose that restores harmony to the patient's face.
As with any rhinoplasty, when performing an ethnic rhinoplasty, it is especially important to avoid the pitfall of a standardized, stereotypical nose. Indeed, the result achieved would not be natural or harmonious with the rest of the face.
Any cosmetic surgery procedure must be tailored to the patient's anatomy, but this is even more true for an ethnic rhinoplasty. During the initial consultation with the cosmetic surgeon, the patient will review their expectations. The surgeon will then present the most appropriate techniques to best meet their wishes based on their original anatomy.
Who is a candidate for ethnic rhinoplasty?
An ethnic rhinoplasty is indicated for patients who present:
- A deficit in facial skeleton projection (a "flat nose" that lacks projection when viewed in profile).
- A round, undefined nasal tip, explained by thick skin, a short nasal septum and a reduced volume of tip cartilage.
- A wide nasal base, with overly long alar wings and particularly visible nostrils.
- Particularly thick skin, which masks the contours of the underlying cartilage.
Techniques used in an ethnic rhinoplasty
The term "ethnic rhinoplasty" covers several cosmetic nose surgery techniques that meet the expectations of patients of African or Asian origin. There are three types of surgical procedures that address these patients' expectations and anatomical characteristics:
- Redefining a nasal tip that is too rounded
- Increasing nose projection, which has the effect of refining it.
- Reducing the width of the nose and the nostrils
In some cases, all three of these procedures may be combined to achieve the desired result. In other cases, only one or two of these procedures will be needed.
Refining the tip of the nose
Why do some patients have a particularly wide nasal tip?
A nasal tip that is too wide and too flat is explained by insufficiently developed alar cartilage.
A rounded nasal tip is often accentuated by thick skin, particularly in patients of African origin. Indeed, the thicker the skin, the less visible the underlying cartilage.
Surgical options for reshaping the tip of the nose
To refine the tip of the nose, several surgical procedures can be performed:
- Resection of excess alar cartilage, responsible for the width of the nasal tip
- Suturing and folding of the cartilage to increase projection of the nasal tip
- Cartilage grafting to better define and project the nasal tip. The cartilage graft is generally harvested from the ears.
Increasing projection and refining the bridge of the nose
When the nose is "flat," the bridge of the nose is considered to have a projection deficit. The nose appears flattened, more or less wide, sometimes with a hollowed root.
Raising the bridge of the nose with a cartilage graft
The technique used depends on the extent of elevation the patient wants for the nose. To achieve this, the nasal bones can be surgically brought closer together. If a greater degree of projection is desired, a cartilage graft is needed.
The graft can be harvested from ear cartilage or rib cartilage (if a larger quantity of cartilage is needed). The DCF graft technique is the reference technique used by Dr. Kron. In some cases, a synthetic graft may be used.
In some cases, a synthetic graft is used (silicone, Gore-Tex). Dr. Kron sometimes uses this technique, which is simpler to perform than a DCF graft, on patients who have never had surgery and who only need a simple projection of the dorsum (more often in patients of Asian origin).
The choice of procedure type and desired projection is made during the initial consultation. 3D photography tools such as Vectra XT allow for simulating the result of a cartilage graft as part of an ethnic rhinoplasty.
The DCF graft technique
The DCF graft technique (Diced Cartilage Fascia) achieves very good results. Since the graft is flexible and moldable, it produces a particularly clean nasal ridge.
The procedure involves harvesting cartilage from the ear's concha, which is fragmented into small one-millimeter dice (diced cartilage) and then wrapped in a thin tissue (fascia) harvested from under the hair (deep temporal fascia). This graft can then be molded onto the bridge of the nose in a perfectly custom way.
A medical alternative: hyaluronic acid injection
To fill the hollow of the nasal bridge, a hyaluronic acid injection can be used. This non-surgical technique, called "medical rhinoplasty," fills a hollow bridge of the nose and improves its projection by refining it.
The result is immediate and lasts 12 months on average.
This treatment is indicated for people who wish to correct the appearance of their nose without resorting to a surgical procedure. This technique cannot correct as effectively as a surgical rhinoplasty. Since he performs both techniques, Dr. Kron can inform you of the advantages and limitations of each procedure.
Reducing the nostrils (alar base reduction)
Patients undergoing an ethnic rhinoplasty often want to reduce the size of their nostrils. From a medical standpoint, this is referred to as "alar base reduction," addressing two goals:
- Reducing the width of the nostrils
- Reducing the size of the nostril openings
In some cases, this procedure is performed in isolation. In other cases, it is combined with other surgical procedures (concerning the projection or tip of the nose).
The surgical procedure
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia if performed in isolation. If several surgical procedures are combined as part of a rhinoplasty, the procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia.
If the nostrils are too flared, this is due to an excessive curve of an overly large nostril. Excess skin of the nostrils is then resected. The procedure leaves a small scar that is hidden inside the nostril.
If the nostril opening is too wide, a reduction of the nostril sill is needed. The nostril is then "lifted" to appear less "open." The procedure leaves a small scar hidden in the crease of the nasal wing.
A procedure that must be performed with moderation
When reducing the size of the nostrils, it is essential to proceed sparingly to preserve the harmony of the nose with the rest of the face. It is generally considered that the width of the nose should equal the width of the eyelids for the face to be harmonious.
It is better to opt for a moderate correction during the first procedure to avoid the risk of over-correction, which would result in an unnatural look. If the reduction is not judged sufficient, a second procedure can be performed (called a revision rhinoplasty).
Learn more:
If you would like more information about what happens during a rhinoplasty, from the initial consultation to recovery, you can consult the information sheet "Rhinoplasty - Cosmetic nose surgery".
You can also view this before-after nose surgery gallery.
