Rhinoplasty Trends For Asian Patients

By A Aaronson

Asian-Americans patients represent a growing percentage of the American plastic surgery business. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that the number of Asian-Americans undergoing cosmetic surgery grew to 767,806 in 2007, representing 7 percent of all patients, up from 6 percent in 2006. One of the most commonly requested procedures among this population segment is rhinoplasty or nose surgery. Asian noses tend to have several general features. These include a wide bridge and a flat nasal tip curve. The current Asian rhinoplasty trends involve the changing and reshaping of these characteristic features.

The Bridge

Many of those Asian-Americans looking for a nose job are specifically seeking a higher nasal bridge. This is accomplished by inserting a piece silicone above the natural bridge to create a nose bridge that projects farther from the face. Some patients complain that this technique leaves much to be desired, as the result can be a very obviously surgically altered nose. Sometimes the sharp edges of the implant are even visible under the nose skin. In some cases, silicone implants have even been known to turn the nose tissue an unsightly reddish hue. More recently, plastic surgeons have begun using cartilage grafts to build up the nasal bridge during Asian rhinoplasty. The cartilage is from the patient's own body and helps create a more natural look. A synthetic material called Gore-Tex is also becoming more popular because it does not show through like the silicone does.

The Tip

Many Asian-Americans have wide nose tips with wide, flared nostrils. The typical request is for a smaller, more defined tip and more proportional nostrils. This can be achieved through plastic surgery. If more than simple reshaping is required, implants can be use to get the desired definition. These implants can be either synthetic or from the patient's own cartilage. Cartilage can come from the septum(the blade between the nostrils), the ears, the skull, ribs, or hips.

The key to a successful Asian-American rhinoplasty is to keep the nose balanced with the rest of the face. The nose job should not make the tip too small or the bridge height too high for the rest of the face. Along these same lines, it is imperative that patients and plastic surgeons not try to create an Asian nose into a Caucasian nose or any other non-Asian type nose. The ethnicity should be preserved to make the rhinoplasty as appealing and natural looking as possible.

As with any ethnicity, recovery from a rhinoplasty takes times, usually somewhere in the range of weeks to months. The new, true shape of the nose will only be revealed as the post-surgery swelling and bruising subsides. There may be some pain and tenderness in the mean time, but painkillers can typically erase the annoyance of these side effects. And cosmetics can be very effective in covering up any bruising, redness, or blemishes during the healing process. With a little, patience, Asian rhinoplasty can be a very rewarding plastic surgery procedure.

If you're displeased with the appearance of your nose and are considering rhinoplasty, Williamsburg plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Center Hampton Roads offers unsurpassed skill. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit http://www.pschr.com.