While there are many popular Cosmetic Surgical procedures in North America such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelifts and eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty continues to remain one of the most sought after surgeries on the continent. Historical data suggests that it has always been more commonly performed in women. However, there is a significant rise in the population of men undergoing the surgery in the recent years. Not only that, people from all different ethnic backgrounds, are finding greater acceptance to seek out rhinoplasty surgery within their culture.
Ethnicity does play a significant role in rhinoplasty surgery due to the ethnic differences in the anatomy of the surrounding bone and cartilage. So, how is this information relevant to individuals who consider undergoing rhinoplasty? If you have distinctive ethnic features that you wish to preserve, you are likely to get better results by choosing a plastic surgeon who has experience performing the surgery on individuals within your ethnic group. Different cultures also have different perspectives and expectations when it comes to cosmetic surgery. It’s vital to choose a surgeon who has experience working with patients of your ethnic culture so that they understand what is required to achieve your goal based on your anatomy.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), there is a significant increase in the number of Asian Americans seeking cosmetic surgery from one year to the next. In fact, most of the countries dubbed as a, “capital of cosmetic surgery” are located on the continent of Asia (ie. South Korea, Iran). Thus, it has become increasingly important for plastic surgeons to understand the key differences in the bone structures among the Asian ethnicities.
For example, the location of the nasal bridge is usually lower in East-Asians when compared to Europeans. The pointed end of the nose is also less prominent and presents with a surface that appears to have convex contour. It is also quite common to build up the bridge of the nose by adding material for Asian patients, and to reduce the size and prominence of the nose in Persian patients. The white coloured scar tissue following surgery lacks melanin pigmentation. So, for the best post-surgical result, dark skinned individuals should ensure that their surgeon is familiar with techniques that will maintain the consistency of their skin colour to reduce the visibility of scar tissue. Thus, not every individual will undergo the exact same steps when undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure. The differences in the anatomy and physiology of individuals will lead to custom-tailored cosmetic surgeries for best results.
In summary, it is highly recommended for patients to ask their surgeon if they have experience performing rhinoplasty surgery on individuals of similar ethnicity as you. It would also be beneficial for you to research online to find images of individuals whose nose shape you prefer to see on your face. This information will give your surgeon a better idea about your expectations and goals for your surgery so that you can achieve the results you envision.
Sep 19th 2017
