What Is The Ideal Nasal Bridge Height For Asian Rhinoplasty?

The hallmark of a well-done rhinoplasty procedure is the harmonious blending of the nose with other facial features- including those that are ethnically distinct. Often, patients seek a rhinoplasty to correct a perceived imperfection or change some small element of their nose, but they don’t necessarily want to look entirely different, and they don’t want to wash out the ethnic characteristics of their face.

Asian rhinoplasty has been one of the fastest growing segments of facial cosmetic surgery in recent years, with nose surgery being the most common procedure performed for Asian clients.

What is usually requested is a raised bridge- the protruding ridge along the middle of the nose that extends upward toward the brow. People of European and Greco-Roman decent often have well-define and prominent nasal bones, so they appear to have pronounced nasal bridges. Many, in fact, seek rhinoplasty surgery in Toronto to reduce their nasal bone prominence and soften the look of their nose.

Naturally, many Asian patients have a soft-looking, low nasal bridge and sometimes it is quite flat between the eyes. This feature, in combination with wide base and nostril flare, are commonly changed during Toronto rhinoplasty procedures for Asian clients.

Unfortunately, if a rhinoplasty surgeon is not careful to respect and maintain ethnic features, the nose can wind up appearing out of proportion and out of balance with the rest of the face. A strong, defined or sharp bridge appears out of sync in these cases and can have the effect of looking quite fake. Most people who undergo facial plastic surgery do not wish to appear fake, so it is wise to seek a Toronto rhinoplasty expert who performs ethnically-sensitive facial surgeries every day.

Dr. Philip Solomon is an Otolaryngologist Head and Neck surgeon in addition to being a double board certified facial and reconstructive plastic surgeon who is quite familiar working with and beautifying a variety of ethnic features. This procedure is not one size fits all.

What Is The Best Method To Raise The Bridge?

While there isn’t a defined rule for raising the Asian nose bridge height, a common guideline uses the upper lashes as a starting point for the bridge to begin projecting. In many cases, the patient’s own cartilage can be used to safely build up this area with long-lasting results that are unlikely to cause issues with implant rejection. Because the patient’s own cartilage is a part of their body, known as an autologous graft, there is no risk of rejection and the soft look achieved will help to keep features harmonious.

When necessary, synthetic implants like silastic or silicone and ePTFE can be extremely sturdy and work well to hold a defined shape, however, great care should be taken when building up a bridge with synthetic supports. This approach will often look less natural than if the patient had opted for a subtle, low bridge that retained some Asian features.

It is important to discuss, in-depth, your desired look and goals for the procedure. Careful communication will ensure that you and your surgeon are on the same page when planning your Toronto rhinoplasty.