African-American Rhinoplasty; It is an aesthetic operation performed to enable African Americans to have a nose that is compatible with their faces while preserving their ethnic differences. When performing African-American rhinoplasty, the nose is designed to be compatible with the patient’s face type in order to avoid disappointment as the nose form of a different ethnic origin will not suit the patient. According to research, it is argued that the genetics of African Americans were affected by the Great Migration from south to north. Therefore, African Americans also have different nose types and a special treatment plan is made for each patient before the rhinoplasty procedure.
Is There an Age Limit for African-American Rhinoplasty?
The age limit for African-American rhinoplasty is 18. It is applied to patients who have completed their nose development and are ready for the rhinoplasty procedure both physically and psychologically. Since the result obtained after the application will be permanent, the patient should not have any concerns. It is not possible to perform African-American rhinoplasty on children.
What is the Most Preferred Procedure for African-American Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is mostly preferred as nose augmentation in people of African American origin. Due to the effects of ethnic origins on the nasal structures, cartilage insertion and narrowing of the nasal base are preferred. If it is decided to perform a cartilage insertion operation; Nasal lines are made more distinct with cartilage grafts or anti-allergen implants. In addition, individuals of African origin who have a Nubian type nose, called long nasal bones and wide nasal wings, may resort to rhinoplasty surgery to narrow their nasal wings.
What to Know Before African-American Rhinoplasty Surgery?
Important details for African-American rhinoplasty surgery are as follows:
- It is a procedure performed under the influence of general anesthesia.
- The rhinoplasty procedure can take an average of 2-4 hours.
- After the surgery, the patient may need to be kept under observation in the hospital for 1 night, depending on the situation.
- After the operation, the patient must rest in bed for a week.
- The patient’s recovery period after surgery is 1-2 weeks.
How to Plan Before African-American Rhinoplasty Surgery?
The nose design for African-American rhinoplasty is made specifically for each patient. Those whose ancestors lived in a certain part of the African continent have flatter noses and wider nostrils, while those who lived in other regions have higher nose bridges and more prominent nose tips. Research has revealed that African Americans living in the southern states have predominantly African DNA, and those living in other states have mostly European DNA. It has been observed that African Americans in states such as Florida and South Carolina, which are further south than Kentucky and Virginia, have more African DNA. Therefore, in order to complete the rhinoplasty surgery successfully and to avoid deformations in the nose after the operation, treatment planning is made according to the unique nose characteristics of each African American patient.
The procedure must be performed by a doctor who has experience and expertise in the facial standards of the African-American ethnic group. First, the ratio of the patient’s nose to his face is calculated. Then, the most suitable nose shape for the patient is designed in line with this ratio. It is ensured that the patient has a natural and aesthetic nose without disturbing the ethnic characteristics of the nose.
How is African-American Rhinoplasty Performed?
Nasal bridge and nose tip shaping within the scope of African-American rhinoplasty surgery is done using the patient’s own tissues. Rhinoplasty surgery is usually performed using the fascia grafting technique. Fascia is the most suitable graft tissue to ensure that thin and small amounts of grafts can be adhered to and accepted in the new area.
A more detailed operation is performed compared to standard rhinoplasty surgery to change, improve, rejuvenate the nose and recreate the appearance around the nose. Since it is an operation that requires more care, different cosmetic surgery techniques are also used. African-American rhinoplasty surgery can be performed with open and closed techniques . Since dissolvable stitches are used during the operation, the healing process of the patients is more comfortable.
How Are Open and Closed Methods Applied in African-American Rhinoplasty Surgery?
African-American open and closed rhinoplasty techniques indicate where the incisions should be made to access the patient’s nasal structure under the skin. Depending on the anatomical structures of the patients, it is decided which method is more appropriate to perform the rhinoplasty operation. Application details of the open and closed rhinoplasty method are given below:
- Closed rhinoplasty: It is the name given to a closed rhinoplasty operation performed by making an incision in the nasal cavities of the patients.
- Open rhinoplasty: It is defined as open rhinoplasty performed by making a small incision at the base of the nose to access the underlying structure.
One of the main differences between open and closed rhinoplasty operations is the recovery process. The healing process is faster after closed rhinoplasty.
What is the Recovery Process for African-American Rhinoplasty?
Recovery time after African-American rhinoplasty is shorter compared to other ethnic plastic surgery treatments. Situations that patients should pay attention to during the recovery process are listed below:
- In the first few days after the operation, swelling and bruising are observed around the patient’s eyes. By the third day, swelling and bruising begin to decrease. It takes approximately 7-10 days for it to disappear completely.
- It is normal to feel pain for a few days after the surgery. When the pain becomes unbearable, it is sufficient to use the painkiller recommended by the doctor.
- In order for the nasal bones to heal faster, the nose is fixed with the help of a splint. This splint must be removed after 6-7 days after the operation. If dissolvable stitches were not used in the surgery, it is necessary to wait 8-9 days for the stitches to be removed.
- There is no harm in the patient continuing his daily routine activities, provided that they are not challenging.
- The patient can start exercising 2 weeks after the surgery.
- The patient can start doing strenuous activities 6 weeks after the operation.
- After African-American rhinoplasty surgery, it takes an average of 1-1.5 years for the patient’s nose to achieve its final appearance.
What are the Pros of African-American Rhinoplasty?
The advantages of African-American rhinoplasty are as follows:
- It is an application that allows the patient to achieve the aesthetic appearance he desires. Since a natural as well as aesthetic appearance will be achieved, it is not obvious that the patient has undergone rhinoplasty surgery.
- Since the physical change occurring in the patient’s nose will not destroy the characteristic feature of the patient’s nose, it continues to bear the unique characteristics of its ethnicity even after its nose is shaped.
- The asymmetry of the face of the patient who has African-American rhinoplasty surgery is balanced.
- A visible difference is achieved in the patient’s side profile. Improvement is seen in the side profile.
- If the patient has a nasal septum deviation due to trauma, accident or congenital deviation, this problem is also corrected with the African-American rhinoplasty operation. The patient’s breathing improves.
- Since it is an operation that has advantages in terms of both health and aesthetics, it ensures that the patient’s quality of life increases and he/she becomes a more self-confident individual.
Are There Any Non-Surgical Alternatives to African-American Rhinoplasty Surgery?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty, the patient can have a more natural and aesthetic nose by preserving the ethnic nose characteristics. However, it is decided whether African-American rhinoplasty surgery is necessary or not according to the aesthetic goals of patients with African American nose characteristics and the doctor’s guidance . Since it is a more detailed operation, a more permanent and successful result is achieved compared to non-surgical rhinoplasty.
