Houston Ethnic Rhinoplasty Surgeon

At Funk Facial Plastic Surgery, rhinoplasty procedures are one of the most common surgeries that Dr. Etai Funk, MD, FACS performs. Dr. Funk performs nose job surgeries for many people, both male and female, of many different ethnicities for cosmetic and functional fixes in the Houston area. Special consideration must be taken when performing African-American rhinoplasty, Hispanic rhinoplasty, Middle Eastern Rhinoplasty, and Asian rhinoplasty due to the uniqueness of these noses.

Houston Ethnic Rhinoplasty Before & Afters View Ethnic Rhinoplasty Before & Afters

Dr. Funk's strategy is always to communicate closely with his patients to understand what type of changes they want to see and feel with their noses. There are specifically unique features with ethnic noses. Some patients would like a more Caucasian nose while others prefer to maintain their nasal ethnic identity with some refinement. What is most important in ethnic rhinoplasty or nose job surgery is to respect a person’s ethnicity and wishes for their nose. Creating a nose that someone of Scandinavian descent may have for a Pakistani woman will look operated and unnatural. A good balance must be attained for each person’s nose. The most important thing about the nose is that it should blend right into the face and not distract from the other features.

African-American Rhinoplasty

Many African American patients want their nose to better fit their face by narrowing or thinning the nostrils or base of their nose. Houston rhinoplasty surgeon, Dr. Funk has years of expertise in executing precise and technically sound African American rhinoplasty and understands the variability with the African American nose.

The African-American nose may have features of a low bridge, bulbous or ill-defined tip, and a wide base. The nostrils may be round as opposed to oval or kidney bean-shaped. The skin is typically very thick and may need to be thinned. The bridge may need augmentation and narrowing. The nasal tip cartilage may need to be refined. The tip may also need to be raised or supported so that it sits a little further off the face. The nostrils and base of the nose will typically need to be brought in. This can be accomplished with a small triangular excision of skin at the sill or floor of the nose.

Hispanic (Latino) Rhinoplasty

Houston and Texas, in general, have seen a growth in the Hispanic and Latino population and a growth in those seeking rhinoplasty. Dr. Funk has patients come to his recognized practice from all over the Houston area, but also South Texas and overseas since he specializes in rhinoplasty and facial plastic surgery.

Hispanics can have different features on their nose depending on their origins and heritage. This is key to understanding and properly executing Hispanic rhinoplasty surgery. The Castilian nose originates in Spain and may have a prominent nasal hump with a hanging or droopy nasal tip or normal tip. The Mestizo nose is a mixture of Native American and European roots and has a more broad-based appearance with a wide bridge, flat bulbous nasal tip, and very thick skin. Hispanics or Latinos from the Caribbean and South America generally have wider nostrils and a wider bridge. Others, such as Mexican-Americans, will have a mixture of these noses.

Each nose must be addressed differently. Dr. Funk can perform both major and minor alterations without taking away a patient’s ethnic identity and instead, preserving its beauty.

Asian Rhinoplasty

The Asian features of the nose can vary as well depending on the region. Most Asian noses have a flat dorsum or bridge with poor projection of the tip and weak tip support. Because many Asian patients desire a more “Western” look, they may require grafting to create a more pronounced tip with more projection and definition. Asian nose surgery proves to be complex and may also require augmentation of the bridge of the nose. Dr. Funk will use techniques to ensure that the result of each Asian rhinoplasty patient has a nose that best fits their face and looks beautiful and natural.

Middle Eastern Rhinoplasty

The Middle Eastern nose can vary but is similar throughout most Arab countries. This is similar to the Castilian nose which makes sense as Spain used to be ruled by the Moors who were Arabs. Most often, there is a large hump or bump on the bridge and the nasal tip is droopy. The tips are also generally wider and more undefined than the patient will want it to be. The nose may be wide at the base. Skin thickness may vary. The key with Middle Eastern rhinoplasty is to create a natural nose and not make it appear operated or similar to a Northern European nose.

ethnic rhinoplasty houston

Features Addressed with Ethnic Rhinoplasty & Nose Jobs

Some of the benefits that ethnic rhinoplasty patients see include both cosmetic and functional issues of the nose depending on the consultation with Dr. Funk. Some of the features addressed with ethnic nose jobs include the following:

  • Nasal Dorsum Adjustments: Some of the most common features addressed with ethnic rhinoplasty procedures include wide and flat nasal dorsums or the bridge of the nose. This can be taken in with controlled fractures of the bone and suture techniques.
  • Nasal Tip Augmentation: Other common characteristics for ethnic rhinoplasty include a short or flat, under projected nasal tip. To augment the nasal tip, cartilage grafts can be used.
  • Nasal Base Reduction or Alar Base Reduction: Wide bases of the nose are also a feature addressed often and can be adjusted by a base reduction. This can make the nostrils smaller and bring in the width of the nose around the nostrils. This is done with small incisions in the base of the nostril and around the nostril. These scars hide well in these shadowed areas.

Every nose is different. That's why Dr. Funk focuses on identifying and communicating with each of his patients the changes they desire to their nose, whether for aesthetic or functional reasons, to deliver natural results for every patient.

Call Funk Facial Plastic Surgery at (713) 636-2757 or email us today to learn more about rhinoplasty, sinus surgery, or other cosmetic procedures performed by Dr. Etai Funk.

 Common Ethnic Rhinoplasty Questions

What is ethnic rhinoplasty?

Ethnic rhinoplasty is a generalized term describing nose surgery or a nose job for patients of ethnic decent. In order to answer this, I guess one must define, what is “ethnic”? Is an Hispanic nose job ethnic rhinoplasty? What about an Arab nose surgery? Most of the time, “ethnic rhinoplasty” is used to describe a nose job for African-American or Asian patients. However, it could be addressing any non-Caucasion rhinoplasty.

Typically, with ethnic rhinoplasty (African-American or Asian that is), a bulbous nasal tip is refined, the nostrils may be brought in, and the bridge may be brought up or augmented. The nasal tip skin may need to be thinned.

Who is eligible for ethnic rhinoplasty?

Ethnic rhinoplasty is a broad term which really can refer to rhinoplasty designated for any patients who do not desire a Caucasian appearing nose.  Ethnic rhinoplasty can be indicated for African-American, Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian/Pakistani, or even Hispanic noses.  Dr. Funk feels that the term ethnic rhinoplasty is too broad and rhinoplasty should be categorized to more specific ethnicities as the desires and look for Asian rhinoplasty may be completely different than those for African-American rhinoplasty.  

Can I preserve some of my ethnicity with ethnic rhinoplasty?

Many of my Houston ethnic rhinoplasty patients state they want to preserve some of their ethnic identity with rhinoplasty. This may mean not narrowing the nostrils too much or not taking down the hump completely or simply leaving a strong straight dorsum. I have even had patients tell me they do not want a Caucasian nose after rhinoplasty. Preserving an ethnic nose with rhinoplasty requires the surgeon to understand the nasal characteristics of each ethnic nose. Whether you are dealing with African-American rhinoplasty, Asian rhinoplasty, or Middle Eastern rhinoplasty, it is critical to understand ethnic rhinoplasty and listen to each patients’ desires for their aesthetic result.

What is recovery like after ethnic rhinoplasty?

Ethnic rhinoplasty (nose job) or nose surgery is not a painful procedure. Patients will describe it as being uncomfortable for the first two days and by day three they start feeling better. Many of Dr. Funk's patients will only take one prescribed pain pill and some require none!

Dr. Funk DOES NOT USE PACKING after rhinoplasty. Dr. Funk feels that by using good surgical techniques and controlling the blood pressure during and after surgery, packing is not needed. Packing can lead to more pain and discomfort for patients and is frequently unnecessary.

You may have a small amount of bruising and swelling around the eyes after surgery. Dr. Funk's regimen of herbal remedies and cold Swiss therapy gel masks helps decrease this after nose surgery.

Recovery is eight days. On day six after surgery, Dr. Funk will remove your cast and some stitches. He will retape your nose and on day eight after surgery, he will remove that tape and all the stitches. You are social at this point! Most if not all of your bruising is gone by then. The nose will be swollen at this point but not noticeable to others. As the months pass by, your swelling will decline. At 3 weeks, 20-30% of the swelling is down. At 6 weeks 50-60% of swelling has abated. It will take a full year for all the swelling to subside. However, most of Dr. Funk's patients are thrilled with the appearance of their once the tape comes off and know it will only get smaller over time.

What are the different types of ethnic rhinoplasty?

Ethnic rhinoplasty is truly a diverse term for rhinoplasty for any patient who has characteristics or qualities of a non-Caucasian nose. Ethnic rhinoplasty could encompass rhinoplasty for African-American, Asian, Hipanic, or Middle Eastern patients.

 

Can nostrils be narrowed with ethnic rhinoplasty?

During ethnic rhinoplasty, the nostril size is frequently reduced. There are a few important aspects of the nostrils that should be discussed in regards to ethnic rhinoplasty. The width of the nostrils can be brought in with small triangular excision of skin at the sill or floor of the nose. If the nostrils have flare, then a small wedge of skin can be removed from the alar-facial groove. Combined, these two maneuvers can create narrower, more refined, and smaller nostrils during ethnic rhinoplasty.

Asian Rhinoplasty

Dr. Funk carefully considers the specific needs and preferences of each patient during the consultation. Asian rhinoplasty should restore a more desirable balance to the face, look natural and enhance the beauty of the rest of his/her facial features.

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African American Rhinoplasty

African-American or Black rhinoplasty is a form of ethnic rhinoplasty which is unique to this demographic. Experience with African-American noses is essential to obtain the desired result after rhinoplasty, and Dr. Funk has it.

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