African American Rhinoplasty
Nose reshaping in people of African decent requires a unique set of skills and understanding of the African American patient. Because of his background, Dr. Boahene has a specialized interest in rhinoplasty in Africans, African Americans, Carribeans and individuals of African descent. The aesthetic standards, techniques and measurements commonly used in Caucasian patients, when applied to the ethnic nose, often results in an unnatural, over-operated and a very unhappy patient.
Ethnic Cosmetic Surgery rising; Washington Times. Christi Tyson, 32, of Silver Spring is typical of the trend. A corporate nutritionist who interned at Hopkins, she came to Dr. Boahene in May for rhinoplasty - a nose job - that cost $6,000. She first got opinions from two other minority surgeons, paying $100 for each consultation. "What they wanted to give me didn't fit me. I felt rushed," she says. An otherwise self-confident person, she unabashedly admits she grew up "with some sort of complex" about her nose because "it seemed a more distinct feature that I didn't like." Neither her mother nor her father had a similar feature. She brought Dr. Boahene a photo of a high school classmate, actress Kerry Washington, to use as a model. Dr. Boahene made before and after pictures on a computer screen to suggest what would be best for her. "I wanted to look natural, but not in an extreme way," she says. Cllck to read full article http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/10/ethnic-cosmetic-surgeries-rising/ |
FAQs in African American and Ethnic Rhinoplasty |
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions concerning African American Rhinoplasty:
What are some common reasons African Americans seek nasal surgery?
wide nostrils
wide nasal tips
flat noses
lack of tip definition
breathing problems
What is unique about the African American nose and nasal surgery?
maintaining the African ethnic feature is of utmost importance
an unatural look is poorly tolerated
short nasal bones requires special handling
skin type prone to scarring
standard rhinoplasty measurements used for caucasians are not applicable
thicker skin and delicate cartilages require special handling
diverse facial features among African Americans require an individualized approach
What techniques do you use for the African American rhinoplasty?
- Reshaping the nostril without external scars
- Narrowing the tip without external scars
- Improving breathing while reshaping the nose
- Use of patients own tissue in the majority of cases
- Building up the nasal bridge with cartilage ( nasal, ear or rib cartilage)
- Narrowing broad nose with micro-osteotomies using minimally invasive technique
- Do you use the Open or Closed approach in your rhinoplasties? I use both approaches as needed. The open ( external) vs. closed (endonasal) approaches are two methods of exposing the nasal cartilages and bones. The main difference is the placement of an incision across the columella. I use microsurgical techniques to close this incision so it rarely becomes an issue. The approach i select however depends largely one being able to visualize details of the cartilage frame work that needs to be contoured. In some cases, the endonasal approach allowes excellent visialization whiles in other, seeing more through the open approach allows me to more precisiely cotour the nasal framework. In the end, meticulous technique blurs the disticntion between the two approaches. Our goal is always to use the least intrusive approach to achieve the aesthetic chnages desired. When I suspect a patient may be prone to poor scarring, I definitely use the endonasal ( closed) approach.
- Do you debulk the nasal skin and make major changes in your rhinoplasties? Yes. Rhinoplasty is one of the few cosmetic procedures that the surgeon has to make changes factoring in refinements that will occur long after the surgery is completed. Anticipating the changes that the skin will do becomes very important. The thicker ones nasal skin, the more structural support is needed. I often will debulk thick skin down to a level that preserves the skin's blood vessels that are necessary for nourishment. I use cartilage grafts to provide adequate support and shape to the skin. The skin then adapts to the underlying contoured cartilage and thus achieving the aesthetic shape desired. Major changes made during rhinoplasty will only lead to a nice natural result when it blends well with the other facial features like the lips, cheeks, forehead , brow and chin.
- What should I expect during a rhinoplasty consultation?
Dr. Boahene trained at premiere instituitions and with expect plastic surgeons around the world. He brings this international perspective to his patients. Knowing that different patients have different features, he approaches each patient with an individaulized touch. " I take a personal interest in listening to and educating my patients so that we can formulate a plan that produces a natural looking result". Patients are adviced to come to their consultations with as much information as they can. Pictures of potential final results are helpful in directing conversation during the consultation. Your nose will be examined to determine your unique anatomic features that may need correction or refinement to ensure long term stable results. Photographs will be taken and then morphed with a computer program so that you can have an idea of the final results. International patients and others who live afar may start the consultation process on-line. To facilitate an on-line consultation, take digital photographs of the face focusing on the nose. The pictures are most helpful when taken against a bold colored background. Digital photographs for rhinoplasty should include a front, profile ( side) and base ( looking into the nostrils) views.
Contact Dr. Boahene About African American Rhinoplasty. A consultation with Dr. Boahene will include: - Personal consultation with Dr. Boahene
- Digital photographs and analysis
- Computer imaging to preview results
- Complimentary skin care consultation
For a consult call us at :410 502 2145 or 410 527 1197 Email us with a your rhinoplasty questions, interests or set up a consultation:
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Before and After Photos of African American Rhinoplasty
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Nasal tip refinement African American rhinoplasty.The nasal base width is appropriate but the alal margin and nostrilsare flared. Using cartilage grafts and cartilage reshaping techniques the tip is refined without any visible external scars. Notice the natural un-operated look. |
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Rhinoplasty in African American male to reduce dorsal hump and straighten the crooked nose. The bulbous nasal tip was refined for better balance |
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Revision african american rhinoplasty after two previous rhinoplasty performed by another surgeon. Preoperative photo showing a hump behind the tip and a poorly defined droopy tip. Early post-operative result already showing improvement in the bridge, profile and a delicately refined nasal tip. In revision surgery, it takes time for the final result to be apparent. More refinement in this patients profile is expected. |
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Rhinoplasty in African American female. Refinement of a droopy, broad and bulbous nasal tip |
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Rhinoplasty in African American male . Nose was reshaped to correct wide nostrils, build nasal tip and correct nasal bridge. |
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| Rhinolasty in an African Ameican male.African American males usually want to maintain strong masculine and their ethnic feature following rhiniplasty. In this individual, the nasal hump is reduced and the droopy tip collected by slight elevation. One base view, the nosril symmetry is maintained and his nasal tip was refined enough to blend with his facial features.His breathing difficulties were corrected at the same time. He does not have any tell-tale signs of having had a nose job. |
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Ethinc rhinoplasty in this young African American female. Refining the round and broad nasal tip to acheives a delicate tip that blends with her full lips and cheeks. |