Dr. Bray's Plastic Surgery Blog

Some African-Americans enjoy having the option of reshaping their nose to their desired proportion without diminishing its unique ethnic features. The African-American nose is incredibly diverse, and each case must consider the unique concerns of the individual patient.

Dr. Bray typically performs a nasal analysis and uses the results to recommend what enhancements can be made to the nose. The goal is to enhance the nose’s appearance in a way complementary to the rest of the face while maintaining a healthy nasal airway; improving the nose’s proportion relative to the face is key.

In African-Americans considering rhinoplasty, a frequent concern is that the nose seems too wide or too large. A flat nasal dorsum, wide nostrils or nasal base, and a bulbous nasal tip can cause this concern. A rhinoplasty to address this would include dorsal augmentation, or roof of the nose or bridge of the nose augmentation. The tip can be sutured to make it narrower, and cartilage grafts can be implemented for more refinement. The nostrils can be made narrower by removing nasal skin.

Some people express concern over scarring, but if an external incision is required, Dr. Bray places it discreetly, and modern healing aids and skin treatments dramatically reduce the appearance of scars.

If you are an African-American seeking rhinoplasty, we are sensitive to your needs and will work closely with you to meet them while respecting your ethnic heritage. Please schedule a rhinoplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.