Ethnic rhinoplasty and normal rhinoplasty (often referred to as Western or Caucasian rhinoplasty) are both surgical procedures that aim to reshape the nose. Still, they differ in their goals, techniques, and considerations. This type of cosmetic nose surgery is ideal for people who want to fix cosmetic concerns in the nose without compromising their ethnic identity.

Dr Scott Turner is a highly experienced facial plastic surgeon in Sydney, Australia. Over the years, he’s accumulated skills and expertise that allow him to meet your aesthetic goals while being very sensitive to your ethnic background.

How does an Ethnic Rhinoplasty Differ from a Traditional (Caucasian) Nose Job in Australia?

Goals

Ethnic Rhinoplasty: The primary goal of ethnic rhinoplasty is to enhance or modify the appearance of the nose while preserving the patient’s ethnic or cultural features. Patients of various ethnic backgrounds seek this procedure to address concerns about their noses’ size, shape, or proportions while maintaining their unique ethnic characteristics.
Normal (Caucasian) Rhinoplasty: Traditional rhinoplasty, often referred to as Western or Caucasian rhinoplasty, typically aims to create a nose that conforms to Western beauty standards, which may involve reducing the size of the nose, refining the tip, and creating a specific nasal profile that is considered more classically “aesthetic” by Western standards.

Cultural Considerations

Ethnic Rhinoplasty: Surgeons performing ethnic rhinoplasty take into account the patient’s cultural background and aesthetic preferences. They strive to achieve a result that aligns with the patient’s cultural identity and maintains the ethnic characteristics of the nose.
Normal (Caucasian) Rhinoplasty: In traditional rhinoplasty, the emphasis may be on achieving a more Westernized appearance, which might involve reducing the size of the nose and altering its proportions to fit Western ideals of beauty.

Techniques

Ethnic Rhinoplasty: This type of rhinoplasty requires specialised techniques that are tailored to the patient’s ethnicity. Surgeons aim to make subtle changes to the nose, such as refining the tip, narrowing the bridge, or addressing specific ethnic features, without erasing the individual’s ethnic identity.
Normal (Caucasian) Rhinoplasty: Traditional rhinoplasty techniques are more standardized and often involve reducing the size of the nose, refining the tip, and addressing issues like a dorsal hump. These procedures may focus on achieving a more symmetrical and “Westernised” appearance.

It’s important to note that the distinctions between ethnic and normal rhinoplasty are not rigid, and the approach can vary widely depending on the surgeon’s expertise, the patient’s desires, and the specific case. In both cases, the ultimate goal is to provide the patient with a natural and aesthetically pleasing result while respecting their individual characteristics or cultural identity.

Performing ethnic rhinoplasty goes beyond making the nose smaller, thinner, or taller. Plastic surgeons performing this intricate cosmetic surgery need an in-depth knowledge of ethnic-specific nasal features and facial harmony.

Dr Turner understands the unique facial characteristics of each patient. He performs tailored rhinoplasty that can improve the appearance of your nose while maintaining a look that reflects your heritage.

What are the Features of Ethnic Noses?

Caucasian noses are structurally different from non-Caucasian noses and usually have the following features:

Tall and thin
Narrow nose bridge
Thin nasal skin and soft tissue
Pointy nose tip
High nasal bridge
Strong underlying bone and cartilage

On the other hand, compared to Caucasians, non-Caucasians generally have noses that are:

Shorter
Wider
Less projecting
Flatter nose bridge
May have a nasal hump or bump
Weaker underlying bone and cartilage
Undefined nose tip or bulbous or droopy nasal tip
Flared nostrils

Different Types of Ethnic Rhinoplasty Procedures

Middle Eastern Rhinoplasty

Many patients who come in for a Middle Eastern rhinoplasty feel that their noses are too big or too droopy.

A typical Middle Eastern nose, such as the Persian nose, has several distinctive anatomical characteristics, including:

A low or underdeveloped nose radix (the upper boney part of the nose between the eyes)
A dorsal hump or bump
An over-projecting nose bridge
Thick nasal skin
A deviated septum
Undefined nasal tip that droops when smiling

African American Rhinoplasty

An African-American nose usually has the following nasal anatomy:

A bulbous, less-defined nasal tip
A flat and wide nose bridge
Low nose bridge
Nostril flaring
Weak nose cartilage
Thick nasal skin

Hispanic and Latino Rhinoplasty

The Hispanic and Latino noses share some specific aesthetic nasal characteristics, such as:

Thick nasal tissue
Weak cartilage in the septum
A nose hump
A bulbous nose tip with poor definition
Wide nasal base

Dr Scott Turner specialises in ethnic preservation rhinoplasty that can enhance the nose’s appearance while respecting the patient’s cultural beauty ideals.

How is Ethnic Rhinoplasty Different?

Ethnic rhinoplasty is similar to traditional rhinoplasty in that any nose job involves some form of bone and tissue manipulation to make the nose appear more aesthetic to the patient.

Both ethnic and regular nose jobs may involve the following:

Breaking or shaving of the nasal bones
Bone or cartilage grafting
Straightening a deviated septum
Cartilage manipulation

The main difference between ethnic rhinoplasty and traditional rhinoplasty is that the ethnic nose job pays special attention to the unique structural features of an ethnic nose. That helps create natural-looking results while preserving the patient’s ethnic look.

Dr Turner utilises the Vectra 3D Imaging System which allows him to show you what is realistically achievable through your personalised rhinoplasty procedure, this also is the best way to workshop your nose goals.

How is Ethnic Rhinoplasty Performed?

Dr Turner will plan your ethnic nose job surgery based on your unique nose anatomy, cosmetic concerns, and aesthetic goals.

First, you’ll receive general anaesthesia so you won’t feel pain during the surgery
Next, your surgeon will make an incision either on the inside of the nose (closed rhinoplasty), or the outside of the nose on the groove of tissue separating the nostrils (open rhinoplasty)
After, the nasal skin layer is carefully separated from the underlying nasal bone and cartilage

Then, depending on the nature of your ethnic rhinoplasty, Dr Turner might perform the following:

Cartilage and bone removal: This is more common in Middle Eastern rhinoplasty. Bone and cartilage are removed from the nose to make it smaller and less projecting. That helps bring a protruding nose closer to the face. It is also done to reduce a nose bump or dorsal hump
Cartilage grafting: Cartilage grafting is commonly performed in Asian nose jobs where the nose is usually flat and lacks projection. Cartilage is harvested from the septum, ear, or rib and added to the flat areas of the nose. That adds height to the nasal bridge and makes the nose stick farther from the face. A splint may also be used
Cartilage rearrangement: Instead of removing from or adding to your nose, Dr Turner can rearrange your nasal cartilage to narrow your nostrils, refine your nasal tip, and give your nose more length. Your plastic surgeon can also correct a deviated septum to straighten the nose and fix breathing problems

Dr Turner might perform a combination of those procedures depending on your nose anatomy, cosmetic concerns, and the nose shape you hope to end up with after your surgery.

Click here to read the FAQ’s about ethnic rhinoplasty.

Ethnic Rhinoplasty Sydney