Beauty and The Black Nose in Ethnic Rhinoplasty Surgery

Beauty and the African Nose

Beauty is in the proportions and harmony of the elements. The ethnic Black nose has distinct features. Each person has a blend of these elements any one of which can enhance or detract from the nose. The best nose has a natural appearance without the look of surgical intervention. Someone unhappy about their nose may not understand what seems wrong. During your in office consultation Dr. Bermant will help you explore these issues. African Venus 1851 Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier

After Nasal Tip Reduction The Black nose has a wide natural configuration. Alar cartilages of the nostrils often extend beyond perpendicular lines from the inner corners of the eyes. Nasal bones and tip should blend into this width resulting in a gentle curve that continues from the eyebrow to the lower nose. In the "surgery" on this statue, the tip has been brought into harmony with the rest of the nose. Surgical sculpture can be subtle modifying an element that once dominated into balance with the rest of the nose honoring the natural ethnic beauty.

Elements of the African nose

Skin and Soft tissues
Black nasal soft tissues can be very thick. By the nasal tip, there is a thicker pad of fat and dermis just under the skin. This tends to round the tip and can obscure surgical sculpture to underlying elements.

Nasal Bones
Although the bones of the nose tend to be wide and flat, there is much variation. Just how wide seems natural or how narrow appears artificial is a personal preference. Narrow it too much and build it further away from the face too far, and the nose looses its natural Black beauty and starts looking more Caucasian.

This is an example of what I would consider a destruction of the ethnic nose. The dorsum has been augmented and narrowed, the tip made more pointed and the nostrils narrowed. In my opinion it looks like the wrong nose for this elegant face.

Nasal Tip
The Black nasal tip is more soft and round. This shape extends both from side to side and from the dorsum to the columella. Projection is limited and blends into the low dorsum. There is often a fairly sharp angle between the nasal tip and the lips.

Lower Nose
The nostrils tend to be spread wide in more of a horizontal oval than the vertical orientation of the Caucasian nose. The nasal tip does not project as far from the lips. Cartilage supports the skin and maintains the openings. From my experience, the cartilage seems softer that seen in Caucasian noses. However cadaver studies have not found the weakness thought to be there. The strength of these structures seems to come from their curved shapes.

The alar rims attach to the cheek usually flare - the segment just above the cheek is wider than at the attachment. This flaring adds to the round nostril shape. The nostrils can enter the cheek directly or blend with a rim along the lower nostrils towards the center.

How do I determine what is best for my nose?
Rhinoplasty surgery is sculpture of the nose. It is an artistic blend of what exists to what may be possible limited by the reality of tissues and surgery. Sometimes the change does not need to be dramatic. During your consultation, Dr. Bermant prefers computer morphing as an educational tool of what surgery may have to offer. Bring images of what you are trying to achieve. Better communication, letting him know what you want and seeing the limitations of surgery improves the chance of a happy result. This can take some time and patience.

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This page last updated on: January 1, 2010