Beauty and The Black Nose in Ethnic Rhinoplasty Surgery
Beauty and the African Nose
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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 |
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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.
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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.
The Black Nose and Beauty (Black Rhinoplasty - Surgery of the Nose)
