Beverly Hills African American Rhinoplasty – Dr. Ashkan Ghavami

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The attributes of an ethnic nose (e.g., thick skin, excessive fatty tissue at the tip) can make rhinoplasty challenging; the surgery requires the skill of a surgeon who has specific training and experience in this kind of work. Dr. Ghavami has become one of the authorities on ethnic rhinoplasty, and is frequently invited to teach his techniques throughout the world. He trained in Dallas, home of the world-renowned Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium, which is now in its 3rd decade, and for which Dr. Ghavami has served as faculty for 6 years straight. Dr. Ghavami believes that in addition to technical skill and detailed anatomical knowledge, it is important to have passion for what one does on a daily basis.

African American Rhinoplasty Candidates

African American noses typically have thick skin and excess fatty tissue. The bridge is usually low, wide and flat and the nasal bones are short. The nasal tip is broad and bulbous, with very thick skin as a commonality. An African American nose doesn’t have a lot of nasal tip projection, and a large or protruding upper lip (and upper jaw bone angle) can exaggerate the lack of projection. Often, African-American patients complain about the width of their nostrils, which become overly flared or stretched upon smiling. A displeasing smile can be improved by carefully and precisely narrowing the nostrils and re-shaping them.

Dr. Ghavami has worked with many African Americans who want to make subtle yet clear improvements to their nose, while still maintaining their strong ethnic identity and appearance. He also works with rhinoplasty candidates who have problems breathing because of a structural problem like a deviated septum. African-American patients tend to not have a lot of nasal airway obstruction, however, preventative measures need to be taken so that post-rhinoplasty airway issues do not occur.

The African American Rhinoplasty Procedure

An African American rhinoplasty treatment plan often includes one or more of the following steps:

• Refine (narrow) the bridge of the nose
• Augment to nasal bridge (diced cartilage fascia graft, rib and/or ear cartilage; or a silicone implant)
• Refine the tip of the nose
• Narrow the nostrils (sill and/or base)
• Remove excess fatty tissue / de-bulk skin thickness
• Increase projection of the nose (nasal tip)
• Restore breathing function by correcting a structural deformity or injury

Dr. Ghavami tailors his approach and treatment plan to each patient’s particular needs. Instead of incorporating a “cookie cutter” approach, he takes a lot of time to work with his patients to determine: a) what the patient doesn’t like about his or her nose; b) what kind of results are optimal to the specific nasal shape present; and c) how to still maintain the patient’s own unique beauty. A “custom” treatment plan is necessary, always! Dr. Ghavami also carefully examines his patients’ nasal anatomy (i.e., the bone and cartilage structure), skin type/thickness, and facial shape and profile. Then, he draws up a treatment plan taking these considerations into account. In African-American noses, augmentation of the cartilage and bony frame is usually necessary while the overall nose is narrowed and projected. Shaping and strengthening the nose at the same time is critical to success.

Learn More About African American Rhinoplasty

If you are interested in African American rhinoplasty and would like more details, schedule a surgical consultation with Dr. Ghavami at his Beverly Hills practice. Call (310) 275-1959 or send us an email.

Dr. Ghavami also offers Asian rhinoplasty, Hispanic rhinoplasty, Middle Eastern rhinoplasty and Anglo-Caucasian rhinoplasty at his Beverly Hills practice.