Preserving Ethnic Traits in Rhinoplasty: How Cosmetic Surgeons Are Doing It

In a new article for ModernMedicine.com cosmetic surgeons are discussing rhinoplasty and how they meet the needs of a patient who wants to maintain his or her ethnic appearance.

“There are subtle things that we can do to make a change in the profile, in the definition of the nose, without changing their ethnicity, without intrinsically changing their appearance,” said Charles M. Boyd M.D.

For surgeons, managing the patient’s expectations is important.  Likewise for the patient, communicating desires and aesthetic goals for rhinoplasty is critical.  Each doctor-patient relationship will go through this process in a different way.  One emerging trend facilitating this communication process is the use of 3-dimensional imaging to visually approximate the results that can be achieved.

“I use computer imaging and this is very helpful in pinpointing what patients are trying to achieve, and it enables them to see what’s in my mind as well,” said Steven B. Hopping M.D.

When it comes down to operating, there are of course, anatomical considerations for the ethnic patient.  To learn more about how these surgeons approach rhinoplasty in patients of Asian, African American, and Middle Eastern descent, read the article.