Asian Rhinoplasty
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica
Rhinoplasty in patients of Korean or Asian descent presents a different set of challenges for plastic surgeons. In Caucasians, the goal is usually to make the nose appear smaller through adjustments such as taking down the hump. However, these adjustments will not necessarily achieve natural looking rhinoplasty results with Asian patients.
Factors Impacting Rhinoplasty in Asian Patients
Asian noses are characterized by thick skin, low radix or dorsum- the slope of the nose, and bulbous, or rounded tip.
These features can cause a nose to look flattened and wide. Cartilage from the septum is often used as material to augment the nose. However, in Asian patients, the quantity and quality of the septal cartilage is often inadequate. Therefore, different techniques are utilized to augment the Asian nose. Materials used include:
- Synthetic material (i.e. silicone, Gore-Tex) – Alloplastic
- Tissue donated from a cadaver – Homologous
- Patient’s own tissue (i.e. ear cartilage, rib cartilage) – Autologous
The most common method used in Asian rhinoplasty involves the use of a silicone implant. The major advantages of both alloplastic and homologous techniques are that they are readily available in unlimited supply, they reduce operating room time, and they provide good aesthetic results.
However, the use of these materials increases the risk of rhinoplasty complications and can have devastating, long-term effects. These risks include infection, migration of the implant over time, and extrusion or implant exposure through the eroding skin.
Experienced Asian Rhinoplasty Surgeon
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim has studied under some of the finest rhinoplasty surgeons around the world, and this training has helped him hone his skills in the field of rhinoplasty. Dr. Kim has spent a considerable amount of time in Korea learning the most advanced ethnic rhinoplasty techniques available. In 2010, he attended the Asian Rhinoplasty Symposium in South Korea, where he further refined his technique.
Based on his extensive experience, Dr. Kim prefers not to use foreign materials in his rhinoplasty surgeries and instead utilizes the patient’s own tissues. Great aesthetic results can be achieved by harvesting materials from areas such as the ear, scalp, or in complicated cases, the rib. Although this can lead to more scars, they are well-hidden and unnoticeable. While the operations tend to be longer with this method, patients will feel more comfortable knowing there is no foreign material in their nose and that they are less likely to have problems in both the short and long-term.
Please contact us today to schedule your initial rhinoplasty consultation. Dr. Eugene Kim serves patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, California, as well as out of state and international patients.