Ethnic Rhinoplasty in Houston, TX

Dr. Kridel and Dr. Delaney are sensitive to both individual and cultural differences in aesthetic perception and the expectations for nice surgical results. Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most complex cosmetic surgery procedures. In the case of African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Asian noses, the anatomical structures of the nose may be different than a Caucasian nose. Yet, the most popular facial plastic surgical procedure requested by Hispanic and African-American patients is rhinoplasty. It’s crucial that both the anatomy and aesthetic desires of the patients be taken into consideration in the surgical planning process. Patients from similar ethnic backgrounds can very easily want different levels of cosmetic changes. Dr. Kridel and Dr. Delaney have a complete understanding of the patient’s desired level of maintaining their ethnicity, as well as a complete understanding of the ethnic variations in the anatomy. In addition, Dr. Kridel has pioneered ethnic rhinoplasty techniques that create balanced changes without significantly altering ethnicity. Many of these surgical techniques are now taught in medical schools.

African American Rhinoplasty

Increased width, loss of definition and lack of projection characterize some of the typical features African-American patients desire to have cosmetically changed. Building dorsal height, achieving nasal tip definition amidst thick skin, and producing a more aesthetically pleasing alar base are the major challenges. Successful nasal surgery in the African-American nose requires understanding that the anatomy differs greatly from the Caucasian nose. The hallmark of rhinoplasty for African-American patients is augmentation of the osteocartilaginous framework with reduction of the alar base and thick skin envelope. However, it should not be forgotten that appreciating societal norms and individual desires is paramount to a post-operative result that pleases you.

Hispanic Rhinoplasty

For Hispanic patients, we have found that narrowing and augmenting the height of the nasal dorsum, increasing projection, rotation, and definition of the nasal tip, and reducing alar flare and base width are the most common concerns. The challenge of Hispanic rhinoplasty lies not only in the differences in anatomy from the Caucasian nose, but also the wide heterogeneity within the community from a multiethnic origin and patterns of migration. Dr. Kridel and Dr. Delaney understand these nuances and has developed surgical techniques that can create a more aesthetically pleasing nose without drastically affecting ethnicity.