Nose (Rhinoplasty)

The aim of Asian rhinoplasty, or rhinoplasty for Asian faces is to create an attractive and yet natural-looking Asian nose that blends harmoniously with the ethnic face. There are various different techniques in Asian rhinoplasty and they may vary according to individual variations of the nose. However, almost all Asian rhinoplasties encompasses at least one of 2 things: augmentation of the nose bridge and/or tip, and refinements often involving narrowing/modification of the alar or “wings” of the nose.

Asian features

From the bottom view, Asian nostrils often appear more rounded compared to the tear-drop appearance of the Western nose, hence projecting a wider nose.

The internal cartilages of the Asian nose are also smaller and softer compared to the Caucasian nose. With weaker support, the Asian nose has less internal support, making it flatter.

The skin of the Asian nose is also thicker. But this makes it more suitable for silicone implants because of better coverage.

It is therefore typical that Asian patients seeking rhinoplasty request for higher nasal bridge with more tip projection and narrow alar bases, whilst retaining the Asian ethnicity look.

Augmentation

In augmentation rhinoplasty, the aim is to raise the bridge and/or tip of the nose. This can be achieved by an implant, the patient’s own cartilage (from the ear, nose or rib), or dermal fillers.

In Asian rhinoplasty, silicone implants are most commonly used. The L-shape silicon implants come in various dimensions, and the surgeon will choose the most suitable implant for each individual.



For certain types of nose, cartilage taken from the ear would be used for the tip of the nose to achieve a better result. This extra procedure leaves only a small and inconspicuous scar over the back of the ear with no residual deformity.



Augmentation rhinoplasty can also be done entirely by using one's rib cartilage. These are diced into 1 mm cubes before they are inserted into the nose to achieve the augmentation.



Fillers

Fillers can be used to raise the bridge of the nose as well as the tip of the nose, to a certain extent. Depend on the type of filler used, the effects can last 9 months to more than 2 years. This option is suitable for patients who cannot afford the downtime of rhinoplasty, or those who like to have an idea of what they might look like after a rhinoplasty before going for it.