Closed Rhinoplasty - Customized for You Goals
Rhinoplasty is one of the most sought-after facial procedures among Asian population, and understanding the unique characteristics of Asian nasal anatomy is essential to achieving natural, harmonious results that enhance rather than erase ethnic identity.
Understanding Asian Nasal Anatomy
The Asian nose typically exhibits several distinctive characteristics that differ from Caucasian nasal structure. These features often include a lower nasal bridge (dorsum), wider nostrils (alar base), a less projected nasal tip, and thicker nasal skin. The nasal bones tend to be flatter and shorter, while the cartilaginous framework is often softer and less defined. Because of these characteristics, the middle 1/3 of the face often appears flat, wider and less distinctive. Additionally, many Asian patients have limited septal cartilage available for grafting, which is an important consideration when planning surgical techniques.
These features are not flaws but rather normal anatomic variations that reflect ethnic heritage. The goal of Asian rhinoplasty is not to create a "Western" nose, but to create a better balance between upper, middle and lower thirds of the face while preserving ethnic identity.
Goals of Asian Rhinoplasty
The primary objectives in Asian rhinoplasty typically focus on augmentation rather than reduction. Most patients seek to build height and projection where the natural anatomy provides less structure. Common goals include:
Dorsal Augmentation: Elevating the nasal bridge to create better facial balance and a more refined profile. This addresses the characteristic low nasal bridge and creates smoother contours from the glabella (between the eyebrows) down to the nasal tip.
Tip Refinement and Projection: Enhancing definition and forward projection of the nasal tip to create a more sculpted appearance while maintaining natural proportions.
Alar Base Refinement: When appropriate, subtle narrowing of the nostrils to achieve better proportion with the newly augmented bridge
Overall Facial Harmony: Creating a nose that complements other facial features including the eyes, cheeks, and chin, resulting in balanced, natural-looking enhancement.
Goals of Asian Rhinoplasty
The primary objectives in Asian rhinoplasty typically focus on augmentation rather than reduction. Most patients seek to build height and projection where the natural anatomy provides less structure.
Dorsal Augmentation
Elevating the nasal bridge to create better facial balance and a more refined profile. This addresses the characteristic low nasal bridge and creates smoother contours from the glabella (between the eyebrows) down to the nasal tip.
Alar Base Refinement
When appropriate, subtle narrowing of the nostrils to achieve better proportion with the newly augmented bridge
Tip Refinement and Projection
Enhancing definition and forward projection of the nasal tip to create a more sculpted appearance while maintaining natural proportions.
Overall Facial Harmony
Creating a nose that complements other facial features including the eyes, cheeks, and chin, resulting in balanced, natural-looking enhancement.
The Closed Rhinoplasty Approach
At our practice, we exclusively perform closed rhinoplasty, a technique where all incisions are made inside the nostrils with no external cuts. While this technical approach requires advanced surgical skill and experience, it allows for precise modifications while offering patients several unique benefits.
No Visible Scarring
Because all incisions are internal, there are no visible scars on the outside of the nose or columella (the tissue between the nostrils). This also avoids any scar contracture, which can impact the shape of the nose.
Preserved Nasal Support
Closed rhinoplasty minimizes the anatomic disruption and therefore preserves the important structural integrity of the nose
Reduced Swelling
The closed technique typically results in less tissue disruption and therefore potentially less postoperative swelling and a faster recovery
Silicone Implants for Asian Rhinoplasty
For dorsal augmentation in Asian rhinoplasty, we utilize medical-grade silicone implant that is hand-carved and specifically adjusted to fit your nose.
Safety and Reliability: Medical-grade silicone implants have been used extensively throughout Asia for nasal and chin augmentation with a well-established safety profile. The material is biocompatible, durable, and maintains its shape over time. Silicone does not absorb into the body and provides predictable, long-lasting results. Silicone is also very adjustable and can be easily carved to best fit each individual patient. Unlike silicone, autologous (your own cartilage or rib) or alloplastic materials (cadaver donor rib or cartilage) will warp and resorb over time as they are biologic materials. These properties may cause change in shape or height over time and make it more challenging to make adjustments if needed.
Customization and Flexibility: One of the greatest advantages of silicone is that it can be precisely carved and shaped during surgery to accommodate each patient's unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. This allows for completely customized augmentation tailored to your facial proportions, desired height, and contour preferences. The ability to sculpt the implant ensures that your result will be as individual as you are.
Natural Look and Feel: The customized silicone implant will be securely placed in sub-periosteal plane. This will allow flush fit of the implant, which will minimize any “movement” of the implant as well as unnatural appearance. This precise placement of the implant will not only give you a long-lasting result but also a confidence to meet anyone and play any sports that you desire.
Addressing Donor Site Limitations: A significant challenge in Asian rhinoplasty is the frequent limitation of available septal cartilage for grafting. Many Asian patients simply do not have adequate cartilage to achieve the degree of augmentation they desire. Using autologous cartilage (from your own body) would require harvesting from the rib or ear, creating additional surgical sites, discomfort, recovery time, and potential complications or contour irregularities at those donor areas.
Silicone implants elegantly solve this problem by eliminating the need for donor site surgery entirely. There is no secondary incision, no rib or ear cartilage harvest, and no donor site pain or recovery. This makes the procedure more straightforward and comfortable while still providing sufficient material to achieve significant enhancement.
Natural Results: When properly sized, carved, and positioned, silicone implants create smooth, natural-looking augmentation that moves naturally with your facial expressions and feels appropriate to the touch.
Combination Approach
Silicone and autologous material (your own cartilage) each have their strengths and weaknesses.Depending on your unique goal, a combination of both materials may provide the best result. This approach will allow for a synergetic effect in highlighting each method’s strengths and supplementing where each method falls a little short.
Your Consultation
Every rhinoplasty is deeply personal, and your goals, anatomy, and concerns are unique. During your consultation, we will discuss your aesthetic vision, evaluate your overall facial and nasal structures, and create a surgical plan designed specifically for you. Together, we'll work toward achieving a result that enhances your natural beauty while honoring your ethnic heritage.