African American Nose Job Specialist | San Diego African American Rhinoplasty Surgeon

African American rhinoplasty typically require specific techniques that are different than those required for Caucasian noses. San Diego has a diverse community with people from every part of the world. Many nose job surgeons in San Diego will have the same rhinoplasty result for every face. Dr. Kolstad specializes in achieving unique results that match your features as well as your ethnic background.

How Are African American Noses Different From Those Of Other Ethnicities?

Many of our African American patients are not looking to make a large dorsal hump smaller, but instead are seeking to augment a diminutive nasal bridge. They are seeking refinement of the nasal tip, without it looking too narrow. Above all, they seek to retain the features unique to their ethnicity.

The goal of African American rhinoplasty is simple: to enhance one’s natural features and refine the others in a way that balances the nose in harmony with the rest of the face. Achieving this goal is best performed by the hands of a specialist. When examining a nose it is helpful to evaluate the individual subunits.

Nasal Tip:

African American noses can have tips that are often wide and prominent on the front view. By reshaping the nasal tip cartilages the nose will appear more refined and in better balance with the other facial features. African American noses typically require significantly more excision of nasal tip cartilage (cephalic trim). Most commonly refinement can be achieved by increasing the projection of the nasal tip.

African American nasal tips have are typically less projected than other ethnicities. By pushing the nasal tip outwards (increasing projection) the nose will appear more narrow and refined. Dr. Kolstad’s preferred way of adding projection is by using cartilage. The most common source of the required cartilage is the septum. Auricular (ear) and costal (rib) cartilage are secondary choices. Dr. Kolstad does not use L-shaped nasal implants to increase the nasal tip projection. L-shaped implants are easy for surgeons to place but can lead to disastrous outcomes if they protrude through the nasal skin.

Columella:

A hanging columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils) is a cause of a drooping nasal tip. Columellar ptosis can be corrected at the time of rhinoplasty to improve the infratip lobule (the lower part of the nasal tip). Reducing a hanging columella will make the nose appear less elongated on the profile view and less drooping on the front view.

African American noses will frequently have a retracted columella (no visible strip of skin between the nostrils). A retrused columella can be corrected by adding cartilage to the nose. Typically a septal extension graft is used in combination with bilateral spreader grafts to create a more appealing columella.

Bridge:

African American noses can have a prominent hump on the bridge. The hump or convexity is most visible on the profile view. Reducing the prominence of the hump can make a significant impact on the overall appearance of the nose.

African American noses can also have very low projection of the bridge. A flat nasal bridge can lead to challenges wearing glasses that require nasal support. Adding height to the bridge will make the nose appear more slender and more refined. Dr. Kolstad prefers to use either rib cartilage or silicone dorsal onlay implants to add height to the bridge.

Nostrils:

African American noses can have wider, fleshy nostrils. For many African American rhinoplasty patients in San Diego a nostril reduction can improve the width of the nose and nostril imbalance.

AFRICAN AMERICAN RHINOPLASTY SPECIALIST

Why do you need a rhinoplasty specialist?

Rhinoplasty is perhaps the most difficult operation to perform in facial plastic surgery. One to two millimeters can be all that separates perfection from unacceptable. What may appear to be an easy change, for example reducing a prominent dorsal hump, will alter the appearance of the entire nose and the way the nose interacts with the face.

In short, rhinoplasty surgery is complicated. Without question, rhinoplasty requires a surgeon who specializes in plastic surgery of the face. Dr. Kolstad will not take any shortcuts during your surgery, spending an average 3-3.5 hours making sure that your nose will look and function at its best.

PHILOSOPHY: HOW IS DR. KOLSTAD DIFFERENT?

Dr. Kolstad’s analytic approach distinguishes him from his colleagues. He believes in a customized approach that is specific to the way that your nose will harmonize with your face.

Dr. Kolstad learned his technique from one of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in the world. He spent an entire year in New York working exclusively with one of the world’s premier Facial Plastic Surgeons

“You do not learn plastic surgery from a book or by watching a video. You learn to become the best by working with the best.”

He will illustrate his surgical goals and direction using state-of-the-art computer imaging software. During the image enhancement session, you will have the opportunity to express your likes and dislikes about the shape of your nose. Your aesthetic goals will be incorporated into the image enhancement. You will have the final say in determining if this is the right nose for you.

How different will you look? Remember, if it doesn’t look natural, it doesn’t look good. Dr. Kolstad’s goal is for you to enjoy the new shape and contours of your nose in the mirror and in photographs. Your friends and colleagues should compliment you on the shape of your nose without ever recognizing that it was done.

Look around, there are no pinched nasal tips on this site!

ABOUT NOSE RESHAPING SURGERY (RHINOPLASTY)

Dr. Kolstad prefers an open approach to the nasal framework. With this technique, incisions are primarily located inside of your nostrils, with only a small incision placed across the columellar skin, the vertical strip of tissue between your nostrils. When sutured together properly, this incision heals so well that only you and your facial plastic surgeon should know its there.

The open approach allows for a direct view of the nasal structures leading to a more predictable result. Dr. Kolstad will use cartilage from your septum, (possibly ear or rib in revision cases) to enhance the definition of your nose and to provide support.

You can choose to reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip.

Dr. Kolstad will evaluate the structure of your nose in relation to the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your height and your age. He will work with you to try to make your nose complement your other facial features.

Frequently Asked Questions About La Jolla Rhinoplasty Surgery

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?

The rhinoplasty cast will stay on for one week. After removal of the splint, your nose will be a little swollen and “puffy”. However, even when swollen, your nose will look better than it did before surgery.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE SWELLING TO GO AWAY?

It takes two to three weeks for the majority of swelling to be reabsorbed from your nose. As the swelling is removed, your nose will become more contoured and the definition will enhance.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR ALL OF THE EDEMA TO GO AWAY?

It takes a full 12 months for 100% of the swelling to be completely gone. The nasal skin must shrink-wrap to the new framework and definition. This takes time. Throughout the postoperative period, Dr. Kolstad will use medicines to contour the nasal skin and enhance your result.

WILL I GET BRUISES UNDER MY EYES?

It is common for some bruising under your eyes. With frequent use of ice packs the bruising is typically minimal and does not bother the majority of people. Dr. Kolstad recommends that his patients obtain cover-up make-up prior to surgery to help camouflage any postoperative bruising.

WILL I HAVE A “PLASTIC LOOK” AFTER SURGERY?

A frequent concern of our patients is looking plastic after rhinoplasty. There are limitless examples of unnatural, operated results. When surgeons remove too much structure, the nasal tip can look overly narrow.

It is very important to choose a plastic surgeon that specializes in operating on the face. Dr. Kolstad is an expert in nasal cosmetic surgery and is known as the face specialist, because put simply, that is all he does.