Asian Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)

Patients often seek Asian rhinoplasty because they feel that their nose is too wide, irregularly shaped, or out of proportion with their facial features. Because the nose is prominently located in the center of the face, skillfully reshaping the nose by raising the bridge of the nose, refining the tip or reducing the size of the nostrils can create a great improvement. After an Asian rhinoplasty, many patients report that their eyes appear larger and the rest of their face looks more refined and balanced. If you’re considering an Asian rhinoplasty procedure, Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi is an excellent facial surgeon in the Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village area.

Enhance your natural beauty

Because the nose is such a prominent feature, rhinoplasty is a delicate surgery that requires precise surgical skills and significant experience. A good rhinoplasty enhances your natural beauty without making it look like you’ve had surgery at all. Dr. Tansavatdi is a highly trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has the ability to alter the structure and appearance of your nose to enhance your natural beauty, creating a more pleasing, harmonious appearance. If you’re seeking Asian rhinoplasty in the Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks area, Dr. Tansavatdi is the ideal surgeon for you.

Why choose Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi for Asian rhinoplasty in Los Angeles (Thousand Oaks)?

All ethnicities have facial characteristics that are unique to their heritage. Asians who seek rhinoplasty desire a nose that enhances their natural beauty and improves their self-confidence. The goal of Asian rhinoplasty is to create an aesthetically pleasing nose that preserves and harmonizes with Asian facial features.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging cosmetic procedures. Asian noses can be particularly challenging because they have reduced cartilage, flared nostrils, and thicker skin. Shaping the nose requires meticulous care. Even a millimeter of difference between the two nostrils can be seen by the naked eye. In addition, changes to the nose continue to evolve over time, meaning that minor imperfections will become more pronounced as the patient ages.

Because of this, Asian rhinoplasty should be performed only by a facial plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in nasal surgery and who understands the cosmetic and anatomical complexities of Asian facial anatomy.

Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi learned from top surgeons and has extensive experience with Asian rhinoplasty. As a facial plastic surgeon who works only on the face and neck, she was required to complete years of training in this area. She is double board-certified by both the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She happily serves residents of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and the surrounding areas.

How Asian anatomy affects rhinoplasty

The Asian nose is cosmetically and structurally different from a Caucasian nose. Asians typically have a shorter mid-face (the area in the middle of the face below the eyes and above the lip) than Caucasians. Asian noses have a flatter, less prominent bridge; a wider, more-rounded tip, and more flared nostrils. The Asian nose is also placed lower on the face than it is on Caucasians.

Furthermore, the interior of the Asian nose is structurally different from a Caucasian nose. Asians typically have thicker skin and more numerous sebaceous glands (glands that lubricate the skin). Asian noses also have less cartilage, which creates less structure for the nose and results in a flatter appearance.

These cosmetic and structural differences require a surgeon who is highly experienced in Asian rhinoplasty—a medical professional who understands the intricacies of Asian noses. This is one of Dr. Tansavatdi’s specialties.

What are the options for Asian rhinoplasty?

Westlake Village facial surgeon Dr. Tansavatdi will create a surgical plan for your rhinoplasty. She will carefully review it with you to make sure that you have a clear picture of your surgical outcome. Each plan will be different for each patient, based on the steps required to achieve their unique goals. The most common rhinoplasty procedures are:

Dorsal augmentation

Asians have a flatter, less prominent bridge to their nose than the Caucasian nose. Dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty increases the projection of the nose and/or lengthens the bridge. Dorsal augmentation is performed using the patient’s own cartilage (taken from their ear, nasal septum, or rib). The decision on which source to use for the cartilage depends on the height that is needed to build up the bridge for improved balance. Dr. Tansavatdi will go over these options with you at the time of your consultation.

Bridge narrowing

The Asian nose bridge starts at the area of the eyelashes and can sometimes be lower than the level of the lashes. Narrowing the bridge of the nose has to be done carefully to ensure that the nose is compatible with Asian features. Typically, Dr. Tansavatdi finds that bridge narrowing is not sufficient to build up the bridge of the Asian nose.

Nasal tip surgery

Compared to Caucasians, Asians’ noses are flatter the tip is less defined and the nostrils can appear flared. Because the tip of the nose is constructed of cartilage, Dr. Tansavatdi is able to sculpt the nasal tip. This makes it possible to change the contour, shape, and projection of the tip. Usually, this is not enough and additional cartilage may be added to the tip to increase the definition of the nasal tip while the nostrils can be made smaller using incisions in and around them.

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Getting the best possible results from your Asian rhinoplasty

Dr. Tansavatdi will meet with you to discuss your nose’s current appearance and how you would like to look. To make this discussion easier, it’s very helpful to bring photographs of noses that appeal to you.

During your consultation, you will also need to discuss your medical history. This includes a history of sleep apnea or seasonal allergies. Dr. Tansavatdi will need to know about previous surgeries, including nasal surgeries and other cosmetic procedures.

Furthermore, you will need to share your current medications, as well as details about your use of alcohol, tobacco, and/or drugs. In addition to cosmetic concerns, Dr. Tansavatdi will examine your nose for functional problems with breathing caused by trauma, previous surgery, or your unique anatomy. After her examination, she will recommend surgical options that will create a more pleasing aesthetic appearance. Dr. Tansavatdi will also discuss the limitations of surgery so that you will have reasonable expectations of your surgical results.

How is Asian rhinoplasty performed?

The surgery will most likely require a small incision on the underside of the tip of your nose. In some cases, to avoid additional scar formation and to provide specific work on the bridge of the nose, all of the work may be done on the inside of the nose.

If there are problems with breathing or if more cartilage is required, cartilage may be harvested (usually from within the nose, from your ear or your rib) to build up the support framework. Additionally, the cartilage may be wrapped with tissue taken from the muscle above the ear (deep temporalis fascia) to improve the result and prevent the cartilage from changing shape. After closing the incisions, Dr. Tansavatdi will apply surgical dressings to the nose and face to protect the wounds and minimize swelling.

Rhinoplasty is performed under moderate sedation or general anesthesia at an accredited outpatient facility or a hospital. Patients are able to return home the same day, and are carefully monitored by Dr. Tansavatdi and her team.

Recovery from Asian rhinoplasty

Recovery from Asian rhinoplasty depends on the specifics of your procedure. It may take up to two weeks for most of the swelling, bruising, and discomfort to resolve. Healing time can be improved by keeping your head elevated, applying cold compresses around your eyes and nose, and by closely following post-op instructions.

An external splint, tape, and any sutures placed at the time of surgery are removed after one week. It is important to be patient as results may take up to 18 months—especially in the nasal tip, where the skin is thicker.

Select the right Thousand Oaks surgeon for your Asian rhinoplasty

It’s essential that Asian patients select an experienced plastic surgeon who understands how to shape a nose that enhances Asian features. This requires skill, artistry, and a knowledge of the Asian anatomy.

Dr. Tansavatdi is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in the Westlake Village area who has the ability to create a cosmetically and aesthetically appealing nose. Dr. Tansavatdi is double board certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology (Head & Neck Surgery) and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

For more information, please schedule a consultation with Thousand Oaks facial plastic surgeon Dr. Tansavatdi by calling (805) 715-4996, or contact us online.

Asian Rhinoplasty