Our society today is becoming more and more diverse. The old mentality of one size fits all, has long been debunked. The medical needs of particular ethnic groups are being addressed by mainstream, western trained doctors. In Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, this has become a lucrative and growing niche. It is a niche that caters to the cultural and physical notions of how beauty is defined.
In the US, Asians wanting a new and more beautiful nose routinely ask for an Asian nose job or Asian rhinoplasty. Cosmetic surgeons know that there is a difference between a Caucasian nose job and an Asian nose job. It seems that Asians prefer to have a look that is described as having a “well-defined nose bridge, higher nose and narrow nostrils.” This is because the typical Asian has a lower, wider and flatter nose with less defined nasal bridges.
An Asian nose job or Asian augmentation rhinoplasty results in a more prominent nose. This means that it is totally different from regular rhinoplasty where the nose is made thinner and slimmer. It is indeed a specialized field as doctors have to consider the shape of the face and how a new Asian nose job will complement the face – particularly in relation to the forehead and the ears. This is because culturally, Asians have beliefs about the beauty of having a wide forehead and bigger ears (intelligence and long life).
What doctors routinely do when asked for an Asian nose job:
1. Consultation with patient on how the new nose will look like. Patients usually bring pictures of celebrities they want their new nose to be patterned after. These pictures are usually of Asian celebrities, not Caucasians.
2. Doctors point out the difference in structure of those of North Asian origin – the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans, who naturally have longer noses due to thinner cartilages. The South Asians, like the Filipinos, Indonesians, Malaysians and Indians have shorter and thicker noses, with bone structures and cartilages that are slightly bigger.
3. With a an Asian nose job, the doctor will explain the procedure or what needs to be done and how the end result will look like. The flat profile will change into a more prominent one, with a higher bridge that can now easily support eyeglasses (for some this has been a problem) and will help “open up” the face.
The tip of the nose is refined with an implant along the bridge of the nose. This makes for a more natural look. Also, only when it is needed will the doctor perform narrowing of the nostrils. This will prevent unnecessary scars as the thicker skin does not redrape well.
Overall, non-Asian cosmetic surgeons now are familiar with what an Asian nose job looks like and what clients expect. It is an ethnically beautifully nose they want, not a westernized version of a beautiful nose. A lot of doctors, especially those of Asian descent, have made lucrative practices out of this very popular Asian nose job niche.
And as cosmetic procedures are becoming safer, cheaper and easier, changing oneís appearance is becoming more popular and accepted. In fact, in Asian communities, “going under the knife” for a little nip and tuck has no stigma attached at all!
