Ethnic Rhinoplasty

Ethnic rhinoplasty is a general term for nose surgery planned around the features common in patients from a range of backgrounds, including African and Afro-Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Hispanic and Latino, and Indian and South Asian heritage. Noses from different backgrounds vary widely in skin thickness, cartilage strength, bridge height and nostril shape, so there is no single approach. The aim is always to refine your nose in a way that suits your face and respects your background, rather than applying one standard or changing your ethnic character.

Dr Ricketts assesses your nose and your whole face together and plans each operation around your individual anatomy, your skin and your goals. She takes time to understand what you would like to change and what you would like to keep, and she is honest about what is realistically achievable for your nose.

Because backgrounds differ, the goals differ. Some patients want to reduce a prominent dorsal hump, common in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean noses, while others want to add height and definition to a lower bridge and a rounded tip, common in African and some South East Asian noses. Common themes across ethnic rhinoplasty include:

• Thicker skin and softer cartilage in some backgrounds, which affects how much fine detail can be achieved
• A wider nasal base or nostrils, which may be refined with an alar base reduction
• A need to support and build the framework rather than only reduce it
• Preserving the character and balance that suit your face whilst respecting your cultural background
• Improving breathing where the septum or turbinates contribute to blockage

Patients of specific backgrounds may find our dedicated Asian rhinoplasty and Caucasian rhinoplasty pages helpful as well.

Dr Ricketts performs predominantly open structural rhinoplasty, which gives the visibility and access needed to reshape and support the framework accurately. Where support, height or projection are needed, she prefers to use your own cartilage, taken from the septum, ear or rib, rather than a synthetic implant, because your own tissue integrates with your nose and avoids some of the longer term risks of synthetic implants. Sometimes donor rib cartilage can be used as an alternative to your own which will be discussed with you during the consultation. Where breathing is affected, Dr Ricketts addresses the septum and turbinates at the same time.

Rhinoplasty may suit you if you would like to refine the shape of your nose, if you have difficulty breathing, or both, and if you are in reasonable general health. Where the skin is thick, the nose settles slowly and fine detail can be limited, so realistic expectations and patience with recovery are important. Dr Ricketts will be honest with you about what is achievable for your nose, your skin and the way you heal, and about keeping your result in balance with your features and respecting your cultural background.

At your consultation, Dr Ricketts examines the outside and the inside of your nose, including how you breathe, and she assesses the bone, cartilage, skin thickness and the balance of your whole face. We discuss what you would like to change and what you would like to keep, and she explains the approach she would recommend, the recovery and the risks. She gives you written information and encourages you to take your time, ask questions and consider a second opinion.

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic, usually as a day case or an overnight stay. On the day Dr Ricketts confirms the plan with you, and our team supports you through your admission, the operation and your recovery. A splint is applied to the outside of the nose, and you will go home with clear instructions and a support person.

A splint is usually worn on the outside of the nose for around a week, and there may be soft internal splints for support. In the first one to two weeks expect bruising and swelling around the eyes, which fades over this period. Your nose will be congested while the lining heals, and sleeping with your head elevated in the first week helps to minimise early swelling.

Many people return to desk work after about two weeks. Strenuous exercise and activities that risk a knock to the nose are restricted for four to six weeks. Thicker skin tends to take longer to settle, so the tip and fine definition can continue to refine for well over a year. Dr Ricketts will see you for reviews. Healing varies between individuals, and the outcomes one person experiences do not necessarily reflect what another will experience.

Dr Sophie Ricketts is a specialist plastic surgeon based in Richmond, Melbourne, with a focused practice in facial surgery, including ethnic rhinoplasty (nose surgery). She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the peak professional bodies for plastic surgery in Australia. You can also find her on RealSelf. Each of these listings is maintained by independent organisations and provides patients with a straightforward way to check the qualifications, training, and scope of practice of the listed providers before booking a consultation.