Question:
I am an African American female and I feel that the tip of my nose is too wide. Can a rhinoplasty narrow the tip of my nose? Will there be scarring?
Answer:
Rhinoplasty is commonly performed to narrow the tip of the nose. This can be done through an open approach by making a small incision on the underside of your nose at the columella. This incision typically heals well with minimal scarring. African Americans are more prone to thicker scarring known as a keloid, however this area of the face is less likely to form a keloid scar than other areas of the face and body. Another option for rhinoplasty is a closed approach by making incisions on the inside of the nose with no external scar. It depends on your nasal anatomy, goals of surgery and your surgeons preference as to which approach will be used.