How Is Rhinoplasty Performed On Thick Skinned Noses?

The shape of the nose is mostly dependent on the shape and structure of the underlying nasal skeleton. Therefore, rhinoplasty operations are mostly aimed at shaping the underlying bone and cartilage structures. The connective tissue, fat tissue and skin are located on the nasal skeleton that can be restructured by the surgeon. The final result of a rhinoplasty operation depends on the interaction of the skin and bone and cartilage structures. There can be limited changes made on the skin enveloping the nose as it is not wanted to create any visible scars on the nose. Thick skin has limiting effects especially in operations where the nose is to be reduced in size. Patients with thick nasal skin may have large nasal tips and thick and wide nostrils. Very thick nasal skin can create difficulty for the surgeon to perform the operation. The amount and duration of swelling after a rhinoplasty operation can be longer in thick skinned patients.

It is possible to mention some operational for rhinoplasty operations performed in thick skinned patients. In such operations, tissue grafts can be used, nose size reduction can be made more conservatively, and the layer underneath the nasal skin can be thinned.

Tissue grafts (cartilage) are often used to create better definition at the tip of the nose. A well-structured nasal tip will help the nasal skin adapt to the new nasal structure.

A more conservative reduction of the nasal tissues may be preferred in rhinoplasty operations performed in thick skinned patients. Because thick nasal skin tends not to contract well and may take more time to adapt to the newly formed nasal structure. This means that the aesthetic objectives are balanced with structural requirements. If too much bone and cartilage is removed, a formless nasal shape may occur. It is important to maintain adequate nasal architecture when reshaping the nose. A slightly larger nose with a good shape and definition can be said to be more preferable than a small, formless nose with little definition.

Thinning of the nasal skin is also a preferable approach in rhinoplasty operations performed on thick skinned noses. Patients with thick nasal skin often have a layer of fat and connective tissue that contribute to the feeling of thickness below the skin. This layer can be thinned with appropriate methods in suitable patients. While this appraoch can support the ability of the skin to contract and adapt to the new skeletal structure, it can also create better definition in the nose.