African American Rhinoplasty

African American represents a wide range of nasal appearances. Many patients seeking rhinoplasty of African American origin will describe desiring more definition to the nasal tip, a narrower alar base, and sometimes augmentation to the nasal bridge. Often times the lower lateral cartilages or underlying structural support to the nose, is soft. By increasing support to the nose, often times the patient is able to achieve improved nasal tip definition. Alar base reduction is a complex procedure where the bottom portion of the nose is reduced. Often times this will require an external incision. While patients of African American origin may worry about keloid formation in other areas of the body, its appearance around the nose is exceedingly rare. The alar base reduction will also help to reduce the overall size of the bottom of the nose and improve the balance with the rest of the face

In Chicago, Dr. Anil Shah has been featured as one of the foremost experts in "ethnic plastic surgery". He was recently featured in the Chicago Defender with an article titled "Ethnically Responsible Rhinoplasty: Keeping Noses Black and Beautiful." In addition, he has been featured on "The Santita Jackson Show" as an expert in ethnic facial plastic surgery. Dr. Shah has a large clientele of African American patients in the Chicago area.

Figure Top: Patient who requested augmentation of nose in an effort for more definition of nasal tip and bridge.

Figure Left. Patient had alar base reduction in an effort to make nose less wide. In addition, patient's nose was rebalanced so that nose was less bottom heavy and tip subtlety refined.

Alar Base Reduction: Many African American rhinoplasty patients seek Alar Base Reduction. Learn more about Dr. Shah's technique. Read more.

ETHNIC PLASTIC SURGERY: Patients' from different ethnic backgrounds will have different aesthetic needs and goals. See more procedures tailored specifically for African American patients.
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ETHNIC FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEY EXPERT FEATURE: Dr. Shah has the opportunity to speak with Shanita Jackson of WVON Chicago about ethnic facial plastic surgery. See more.

CHICAGO DEFENDER: Dr. Shah featured in the Chicago Defender Ethnically Responsible Rhinoplasty: Keeping Noses Black and Beautiful. Read more.

PHOTOS: See before and after photographs of rhinoplasty procedures by Dr. Shah. See more.

LEARN TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF RHINOPLASTY: Understanding your nose can seem daunting. Use this guide to help to know your alar base from your bridge or your glabella from your columella. Learn more.

Types of Rhinoplasty: Within African American rhinoplasty, not every nose is the same. Learn more about different types of rhinoplasty, and Dr. Shah's innovative approach. Learn more.

GUIDE TO GRAFTS: What are grafts? Do I need them in my nose? Dr. Shah has authored an informative guide to help patients better understand what a graft is. See more.

Innovations: Dr. Shah has had or contributed to a number of innovations and discoveries in facial plastic surgery. Learn more.

PROCEDURE TIMELINE: Many patients ask at what age can a patient have a rhinoplasty (or other procedure)? This timeline is intended to serve as general information on the ages at which patients may seek a procedure such as a rhinoplasty. See more.

PLASTICPEDIA: Found in Plasticpedia are links to further rhinoplasty glossaries, nasal anatomy and facial anatomy information, information on the types of rhinoplasty and aging face procedures, a guide to grafts in rhinoplasty, a facial analysis tutorial, and a collection of scientific articles published by Dr. Anil Shah. Read more.

PRACTICAL BEAUTY BLOG: Dr. Shah's blog covering all things beauty, facial plastic surgery, and looking and feeling your best. Read more.

VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS: Dr. Shah sees patients from all over the world. If you are a patient traveling from outside the greater Chicago or Chicagoland area, you may request a preliminary consultation via phone or video chat. This offers patients the unique opportunity to get feedback and speak with Dr. Shah directly before traveling to Chicago.
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PRE AND POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS: Dr. Shah's office will help you through you pre and post operative preperation and recovery. On this page, you will find an over view of instructions, as well as medications to avoid before and after a procedure and more. Read more.

ARTICLES: Dr. Shah has authored over 50 scientific. All of the articles on this website have been authored or coauthored by Dr. Shah. His unique viewpoint about facial plastic surgery are highlighted, with several of the articles published exclusively for Plasticpedia. Browse now.