Painter, 57, with a deformed nose is given a new one for Christmas

“Confidence makes a better and more productive person in society,” Dr. Romo said. “I’m doing everything I can to help my community. I want this community to flourish.”

There was one note of gentle frustration from the surgeon’s side. In the period following the operation, Estrada did not fully adhere to one of the key post-operative guidelines — avoiding sun exposure during the healing process. The result was a degree of brown discoloration on the nose, a form of hyperpigmentation that can occur when healing skin is exposed to ultraviolet light before it has fully recovered.

Dr. Romo addressed the issue directly and publicly, both for Estrada’s benefit and as a broader reminder to anyone recovering from a surgical procedure.

“This very happy patient did not refrain from sun exposure during his healing process, which led to the brown hyperpigmentation on his nose,” he explained. “I am also going to take this opportunity to stress the importance of following your physician’s post-operative care instructions.”

It was a minor complication in the context of what had been achieved, and Estrada himself carried no complaints. His perspective on the entire experience was rooted in something deeper than the clinical details.

“I believe God sent an angel to take care of me,” Estrada said. “And that’s how I see Dr. Romo.”

What Rhinophyma Is — and Who It Affects
‘They would stare at me. Children would ask their mothers what happened to me ¿ and I would get around it by using a face mask all the time,’ Estrada explained

For those unfamiliar with the condition, rhinophyma belongs to the spectrum of rosacea-related skin disorders. Rosacea itself is a relatively common inflammatory skin condition that causes persistent redness and visible blood vessels across the face, predominantly on the cheeks, nose, and forehead. It affects a significant portion of the adult population and is, in its earlier stages, often managed effectively with topical treatments, oral medications, and lifestyle modifications such as avoiding known triggers like excessive sun exposure, spicy foods, and alcohol.

In a smaller subset of individuals — predominantly men, and most commonly those with fair skin between the ages of fifty and seventy — rosacea can progress to rhinophyma. The mechanism involves the sebaceous glands of the nose becoming significantly enlarged, while fibrous tissue accumulates beneath the skin’s surface. Over time, the nose grows in size, changes in shape, and develops a characteristic bumpy, uneven texture. The redness deepens and becomes more permanent.

In rare cases, similar changes can affect other areas of the face, including the chin and ears, though the nose is by far the most commonly affected site.