When it comes to the aesthetic imperfections of the nose, the most commonly reported concerns are size, shape, straightness, and overall elegance. In addition to these, there are many other reasons why people choose to have rhinoplasty. Cosmetic nasal surgery is one of the more difficult surgical procedures that one can have on the face. For one thing, the nose is a central feature of the face and flaws are more noticeable and harder to conceal than other imperfections. Equally important, rhinoplasty itself is difficult because it requires an understanding of how the external appearance will change given modifications of the internal bone and cartilage framework.
The ideal contour of the nasal bridge, when viewed from the side, is either straight (particularly in men) or straight with a slight upturn at the tip (particularly in women). If the area just above the tip (the supra tip region) projects slightly more than the tip, then the pollybeak deformity or supratip deformity occurs and the nose does not appear attractive in profile. This terminology is frequently used when referring to a nose that has already undergone a rhinoplasty and the supratip area remains too high, resulting in a convexity to the bridge and/or the appearance of a plunging tip. See below and find out how Rhinoplasty corrects a supratip nose deformity.
Read moreCorrecting Supratip or pollybeak deformity with Rhinoplasty
Do you have distinctly flared nostrils? Widely flaring nostrils can be repaired by a rhinoplasty maneuver called an alar base resection or anaplasty. But let’s make sure we are talking about the same thing because communication between the doctor and the patient is key to success.
Many people assume that celebrities get exclusive nose jobs that deliver them better outcomes than the rest of us. Patients often visit surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery with photographs of celebrities and say things like, “I want a tip just like hers”, or “This is the nose that I want”.
Read moreCan I Get My Favorite Celebrity's Nose With A Rhinoplasty?
Does your nose seem too big for your face?
When people think their noses are too big there are three possible dimensions or measurements that can be excessive: The length (the distance from where the nose starts below the forehead to the nasal tip), the width (as viewed from the front), and the PROJECTION (the distance the nose sticks out into space). Some large noses are large in one dimension and some in all three. The nose that is not too long and not too wide but just sticks out too much is sometimes called the Pinocchio nose. Obviously, the length and projection are most easily judged on the side profile whereas the width is best judged from the front.
Read moreWhat is an Over-Projecting Nose and How Do You Fix It?
Dr. Thorne is the Editor-in-Chief and the author of several chapters in Grabb and Smith's PLASTIC SURGERY, 7th Edition.
