Nose surgery—technically called “rhinoplasty”—is one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery performed. There are many differing opinions and names for shapes and sizes of noses. Some categorize them by actual contour or “issue” (e.g., wide nostrils); some refer to them using the name of a famous film star, like Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman or Halle Barry. The bottom line is that if you are unhappy with the size, shape, or projection of your nose – it can be corrected with rhinoplasty surgery.
Types of Rhinoplasty Incisions
There are two types of incisions used for any type of cosmetic rhinoplasty in which only the cartilage is involved:
- >Open: An open incision is made in the area between the nostrils and is most often appropriate for reshaping nose tip or more extreme alterations. The incision will be virtually invisible once healed.
- Closed: A closed incision is made on the inside of the nose, and it is used for minor reshaping, performed within the nose structure.
Problems with the Nasal Tip
An Irregular Nasal Tip
This refers to one side of the tip of the nose looking different from the other—bigger, smaller, higher, lower or slightly twisted to one side. This requires reshaping the cartilage under the tip.
A Bulbous or Large Nasal Tip
This, too, involves reshaping the cartilage making up the nose tip shape.
A Projecting Nasal Tip
This condition refers to a large, sometimes irregularly shaped nasal tip that projects too far from the end of the nose and is disproportionate to the size of the nose. Depending on the situations, your doctor may use one of two approaches:
- Raising the bridge of the nose so the tip does not look disproportionate or irregular (this may involve altering bone shape)
- Reducing the projection of the tip (often involves the cartilage only)
A Crooked Nose
A crooked nose occurs when the bone or nasal septum (the thin wall between nasal passages) is pushed to one side or the other. Because this problem may obstruct the nostril and, therefore the airway into and out of the nose, it can affect one’s ability to breathe properly. Straightening a crooked nose may involve fracturing and resetting/reshaping the bone or adjusting or the nasal septum.
A Depressed or “Ski” Nose
In this situation, the bridge of the nose has a depression, or inward curve, along it. One remedy is to transfer some of the patient’s own cartilage (usually from the nose, ear or rib) and use it to fill in the void and create a smooth, flat bridge. Using the patient’s own cartilage minimizes the potential for an allergic reaction or rejection. Another possibility, depending on the overall shape of the nose and degree of depression, is to reduce the projection of the tip.
A Wide or Big Nose
An overlarge nose may require reshaping the underlying bone structure and cartilage to reduce nose size to be in balance with the other features.
A Small Nose
To increase volume, your surgeon may add your own cartilage or use surgical implants, or in some cases, dermal fillers.
A Long Nose
Depending on the situation, your surgeon may do one of the following:
- Reduce the length of the underlying cartilage.
- Shorten the nasal septum.
- Remove skin within the nostrils.
A Hump on the Bridge of the Nose
This is generally quite easily fixed by reshaping the cartilage creating the hump. If it involves bone, the bone will be reshaped.
Wide or Long Nostrils
This involves removing tissue from the base of nostrils to create a more attractive size and shape.
Your Rhinoplasty Surgeon: Choose Right
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex of all facial surgeries. It must be carefully planned and executed to be successful for the long term. Dr. White is often asked to perform revision rhinoplasty surgery to correct an unsatisfactory nose job. As a board-certified plastic surgeon that is Harvard-educated and experienced, he is one of the top facial surgeons in New York City. You are invited to meet with him in a private consultation to discuss nose reshaping surgery.
