Humps, Hooks & Bends: 5 Cosmetic Nose Issues Rhinoplasty Can Fix
We speak to a lot of people during consultations at AW Plastic Surgery who are unhappy with the shape, appearance, and symmetry of the their noses. This experience is common, and although rhinoplasty has gained popularity over the last couple of decades, we still discover most patients who come to our practice in Portsmouth, NH don’t realize just how versatile this reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery procedure can be.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty, sometimes called a nose job in pop culture and the media, has become the most commonly performed facial plastic surgery procedure. In fact, there are more than 220,000 rhinoplasty surgeries each year in the United States alone. In this post, Dr. Anthony Wilson pulls the curtain back to explain five of the most common complaints that rhinoplasty can address.
Nasal Dorsal Hump
The space between the tip of the nose and where it attaches to the forehead is commonly referred to as the “bridge” of the nose. This area, officially called the nasal dorsum, plays an important role in the overall harmony of your facial features, especially when viewed from the side. A condition called a dorsal hump occurs when there’s a bump along the ridge of the nose. This may also be referred to as a hook nose or aquiline nose.
A dorsal hump can be congenital (present at birth), or it can be the result of trauma to the nose. It’s typically made up of a mix of bone and cartilage, and a skilled plastic surgeon can reduce it with rhinoplasty. During a dorsal hump reduction, the nasal structure can be altered to create a more aesthetically smooth line from the forehead to the tip of the nose.
Bulbous Tip
The tip of the nose is an area of concern for many patients. In some cases, the growth of the lower cartilage in the nose causes a rounded, dome-shaped nasal tip, known as a bulbous tip. This condition, like a dorsal hump, may be a genetic characteristic or a caused by an injury to the nose.
A bulbous tip can be addressed by sculpting and reconfiguring certain parts of the cartilage, often from the inside of the nose. Suturing techniques may also be used to create a smoother, more naturally rounded tip of the nose. One of the major benefits of this type of surgical technique is that it’s very easy for a skilled plastic surgeon to hide any signs of superficial scarring.
Depressed Nasal Bridge
You may have heard a depressed or low nasal bridge referred to as “saddle nose.” This occurs most commonly at birth and is when the lower part of your nose between the tip and bridge is flat and doesn’t protrude like it should. Although it won’t typically cause breathing issues, it can detract from the appearance of the nose, and some people choose to address it with rhinoplasty. During a procedure to fix this issue, the nose is augmented and reshaped to improve its contour and balance the features of the face.
Nostril Shape
Being right in the center of your face, your nose is the focal point of your appearance. If your nostrils are too wide or too narrow, they can pull attention away from the rest of your facial features and may even cause some functional issues in breathing.
Reshaping the nostrils can be one of the more complex types of nose surgeries because airflow and the other nasal structures must be taken into consideration. A good plastic surgeon will let you know what to expect if you decide to have surgery to reshape the nostrils.
Bent Nose
A bent or crooked nose is when the vertical line down the bridge of your nose isn’t quite straight. Although this is often a cosmetic concern, it can also interfere with your breathing. Rhinoplasty can be used to straighten the nose, which has the added benefit of creating a more harmonious and symmetrical face.
Can Rhinoplasty Fix Your Cosmetic Concerns?
This list of nose concerns that may be addressed with cosmetic surgery is by no means exhaustive. Contact Dr. Anthony Wilson at AW Plastic Surgery in Portsmouth, NH if you have questions or are interested in a rhinoplasty consultation.
Contact AW Plastic Surgery at (603) 294-4526 or send a message through our website.