Nose Aesthetics

The Nose Is an Organ, Not Just a Shape

When people think of nose aesthetics, the hump, tip or width usually come to mind first. Yet the nose is a functional organ that warms, humidifies and filters the air we breathe. Every change to its appearance should be designed to preserve, and if possible improve, this function. A nose that looks beautiful from the outside but makes breathing harder cannot be considered a success.

Planning: Looking at the Whole Face

The same nose can look completely different on a different face. That is why planning considers not only the nose but also forehead height, lip fullness, chin position and skin thickness. For example, a receding chin can make the nose look bigger than it is; in this case a small chin adjustment allows the nose to be reduced less.

Skin thickness is especially important: on thin skin details are clearly visible but small irregularities also show; on thick skin swelling lasts longer and the tip takes shape later.

Open or Closed?

The difference between the two approaches is how the nose is accessed. In the closed approach, all work is done through the nostrils. In the open approach, the structures are seen directly through a small incision across the thin bridge between the nostrils. There is no answer to which one is “better”; the right one is chosen according to the nose’s needs. The closed method is sufficient for simple hump corrections, while the open method gives more control for complex tip problems and secondary operations.

For bone shaping, options such as more precise and tissue-friendly ultrasonic instruments and approaches that preserve the dorsal structure can also be used today.

When Is the Right Time?

• Having completed facial growth (usually around 16 for girls and 18 for boys)
• Being able to clearly express which feature of the nose bothers you
• Having a general health status suitable for surgery
• Being at a time when you can set aside time for recovery

The Year After Surgery