Maybe you’re not a fan of your nostril size. Maybe the tip of your nose seems a bit too hooked. Maybe your nose actually deviates a bit to one side. Regardless of your nose “hangup”, you might recognize that a nose job can fix it. But what kind of nose job will fix your shape best? This post will explore a mix of common and not-so-common nasal imperfections and the ideal surgical procedure to correct them.
1. Deviated Septum
Description: A misalignment of the nasal septum, causing one nasal passage to be smaller than the other. Severe cases can block airflow and cause breathing difficulties.
Causes: Congenital, trauma (e.g., broken nose), or gradual development over time.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Septoplasty to straighten the septum and improve airflow.
2. Dorsal Hump
Description: A bump on the nasal bridge caused by excess bone or cartilage, leading to an uneven profile.
Causes: Genetics, trauma, overgrowth of cartilage/bone, or congenital conditions.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Rhinoplasty (open or closed) to remove or reshape the hump; non-surgical options like fillers for minor cases.
3. Saddle Nose
Description: A sunken or concave nasal bridge that gives the nose a “saddle” appearance.
Causes: Trauma, infections (e.g., syphilis), autoimmune diseases (e.g., Wegener’s granulomatosis), or complications from surgery.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Reconstructive Rhinoplasty, often with cartilage grafting to restore the bridge.
4. Bulbous Nasal Tip
Description: An overly rounded nasal tip that lacks definition and appears bottom-heavy.
Causes: Excessive lower lateral cartilage, thick nasal skin, or excess soft tissue under the skin.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Rhinoplasty, using techniques like cartilage trimming, suture reshaping, or grafting for refinement.
5. Pinched Tip
Description: A narrow or overly constricted nasal tip that disrupts natural proportions.
Causes: Excessive cartilage removal during primary rhinoplasty; structural weakening over time.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Revision Rhinoplasty, with cartilage grafting to restore structure and symmetry.
6. Crooked Nose
Description: A visibly asymmetrical nose that may also impair breathing.
Causes: Trauma (e.g., broken nose), congenital deformities, or drug use damaging the septum.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Combination of Rhinoplasty and/or Septoplasty, depending on whether external shape or internal structure is affected.
7. Drooping Nose
Description: A downward-pointing nasal tip, often exacerbated by aging or untreated injuries.
Causes: Aging (weakened ligaments/cartilage), hormonal changes, untreated trauma, or previous rhinoplasty complications.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Tip-focused procedures like Tip Rhinoplasty, with possible use of fillers for temporary correction.
8. Broad Nasal Dorsum
Description: A wide bridge of the nose that appears disproportionate to other facial features.
Causes: Genetics or trauma affecting bone/cartilage structure.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Narrowing through a specialized form of Rhinoplasty, involving osteotomy (bone reshaping).
9. Cleft Nose
Description: Structural gaps and asymmetry in the nose caused by cleft lip/palate deformities.
Causes: Congenital condition associated with cleft lip and palate.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Combination of Rhinoplasty with Cleft Repair, often performed in stages.
10. Nasal Masses
Description: Abnormal growths (e.g., polyps, dermoid cysts) that distort nasal structures.
Causes: Congenital anomalies, infections, or benign/malignant tumors.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Surgical removal; additional procedures like rhinoplasty may be needed for cosmetic restoration.
11. Enlarged Turbinates
Description: Swollen turbinates inside the nose that obstruct airflow and cause breathing difficulties.
Causes: Chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, allergies, or structural abnormalities in turbinate bones.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Either a partial reduction through a Turbinoplasty, or removal via a more aggressive procedure like a Turbinectomy.
12. Nasal Tip Asymmetry
Description: Unevenness in the shape or projection of the nasal tip due to trauma or congenital factors.
Causes: Trauma during development, prior surgery complications, or congenital asymmetry.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Corrective techniques through targeted tip-focused procedures in a customized form of rhinoplasty.
13. Nasal Duplication (Polyrhinia)
Description: Rare duplication of nasal structures resulting in two noses or nostrils.
Causes: Congenital anomaly related to embryological development errors.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Extensive reconstructive surgery tailored for functional and aesthetic restoration.
14. Proboscis Lateralis
Description: A tube-like rudimentary nasal structure located off-center from the midline of the face.
Causes: Embryological anomalies affecting fusion between maxillary and frontonasal processes.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Early-stage reconstructive surgery using local flaps; later stages may involve bone/cartilage grafting.
15. Aging Nose
Description: Structural collapse and drooping due to age-related weakening of cartilage and loss of skin elasticity.
Causes: Aging processes affecting ligaments, cartilage support, and skin quality.
Best Type of Nose Job to Address: Combination procedures like a specialized rhinoplasty with cartilage grafting and skin tightening techniques.
Don’t Settle for a Nose You’re Unhappy With
There is no perfect nose, and no amount of surgery can sculpt one (some people have tried only to have disastrous results). However, you can alter your nasal shape significantly if there’s a deformity or symmetry issue. By doing so, you can reduce the appearance of your hangup so that your nose is more harmonious with your facial structure, existing as a complement, not a distraction.
At the offices we bring years of experience performing various types of nasal surgery, and can help you reshape your nose into one you and others admire. Whether you’re looking to correct a minor structural issue or significant defect, you can trust us to make the desired changes safely and precisely. We have a stellar track record to back that up, so trust us when we say you’re in good hands!
Looking to make changes to the shape of your nose? Get in touch with us to learn how we can help you sculpt the nose you’ve always wanted.