Considering what surgeons can do to a nose, the term “nose job” is rather vague. Surgeons can sculpt a nose into something completely unrecognizable, like how digital retouching or editing can completely change the look and feel of a picture. In other words, they can do more than just change a nose’s “shape”. This post will take a look at what years of skill and a scalpel can achieve.
#1 Lengthening the Nose
Fun observation—the world adores short, stubby, button noses. Half of all Disney characters ranging from Mrs. Incredible to Moana have them, because this nose shape gives them a cutesy look.
But in real life, a stunted nose can throw off facial harmony, softening the face and making it seem less defined.
That’s where lengthening the nose comes in.
Shaping the Nose Through Lengthening
Surgeons can use what’s known as a septal extension graft, which allows them to alter nasal tip projection. The graft usually consists of cartilage, which surgeons place onto the anterior septal angle of the nose. This placement lengthens the nose to make it more prominent.
The typical result isn’t a dramatically longer nose, because you can only extend it so far. However, a rhinoplasty extension helps make a short nose more noticeable and defined.
#2 Shortening the Nose
The other half of Disney and other franchise characters have peculiarly pointy noses. Cue in Pinocchio, the king of long noses, but also Barnie Rubble and Mr. Burns. As endearing as pointy noses can be, not everyone finds them flattering. An overly prominent nose can look distracting, and often throws facial harmony out of balance.
Of course, the obvious way to deal with a long nose is to shave it down.
Shaping the Nose By Shortening It
Surgeons will shorten a long nose using one of two methods. First, they might do a tip refinement, which involves cutting and removing some cartilage in the front of the nose. Second, they might resort to a septal adjustment, a.k.a septoplasty, where they might trim, move or reposition cartilage or bone, which effectively can shorten the nose.
Their method of choice depends on one’s desired outcome and natural nose shape. Regardless, they’re both effective at creating a nose with a length that better compliments one’s facial symmetry.
#3 Reducing Nose Size
The ancient Greeks were more than admirers of Olympic sports, philosophy, and Homer—they respected people with big noses. To an ancient Grecian, a big nose symbolized beauty and a good reputation. Of course, not everyone is as forward-thinking as the Greeks, and prefer a trimmer beak.
If you belong to this camp, the good news is that a surgeon can shrink a bulky nose.
Shaping the Nose By Reducing its Size
Surgeons can use a few (or a combination) of techniques to make the nose smaller. They include:
- Augmenting the nasal bridge, by breaking it and removing excess cartilage to reduce the nose’s size.
- Adjusting the nasal tip by rotating it upwards to create the illusion of it taking up less space.
- Performing an alarplasty, where the surgeon removes the wing portion of the nose, altering the size of the nostrils and making it seem smaller.
Again, the method(s) used by the surgeon will depend on the results you want.
#4 Enlarging Nose Size
You’d think with all the Barbie noses that dominate Netflix reality shows and TikTok reels, there’d be no interest in people wanting bigger ones. Think again—ask your local plastic surgeon whether he or she offers nose enlargement, and they’re likely to say “absolutely!”.
A broader nose can project strength and dominance, which is considered attractive in men and still, for certain cultures around the world.
So if you have a small nose that takes away from your presence, nasal enlargement may be in order.
Shaping the Nose By Enlarging its Size
A go-to method for bulking up an undersized nose is dorsal augmentation. During the procedure surgeons can increase the height of the nasal bridge (a.k.a dorsum), which gives the nose a bulkier appearance. They can do this cartilage grafts and or alloplastic implants.
Enlarging an undersized nose can actually have a functional (medical) purpose, namely, in people who have breathing issues due to small or collapsed nostrils.
#5 Repositioning Nose Structures
Sometimes, a nose needs surgery not because it’s too big or small, but because it just doesn’t sit right. Maybe the proportions are off, or a piece of it is misshapen, or its natural structure causes medical complaints. They’re not always obvious to others, but to the owner of said nose, these issues are a nuisance.
In these cases, the surgeon is not focused on altering nasal dimensions, but rather, repositioning the structures.
Shaping the Nose By Repositioning Its Structures
Surgeons have a pretty hefty toolbox they can pull from when it comes to rearranging nasal tissue. They can use a variety of rhinoplasty procedures such as septoplasty to straighten a deviated septum, a condition that can trigger nosebleeds and nasal blockages. Or they can perform a turbinectomy to shrink nasal turbinates, so that a person can breathe better (if they have that issue).
Ultimately, if your nose has a deformity that causes you discomfort, then a surgeon will change its inner decor by repositioning its tissues. But the overall shape and size may not change much, if at all.
#6 Shaping the Nose Can Mean Many Things
So what do we mean by “nose job” being a vague term?
It’s the equivalent of saying I bought a sports car or a luxury bag — that could mean many things considering the range of brands, makes, and models those items come in!
With that said, knowing all the ways a surgeon can sculpt your nose should be reassuring. Just about any alteration you want or need even, is possible (within reasonable limits).
It’s also a testament to the fact that there is no perfect nose shape—only the best one for your particular face. And a surgeon’s job is to give you results that you can count on and that honour your unique heritage. Nothing more, nothing less.
Here at the offices of Dr. Richard Rival, our expertise ensures that you’ll walk out of our clinic with rhinoplasty results you’ll be proud of.
Whether you’re looking to resize your nose or address nasal issues that cause discomfort, get in touch with us so we can sculpt the nose you deserve.