Nasal aesthetics

Every year, half a million people who are interested in improving the appearance of their noses seek consultation for rhinoplasty. Some are unhappy with the noses they were born with, and some with the way aging has changed their nose. For others, an injury may have distorted the nose, or the goal may be improved breathing. But one thing is clear: nothing has a greater impact on how a person looks than the size and shape of the nose. Because the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, a slight alteration can greatly improve one's appearance.

The aesthetics of nasal change is one of the most significant challenges facing plastic surgeons. Unlike a facelift where the end result is a fresher look, a nose job can make you look better and different.

Over the years rhinoplasty has been subject to trends, just as in fashion.In the recent past, many patients thought it desirable to have an upturned nose with a scoped ‘ski slope’ bridge line. Later, the trend was toward a natural, strong nose with a high bridge and sculpted tip.

Today, we know that the perfect nose is different for each person. Importantly we appreciate the nose is part of your unique facial potential. The nose must be viewed in its frame of a natural brow cheek and chin. Each of these structures has an influence on the others.

For example a nose with an undershot chin will often appear as tip heavy or excessively projecting. A face with weak cheek (malar) complex will look larger than the same nose surrounded by a strong cheek structure. Computer imaging and simulating nasal change is an integral part nasal aesthetic assessment and demonstrating the proposed nasal appearance.

the nose should replicate the harmonious curves found in nature. It should provide a balanced focal point to the face, uninterrupted by lumps, bulges or droop or deviation. Like an architect your plastic surgeon should have a trained eye to evaluate your face and visualize the change required to your nose or indeed other facial bones. Rhinoplasty surgeons interpret facial change to create a balanced
and cosmetically pleasing result.

However there are basic aesthetic concepts, which must be understood and adhered to in achieving the best result from rhinoplasty.

Although you may see the problem as a wide tip or large hump on the bridge in fact the nose is a closely integrated system of bone and cartilage. Each part is dependant on the adjacent structure for support. Important relationships exist between the nasal and facial proportions.

The position of the chin is important in any evaluation of the facial profile. The position of the chin influences the apparent visual size of the nose. A small or under shot chin can create the illusion of a tip heavy or large nose.

In addition a weak cheek complex can create the illusion of excessive nasal projection.

Computer imaging and simulating nasal change is an integral part nasal aesthetic assessment and demonstrating the proposed nasal appearance.

Contact Dr Peter Dixon today using our simple online enquiry form, for more information on the Rhinoplasty procedure.