Nose job procedures: Choosing the right one for you

If you’re looking to change the shape of your nose, there are different types of nose jobs to choose from. The procedure itself, known as rhinoplasty, aims to change the appearance of your nose through surgery. This can be done for aesthetic reasons as well as for medical purposes.

Each nose job procedure is performed based on the patient’s needs and expectations as well as their anatomical features. We will advise you on the changes that the procedure will bring, and we will suggest what results would best work based on your anatomical structures.

The goal of any nose job is to enhance your facial features and natural beauty. This is why it is important to understand that there is no such thing as the perfect nose, but rather the right shape that would harmonise with your facial features.

How is a nose job performed?

First of all, you will have a consultation with one of our specialists. Contact us anytime to get started! We are going to ask you a few questions about your overall health and what you expect from the procedure. We might ask you to send us a few pictures of your nose from different angles for us to assess how to proceed during surgery. Then, we will help you schedule an appointment at our clinic.

A nose job can last up to two hours and in most cases patients don’t need to stay overnight. We will give you all the information once you’re in touch with us. While there are different nose job procedures, there are a few steps that apply to all of them:

1. Anaesthesia: To minimise pain and discomfort, the doctor will either numb the area with a local anaesthetic or administer general anaesthesia. In this case, you will sleep throughout the procedure.
2. Incisions: Depending on the procedure performed, the plastic surgeon will make tiny incisions inside the nostrils or across the base of your nose.
3. Restructuring and reshaping: Through the incisions, the surgeon will reshape the inner bone and cartilage to achieve the desired shape. Incisions are closed and bandages applied.

Are you an ideal candidate for a nose job?

We are going to evaluate eligibility for the procedure on an individual basis. As a rule of thumb, ideal candidates for a nose job procedure:

• Need to be at least 18. It’s important that the nose has reached its adult size and that it won’t go through big changes later on.
• Should have realistic expectations. It’s our job to advise you on the best possible results. It’s not about making drastic changes, but rather achieving harmony and balance with your facial structures.
• Need to correct their nose following an accident or injury.
• Need to correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose.

What are the different types of nose jobs?

Technique: Open vs closed rhinoplasty

No matter the procedure performed, all nose jobs are either performed with an open or a closed technique.

During an open rhinoplasty, also called an external rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes a single incision beneath the nose on the underside between the nostrils. A virtually unnoticeable scar might result from this procedure.

During a closed, or endonasal, rhinoplasty, the surgeon performs the incisions only inside your nostrils. No visible scars result from this technique.

The two techniques differ in the way the surgeon accesses the nose. The type of changes that need to be made will determine if the surgery will be performed with an open or a closed technique.

If you want to have more information, our article “Open vs closed rhinoplasty: What’s best for you?” gives you a detailed explanation of the difference between these two techniques.

Augmentation rhinoplasty

This type of nose job is typically done to increase the projection of your nasal dorsum or your nasal tip. The results are mainly visible on the profile view.

The augmentation is achieved by using a bone or tissue graft, which is taken from the cartilage of your ears or other parts of your nose. If the natural tissue available is not enough, the surgeon might use alloplasts – special augmentation implants.

The skin will then adjust to the new size on its own.

Reduction rhinoplasty

One of the top nose job requests by our patients is reducing the size of their nose. A reduction rhinoplasty “nose job” can either remove, trim or rearrange the nasal cartilage and bone to achieve a smaller shape. It can also include narrowing the width of your nostrils or reducing the size of the bumps on the bridge of your nose.

The surgeon makes a few small incisions to access the bone and cartilage but no changes will be made on the exterior skin.

Reconstructive rhinoplasty

When patients need to reconstruct their nose following lesions as a result of skin cancer, congenital defects, a deviated septum or a nasal obstruction, a reconstructive rhinoplasty “nose job” might be helpful. This procedure can involve simple skin grafting or complex reconstructions.

Revision rhinoplasty

Just as the name suggests, revision rhinoplasty “nose job” is performed to revise or adjust a nose job that was carried out before. This can happen when patients are unhappy with how their nose looks or feels after the first surgery.

Filler rhinoplasty

Also known as non-surgical rhinoplasty or liquid nose job, filler rhinoplasty involves injecting a dermal filler ingredient to change the shape of your nose for up to six months. It is typically performed using hyaluronic acid and is an ideal procedure for patients who are not ready for a permanent solution and need to smooth out bumps or make the nose less angular.