Nose Augmentation & Nose Reduction Solutions

Who needs to augment or reduce the size of their nose

Invasive and non-invasive nose augmentation or nose reduction procedures are ideal options for patients who wish to change the structure of the nose as a way to enhance or balance out their other facial features for cosmetic reasons. It has also been shown that rhinoplasty surgeries lead to increased confidence and decreases in anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

The Anatomy of the Nose

Common concerns related to nose size include large and small nasal areas and nostrils (read our full guide to nose size concerns). While noses generally average 2 to 2.2 inches long in women and men respectively, there is not a standardized medical measurement for the length or overall area of the nose. Additionally, the angle between the lips and nose should be between 95 and 105 degrees in women and 90 to 95 degrees in men. The angle between the tip of the nose and the base of the forehead, meanwhile, should be between 115 and 125 degrees.

• Small Nose: Individuals who feel their nose is too petite for the overall proportion of their face may seek out augmentation procedures to provide balance.
• Large Nose: "Big" or wide noses can be hereditary, the result of aging, or caused by trauma. In addition to becoming crooked or developing bumps (as outlined on our guide to Nose Shape Concerns), broken noses often end up larger than before.

The size of the nose may also be impacted by the size of the nostrils. Nostrils that are too large, too small, or asymmetrical can impact both the appearance and, in some cases, function of the nose.

What can you expect from nose augmentation and reduction procedures?

Expectations of results and recovery should be geared toward the specific procedure being considered. While minimally invasive, non-surgical rhinoplasties have hardly any downtime and temporary results, a surgical rhinoplasty might take up to a year to fully heal but the results are permanent. To better understand the healing and downtime associated with the procedure, check out our complete guide to rhinoplasty recovery.

There are two main categories of surgical rhinoplasties — open and closed — that differ in their techniques and scope.

• Open Rhinoplasty: The more invasive option involves opening the nose in a broad way to give the surgeon the most access to the nasal area by making an incision between the nostrils. The flaps of nasal skin are then lifted up and off the nose to expose the cartilage and nasal bone during surgery.
• Closed Rhinoplasty: A closed rhinoplasty, meanwhile, involves making invasions on the inside of the nose as the nasal bone, cartilage, or septum is operated on. While there is often less swelling and downtime associated with the technique, there are also limitations to how much can be done — especially as it relates to the nasal skin and tip.

Regardless of which technique a patient chooses, recovery is also impacted by general anesthesia versus local anesthesia. In more invasive procedures an external splint is used for the first week and then removed. Patients can also expect bruising and numbness with a few weeks of downtime and limitations on strenuous activities. In non-surgical rhinoplasty, patients will likely be able to resume activity on the same day.

When should you consider a nose augmentation or reduction procedure?

A candidate should seek consultation with a certified plastic surgeon once they have determined they are ready to proceed with creating their ideal appearance. Good candidates should consider overall health, side effects, and downtime and recovery time as possible mitigating factors.

For patients under the age of 18 who are interested in a rhinoplasty procedure, surgery should not be performed until the face has finished developing. Girls’ noses generally aren’t considered fully formed until one year after menses (around 15 years old), while boys are usually considered fully grown one year after their last noted growth spurt (around 18 years old).

Why should you consider nose augmentation or reduction?

As with any cosmetic procedure, the choice to pursue available options is a personal one. If the size of the nose, as a result of genetics or trauma (think: a broken nose), is interfering with a patient's self confidence, it may be time to consider meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss possible treatment options to refine the appearance of the nose.