As one of your face’s most distinctive features, your nose has some important responsibilities. It warms and filters your breath and provides your sense of smell and taste. Noses come in many shapes and sizes, and not everyone loves the nose they were born with. For those individuals, rhinoplasty may provide an optimal solution to enhance the appearance of their nose and overall facial profile.
Below, we’ll give you information about the most common nose types and how Dr. Agata Brys, MD, a facial plastic surgery expert, can help you create balance in your face’s appearance through plastic surgery. Read on to learn all about different types of noses, and your options for refining your facial profile.
Understanding Nose Shapes: How Anatomy Affects Your Profile
Most noses have the same basic anatomy. The outer portions you can see are comprised of bone, cartilage, and fatty tissue covered by skin. These include the nasal:
- Root: The top of your nose between your eyebrows
- Apex: The bottom part of your nose including the tip and nostrils
- Dorsum/Ridge: The middle part of your nose between the root and apex
The inside of your nose holds several structures, including:
- Paranasal sinuses: Air-filled pockets that make mucus and filter breaths
- Septum: Bone and cartilage that separate your two nasal cavities
Overall, noses have a triangle shape, but beyond that, the root, apex, and ridge can vary significantly. Nasal bone and cartilage form your nose’s shape, and a rhinoplasty (surgical nose reshaping) targets these areas.
The Roman Nose: Strong and Prominent Features
A Roman nose, also called an aquiline nose, has a protruding ridge with a slight curve. That means the ridge extends away from the face below the root, and then curves back toward the apex.
Many say the Roman nose has a distinguished look, and in early Europe, it was considered a noble trait. If your Roman nose curve feels too prominent for you, you can lessen it with a rhinoplasty.
The Button Nose: Small, Upturned, and Delicate
A button nose, or snub nose, is small, delicate, and often turns up slightly at the tip. People typically describe a button nose as cute, dainty, and playful. Sometimes, those with a button nose choose rhinoplasty to lessen nostril flare or add definition to their profile.
The Hump Nose: Addressing a Dorsal Hump with Rhinoplasty
A hump nose was given its name based on the large hump along the ridge. This nose type is similar to the Roman nose, but the curve is much more noticeable, especially from the side. A rhinoplasty can smooth this hump and balance facial proportions.
The Bulbous Nose: Refining and Reshaping the Nasal Tip
A bulbous nose has a large, wide, and rounded tip, usually with more cartilage and soft tissue than other nose types. Some feel a bulbous tip lacks definition, and request rhinoplasty to sharpen their nasal profile and narrow the tip of the nose.
The Crooked Nose: Correcting Asymmetry and Deviations
A crooked nose curves to the left or right instead of extending straight outward from the face. Crooked noses typically follow a C, I, or S shape and some are barely visible, while others cause a dramatic asymmetry.
For some, a crooked nose is caused by a deviated septum, which can affect breathing by partially or fully blocking one of the nasal cavities. A deviated septum can lead to frequent nose bleeds, loud breathing, and trouble sleeping on one side.
For others, a crooked nose is caused by asymmetries of their nasal bones and the lower lateral cartilages of the nasal tip.
A crooked nose can be straightened with rhinoplasty which addresses the external nasal bones and cartilages. A deviated septum is repaired using septoplasty (surgical septum straightening). These two procedures can be combined and are often performed at the same time.
Ethnic Nose Types: Preserving Identity While Enhancing Harmony
Your nose type is often determined by the genes (DNA) you inherit from your family and can say much about your ancestry. For example, people of southern European descent may be more likely to have a Roman nose, whereas someone of African descent may have a Nubian nose with a wide nasal base, long ridge, and rounded tip.
Those of Asian or African descent may have a flat nose, defined by a flat ridge and wide nostrils. East Asian ancestry may result in a flat ridge and wide base.
With ethnic rhinoplasty, you can request slight adjustments to your nose type without impacting the appearance of your proud heritage. At your consultation, Dr. Brys will discuss all your options to be sure you fully understand your nasal aesthetic goals and together, you can develop a surgical plan for refined shape while preserving your cultural identity. Dr. Brys uses imaging software so that you can see what your new nose will look like.
Choosing the Right Rhinoplasty Approach for Your Nose Shape
Your nose shape and surgical goals direct the best surgical approach for you: Open vs. Closed rhinoplasty.
Dr. Brys typically uses an open rhinoplasty technique, in which small incisions are made in the strip of skin between your nostrils. From there, she can shape bones and cartilage to your specifications. This option offers better visibility for your surgeon, and may work best for these nose types:
- Bulbous nose
- Crooked nose
- Humped nose
- Nubian nose
In some cases, a closed rhinoplasty is the better solution. This technique involves no external incisions. Dr. Brys uses this technique when your nasal anatomy and aesthetic needs require it, and may work best for:
- Button Nose
- Mild Hump Nose
Schedule Your Rhinoplasty Consultation with Dr. Brys Today!
You don’t have to decide on your preferred rhinoplasty technique alone — Dr. Brys can help! As a surgeon double board-certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Agata Brys has expertise in all nose types and rhinoplasty options. She uses the latest technology, like computer imaging analysis, to help you visualize your results and craft a plan to fit your needs.
To schedule your consultation at our New Jersey office, contact us online or call (973) 394-1815 today!