While the nose is considered a vital facial feature and one of the strongest facial indicators of gender, it’s also one of the most variables. This is because the nose shapes and sizes are unique for both men and women, and their colorations vary from person to person. That’s why it is important to learn about rhinoplasty.
Table of Contents
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the shape of the nose by reshaping it using various techniques, including suturing and repositioning cartilage. The first step in rhinoplasty is a consultation with your surgeon to discuss your goals for the procedure.
After this initial discussion, your surgeon will likely examine your nose to determine what type of surgery you need. Your surgeon may also use imaging technology such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine if other parts of your face need attention.
After determining the best course of action for you, your surgeon will create a treatment plan based on their examination and imaging tests. Your surgeon may recommend one or more types of surgery depending on what changes are necessary to improve the shape and function of your nose.
Why Should I consider rhinoplasty?
This procedure can help you achieve a better balance between your face and your nose. Not only will it make your nose look better, but it will also help you breathe better.
The best time to have rhinoplasty is after your 20s, but it’s not always necessary. If you’re considering rhinoplasty, you should consult your surgeon about when it’s appropriate for you and whether it will benefit your particular case.
Rhinoplasty can improve your appearance and help you feel more comfortable in public and private settings. It can also help prevent future nasal problems such as sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, or post-nasal drip.
Professionals can perform rhinoplasty to correct a wide range of problems, including:
- Nasal deviated septum
- Nasal hump
- Unwanted bumps and scars on the nose or around the eyes
The Dos and Donts After Rhinoplasty
The postoperative period after rhinoplasty includes several important steps.
First, you should consider having a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to ensure they performed the surgery correctly. If there are any concerns, you must discuss them with your surgeon before you leave the office.
Don’t smoke cigarettes or use any form of tobacco. Smoking can cause several complications during surgery, including bleeding and swelling. If you do smoke, stop as soon as you’re able to do so.
Don’t have your nose redone until at least six months after the original surgery because swelling will generally decrease in size and scarring will fade over time.
Don’t sleep on your back with your head pointed up because this can cause your nose to bend too far upward, leading to complications. Instead, try sleeping on your side or stomach with a pillow under your head to keep it level.
What Should the Ideal Nose Look Like After Rhinoplasty?
After a rhinoplasty, your nose should be straight and have a more defined shape. The tip of your nose should be slightly higher than the bridge, and the nostrils should be slimmer and closer together. In addition, your nasal cartilage should be thinner and more visible.
You may notice some swelling after the surgery for a few days. This swelling is temporary and will go down over time as scar tissue forms at the area of the operation. You will likely be able to see this scar tissue within 2-3 weeks, but it may take up to 6 months before you are completely healed from surgery.
After surgery, you should not worry about cosmetic changes such as sagging skin around your nose or drooping skin inside your upper lip. These changes are common side effects of any plastic surgery procedure.
How Should an Ideal Nose Look Like?
The ideal nose after rhinoplasty is a narrow and well-defined bridge, with the tip of the nose jutting out just slightly past the center. The nostrils should be wide and well-defined at the top, with a gentle curve downward toward the lips.
The tip of the nose should be round, with no sharp edges or angles. The nostrils should be tapered and narrow from top to bottom. The skin in between should be smooth, tight and wrinkle-free.
The skin around the eyes should be smooth and wrinkle-free. The brow bone should be straight and high on the skull, with no visible scars or cuts on either side.
Differences in Rhinoplasty in Men and Women
The difference between the rhinoplasty procedures for men and women is that in women, the nose is generally smaller and more delicate than in men. In addition, women have less tendency to have large noses than men.
This is because there are fewer cartilage cells in a woman’s nose than in a man, resulting in less bulk and more delicacy for the female nose.
In addition to this difference in size, there are also differences in shape. For example, the female nose tends to be narrower at its base and wider at its tip than its male counterpart. This makes it easier for surgeons to perform rhinoplasty on women than on men because they can adjust during surgery to account for these differences without making additional incisions or moving tissue from other areas of the face.
Risks Associated with Rhinoplasty
While you can experience breathing difficulties, that risk is low. However, if you experience breathing problems, you should contact your doctor immediately. Some other risks include the following.
1. Dry Socket
The area around your nose may become dry and crusty due to lack of blood flow or swelling due to surgery. Dry sockets can occur at any time during healing, usually after three months. A dry socket is generally not serious, but it may require additional surgery or treatment if it becomes severe.
Fracture of Nasal Bones
There is a small risk that the nasal bones may fracture during the operation or healing process. Suppose this happens and no broken bones are present when your surgeon performs surgery. In that case, they will often try to fix the problem by replacing part of the bone with either titanium mesh or bone grafting material rather than removing more nasal bone from your nose. This type of procedure is often successful in preventing further fractures from occurring in future surgeries.
