NOSE SHAPES
There are fluid transitions and sometimes combinations between the basic shapes of the nose.
Jump directly to the descriptions and pictures of the individual nose shapes:
Ideal nose
While there is no such thing as an "ideal" nose, as perceptions of beauty and aesthetics vary from person to person and cultural and societal factors may play a role.
However, there are some features that are often considered attractive, such as a nose that is proportional to the rest of the face, a straight nasal bridge, a narrow nasal tip, and nostrils that are not too large or too small.
Tension nose
A tension nose describes a shape of the nose in which the nasal septum has grown more than the rest of the nose. The outer nose was pulled along during growth. Characteristic features are the rather narrow nose that protrudes far from the face, often with a hump and a nasal tip that is under tension due to the tissue tension. This tension is shown by a downward movement of the nasal tip, especially when the lips move. In addition, the nostrils are slit-shaped and therefore not optimally shaped for good airflow - sucking in the nostrils when breathing in is a common problem.
Treatment:
In order to get the so-called tension out of the nose, the nasal septum and thus the nose are reduced in size. The aim of the operation is always to significantly improve nasal breathing by widening the narrow areas in the nose and repositioning and stabilizing the nasal tip.
Hump nose
The most common nose shape in our practice is the hump nose, where there is a rise along the bridge of the nose - a so-called hump. The shape of the hump varies greatly, but almost always includes the transition area from the cartilaginous to the bony bridge of the nose.
Treatment:
Simply chiseling off the hump, as unfortunately many surgeons still do today, often leads to irregularities on the bridge of the nose and to a deterioration in nasal breathing.
Modern techniques, such as cartilage reshaping or so-called "let down" and "push down" as "dorsal preservation", preserve the natural structure of the bridge of the nose or even strengthen it.
Sattle nose
In contrast to a hump nose, a saddle nose is sunken along the bridge of the nose. Usually in the area of the cartilaginous bridge of the nose, which is located in the middle third of the nose. Often, nose injuries or radical operations on the nasal septum are responsible for the shape of the nose. In addition to the cosmetic impairment, patients with a saddle nose usually suffer from nasal breathing difficulties caused by the broken nasal septum.
Treatment:
A saddle nose can be corrected by fundamentally rebuilding the nose. In less severe cases without restriction of nasal breathing, filling the "saddle" with the body's own cartilage is sometimes sufficient.
Long nose
A nose that is too long means that the rest of the face is obscured because the nose is so dominant. The tip of the nose often hangs downwards and causes nasal breathing to be obstructed due to an unfavorable angle at the entrance to the nose.
Treatment:
A harmonious shortening of the nose should always take into account the correct position of the tip of the nose and the condition of the skin.
Short nose
A nose that is too small or too short can be congenital, but is often caused by a previous operation on the nose that was too radical. Patients often suffer from difficulty breathing through their nose.
Treatment:
Lengthening the nose is a complex operation that primarily involves enlarging the nasal septum and adjusting the tip of the nose.
Broad nose
A nose shape that appears too wide and does not fit harmoniously into the face. Often occurs with thick skin and a rather plump, undefined nose tip.
Treatment:
Correcting a wide nose involves narrowing the bony upper third and the cartilaginous middle third of the nose as well as adjusting the tip of the nose for a harmonious overall appearance.
Crooked nose
A crooked nose describes an axial deviation of the nose to one side. The course of the crooked nose can be curved or linear. In almost all cases, the nasal septum inside the nose is bent. Crooked noses can be congenital or caused by a nose injury.
Treatment:
Crooked noses can be straight in themselves and still be crooked in the face, or they can show an arched curve. The tip of the nose is often affected and requires special correction.
The operation of a crooked nose is a highly complex task, since not only the nasal framework, but also all surrounding structures are asymmetrical. The side walls of the nose are different heights, as are the fine muscles and the skin above the nose. The bent nasal septum with the nostrils are other factors that a nose surgeon must take into account.