Rhinoplasty Surgery - A New Nose For A New Year

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered what you would look like with a different nose?  Perhaps there’s a bump where there should be a straight line, or maybe something about the tip, just doesn’t fit.  The nose is the center of the face and it is one of the most defining features of a person’s appearance.  It is how we come to recognize one another and it can be one of the most striking features that we remember.  The science and art of rhinoplasty surgery has been developed, and studied for decades to provide a way to correct features of a nose, which may not fit with the rest of a person’s face.  Does your nose fit you?  Is this the year you choose to do something about it?

What makes a good-looking nose?

When it comes to noses and rhinoplasty surgery, there is not one singular shape that makes sense for all patients.   The nose that fits your face may not be correct for another patient.  With six sections and nine nasal subunits to be surgically approached, a nose job is individually customized every time.  That is why the approach to nose reshaping requires the plastic surgeon to carefully tailor surgery for each individual patient.   While there are many types of attractive noses, the foundation of nose surgery rests on several concepts. These include creating a straight bridge, having a proportional tip, and preserving symmetry from side to side.

Leonardo Da Vinci and Noses

One of the first people to study the nose and measure its proportions was Leonardo Da Vinci.  Because this renaissance artist had to draw so many faces, it was important for him to make all these faces look good.  If you’ve ever seen the Sistine Chapel you will recall the countless faces painted into the plaster of the ceiling.  Da Vinci discovered that there were certain ratios that attractive noses had.  For instance the projection of the tip should be 0.618 the length of the nose.  This also happens to be the ideal ratio for the length of the septum’s skin to tip skin length when viewed from below.  For those who know that number: it is the golden ratio.  There’s no conspiracy here, but today we continue to use these ratios when adjusting the width and projection of the nose.

Beauty For the Modern World

Rhinoplasty is transformative way to bring out hidden beauty. Often times a nose with an unfavorable feature can dominate a person’s face.  With rhinoplasty surgery a person’s true self can be revealed.   To parallel another great artist: Michelangelo who said,  “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set it free,” a rhinoplasty surgeon can take away the things that obscure one’s beauty.  Surgery can create a refined sense of self-acceptance can help boost confidence.

How Should You Choose Your Rhinoplasty Doctor?

As with any Plastic Surgery, it is important to choose a surgeon who has the appropriate training and experience to perform the surgery you seek.  One way of screening for a good surgeon to check to see if they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which has some the most stringent examination standards in medicine.   A Plastic Surgeon who has been certified by this particular board has to complete at least 3 years of prerequisite surgical training, followed by two full years in Plastic Surgery training, take an 8 hour written exam, be in practice for at least one full year, and pass a rigorous three day oral examination administered by surgeons who generally have 20 to 30 years in practice.  Needless to say, not all surgeons make the grade. Beyond the training, your rhinoplasty surgeon should be able to clearly communicate with you to understand your goals and articulate your needs.  You should feel comfortable asking questions and you should be able to give your feedback.  Lastly it can help to see a plastic surgeon that has the ability to show you proposed changes with simulation systems such as the Vectra 3d system.  This way you have an idea of what the outcome may look like.  For each patient choosing a surgeon and undergoing surgery is a personal experience that should result in a positive life change.  If you have more questions about rhinoplasty feel free to contact Dr. Khorsandi and the Team at VIP Plastic Surgery to explore your options.