Very poor chin to philtrum ratio - Can anything be done to get my nose lower? (Photo)

Question

18 years old, male. I have a very poor chin to philtrum ratio, and my middle facial third could be a little longer. Could it be possible to get my nose to reach down to the line I have drawn, in order to achieve better harmony?

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks 6782010 for your question! It's quite natural that you're conscious of the dimensions of your face and considering ways to make them natural looking and more beautiful. The length of the middle facial third greatly affects overall equilibrium, and the chin to philtrum ratio is undoubtedly a crucial component of face attractiveness.
The following strategies might be taken into consideration:   
Lip Lift: The particular goal of the lip lift (philtrum reduction) surgical operation is to shorten the philtrum. Usually, a tiny bit of skin is removed by making an incision slightly below the nose, following its natural contours. A more youthful appearance may result by lifting the upper lip, which shortens the philtrum and frequently makes the upper teeth more visible. 
A surgeon can choose the best lip lift technique for your anatomy and desired result from a variety of available methods.  Sometimes corner of lip lift makes a huge difference. 
Chin Augmentation (Genioplasty or Implants): Although the philtrum isn't altered directly, chin augmentation can enhance the lower face's overall balance and possibly make the philtrum look shorter in proportion. This can be accomplished by implanting a chin implant or by surgically realigning your own chin bone (genioplasty).   Chin augmentation can be done via a variety of different fillers.
Upper Lip Augmentation: Using fillers to add volume to the top lip can occasionally make the lip appear shorter by drawing it closer to the nose. This is a short-term, non-surgical remedy, nevertheless.
Regarding lowering the nose, it should be made clear that, unlike shortening or enhancing other facial characteristics, surgically reducing the entire nose's bone structure is not a routine or typical surgery. Nonetheless, some rhinoplasty procedures, such Dorsal Hump Reduction and/or Tip Plasty (Nasal Tip Repositioning), can provide the illusion of a lower nose.
Seeking expert consultations is the most crucial step for you to address your issues and investigate the safest and most appropriate solutions for reaching your cosmetic objectives. They can offer tailored guidance after carefully analyzing the structure of your face.
Hope this was helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr Ali Sajjadian

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and the picture. It is difficult to fully assess your issue without a proper side profile view, but addressing the shape of your nose (especially the nasal tip) is actually one of the most common reasons people seek out and undergo a rhinoplasty. An open septorhinoplasty can best address both your aesthetic concerns and any functional issues with your nose. I would be able to adjust the size, shape, and definition of your nose (including lengthening the nose)!

This truly is a surgery of millimeters- and especially to properly lengthen the nose, it requires exceptional surgical skill to achieve functional and natural-looking results! Because your nose is the DEFINING feature of your face- I would only recommend seeing a surgeon who specializes in male rhinoplasty procedures, and who has significant training and experience performing these surgeries. I actually trained under one of the world leading male rhinoplasty experts (who performs 1,000+ nosejobs annually).

I recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with male rhinoplasties) to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate your options, and develop a personalized plan just for you. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Guray Yesiladali, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Thank you for your thoughtful question&mdash;it's clear you're considering facial balance carefully, which is a valuable starting point when exploring aesthetic changes. However, there are a few important points to keep in mind:
Photo Limitations and Single-Angle ViewsThe photograph provided shows only part of your face and from a single angle, which makes it difficult to assess overall facial proportions accurately. Aesthetic evaluation relies on multiple views (frontal, lateral, and dynamic expressions), as well as seeing how features interact in motion. Isolated or partial photos can be misleading when planning changes to facial structure.
Beauty Is Not Defined by One RatioFacial harmony is not based on any single measurement, such as the philtrum length or nose projection. Instead, it emerges from the proportional relationships among the nose, lips, chin, and midface. Attempting to adjust one feature without understanding its effect on the whole may lead to an unnatural or unbalanced appearance&mdash;even if a specific ratio seems improved.
If This Area Is Your Primary ConcernIf your main focus is improving the relationship between your nose and philtrum, particularly when the upper lip appears long or lacks definition, a lip lift may offer a more targeted and effective solution than lengthening the nose. This procedure shortens the philtrum and can enhance facial balance without altering nasal structure.
A full facial assessment by a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, ideally using clinical photography and physical examination, would provide a clearer sense of what options may work best for your unique anatomy.
Wishing you well-informed decisions and natural-looking results,

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello!Thank you for your question.
As far as I can see from your photos Along with the rhinoplasty operation, a lip lift can also be applied at the same time and your nose and lip distance can be made more proportional, if extra cartilage may need to be used before.
It would be better face to face consultation
Best Regards!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

You are a young and handsome man. You are focusing on averaged metrics that claim to measure beauty. Don't. I can show you many pictures of celebrities whose faces don't fit those metrics either. The last thing you should be thinking about is surgery. Regardless, your face will still change over the next 5 years or so. This is all good news, trust me. There is every reason for you to fell uber confident in your appearance.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

The columella and the tip can be increased in projection and inferior displacement using cartilage grafts. That covers the philtrum enough to reduce the upper lip show. Some times a dorsal nasal implant can also be used to push the tip downwards. 
Regards
Dr. Janjua

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on what you submitted, you appear to have a pleasing nasal and facial appearance. Lip lift surgery is sometimes considered for shortening somebody's upper lip, however, I would not advocate that for you, based on how you look. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

An alternative to consider other than rhinoplasty is to raise your lip. A lip lift is commonly done in young people. A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners. The operation takes 1 hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $4,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Generally speaking, it is possible to derotate a tip for less nostril exposure. For your specific goals additional pictures would be helpful. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

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