Is there a way to fix the tip of my nose that sticks upward? (Photo)

Question

I hate my nose because the tip sticks upward. It's often called a "Cindy Lou Who" nose. I hate being photographed because of it and am extremely self conscious. I have been considering surgery but all of the before and after pictures I have seen are to fix a large bump in the bridge of the nose. Is there a way to fix the way my nose sticks up at the end or should I leave it alone? Thank you.

Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

A rhinoplasty can definitely help you achieve a more balanced nasal tip. Make sure you consult with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in rhinoplasty to ensure the best results possible. It looks like your nasolabial angle appears too high and is therefore showing the inside of your nostrils. In order to improve the appearance of your nose, we would need to rotate the nose back down. This is typically achieved by using strong cartilage from your septum or rib area. Also because the skin is thin, the surgery will likely require fascia to give you good results.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Deprojecting the tip of your nose can be done using septal cartilage grafts to the tip and upper columellar area. just a few millimeters of change will make a big difference and change the perception of the shape of the nasal tip.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty will accomplish your goal.  You need a delicate and precise operation.  Make sure that you find right surgeon.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Yes, it is possible to rotate the tip downward with a combination of techniques such as inferior columellar-plasty. This will help cantilever the tip backed down along with a small morselized cartilage graft placed in the supratip area of the nose. This can be accomplished with a closed rhinoplasty approach under a brief general anesthetic

Robert S. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Your tip is what we call "overly rotated." There are a couple of techniques to de-rotate a tip, and the technique used depends on how much the nose needs to come down. For a severely overly rotated nose like yours, usually the medial crura are too long. Shortening is accomplished through an open or closed approach (I do it open). The medial crura are divided and overlapped as much as is needed to bring the nasal tip down. Another technique is to use cartilage from your septum to build up the infra-tip region, but this only provides the illusion of lowering the tip instead of truly bringing it down. If you are self conscious about it, you should definitely pursue a rhinoplasty. Good luck!

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

Its a beautiful proportioned nose. I think jealous people may make fun of it.You do appear to have a short chin that may balance your face if you place a small or medium implant in front of the chin. Its a lot easier, and cheaper surgery which can be done under strict local anesthesia. Recovery is quick compared to rhinoplasty.There are too many risks for disappointment if you operated on that delicate, feminine nose.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

The nose can be lengthened and the columella (the strip between your nostrils) can be elevated to give you a more balanced tip that is appropriate for your nose.

Is there a way to fix the tip of my nose that sticks upward? (Photo)

Answers (7)

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