How to Correct my Drooping Nose Tip?

Question

When I smile, my nose tip droops down. I read about the depressor septi being cut but I think my doctor does not want to cut any muscle. he wants to attach a cartilige or something to the septum.  Which way is better? My sister had the muscle cut and her results are good. Her nose tip no longer drooped, but that was 8 years ago and things have changed.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

If you're a woman, an attractive angle between your nose and upper lip may be between 95 and 100 degrees. In our practice, we do not cut the depressor septi muscles. Droopy nasal tips are typically addressed by reconstructing the alar tip cartilages for a more pleasing appearance. We also add support to prevent drooping with a columellar shoring strut that may be custom carved from your septal cartilage. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s virtually impossible to make a specific recommendation in this particular case without pictures or a physical examination. For this reason, it’s important to consult a board certified plastic surgeon who can perform a comprehensive evaluation and formulate a treatment plan.
                In general terms, droop of the nasal tip can occur for a variety of reasons. In this particular case nasal drooping appears to be associated with smiling. When this type of animation deformity occurs it’s usually always related to muscles that insert onto the nasal tip. 
                  Under these circumstances, division of the depressor septi muscle can result in significant improvement. In some cases support of the nasal tip with cartilage grafts may be necessary as well. When these steps are taken clinical results are excellent and levels of patient satisfaction are high.

Deepak Raj Dugar, MD · Answer

Hello,The good news is that is there is a relatively simple and extremely safe approach to correcting this with our scarless technique.  The key is to rotate the nose upwards and prevent the excess pulldown when smiling. We utilize multiple maneuvers to carefully rotate the tip of the nose to lift it to an elegant height and design without any telltale signs of surgery. By doing this via a scarless (closed) approach, there are no external cuts ever on your nose.  This prevents the dreaded complication of external scarring at the base of the nose, which even if rare, if it occurs, is devastating.  Through a scarless approach you can accomplish almost everything needed to be done to the nose with no scarring, less healing time, less bruising, and less swelling. Consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon for an in person consultation. All the best, Deepak Dugar, MDScarless Rhinoplasty ExpertBeverly Hills, CA 90210

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question! Correcting a droopy or hanging nasal tip can result in a significant improvement in overall facial aesthetics. Cutting the depressor septi muscle during rhinoplasty can help in some patients, but this is not the primary issue for everyone. In a lot of cases, the septum is too long and it forces the tip downward. The septum can be trimmed and/or the tip cartilages can be rotated back and attached to the septum. These techniques result in rotation of the nasal tip upwards relative to the lip.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The depressor septi muscle can be easily clipped at the time of the rhinoplasty surgery.  When successfully clipped, the tip will no longer drop when smiling after the surgery.  This is commonly performed and has no consequences to it.

How to Correct my Drooping Nose Tip?

Answers (10)

Answer: Correction of a Drooping Nasal Tip

Answer: Correction of a Drooping Nasal Tip

Answer: Commonly performed

Answer: Commonly performed

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How to Correct my Drooping Nose Tip?

Answers (10)

Answer: Correction of a Drooping Nasal Tip

Answer: Correction of a Drooping Nasal Tip

Answer: Commonly performed

Answer: Commonly performed

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.