Why does my nose look wide in the front profile but a perfect shape on a side profile? (Photos)

Question

I have a wide nose in my front profile but ,when I turn to the side it is the nose I want.I don't understand why my nose is like this.I Have slimmed down my nose a little by doing nose exercises but, I wanted to know if there is any surgery I can do to make it slimmer without changing the side profile(e.g Closed rhinoplasty maybe)

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

You’re lucky that you’re happy with one view of your nose. Many people are not. As to why your nose is shaped the way it is, it all comes down to genetics and luck. If you would like to narrow your nose from the frontal view, this can be done through rhinoplasty. I would thin the skin on the tip and sides of your nose, and narrow and refine your nostrils. This would be done without affecting the length of your nose or substantially altering  the profile view of your nose.  You need to find someone who is expert in African American rhinoplasty, as the physical and aesthetic considerations can be different than those for Caucasians. You want your nose to be well formed, harmonize with your face, and respect your ethnic heritage. I hope this helps.

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

The reason it looks different is that you are looking at it from different views, just like a car is narrow from a front view, but long when you look at it from the side.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your
photograph, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty. Your surgeon can
accomplish this by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your
lower nose.   Make sure you specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and not just a computer animation system. The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Milan Doshi, MS, MCh · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question and photographs
 Rhinoplasty and narrowing of mid nose plus Alar reduction will give you narrow nose.Tip  can be modified little 
 please consult board certified plastic surgeon and discuss,about your liking to maintain profile , whether you want to maintain ethnicity.
 Best of luck
 Dr Milan Doshi

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A wide nose can be narrowed. It might change the profile slightly to do so.   You are best to be seen in person.

Why does my nose look wide in the front profile but a perfect shape on a side profile? (Photos)

Answers (5)