How Can I Get Natural-looking Rhinoplasty Results?

I personally believe the single most important factor contributing to a natural appearance following rhinoplasty is maintaining naso-facial harmony. Simply put… at the end of the procedure, does the nose look like it belongs on a particular face? If the answer is yes, then more often than not, the results will be very natural-looking.
Another important point to keep in mind is that every patient who electively chooses to undergo rhinoplasty (nose job) is doing it with hopes of looking better. Typically, in these cases, the nose has some specific feature that is distracting from the overall attractiveness of the face.
For example a nose can appear to be too long, too short, too wide or too thin, but only relative to THAT individuals facial features. The same nose could potentially look perfect on another person’s face. This is where rhinoplasty surgery gets interesting and really demanding. Suddenly it’s no longer about the nose. It’s about the face and the artistic and technical acumen of the surgeon to bring it all together.
The best example of this is with ethnic rhinoplasty. Often, attempts are made to create an ideal nose on a Middle-Eastern, Asian, or African-American patient. But if the “ideal” that is being followed is based on the Caucasian nose, the end result is an unnatural appearance that screams “rhinoplasty.” When this occurs, the disharmony between the nose and the rest of the facial features distracts and detracts from the individual’s overall attractiveness.
Furthermore, I find that the majority of patients are not far from their “individual” ideal, and subtle refinement is all it takes to tone down a harsh hump or gently reduce the width of a nose, etc. Really listening to the patient’s desires and working with the intrinsic anatomy as opposed to trying to totally re-design it are important factors in achieving excellent natural-looking rhinoplasty results.
As a consumer, the first step is to look for a well-trained rhinoplasty specialist. Next, evaluate the before and after photos carefully. Even ask to have the opportunity to visit with previous patients. Then, ask yourself the following questions:

Do the results look natural?
Do the faces look more attractive as a result of the change? Although, it seems like it should every time, the reality is, even if the nose looks better, it doesn’t mean the overall look has been enhanced.
Finally, do the results appear similar to one another? Some surgeons have a signature style or more bluntly.. a cookie-cutter nose that is produced for essentially every case. Often, these noses are not the most natural-appearing… since there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” nose.

Hello and thank you for your question. The key to finding a surgeon who can give you natural looking results is to make sure that you carefully evaluate their before and after gallery on their website to make sure that they have a large body of work demonstrating the ability to give natural looking results. 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

You can get natural-looking rhinoplasty results by choosing the right surgeon and communicating your goals with your surgeon. Reviewing the surgeon’s before and after photos can give you an idea of whether she can produce natural-looking results. During the consultation, communicating your goals will let the surgeon know what you’re looking for and whether they can achieve it. I personally make morphs or simulated photos of the patient during the consultation. This is a valuable communication tool that allows me and the patient to see if I understand their goals and can achieve what they’re looking for.