Does a nose have a tendency to return to its original shape?

Question

When you get a cut, over the years the body tries to seal it. When you break a bone, it goes back to normal. When you get an illness, your body goes back to normal. Isn't a nose job messing with nature? Will cartilages/bones in the nose try to move back to original position? After serious trauma? After surgery? I ask because I have breathing difficulties from trauma and do not want surgery. I am wondering if it is possible the septum or cartilage can move back into place over years?

Myriam Loyo, MD · Answer

Hi there,You have a very good question.After initial trauma to the nose, the nose will try to heal itself. But it often heals with the bones and cartilage in the wrong position. Your body will not be able to move the nasal bones to make them straight on it own. It needs a little help in moving the pieces back to position so that it can then heal correctly.If you are early after the trauma, we can often correct the trauma by moving the pieces back to its original position without any incisions or grafts. We call this a closed reduction.If time has passed already since the time of your trauma, your body might have healed the bones and cartilage in a crooked position. To correct it, you need might need a rhinoplasty to be able to move the cartilages and bone. Your body will have a tendency to try to bring the bones and cartilage back to the last position (the crooked one). The longer the nose is crooked the more all the structures are used to be in the crooked position and will want to return to that. If you are not sure you want surgery you can wait and see how your breathing is when all the swelling from the trauma resolved. You can always choose to have the surgery later on.I hope this helps

Robert J. Schutz, MD · Answer

Cartilage of the nose can continue to grow and reshape over time. Cartilage also has a memory to it and will want to return to its original shape when it is repositioned. Surgical techniques that remove cartilage and grafts and/or sutures that help to support the repositioned cartilage can help maintain the cartilage in its new position.
I would not let this discourage you from having surgery.  What would be the best result and most appropriate procedure would depend an examination and discussion about desired outcome.  Naturally appearing long term results can be obtained with surgery.  Your surgeon should have an extensive experience with rhinoplasty and be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAP).  I wish you the best!
Robert Schutz, M.D., FACS
Rapid City, South Dakota

William Portuese, MD · Answer

When performing a rhinoplasty, there are changes made to the upper lateral cartilages, lower lateral cartilages and nasal bones including breaking the nasal bones and and setting them in the new position. When making the changes required in a rhinoplasty procedure, most of the changes that are made to change the shape of the nose work by keeping the bones and cartilages in that position. Rhinoplasty is a difficult endeavor, so choose your surgeon very wisely based on extensive experience.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Your nasal structures can change with time; Your nasal bones will be rigid and not likely to change with time; your nasal cartilages though have memory and will try to get back to their original shape unless they mechanically altered and sutured to keep the new shape.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the question and if the septum or bones in your nose have been broken and be forceably deviated causing difficulty breathing they do not return to normal over time and need to reset.  See see an expert in your area and find out why you are having difficulty breathing and get it corrected.Dr. Corbin

Does a nose have a tendency to return to its original shape?

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Answer: Rhinoplasty changes

Answer: Rhinoplasty changes

Answer: Breathing problems

Answer: Breathing problems

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Does a nose have a tendency to return to its original shape?

Answers (7)

Answer: Rhinoplasty changes

Answer: Rhinoplasty changes

Answer: Breathing problems

Answer: Breathing problems

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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.