What is the best way to make my nose less upturned? (photo)

Question

I like the shape of my nose, but the only thing bothering me is that it is too upturned. I have been very self conscious about it. I don't mind it being slightly upturned, but I don't want it ridiculously upturned. Would rhinoplasty be the best way to go? I don't want my nose shape to change too much. I just want it to be less upturned.

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. You have a complex issue that requires expert-level correction. An over-rotated, and possibly over-projected tip can only be properly addressed through rhinoplasty—fillers simply don’t have the structural strength to achieve the necessary changes.

To correct this, your nose will need to be lengthened, rotated, and potentially deprojected, all with extreme precision. This involves harvesting septal cartilage (or a specialized alternative) to create custom grafts that reinforce the nasal tip and columella, ensuring both stability and long-term support. Without these techniques, results may be unpredictable or short-lived.

Since rhinoplasty is one of the most technically demanding surgeries in all of plastic surgery, you should ONLY trust an experienced rhinoplasty specialist. Many plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty occasionally—but this is a surgery of millimeters, where small miscalculations can have significant consequences. A surgeon who performs only a handful of these a year simply won’t deliver the best possible result.

I have extensive training in advanced rhinoplasty techniques, including complex primary and revision cases, under one of the world's top rhinoplasty surgeons (who performs 1,000+ nose jobs annually). If you're serious about achieving a refined, natural-looking outcome, I’d highly recommend scheduling a consultation with me (Virtual or In-Person). This will allow us to discuss your goals, conduct a detailed examination, and determine the ideal approach for your unique anatomy.

Looking forward to helping you achieve the results you’re looking for!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Yes, you best option is a rhinoplasty to derotate your nose.  Computer imaging can be very helpful to determine what surgical maneuvers would be best for you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to go over your desired results. Facial fillers (like Voluma, Restylane, Juvederm) can be used to improve the symmetry of the nose, but surgery would be needed to improve nostrils or overall shape. Best to see an expert. - Dr. Emer

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Lowering the tip is never an easy task. It can be done by lengthening the cartilage to derotate the nose. The best thing to do is to start with a consultation with a surgeon that provides computer imaging of the nose. That way, both of you can see how your nose may look and the best plan can be determined.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Derotation and lengthening of the short nose. I need a full set of nasal photos. In general, this requires a septal extension grafts and possible composite grafts etc. See a VERY experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon for this.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

Reducing rotation of the nasal tip is a complex procedure requiring septal extension grafts, extended spreader grafts, or both.  From the single picture you provide, and not knowing your height, it is impossible to assess your tip rotation.  The best place to start is with an in person consultation with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to review your goals and options.  It seems likely that you will need a complex procedure so seek out an expert rhinoplasty surgeon.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Lowering the nasal tip may require a septal extension graft, or extended spreader grafts - depending on your situation. Non surgical nose job treatments may not lead to tip lowering. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Actually dropping the tip of the nose downwards is technically very difficult. But from this photo, and I can't quite tell from the angle, it appears that your nose might be strong in its forward projection away from your face. If that's the case, then bringing the nose back closer to your face might take care of the problem, because when you bring a nose closer to the face, it *looks* as though the tip has dropped, sometimes substantially.
The woman in the short video that I posted with this answer had the tip of her nose de-projected a significant amount.
How *much* to deproject the nose? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should always be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and only the surgeon has that information and judgment. Another aside: I also recommend that you not show morphs made by one surgeon to a different surgeon. If a surgeon makes his *own* morphs, you get to see whether he understands the important issues of your nose, and how your nose should be changed. But if you show the surgeon someone else's morphs, and he says "Of course I can make your nose look like that," then you don't really know if he fully understands, or even recognizes, the important changes shown in those morphs. And you don't know if he can make those changes during surgery.)
Remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. For most noses, it's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon.  And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.
Your nose is also a perfect example of why computer imaging is mandatory in rhinoplasty. You need to know exactly what the surgeon is planning to accomplish -- what features he thinks he can change, and by how much he thinks he can change them. I always email morphs to my online rhinoplasty consultations. When you see the surgeon's goals in the morphs, you'll know whether he has an eye for an attractive nose, and whether he shares your opinion of what constitutes an attractive nose. You'll also know whether the changes he proposes are large enough to be meaningful to you, and whether he understands your wishes enough to address all of your priorities. How would you ever get that figured out without the morphs?

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The photograph is inadequate in order to make a determination. A full set of facial photographs from all angles are required to make a determination about how best to proceed.

What is the best way to make my nose less upturned? (photo)

Answers (9)

More Nonsurgical Nose Job Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (9)

More Nonsurgical Nose Job Questions

Would filler fix my problem on the tip of my nose? (photo)

Nose widens when smiling. Can Botox help with this? (photos)

I'm not happy with my profile. What can I do to improve it? (Photo)

Do steroid injections change the final result? Or only speed up the healing period? (post-op rhinoplasty)

Fillers vs. PDO threads for higher Asian nose bridge?

What would best help a divot shaped scar on the tip of my nose after mole removal? (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS