Can Massage Improve the Shape of the Nose?

Rhinoplasty surgery consists of a series of delicate maneuvers designed to alter the appearance of the nose. These often consist of fine structural sutures and placement of cartilage grafts. Manipulation of the nose will have no significant impact upon the appearance of the nose. In addition, manipulation of the nose can result in disruption of these structures and displacement of cartilage grafts. For this reason, we generally avoid nasal massage following rhinoplasty. 

Massage will not improve the shape of your nose. One needs to have operative intervention to improve the shape of the nose.

Dear Anon,

Don't waste your time.  Massage will do nothing for your nose and may even be harmful.

Best of luck!

I personally am a firm believer in massage and taping after rhinoplasty. This can help to lessen the recurrence of a bump as in taping and also to encourage a straighter profile with massaging. It may help some with a tip that is pulled up too much especially if done shortly after surgery to help encourage some dropping of the tip. However, the results are often subtle and only help with small problem areas. I hope this information helps.

Massage won't change the shape of the nose. You would be wasting your time. See an experienced surgeon if you are unhappy with the shape.

I find that massage is useful during the healing phase and overall can help the nose look better if performed regularly. However, massage will not change your nostril size or shape, and can only minimally help an upturned nose.

Andrew Campbell M.D.

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Massage of an operated area is perhaps one of the most overrated therapies encountered.  Massage releases histamine and increases swelling.  It will not correct an anatomical problem after nose surgery.  Only surgical correction or injectables can accomplish this.

You dont state how far out are you from the last surgerey. In general, gentle pressure right after the surgery may influence minor change in the bony structure. It will not alter the shape of your nostrils or the upturned nose. You need to wait one year from your last surgery then reevaluate with an experienced revision surgeon.

In the early postoperative period gentle pressure, not massage,  can sometimes provide minor changes to the nose, particularly the nasal bony skeleton as it heals.  However once the nose has healed, there is nothig that wiill  appreciably alter the nasal appearance.  Occasionally I will use small amounts of a steroid to alter the shape but unfortunately this will require a revision if it is a significant issue.  Good luck

Massaging the nose may help with swelling but it will not help with the shape of the nose. You certainly should avoid pushing too much on the nose for the first several weeks after surgery.