Nose widens when smiling (Photo)

Question

The front view of my nose is narrow when resting, albeit the tip is slightly bulbous. However when I smile, my nose widens greatly and the tip lowers significantly. I'm considering rhinoplasty for this issue, however I've read on RealSelf that rhinoplasty cannot correct how much a nose widens upon smiling. Any expert advice would be incredibly appreciated, many thanks!

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. Cartilage grafts may also be used to help improve tip refinement.
  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

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

Everyone mentions this.  Yes, as you have stated there is no way to prevent widening of the nose with smiling.  A rhinoplasty to narrow the tip and the alar base, and the mid vault will reduce the widening affect but not eliminate it.  The only way to prevent widening is to not smile.  But I would not suggest that smiling is good for you and for the people around you.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is common for the nose to widen when you smile. This is common and is not corrected with surgery.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A rhinoplasty procedure to accomplish narrowing the nostrils and narrowing the tip at rest.  To prevent the tip from drooping when smiling requires releasing the depressor septi ligament.

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question.It would appear you have very active nasal depressor muscles (depressor nares muscles) which cause your nasal tip to drop upon smiling. These can be disinserted during a rhinoplasty procedure. I would suggest you consult with a plastic surgeon who carries out rhinoplasty procedures regularly in your local area.Kind regards.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

No matter what you do, your nose will always widen when you smile. You can not prevent this no matter what you do. Your mouth also widens when you smile --- it is just part of nature.

Nose widens when smiling (Photo)

Answers (6)