Nose Getting Bigger - Will Rhinoplasty Help?

As you age, the fibrous attachments between the cartilages of the nose can weaken, resulting in drooping of the tip and accentuation of the "hooked" appearance of the nose. In addition, this can lead to narrowing of the external valve of the nose, causing difficulty breathing. The skin envelope of the nose can thicken with time as well. It seems as though you would be a candidate for rhinoplasty to improve the appearance of your nose. If you additionally have a deviated septum and difficulty breathing through your nose, it's possible that insurance coverage may offset a portion, but not all, of the cost of the procedure. 

Regards,

Dr. Mehta

Noses don't grow after 14-16 years of age which is why we wait until this age to offer surgery to many people.  However, the aging process continues.  As it continues, ligaments stretch allowing the nose to droop and the skin thins over the hump and we lose fatty tissue in the nose; all of these things make the nose 'look' larger when it's still the same nose but now lower and flatter because of the structural support loss.  Re-establishing the structural support by strengthening the cartilages can restore the nose you once had.  The hump can be removed, the cartilages narrowed, the breathing improved but the skin cannot be thickened as was once the case.  Volume can be added with cartilage taken from the septum improving the appearance of the nose as well.  Look for a plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasties and talk to a couple of them so you can educate yourself about your nose. 

I tend to disagree withh some of the opinions stated below. Although the nasal skeleton stops growing by the age of 16-18, the cartilagenous structure of the nasal tip can comtinue to grow especially if you have a genetic predisposition. For example, if your father or mother have a large bulbous tip, you have that genetic program. Older people often have larger noses and ears. You are an attractive woman and based on your pictures, you would be an excellent candidate for rhinoplasty. During a rhinoplasty, the nasal tip cartilages are sculpted narrowing and refining the tip.