My Nose is Slowly Growing Downwards and Has Affected my Smile. Can This Be Easily Fixed?

Hi Pinocchio,

It is very common for the nose to appear to "grow downwards" with age.  The connective tissue attachments that hold the nasal cartilages up weaken, the tip drops a little, and the dorsal "hump" appears to grow as it is more convex.  There is also some bone loss in the maxilla (the bone under the upper lip), which results in decreased support of the nasal tip.  Fortunately, your concerns can be corrected with a properly performed rhinoplasty by an experienced and skilled surgeon.  Choose your surgeon most carefully.  Good luck and be well.  And as for Pinocchio, not sure if telling the truth helps, but it certainly won't hurt!

Dr. P

It is more likely that your nose is beginning to show signs of drooping rather than growing down. As you age, your nose is susceptible to the same forces and processes that cause other parts of the body to hang down. Without seeing any photos, it sounds like you might benefit from rhinoplasty surgery to rotate or lift the tip back up. In doing so you will likely see an esthetic benefit that will also help in preventing further drooping as you continue to age. Good luck.