How Do Noses Change Shape?

Generally noses can change during the adolescent growth spurt and are one fo the last structures to mature wiht puberty. After that noses generally remain stable. However with passage of decades, the typically becomes more lax as does the cartilaginous structures of the nose and the resulting loss of support can make the tip appear to plunge, the nose appear to lengthen, and the humpt to appear larger.

Hello and thank you for your question. Your nasal appearance will not change with weight changes. If you would like to change it, the best way to do so is with a Rhinoplasty. 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

Your nose size should not change with weight gain.  Cosmetic surgery is a personal choice and one should not have surgery at the suggestion of others.  If you are unhappy with your nose, please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon or a board certified facial plastic surgery.  During your visit, they should analyze your nasal shape and size along with your other facial features.  Your rhinoplasty surgeon should have experience and expertise in rhinoplasty so you can avoid needing a revision rhinoplasty.  Ask to see before and after photos of the surgeon's own patients.   

Weight gain does not effect the shape of a nose. However, with age the tissues become lax and nasal tip starts to droop and can make the nose look bigger than it is. RegardsDr. Janjua

In general, noses don’t change their overall shape.  However, there are a few points to be made here.  One is that in general, patients with thin nasal skin will find over time that the skin will get even thinner; as if it “shrink wraps” onto the underlying cartilage and bone.  In this instance, any slight irregularity will become very obvious.  During rhinoplasty perichondrium (lining of the nasal septal cartilage) or fascia (thin lining of muscle) can be strategically placed as a thin buffer between the nasal skin and the underlying cartilage or bone, preventing the severe thinning/shrink wrapping that can eventually occur.

Another possibility is the skin of the nose can become thicker with time.  This typically occurs with Acne Rosacea, and along with the accompanying redness and thickening of the cheeks, the nose can become dramatically bulbous from this skin condition requiring surgery in which the skin is planed down with a laser to recreate better definition and a more refined nasal tip.Weight gain or loss will not change the shape of the nose at all.  Yet because the cheeks have prominent fat in them, should they become larger or smaller, the ratio or perspective of the relative size of the cheeks to the nose can give the illusion of the nose appearing larger or smaller.

Finally, patients that have weak nasal tip cartilage will notice over the decades that the tip will start to droop.  This can be corrected with rhinoplasty to avoid this if caught early, or to correct it in the later stages of time.

Hope you found this answer helpful.  All the best!

may change shape with aging. We often see that the tip has dropped downward and toward the face giving the appearance of a hump on the bridge (some people see this as the nose "growing", but it really isn't). Also, the appearance (but not shape) may change depending on any change in the width of your face (a wider face will make the nose appear narrower by relationship). I believe it would be extraordinarily difficult to achieve this with weight gain, not to mention it would be detrimental to your health. Some patients may achieve a wider appearance to their face with fat injections or cheek implants.

The shape and configuration of your nose should not vary with fluctuations in body weight, or BMI. If you're dissatisfied with your nasal appearance, consider consulting with several rhinoplasty specialists so you could see what might be best for you.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph

The nose does not change shape or size at all due to weight gain. Significant weight gain can change the appearance of facial features, which may impact how you see your nose, but the nose itself will not change. The only way to change the appearance of a nose after it has stopped growing is through surgery. Temporary fillers can also be used to create a new nose shape, although these do not change the underlying structure of the nose and cannot be used to make the nose smaller. I hope this helps.

Hi and thanks for your question.  Noses do change over time.  Gravity works on noses just as it does on all parts of our bodies.  Gravity tends to make nasal tips droop over time.  When I do a rhinoplasty, I make the nasal tip stronger then before surgery to prevent this from happening.

No, your weight won't have an effect on the shape of your nose, although it can change the harmony of your facial features. For example, if you gained a significant amount of weight, it's possible that you may notice that your facial features look different when you look in the mirror. Your nose will remain the same shape, but your cheeks and midface may appear fuller, which could change the way that you perceive your facial features when looking at your face as a whole unit. The only way to alter the shape of your nose is either by means of a surgical or non-surgical rhinoplasty. A surgical rhinoplasty will provide you with a static result, while a non-surgical rhinoplasty (using injectable fillers) requires maintenance. It's important to consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to determine what type of procedure you would be a good candidate for.

Thank you for your question. Even though the face does change shape depending on weight gain or loss, the nose does not follow this rule due to the lack of fat in the structure. As you grow, which you should have stopped doing at 24, the nose can change shape; it will not do so by putting on weight. You should not consider weight gain as an alternative to surgery, this will not work or provide the results you seek.