Do I have pollybeak deformity? (Photo)

In my experience, a single side photo is not enough to label a pollybeak deformity or diagnose a drooping tip. The profile appears to show some fullness at the supratip or upper-tip region and a downward-tilting tip, but this can reflect cartilage shape, septal angle, soft-tissue thickness, swelling, lighting, or camera angle. A true pollybeak can have different structural causes, so treatment depends on an examination. A rhinoplasty specialist should assess standardized front, profile, and base views, palpate the nose, and evaluate breathing and tip support. If surgery is considered, ask how the septum, dorsal lines, and tip would be balanced; aggressive reduction can weaken support and affect airflow.

Hello. From the photo, fullness above the tip can be a pollybeak, while a downward tip is a separate issue of tip support. They can look similar in one view. I would need a true profile and exam to tell which is driving the shape. If it is a pollybeak, the plan is to lower the supratip and support the tip so it does not droop. If it is mainly a hanging tip, the work is in the tip cartilages, not the bridge.

Poly beak deformity refers to something that occurs after previous rhinoplasty. It occurs be bc sure the cartilage above the tip is a little high. Lowering that area is a straightforward procedure in most cases

You don't have a true pollybeak which typically includes poor tip support, supratip fullness, and an over-resected dorsum. You mostly have supratip fullness.

No evidence your tip is drooping. There is some very slight fullness of the lower dorsum of your nose which can approximate a very subtle soft tissue pollybeak, but, nothing much to see.

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph alone, it is difficult to determine if this is a pollybeak deformity. It also depends on how recently you have had surgery. If you do have a pollybeak deformity, the key is to re-establish strong structural support of the nasal tip. Make sure you are going to a surgeon with hundreds of long-term before and after pictures on their website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained board certified plastic surgeon

Polybeak deformity is the most common post rhinoplasty deformity. It occurs when there is lack of a supratip break creating a more rounded tip. Depending on how far you are from your surgery, it could be cause by swelling, scarring or under resection of the cartilage. Treatment can be as simple as waiting for swelling to resolve, steroid injections to reduce swelling and break down scar tissue formation, or revision rhinoplasty.