Do You Love Your Nose?: The Different Types of Rhinoplasty Procedures, Explained

Nose jobs are the most common facial plastic surgery procedure. Plastic surgeons performed more than 350,000 of them in 2020 alone.

But, not all nose jobs are the same. Several different types of rhinoplasty focus on both cosmetic and medical objectives.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the types of rhinoplasty procedures available.

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a procedure surgeons do to correct nose-related health problems or reshape the nose for cosmetic reasons. The process allows surgeons to:

Make the size of the nose different
Change the shape of the nose
Narrow the nostrils
Alter the angle between your nose and your upper lip

Doctors can correct common nose-related health problems like a deviated septum, nasal fracture, congenital disability, or breathing problems.

How Does Rhinoplasty Work?

As there are different types of nose shapes, there are different types of rhinoplasty. So, not every procedure is the same. However, there are five common types of nose jobs. All but the last option are surgical procedures.

Closed vs. Open Rhinoplasty

Of the five procedures, closed rhinoplasty is the most common. First, surgeons make incisions inside the nose, so there are no external scars. Then, they lift the soft tissues to access the bone and cartilage.

Conversely, an open rhinoplasty procedure is more invasive. It’s for people who need extensive contouring or reduction. Examples include those with structural deformities, trauma requiring grafting, or needing to re-do a poorly done nose job.

Surgeons make incisions in the columella, between the nostrils beneath the nose. Then, they perform reshaping from inside the nasal cavity.

The surgeons who perform rhinoplasty at Sanctuary Plastic Surgery say the recovery time for a closed procedure is about 5 to 7 days. An open procedure will have a slightly longer recovery time.

Septorhinoplasty

People with breathing problems, like a deviated septum, seek out the septorhinoplasty procedure. The septum is the cartilage and bone inside the nose. It separates the nostrils.

The surgeon makes an incision in the lining inside your nose called the mucosa. They lift it off the bone and cartilage to remove any bent parts. Then they straighten the remaining mucosa for better breathing.

While the procedure is medical, surgeons can change the nose appearance at the same time.

Rhino-Tip Surgery

This type of nose job modifies the structure of the underlying cartilage in the nose, especially around the tip. There is minimal scarring because surgeons make adjustments from inside the nose.

Those with flared nostrils, a big or crooked nose tip, or a hook tip usually consider getting rhino-tip surgery.

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

A non-surgical rhinoplasty procedure is also relatively standard. Surgeons use an injectable filler to correct minor imperfections. However, over time the filler will dissolve. As a result, you may need further treatments.

It’s an excellent option for those who want to make minimal changes to the shape of their nose as it’s non-invasive. The is no recovery time either.

Now You Know the Different Types of Rhinoplasty

By understanding the different types of rhinoplasty, you can be more prepared to speak with your surgeon. In addition, you’ll have a clearer idea about what you want your objectives to be for your nose job.

To find more information, make sure to check out other articles in the Health section.