Rhinoplasty Techniques Explained: Creating a Balanced Nose From Every Angle

The nose can look drastically different depending on which angle it is viewed from. Some people feel their nose is symmetrical from the front but not as straight from the side. Others have a nice profile (side view) but believe their nose is too wide or too narrow when viewed from the front. A nose job, or rhinoplasty, can correct the proportions of the nose so that it looks balanced from all viewpoints.

The Front View

From the front, the nose should ideally be shaped like an hourglass from top to bottom. The tip looks best when symmetrical and tight enough to create a more triangular appearance from the bottom. These are the most common concerns individuals have with the front view of their nose:

• Too wide
• Too narrow/"pinched"
• Crooked (sometimes genetic, but often trauma-related)

Here are some examples of patients that had the front view of their nose corrected with rhinoplasty by Dr. Anand Patel.

The Side View (Profile)

From the side, our goal is to create an even flow from the top of the bridge to the nasal tip. Men often prefer a strong profile (either straight or slightly rugged) while women usually want theirs to appear soft and feminine with a slight upward curve at the tip. The most common concerns individuals have with the side view of their nose are:

• A dorsal hump
• Low bridge/ saddle nose
• Over-projected or under-projected tip
• Upturned or downturned nose
• Too much or too little nostril show

The photos below are examples of patients that had the side view of their nose corrected with rhinoplasty.

The Oblique View

Oftentimes, people do not see us directly from the front or the side, but more of an in-between view in which our noses can look drastically different. From this view, there may be an indentation just above the tip that accentuates a hump on the bridge. The goal of surgery is to create a smooth appearance from top to bottom, no matter the angle.

Here are the most common concerns from an oblique view:

• Bulbous tip
• Bumpy nose
• Hanging columella
• Droopy tip