What Are the Different Types of Noses and Surgical Options to Correct them?

About Noses

Your nose is the most prominent feature and the centre of your face. So naturally, much of how we look depends on the nose. There are many different types of noses, but if you are unhappy with the way your nose looks or works – nose surgery or a nose job may help.

Dr Jeremy Hunt is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with clinics in Sydney and Wollongong NSW. He has performed hundreds of nose surgeries in over 20 years of practice.

Before you find out which type of nose surgery could help, let’s first look at what kind of nose you might have.

Different Types of Nose Shapes – What sort of nose do you have?

1. Fleshy Nose

It’s the most common nose shape in the world. About 25% of the population has this type of nose. Fleshy noses are large and protruding in shape. They have more fatty portions than the bony ones. Albert Einstein, Prince Philip, Mark Ruffalo, and many famous people had this nose.

2. Turned-Up Nose

It’s also known as the celestial nose. It’s small in size with a dent at the middle side of the bridge and a protruding lobule or tip. It’s one of the most appealing nose shapes.

3. Hawk Nose

This type of nose has a dramatic curved shape and a prominent bridge. It exactly resembles the curved beak of an Eagle. It generally contributes to making your face shape more significant with a stronger personality.

4. Greek Nose

It’s also known as the straight nose. This nose has a remarkably straight bridge without any kind of humps or curves. The Greeks usually have this kind of nose; only about 3% of the population has this kind of nose.

5. Roman Nose

It resembles the nose of several ancient Roman sculptures. It’s shaped by its sloping curve that prominently protrudes from the face. The exaggerated bridge of it often is slightly bent or curved. It’s usually found in people with a strong, bold, and defined profile.

6. Bumpy Nose

It’s also a common nose shape worldwide. These noses have a bumpy outline, followed by a subtle or prominent curve in the dip. These nose-type people mostly come for rhinoplasty, as surgical procedures are less complicated for them.

7. Nixon Nose

It’s named after the 37th president of the USA because of the iconic feature it resembles. It’s one of the least common nose shapes. Basically, it’s marked by its straight bridge, which curves at the end with a broader tip. It’s a rare nose shape, according to research.

8. Bulbous Nose

This is also a rare nose type. It has a rounded and curved tip, which protrudes differently, creating a bulbous, circular silhouette at the bottom of the nose. Celebrities like Bill Clinton and Leo McKern had this type of nose.

9. Combo Nose

It’s a unique nose type. It’s not a nose shape on its own. But, it’s a mixture of all kinds of noses. The combo noses the components of different noses to create a unique silhouette.

10. Snub Nose

Only 5% of the population in this world has this nose type. It’s defined by its distinctive thin and pointed look. It features a tinier, slightly rounder silhouette with a subtle upward slope at the tip. Also, it has a softer and rounder shape rather than a sharp and pointy look.

11. Nubian Nose or African Nose

The Nubian nose features a long bridge with a wide base. It’s also known as a wide nose. Mostly, Africans have this type of nose. Celebs like Beyonce, Michael Ealy, and Gabrielle Union have this nose.

12. East Asian Nose

East Asian noses usually are slim, flat shaped, and have a shorter tip. It’s the most common nose type of East Asia.

About Nose Surgery – Do you need a Nose Job or Rhinoplasty?

Nose surgery can help you want a better-looking nose and a more refined aesthetic appearance.

However, for many patients, nose surgery can be a medical necessity because of deformity, trauma or accident that requires surgical intervention. A Medicare rebate may be available.

Nose surgery can help with concerns like:

Nostrils that are wide, big, or inclined
An overly bulbous, swollen, or hooked nasal tip
Nasal asymmetry – Lopsided or uneven nostrils
Unsuitable nostril position or width
A broken nose or damage from earlier trauma

Nose Surgeries for Problems with Different Types of Noses

Nose surgery is one of the most complex plastic surgeries, requiring the skill of an experienced plastic surgeon. Here are some of the most popular nose surgeries

Rhinoplasty – Rhinoplasty surgery can reshape and straighten your nose
Tip Rhinoplasty – Tip Rhinoplasty can contour the end of your nose or improve a bulbous nose tip
Septoplasty – Septoplasty can help improve your breathing and fix a deviated septum
Alarplasty – Alarplasty Nostril Surgery can narrow a wide nose and improve nasal flare
Turbinoplasty – Turbinate Reduction to improve your airway and breathing

Rhinoplasty Surgeries for Different Types of Noses

Now that you’ve got an understanding of the nose types and nose surgery, we can go further.

The most popular nose surgery is known as Rhinoplasty. Generally, you’ll find four types of Rhinoplasty. These are:

1. Reduction Rhinoplasty

When patients want to reduce their nose shape, this surgery is the one to consider.

In this type of surgery, Dr Hunt operates to reduce the patient’s nose and overall nose shape, or targets some of the areas or bumps and humps or even their nose tip.

During this surgery, the cartilage or the bone is reduced. Sometimes, both of them can be reduced as well. This is done to achieve the perfect nose shape and design and the custom look that you want. It’s a good choice for those who have a really long nose.

2. Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty

If the patient had any accidents or injuries that affected the nose, surgery might be needed. It will help them get back a normal shape of the nose. But the recovery time will depend on how much damage is done and how many surgical procedures the patients will need. In some cases, the patients may take advantage of this situation, and he/she can get cosmetic enhancements too.

During this operation, Dr Hunt will restore or reshape the symmetry of the nose if the cartilage or bones of the nose gets displaced. Besides, it also helps with breathing problems, snoring, address blockages or other functional issues.

3. Augmentation Rhinoplasty

Patients who have a really small nose can undergo this surgery. In most cases, it can be a genetic issue. Sometimes, the cartilage of nose can be damaged.

Augmentation Nasal surgery increases the general proportions of the nose. It’s performed in patients who have a lower nasal height due to congenital defects, trauma, infection, excessive reduction rhinoplasty, or submucosal resection.

During the surgical procedure, the patient’s own cartilage (if accessible) or a synthetic nasal implant can be used to augment and enlarge the nose.

4. Corrective Rhinoplasty or Revision Rhinoplasty

If you are not happy with the results of your initial nose surgery, then this surgery is usually suggested. It’s generally known as a secondary or sometimes, even a tertiary nose surgery. It generally corrects the issues or flaws that occurred after surgery.

The surgery can be associated with an augmentation or reduction surgery too. But, in general, the aim of doing this surgery is to restore the anatomy of the nose and to correct potential breathing problems.

The most common nose issues that need a corrective rhinoplasty are:

Over-reduction or insufficient reduction of bridge height
Obstruction of the nasal airway
Nose asymmetry that has worsened
A Nose job that was overdone
Excessive or insufficient tip projection
Inadequate shaping
Scar tissue that has thickened

5. Reconstructive Rhinoplasty

It’s more often done when the problem is a medical issue. It helps to restore damaged or lost tissue. The damage can occur for several reasons, such as cancer treatment, accident, or any injury. Sometimes, you may need to remove some nose tissue for any reason. This surgery can help to correct the issue.

For this surgery, Dr Hunt will take skin grafts from the other parts of your body to replace the damaged or lost tissue. Reconstructive rhinoplasty is a very complex procedure. You may need multiple surgeries and several months to get the expected results.

6. Refinement Rhinoplasty

Patients do this surgery to reshape the tip of their nose. If you want to make your nose sharper and pointy, or want to enhance the roundness of the nose, it’s for you. Also, this surgery can make your nose tip point upwards or downwards. The refinement rhinoplasty aims to tackle this very important part of the nose, so your facial appearance will change dramatically.

The surgical steps vary from patient to patient. If you want a sharper nose tip, then Dr Hunt removes the fat tissue from the nose tip. And, if you want a nose tip rounder and softer, then Dr Hunt will put some implants to do the reshape.

Recovery after Rhinoplasty Surgery

The recovery depends on how complex the surgery was. The effect of the anaesthesia will be there for a few hours. You’ll have some splints and bandages outside your nose that will be attached to your cheek or forehead.

The maximum swelling and bruising will occur within seven days of the surgery. The nasal dressings, sutures, and splints will also be removed after a week from the operation. It’s recommended for the patients not to use any makeup products on the operated area. This helps to have a faster recovery. Most patients start to feel comfortable showing up in public within ten days.

How to Prepare for Nose Surgery

For good results and faster recovery, please follow these instructions. Some of them are essential for the success of your procedure.

Have a healthy diet with plenty of fibre. The vitamins will help with the recovery and promote healing. There is always a high risk of constipation because of the post-operative medications and anaesthetics. Also, avoid alcohol and smoking. Vitamin C and iron are essential for better healing. Read the Impact of Smoking on Your Plastic Surgery Results.
Take the medication as prescribed
Arrange for someone to drive you home from the clinic where the procedure is performed
You have to take at least a ten-day leave from your workplace. It’s because your nose will take this time to heal. Also, if you have any other major tasks, do them first and then schedule the surgery because it’s better to avoid stressful conditions
Don’t apply any makeup on the day of your surgery
Don’t take certain medications such as aspirin, vitamin E supplements, or any herbal supplement, including ginseng. They may interfere with anaesthesia

Always follow the instructions of Dr Hunt or your surgeon when preparing for surgery and afterwards.

FAQs – Questions about Rhinoplasty & Types of Noses

Is rhinoplasty a major surgery?

Many people assume that rhinoplasty is a minor surgery because the nose is small. However, the answer is no. The nose is a very important organ of the human respiratory system. And you can face many problems if the surgery isn’t done correctly. Always choose an experienced nose surgeon. Read our blog on How to Find the Right Nose Surgeon.

Is rhinoplasty painful?

In most cases, it’s not too painful. The patients have some swelling and a tender nose. Sometimes, there can be a bit of bleeding, too. However, Dr Hunt will explain pain management and prescribe you medications. You just have to follow instructions.

Read Dr Hunt’s Rhinoplasty FAQs post for more questions

About Dr Jeremy Hunt – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery in Australia. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.

Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is optimal for your body and your lifestyle. Every patient is unique and, through his guidance, can achieve good results.

Dr Hunt’s personal, one-on-one service and attention to detail has given thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia the aesthetic results they desire.

Dr Hunt’s qualifications and education

Dr Jeremy A Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. He completed a Fellowship at the prestigious University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from some of the world’s very best plastic surgeons.

Next Step – Make an Enquiry or Request a consultation with Dr Hunt

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

Find out more about pricing, medical payment plans and paying for your surgery
Request more information about the procedure – call on 1300 157 200 or contact us

If breast reduction is something you’re considering, Dr Hunt can thoroughly explain all the options to you in a one-on-one consultation.

Make an Enquiry or Request a consultation with Dr Hunt

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health professional.

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Different Types of Noses – Nose Shapes & Surgical Options