Finding Balance in Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping surgery is one of the most performed plastic surgery procedures today. Enhancing the size, symmetry or appearance of the nose can offer dramatic results in terms of facial balance and proportion. Dr. Sherman has performed countless rhinoplasty procedures in more than 30 years of practice and is well-versed on what it takes to create natural and beautiful results to the central focal point of the face.

Facial Balance in Thirds

To evaluate the overall balance of the face, we divide the face into thirds. The top third consists of the forehead, brow and eyes. The middle of the face includes the area under the eyes, the cheekbones, and the nose. The lower third encompass the mouth, chin, and jawline.

To ensure an aesthetically pleasing balance to the face, all three of these portions need to be in proportion and alignment. Since the nose is at the center of the face, it tends to get the most attention when things don’t appear to be in perfect symmetry. While the nose is indeed often the culprit, adjustments to other areas of the face might affect the appearance of the nose as well.

Nasal Imperfections Affecting Balance

There are a number of concerns involving the nose that could throw off the overall proportions of the face:

  • A large bump or concaving in the bridge of the nose
  • A nose that is disproportionately long or wide
  • A drooping or bulbous nasal tip
  • An asymmetrical nose or uneven nostrils
  • A deviated septum that results in a crooked line to the nose

The good news is that any of these specific concerns can be effectively addressed using a rhinoplasty technique offered by Dr. Sherman. However, before nose surgery is undertaken, you need to discuss other potential facial imperfections that if corrected, could change the appearance of the nose as well.

Other Procedures to Consider

Some patients may think it is their nose that needs to be fixed when in fact it is another facial feature that is throwing their appearance out of proportion. The most common culprit in this scenario is the chin. When the chin is weak or recessed, it can make the nose appear even larger. For this reason, Dr. Sherman often performs a chin implant at the same time as rhinoplasty to ensure the proportion of the entire face in a single surgical procedure.

Another area that might be exaggerating the disproportion of the nose is the cheekbone. When the cheekbones lack definition, it can make a large nose look even larger. In these situations, Dr. Sherman may recommend the use of dermal fillers in the cheek areas or even under the eyes to smooth and add definition to that area while correcting the shape and size of the nose through surgery.

About the Procedure

Dr. Sherman usually performs rhinoplasty on an outpatient basis at his Manhattan office. The procedure may be done with local or general anesthesia, depending on the specific procedure to be performed and whether other procedures will be done at the same time. Dr. Sherman may perform rhinoplasty as a closed procedure, which means the incisions will be located inside the nasal passages. Some patients may require an open approach, which involves a small incision across the tissue that separates the two nostrils.

Because correction of the nose may be a complex procedure that involves other facial features as well, it is important to select a plastic surgeon that highly skilled and experienced in various aspects of facial surgery. Dr. Sherman performs all types of facial enhancement, ensuring his patients get just the procedure they need to achieve their aesthetic results. To learn more about your surgical options, contact Dr. Sherman at [primary_phone].

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