Can bulbous and upturned nose surgery create a more feminine and refined shape? > O.P Column

Hello, this is Dr. Hyungtaek Kim from Kowon Plastic Surgery.

Today, I’d like to introduce a case where we were able to maximize nasal tip extension in patients with a short, bulbous, and upturned nose.

For short noses, especially those with an overly upturned tip, adequate extension of the nasal tip is key to achieving a well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing nasal line.

Proper extension not only enhances the nose’s appearance but also helps create the illusion of a more defined lower face, improving overall facial harmony.

Because of this, the ability to extend the nasal tip sufficiently is a crucial factor in determining the success of the surgery.

As you can see in the photos, the nose is short and upturned, with the nostrils visibly exposed from the front—

commonly referred to as a "piggy nose" or severely upturned nose. Additionally, the overall nose size is quite small.

In cases like this, there is often insufficient septal cartilage available for rhinoplasty.

When this happens, we need to secure additional graft material by using rib cartilage (costal cartilage) or

ear cartilage to ensure adequate structural support and achieve the desired extension and refinement.

Looking at the side profile, you can see that the alar (nostril wings) appear sunken into the cheeks.

With the nasal tip and columella being brought forward, the bulbous tip has been refined, and the previously sunken alar area is now more defined.

This creates a lighter, more open, and balanced appearance, enhancing the overall facial harmony.

Comparing the before and after nasal lines, the previously round and bulbous shape has been refined into a more elegant and feminine contour,

while still maintaining a natural appearance. At the same time, the design was carefully planned to preserve the soft,

youthful charm of the original round shape, ensuring a harmonious and balanced result.

Now, let’s take a look at the transformation from a 45-degree angle.

From the side view, the previously protruding mouth gave a slightly unrefined appearance.

However, with the enhanced nasal volume and structure, the overall look has become much more sophisticated and feminine, creating a more balanced and elegant profile.

These photos were taken in the operating room right before and immediately after surgery for documentation purposes.

Although there is still some swelling right after the procedure, you can already see a significant improvement in the nasal shape.

The previous bulbous and upturned appearance has been refined, resulting in a more natural, balanced, and feminine look.