A small, short, and upturned nose: why it should not be raised excessively

Hello, I am Dr. Peter C. Kang.

Today, I would like to share the case of a patient who visited our clinic concerned about a short, upturned, and small nose.

• No history of rhinoplasty

• Wants to improve a nose that appears short and upturned

• Wants to enlarge a small nose naturally

• Desires a straight nasal profile

• Wants to improve a receding chin

• Wants to balance overall facial proportions

In this surgery, considering the characteristics of a small nose, we focused on safe proportions and a natural shape suited to the face rather than excessive height.

1. Safe planning considering skin elasticity limits

• Skin cannot stretch extensively in a small nose

• Pursuing excessive height increases skin tension

• Prioritizing safe proportions suited to the face

• Securing long-term stability

2. Creating natural proportions using autologous rib cartilage

• Using autologous rib cartilage with sufficient strength and volume

• Improving short nasal length

• Correcting the upturned appearance

• Building natural nasal height

3. Septal extension

• Naturally lengthening the short nose

• Creating an appropriate nasolabial angle

• Correction of upturned nasal tip

• Achieving an elegant profile line

4. Concurrent functional surgery

• Improving nasal obstruction through septoplasty

• Improving breathing through turbinate reduction

• Achieving both functional and aesthetic outcomes simultaneously

• Enhancing quality of life

5. Chin implant surgery

• Improving the receding chin

• Defining the lower facial contour

• Harmonious proportions with the nose

• Creating an overall V-line

Overall facial changes:

• Harmonious proportion between the nose and chin

• Improvement in overall facial balance

• Achieving a natural V-line

• A refined impression

• A harmonious and natural facial appearance

Front view changes:

• The short and small nose improved to natural proportions

• The upturned appearance was naturally corrected

• Facial balance improved by addressing the receding chin

• Improving overall facial proportions

• A natural, harmonious frontal line

Profile view changes:

• Short nasal length naturally improved

• The upturned nasal tip appropriately corrected

• An elegant profile achieved by correcting the nasolabial angle

• A sharp jawline through chin improvement

• A straight yet natural nasal line

Nostril view changes:

• The upturned nostril appearance naturally improved

• Achieving bilateral balance

• Alignment of the columellar midline

• Natural nostril shape

• Improving overall symmetry

Rhinoplasty for a small nose requires a different approach from standard rhinoplasty. The most critical step is accurately assessing the limits of skin elasticity.

Because the skin on a small nose cannot stretch sufficiently, attempting to build excessive height places excessive tension on the skin. Over the long term, this can cause skin damage, contracture, or deformity. Therefore, in this surgery, we focused on safe proportions and a natural shape suited to the face rather than height alone.

Autologous rib cartilage is an excellent material for small nose surgery. Possessing adequate strength and volume, it is effective in naturally lengthening a short nose and correcting an upturned tip. Furthermore, because it is autologous tissue, it offers high long-term stability without rejection or foreign body sensation.

Through septal extension, the short nose was naturally lengthened, and the upturned nasal tip was appropriately corrected. By adjusting the nasolabial angle, we refined the profile line and achieved the straight nasal line desired by the patient.

Functional surgery was also performed concurrently to address nasal obstruction. Improving breathing function through septoplasty and turbinate reduction allowed us to enhance the patient's quality of life alongside aesthetic refinement.

Because the patient presented with a receding chin, chin implant surgery was performed concurrently. Establishing harmonious proportions between the nose and chin significantly improved overall facial balance. In particular, the contour flowing from the nose to the chin on the profile view achieved a natural and refined finish.

The key principle in rhinoplasty for a small nose is maintaining "safe proportions." The core objective is to comprehensively evaluate the patient's skin thickness, stretch capacity, and facial balance to create a result that is both safe and aesthetically pleasing. Rather than pursuing excessive height, natural proportions and harmonious balance offer far greater beauty and long-term stability.

I will continue to provide customized surgeries that reflect each patient's individuality and requests through this meticulous approach. I hope this helps those with similar concerns.

This was Dr. Peter C. Kang. Thank you.

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