Rhinoplasties, which are more commonly known as nose jobs, have consistently been among the top five most popular cosmetic surgical procedures that plastic surgeons perform. In fact, breast augmentations are the only procedure that is more popular. More than 223,000 rhinoplasties were performed last year by plastic surgeons that were members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the leading professional organization in the field.

The ASPS collects this data as part of its annual survey of members to track demographic data and trends over time. Dallas, TX plastic surgeon Paul Pin sees many of the same trends that show up in the ASPS annual data within his practice, and the continued popularity of rhinoplasties is certainly no exception.

Of course, no two rhinoplasties are exactly alike. Each patient has not only specific goals in mind for the rhinoplasty procedure. Patients have a different shape and size to their nose, as well as different skin thickness and actual nose placement on the face. As a result, there is a wide range of techniques that Dr. Pin can use, depending upon the specific issue with the nose that the patient wants to address. One good example of this is the rhinoplasty technique needed to fix an overly wide nose, which is not uncommon among certain ethnicities, such as Asian or African patients.

Common Issues with Wide Noses

Overly wide noses often tend to be flat, without a great deal of projection from the face. From an aesthetic viewpoint, this can be an issue since the nose is the most prominent feature on the face. If you take an image of the human face and divide it into three horizontal and vertical sections, like tic-tac-toe squares, the symmetrical nose should fit entirely into the center square. An overly wide nose will not do so, which can throw off the rest of the facial features, making them appear too small by comparison.

There may be medical issues with overly wide noses, in that the nasal passages and nostrils may be flat, which can constrict proper airflow. This may lead to difficulty breathing, snoring, and sleep apnea, all of which may increase the risk for weight gain, stroke, and cardiac disease.

Rhinoplasty Techniques to Narrow the Nose

Narrowing the nose at the bridge (the upper part of the nose, between the eyes) can be accomplished by chiseling away the bones in order to thin it out. The nostrils can be narrowed with the help of small incisions made on the outside of the nasal tip, hidden in the crease of the nose, in order to reduce the size of the nostrils. Finally, Dr. Pin can produce a flat, wide nasal tip with more refinement by reshaping and redistributing the tip cartilage.

Of course, the most important thing to keep in mind when considering plastic surgery to address a wide nose is that Dr. Pin will work with your facial features to provide you with a final look that will enhance your appearance to give you a unique appearance.