How the rhinoplasty method is chosen
The rhinoplasty method isn't set by the desired shape alone. How nasal structure, skin and the goal of surgery shape the choice of materials and technique.
The right method differs from person to person, even for similar goals. It is chosen by considering not only the shape you want but also the structure of your nose, your skin and the purpose of surgery. Here is what is taken into account.
What is considered
The method is usually decided after looking at:
- the height and length of the bridge
- the strength and shape of the tip cartilages
- skin thickness (thin and thick skin call for different approaches)
- the septum and functional issues (rhinitis, congestion and so on)
- any previous nose surgery
- overall facial proportions and the change you want
These factors affect which methods and materials are used for the bridge and the tip. The decision balances harmony with the whole face and the individual nose.
Choosing materials
Rhinoplasty uses your own cartilage (ear, septal and others) or implants, and different materials are often combined for the bridge and the tip. Each has its own pros and cons, and suitability depends on the nose and the goal. At Cejong, silicone is used for implants and septal, ear or rib cartilage for autologous grafts.
The bridge and the tip are assessed separately
Raising the bridge and refining the tip are different tasks. A low bridge is about height; a blunt or upturned tip is about reshaping the cartilage framework. Both areas are often corrected together, so it is worth going through the plan for each at the consultation.
When surgery may not be suitable
Depending on the skin and tissue, previous surgery and general health, surgery may be postponed or a different option suggested. The consultation assesses your current state and decides together whether surgery is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
If I bring a photo, can you make my nose look exactly like it? Photos help convey the look you like, but the same shape can turn out differently depending on your nasal structure and skin. The consultation discusses what is realistically achievable.
Which is better — an implant or my own cartilage? Neither is always better. The suitable material depends on the area, the nose and the goal, and the bridge and tip are often combined. The material is chosen according to the nose.
How it differs from related procedures
Tip plasty refines only the tip, hump correction addresses a prominent bridge, and revision rhinoplasty corrects a previous operation — each takes a different approach. Which suits you is decided at the consultation.