Rhinoplasty, aka a nose job, is the procedure used to correct or reconstruct the nose. This procedure is actually one of the most common procedures and more people are getting them done every year. There are quite a few reasons why someone might get a nose job and there are actually quite a few benefits. Just like any medical procedure, though, there are some limitations to nose jobs. Take a look below to learn a little bit more!
Common Reasons
There are so many reasons why people get a nose job and they aren’t all just for cosmetic reasons. In fact, this procedure can also help with various types of health conditions and can give people a better standard of living. With that being said, most of the common reasons for this procedure are to:
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- get the size changed
- fix the angle
- straighten out the bridge of the nose
- reshape the tip of the nose
- narrow large nostrils
- repair a broken nose after trauma, such as a car accident
- repair areas after accidents, such as burns
- help alleviate breathing issues
- help alleviate sinus issues
- correct medical issues like a cleft palate
Benefits
Now that you know some of the common reasons for a nose job, you need to know some of the benefits. It might come as a surprise to some people, but there are some medical benefits to having this procedure done. There are actually more and more people who are having it done for these medical benefits instead of just having it done for cosmetic purposes. Take a look at the list below to check out some of the benefits.
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- Breathing improvement
- Alleviate sinus problems, like headaches and congestion
- Fix issues from accidents or trauma
- Help stop snoring
- Help fix congenital disabilities
- Help you feel more confident
- Help your face be more balanced or symmetrical
- Help improve your voice (i.e- you won’t sound like your holding your nose while you talk)
Rhinoplasty Limitations
With every medical procedure, there are going to be some limitations and a nose job is no different. These are to be expected and your doctor should be able to get through them. Keep in mind, though, there are some situations where a nose job just isn’t going to work and there’s too much risk involved. Keep reading to see some of the limitations your doctor might run into.
Thick Skin
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The first limitation of this procedure is unusually thick skin. The good news is that many people who have thicker skin can and do get successful nose jobs. The big issue comes when they want the tip of their nose refined. What usually happens is that the thick skin makes it so that there isn’t too much of a visible change. This is even true for an extremely drastic nose job. Most of the time, if the patient wants other changes to their nose, the surgery can have a pretty big change on how their nose looks.
Thin Skin
On the other end of the spectrum, having skin that is very thin can also cause issues. Most people who have thin skin have features that look very angled and harsh. The issue here is that any work done will probably be able to be seen. This is even true for very subtle changes. If they aren’t too concerned with little asymmetric features, then they could still be a good candidate for a nose job. If you do have thin skin and harsh or angled features, your doctor will talk to you about your options and you can decide together if it’s something you’re still interested in pursuing.
Abnormal Nose Anatomy
While some anatomy issues are pretty common, like bumps, there are others that aren’t. Some issues are also easy to fix, while others are extremely hard. One of the hardest issues to fix is a twisted nose. This is when the nose leans to one side or the other when you’re looking at it from the front. Most of the time, a nose job will have a huge improvement on a twisted nose, but won’t be completely fixed. The main reason why it can’t be completely fixed is that cartilage usually likes to go back to its natural state, so the nose will start curving again eventually.
Cartilage Issues
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Cartilage issues is another big limitation of nose jobs. While cartilage in the nose can repair itself, it doesn’t repair as easily or as well as cartilage in other parts of the body. This isn’t such an issue if there’s only been minimal damage. If there has been quite a bit of damage, though, you probably won’t get the results you’re looking for. This is common in people who are active in contact sports, such as football or hockey.
Nasal Valve Issues
One last limitation of nose jobs are issues with the nasal valves. These are the most narrow part of your nasal airway and is located on the lower part of your nose. There are a few issues that can make a nose job hard, but one of the biggest is when it’s thin or when there have been surgeries done before. When this is the case, the nasal valve can easily collapse and this can be extremely hard to fix. Keep in mind, some severe collapses might not be able to be fixed at all.
Dr. Andrew Frankel is certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. While he does other facial procedures, the majority of what he does is rhinoplasty. Visit Dr. Frankel’s site if you find yourself in need of a rhinoplasty specialist in Beverly Hills or simply for more information.
