Nose reduction in Hamburg
Nose reduction is a frequently requested procedure in the context of rhinoplasty. Natural appearance of the nose is the most fundamental aesthetic guiding principle in our practice. In other words, the symmetry between the eyes, mouth and nose is properly balanced, without any artificial emphasis on certain features.
Reasons for an overly large nose
The first thing to consider is whether the nose is actually too large or whether it merely appears too large from an aesthetic point of view.
Nasal hump, wide nasal bridge, drooping tip
A nasal hump, for example, causes the nose to protrude way too far from the facial plane; a drooping nasal tip makes the nose longer. A wide nasal bridge or a bulbous nose tip disturb the harmony and proportions similarly to displacements and crooked positions that are parallel to the central axis of the face and thus make the nose appear larger. This can give a face that is actually fine a much harsher and older appearance. The focus of the face, supposed to fall on the eyes and mouth, shifts to the centre - onto the nose.
The ageing process
The connective tissue, skin and cartilage will gradually weaken due to the natural ageing process of our body and external factors such as smoking and excessive sunbathing. This leads to a constant transformation in the area of the nose, especially the nose tip. It gets wider over the years and may droop more. This also affects the functioning of the nose.
Aesthetic standards
In most cases, we can perform a nose reduction in our Hamburg practice that really suits the respective face by means of an aesthetic nose correction.
Basically, the reduction of the nose should be oriented towards aesthetic, commonly accepted standards. This is where the corresponding angles, lines, curves and surfaces play an essential part. Particularly significant is the line that runs from the eyebrows via the nasal root, along the nasal bridge to the nose tip.
Optimally, this line draws a soft curve without any interruption of the contour and is only created when the nasal root, nasal bridge and the nasal tip are in relation to each other: In the area of the nasal root and at the nasal tip, for example, the nose is wider than at the transition point from the bony to the cartilaginous nasal bridge. The angle between the nose tip and the upper lip should be approx. 100 - 110° in women - and slightly narrower in men. The nose tip should preferably display the shape of a small rhombus.
Beneficial effects on the facial expression
The nose becomes shorter and appears more delicate if the tip of the nose is straightened and narrowed. At the same time, the face and the facial expression seem younger and more friendly.
The nose tip does not drop down when laughing. If you reduce a nasal hump and the nasal bridge is shaped straight or slightly curved, then the nose is shifted into the facial plane and does not protrude as much. It makes the nose appear significantly smaller, especially when viewed from the side.
Nose Reduction Technique
These modifications can be achieved by reshaping the nasal structure underneath the skin: parts of the nasal pyramid bone are selectively cut at the base - i.e. at face level - for hump ablation, and excess parts are removed. The natural nasal bridge is preserved as much as possible. The pyramid becomes smaller and can be shifted into the face (Let Down).
A new nasal bridge should be constructed if the nasal bridge shows too many irregularities or if the hump formation is too complex due to, e.g., an old nasal fracture. The straightening of the bone is followed by the fitting of special cartilage grafts for this purpose.
Special suture techniques
Special suturing techniques are used to reduce the nasal tip. This allows it to be straightened and refined. Small grafts from the nasal septum stabilise these modifications so that a permanent result is achieved, which will persist for years. Protruding nostrils can be reduced by removing excess tissue from the lateral base of the nose.
The significance of skin thickness
The skin plays a significant role in the reduction of the nose. It is composed of several different layers. The thicker the layers and the more sebaceous glands are present in the skin, the less tendency it shows to shrink post-operatively. This limits the possibilities for reduction. The natural limit is reached quite quickly in the case of very large noses. After the surgery, the skin has to grow onto the new framework tightly and without wrinkling.
Reasonable balance between aesthetics and functionality
Moreover, it is important that the actual function of the nose - i. e. breathing, moistening and purifying the air we breathe - is only guaranteed if the nose is sufficiently stable and large and of a natural shape. The outer shape of the nose has a significant influence on the passage of air through the nose.
Inadequately sized noses, e.g. too small, are less able to perform this function. This also refers to the size of the nostrils. Small nostrils may seem aesthetically attractive. However, this severely impairs the function of the nose. If the nasal openings are too small, the nasal sidewall may collapse and the respiratory effort may be too intensive.
It is therefore important to find a reasonable balance between the reduction of the nose and the preservation or even improvement of the nasal functionality.