0203 811 8175
It’s a question we hear often – “Why does my nose look bigger now than it used to?” If you’ve looked in the mirror and noticed your nose seems more prominent than before, you’re not imagining it – but it’s probably not because your nose is still “growing.”
In this article, we’ll explore why your nose may appear larger with age, what’s really changing beneath the surface, and how procedures like rhinoplasty can help if the changes are affecting your confidence or breathing.
Let’s start by clearing up one of the biggest misconceptions…
Your nose doesn’t actually “grow” with age, but it can appear larger due to skin changes, cartilage weakening, and gravity causing the tip to droop.
Age-related changes may include a drooping tip, a hooked or curved bridge, wider nostrils, or thickened skin around the tip.
These visible changes can be mistaken for nose growth, even though the underlying bone and cartilage structure remains mostly stable after adolescence.
Rhinoplasty can effectively address age-related nasal concerns, restoring a more youthful, lifted tip and correcting any new breathing issues.
Not everyone’s nose will noticeably change with age – but if it does, treatment options are available to restore both function and facial harmony.
The short answer: not exactly – but it can look like it does.
Your nose finishes growing in your late teens or early 20s. That means the actual bone and cartilage structure stops increasing in size. However, ageing affects the nose in more subtle ways that can make it appear longer, droopier, or wider over time.
So while your nose isn’t physically growing like it did during childhood, these visual changes – from gravity, weakened cartilage, or changes in skin thickness – are what lead many people to believe their nose is getting bigger.
We’ll explain these changes in more detail in the next sections – and more importantly, what you can do about them.
As you get older, several natural changes can alter the shape and position of your nose — even if the bones and cartilage aren’t technically growing.
Here’s what’s actually happening:
Cartilage Weakens: The cartilage in your nose provides shape and structure, but over time, it starts to lose strength. This can cause the nasal tip to droop, making the nose appear longer or more pronounced.
Skin Changes: As skin ages, it tends to lose elasticity and may thicken around the nose, especially at the tip. This can make the nose look rounder, wider, or more bulbous.
Gravity Takes Hold: Just like cheeks and eyelids, the nose is subject to gravitational pull. A drooping nasal tip or collapsing sidewalls can alter your side profile significantly over time.
Facial Volume Loss: As you lose fat and collagen in the mid-face, your nose may look larger in proportion, even if it hasn’t changed in size.
So while your nose isn’t technically “growing,” it can absolutely look bigger — especially in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
A lot of people believe their nose continues to grow well into old age – and that’s not entirely wrong, but it’s often misunderstood.
Here’s the truth:
The bony structure of the nose does not continue growing after puberty.
However, the soft tissues (like cartilage and skin) do change with age, which is where the illusion of continued growth comes from.
In some cases, the nose may appear more prominent due to changes in the rest of the face, not the nose itself.
This is why so many people ask: “Why is my nose getting bigger as I age?”
The answer lies in a combination of drooping tips, thicker skin, and facial volume loss – not actual growth.
If you feel your nose is taking over your face or making you look older than you feel, rhinoplasty can help restore balance – both cosmetically and functionally.
Here’s how it works:
Tip Lift & Reshaping: A drooping tip can be gently lifted and refined to restore a more youthful profile.
Smoothing Age-Related Bumps or Curves: Any new humps or hooked shapes that develop with age can be corrected.
Cartilage Support Reinforcement: Weak or collapsed cartilage can be reinforced with grafts to ensure structure and stability long-term.
Functional Corrections: Age-related breathing issues, such as narrowed nasal passages or deviated septums, can be addressed during surgery.
Many patients over 40 opt for rhinoplasty not to look “different,” but to look more like their younger selves again – refreshed, natural, and balanced.
There’s no “right age” to consider rhinoplasty. What matters most is whether the changes to your nose are bothering you – either physically or emotionally.
Here are some common signs it might be worth speaking to a rhinoplasty specialist:
You’ve noticed a downturned or sagging nasal tip that affects your facial profile.
Your nose looks wider, rounder, or more bulbous than it used to.
Breathing has become more difficult due to internal nasal changes or collapsing sidewalls.
You’ve become increasingly self-conscious about how your nose appears in photos or mirrors.
You’re considering other facial rejuvenation procedures and want to maintain harmony between features.
A consultation can help clarify whether rhinoplasty, non-surgical nose contouring, or even skin treatments would suit your needs – both aesthetically and medically.
Getting older doesn’t mean losing confidence in your appearance. While your nose may naturally shift over time, you don’t have to settle for changes that make you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious.
With modern rhinoplasty techniques, subtle, natural-looking enhancements are more achievable than ever – whether you’re in your 30s, 50s, or beyond.
At Berkeley Square Medical, our approach to age-related rhinoplasty focuses on:
Preserving your natural facial identity
Enhancing balance between your features
Correcting any functional issues (like breathing problems)
Achieving long-lasting, elegant results
Ready to find out what’s possible? We’re here to help you feel more confident in the mirror – at any age.
London Cosmetic Surgery Group, Berkeley Square Medical, is one of the UK’s leading providers of cosmetic surgery. For more information about rhinoplasty with us, please visit: https://www.berkeleysquaremedical.com/rhinoplasty
Not exactly. Your nose doesn’t grow in terms of bone or cartilage, but age-related changes like weakened cartilage, gravity, and thickened skin can make it appear larger or droopier over time.
As you age, the supportive structures in your nose — especially the cartilage — can weaken. This causes the nasal tip to lose its firmness and droop downward, which can alter the shape of your profile.
Yes, rhinoplasty can lift a drooping nasal tip, smooth out a hooked appearance, and even improve breathing by correcting internal structural changes. It can also restore balance to your facial features.
There’s no fixed age. If you’re noticing changes that bother you — whether functional or cosmetic — and you’re in good general health, you may be a candidate. Many patients seek revision or primary rhinoplasty in their 40s, 50s, or beyond.
Rhinoplasty can be safely performed on older patients, but it’s essential to choose a highly experienced facial plastic surgeon. They’ll take age-related anatomy and healing considerations into account to reduce risk and optimise results.
Ageing of the Nose: A Quantitative Analysis of Nasal Soft Tissue and Bone on Computed Tomography: This study analyzes age-related changes in nasal tissues and bones, informing rhinoplasty in older patients. (Journals)
Ageing of the Normal Nose in Adults: The review examines normal nasal ageing, highlighting airflow changes and appearance alterations. (Semantic Scholar)
Rhinoplasty in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: This analysis focuses on rhinoplasty outcomes in the elderly, addressing specific age-related challenges. (PubMed)
Patient Journey We are here to guide you to make the right decision for your well-being. If you are considering an aesthetic change to your appearance, we know that it’s one of the most important and personal decisions you wish to make. Therefore you need to be certain that the medical advice you receive is […]
Patient Aftercare All cosmetic surgery procedures at Berkeley Square Medical come with a comprehensive aftercare package and a 24-hour service so you can be assured you are always under the care and guidance of our surgical team. All your immediate aftercare is included in the cost of your surgery so there are no hidden extras in our […]
If you are considering Cosmetic Surgery, we understand that it's probably one of the most important decisions you're likely to make, therefore, you need to be sure it's right for you and you receive professional and independent advice about your procedure.
Our Philosophy We began our journey setting foot in the highly fashionable area of Berkeley Square, Mayfair where luxury fashion, galleries and five-star hotels all conveniently meet to set the example for world-leading client services and experience. Our goal was to create a cosmetic surgery practice that would not only exceed patients’ expectations but provide […]
