HOOKED NOSE RHINOPLASTYFOR MEN AND WOMEN, IN LONDON

What is a hooked nose?

Hooked, aquiline and Roman all describe the same profile

A hooked nose is a profile where the bridge curves downward and the tip appears to droop, so that seen from the side the nose looks like a gentle hook. It is often called an aquiline nose (from the Latin for eagle) or a Roman nose, and the three terms describe the same shape. The look usually comes from a combination of a dorsal hump on the bridge and a tip that points slightly downward, which together exaggerate the curve. A particularly big hook nose, where the hump is large and the tip drops well below the base, can still be softened considerably while leaving a nose that suits your face.

Most hooked noses are simply inherited, and are more common in some ethnic backgrounds. Others follow an old injury that left a crooked or bumped nose, or become more noticeable with age. A hooked profile is a normal variation, not a medical problem, and many people wear it with confidence. Others feel it makes the nose look larger or more severe than they would like, and that is where hooked nose rhinoplasty can help.

• A dorsal hump. A ridge of bone and cartilage along the bridge is the most common cause.
• A downward-pointing tip. A drooping or under-projected tip deepens the hook, especially in profile and when smiling.
• Injury or ageing. A previous break can leave a hook, and as the tip loses cartilage support over the years an aquiline nose can look more pronounced even if the bridge has not changed.

What does an aquiline nose look like?

An aquiline nose has a high, slightly arched bridge that slopes downward toward a tip that points a little down, giving a shape often compared to an eagle's beak in profile. The bridge is usually prominent and well defined. The aquiline nose shape is closely related to what people call a Roman or hooked nose, and the terms are used interchangeably. It is a strong, characterful feature, and surgery is only ever about refining it if you choose to, not correcting anything that is wrong.

Hooked nose rhinoplasty for men

What a man with a hooked nose can expect

For men, the concern is almost always the same: will it look too done, or too delicate? The short answer is no. Mr Shoaib's approach with male patients is to straighten the profile, not soften it into something feminine. That means reducing the dorsal hump to a level line rather than a scooped, concave one, and gently correcting a drooping tip so the hook disappears. A strong bridge and properly masculine proportions are kept throughout. The result should look like the nose you would have had anyway, just without the curve, not one that has been feminised or over-reduced.

Hooked nose rhinoplasty for women

Proportionate, natural results in balance with the face

For women, the aim is a proportionate, natural result that sits in harmony with the eyes, lips and chin, rather than an obviously operated nose. Softening a hooked or aquiline bridge and refining a downward tip can make the whole face look more balanced, often with a subtle lift to the tip that opens up the profile. The change is usually understated: friends notice you look refreshed and balanced without necessarily realising the nose is the reason. Where the nose is a family feature, or carries cultural significance, the aim is refinement rather than removal. The goal is not a different nose but a balanced one, and avoiding the scooped, pinched, over-done look is the priority.

How hooked nose rhinoplasty works

Lowering the hump and supporting the tip

Straightening a hooked nose is mostly about two things: reducing the dorsal hump and supporting the tip so it no longer points down. A drooping tip that is rotated up and supported is often what makes the biggest visual difference. Mr Shoaib lowers the bump on the bridge to a smooth line, then, where needed, repositions and supports the tip cartilage so it sits at a natural angle. Because the bridge and tip work together to create the hooked look, both usually need to be addressed for a straight, lasting result.

• Dorsal hump reduction. The bony and cartilage ridge is carefully filed and refined to a straight profile. See our dedicated dorsal hump removal page for detail.
• Tip refinement. A drooping tip is rotated up and supported. A bulbous hooked nose, where the tip is both drooping and wide, may also need cartilage reshaping to reduce the bulk before the tip is lifted.
• Open or closed technique. Mr Shoaib selects the approach that suits your anatomy and goals; many hooked-nose corrections can be done through a closed rhinoplasty with no external scar.

Is it just cosmetic, or can it help breathing?

When a hooked nose also affects the airway

Many hooked noses are purely a matter of appearance, but some come with a deviated septum or narrowed airway. This is particularly relevant where the nose was broken in the past, whether from a sports injury or an accident, as a previous break often leaves both a visible hook and an internal deviation. If you also struggle to breathe through your nose, the aesthetic correction can be combined with functional surgery in a single operation, known as a septorhinoplasty in London. This straightens the profile and improves the airway at the same time. Mr Shoaib will assess your breathing at consultation and tell you honestly whether a functional element is needed, or whether a purely cosmetic correction is right for you.

Recovery and results

What to expect afterwards

Recovery from hooked nose rhinoplasty follows the usual rhinoplasty pattern. A splint protects the bridge for about a week, bruising and swelling settle over the first two to three weeks, and many people feel comfortable in public by two weeks. The straighter profile is visible as soon as the splint comes off, though the tip continues to refine over several months as the last of the swelling clears. Our guide on swelling after rhinoplasty explains the timeline stage by stage.

All surgery carries risks. Rhinoplasty is a real operation, and possible risks include bleeding, infection, temporary numbness or altered sensation, and the small chance that a further, minor refinement is needed to reach the best result. Serious complications are uncommon in experienced hands. Mr Shoaib will go through the risks that apply to you, and how they are minimised, in full at your consultation before you decide.

Choosing your surgeon

Why the profile is a test of experience

Straightening a hooked nose looks simple but is easy to overdo. Take too much off the bridge and the nose looks scooped and feminised; ignore the tip and the hook returns as swelling settles. This is why the profile is one of the truest tests of a rhinoplasty surgeon's judgement. Mr Taimur Shoaib FRCS (Plast) is a consultant plastic surgeon at 64 Harley Street, London, whose rhinoplasty practice focuses on natural, proportionate outcomes. His peer-reviewed research on tip control in closed rhinoplasty (European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2026) addresses exactly the challenge of getting the profile straight without over-rotating the tip. You can read more about his approach on our London rhinoplasty surgeon page.