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Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to improve appearance, breathing function, or both. There are several types of rhinoplasty because every nose is different, and each patient has unique goals. Whether you want to smooth a nasal hump, refine the tip, narrow the nostrils, improve symmetry, or correct a breathing issue, there is a specific surgical approach designed for that concern.
In this guide, we explain the most common types of rhinoplasty, how each one works, and which concerns they are best suited for. This will help you understand your options before you may consider a rhinoplasty procedure to correct the feature of your nose you are unhappy with.
• Two main surgical approaches: open or closed, depending on the complexity of the correction
• Different techniques target specific concerns such as hump removal, tip refinement, or nostril narrowing
• Functional rhinoplasty can improve breathing when the septum is deviated or airflow is restricted
• Revision rhinoplasty is more complex and is used when a previous procedure needs improvement
• The best rhinoplasty method is based on your anatomy and goals, guided by a qualified specialist
Rhinoplasty can be performed using two main surgical approaches. The right method depends on how much reshaping is needed and which parts of the nose are being improved.
A closed rhinoplasty leaves no visible scars since the incisions are all made within the nose. A discreet nasal incision is made for the correction of cartilage, bone, and septum.
Best suited for:
• Smoothing a small dorsal hump
• Refining the nasal bridge
• Minor tip adjustments
• Patients wanting a quicker recovery
Benefits:
• Reduced swelling
• Shorter healing time
• No external incisions
At Berkeley Square Medical, closed rhinoplasty is preferred whenever possible to keep recovery smooth and scars hidden.
Open rhinoplasty involves a tiny incision on the columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils). The skin is gently lifted to expose the underlying cartilage and bone.
Best suited for:
• More complex or structural reshaping
• Significant tip correction
• Revision rhinoplasty
• Asymmetry correction and advanced sculpting
Benefits:
• Full visibility of nasal structures for precision
• Ideal for major aesthetic and functional improvements
The small external incision typically heals to a fine, barely noticeable line.
The Alar base reduction is a surgical technique used for patients who come to our surgeon and feel as if their nostrils are too wide and/or flaring. The alar base is the section of your nose you feel when you place your finger flat against your nostrils.
Surgery to correct the alar base is an instance of how each part of your nose affects the other. To correct the nostril-flaring, your surgeon can use different surgical incision approaches, including:
Big nose or reduction rhinoplasty often does not require actual cutting of the skin, just reducing the nasal bones underlying your nasal frame.
This type of nose job involves approaching the nasal bones via cuts made inside your nostrils. Your surgeon will make cuts to the line on your nose and then brings the nasal bones together to reduce your nose’s overall size.
Because your skin is so elastic, the skin will adjust to your new, smaller nose.
Dorsal hump rhinoplasty is a surgery that eliminates the large bump in the midsection of some noses. The goal is to reduce the size of this bump without compromising other aspects or qualities of the nose, such as the relationship between the tip and the upper lip area.
This change can have a large effect on the overall appearance of the nose so a thorough pre-assessment is necessary to ensure results patients are happy with.
Smaller humps can usually be removed via a closed rhinoplasty operation that does not leave visible scars on the skin.
Ethnic rhinoplasty does not refer to a single type of surgery but rather to a procedure that aims to produce the shape and characteristics of a nose that is in harmony with the patient’s ethnicity.
There is a vast difference between noses of different ethnicities, and if one looks closely, even within the same ethnicity, variations can be found. For example, flat noses are more common in some ethnic groups.
A surgeon who is well versed in ethnic rhinoplasty will consider the ethnicity of the patient when planning the procedure, rather than look to achieve a standardized result for every person.
Deviated septum rhinoplasty, also called septoplasty, is where your surgeon adjusts the bones that separate your nostrils.
When you have a condition called a deviated septum, this middle portion is misaligned, which can affect your breathing through one of your nostrils. Septoplasty can be performed alongside reshaping of the nose if desired.
Nasal tip rhinoplasty is a more precise approach that can alter the tip of your nose. It can be performed to address both drooping and uneven nostrils. When performed in combination with other approaches, nasal tip surgery must be performed before altering the nasal hump or bridge.
Our surgeon will remove extra cartilage from the underside of your nose, just around the nostrils. Just how much cartilage is removed depends upon your desired results and within the limitations of safe surgery.
Revision rhinoplasty refers to a second surgery to treat undesired results following initial rhinoplasty surgery.
It is often a more challenging and complicated procedure that requires an experienced facial plastic surgeon.
These patients typically undergo this procedure if they feel their results are unnatural or are not in harmony with the rest of their face.
Secondary rhinoplasty is sometimes requested by patients who were not satisfied with the results of their first nose surgery. There are also patients who requested a revision after a primary rhinoplasty surgery due to nasal obstruction.
Reconstructive rhinoplasty is a procedure to reconstruct a damaged or deformed nose that is medically necessary to restore its functionality after an injury, illness, or developmental abnormality.
In spite of the fact that there is often a crossover between cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, the NHS or medical insurance usually covers the cost of operations that aim primarily to restore health and function instead of simply enhancing a patient’s appearance.
As nasal and facial plastic surgeons, we have the training and experience to reconstruct the complex three-dimensional anatomy of the nose, with an appreciation of both form and function.
We can advise you at the time of your consultation whether your goals are primarily cosmetic or reconstructive.
Apart from the two main methods of nose surgery – open and closed rhinoplasty – there are many variations depending on the area of concern.
These can be both cosmetic and medical procedures and include alar base correction, dorsal hump removal, deviated septum surgery, nasal tip surgery, ethnic rhinoplasty, broken nose rhinoplasty, nose reduction surgery and revision rhinoplasty, among others.
Open rhinoplasty uses a small external incision between the nostrils for full visibility of the nasal structures, ideal for complex reshaping.
Closed rhinoplasty is performed entirely inside the nostrils with no visible scars and often faster recovery, best for more straightforward refinements.
There is no single “best” rhinoplasty. The right approach depends on whether you want cosmetic improvements, breathing correction, or both. A specialist surgeon assesses your nasal structure and recommends the technique that safely achieves your goals.
Functional rhinoplasty focuses on improving breathing by correcting internal structures such as the septum. It may be combined with cosmetic changes if you also want to improve appearance.
Ethnic rhinoplasty preserves natural identity and cultural features while making refinements to improve balance or proportions. It requires a surgeon experienced with a wide range of nasal anatomies.
Revision rhinoplasty is a second surgery performed when a previous nose procedure did not deliver the desired appearance or caused breathing issues. It is more complex and should be performed by an experienced rhinoplasty specialist.
More complex procedures such as revision rhinoplasty or surgeries involving functional correction may cost more due to additional time, expertise, and grafting requirements. Exact pricing depends on the degree of reshaping needed and is confirmed during consultation.
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