Beauty standards may change throughout history, but the one thing that doesn’t change is how your nose is identified as your face’s focal feature — literally and figuratively. That’s why it’s no surprise your nose can have a massive impact on your appearance and overshadow a host of other facial features.
Most people think that the ideal nose should be small, straight, and symmetrical, with a pointed nose tip — the classic Caucasian nose. But the truth is, such ancient aesthetics won’t look natural for people coming from other cultures. A beautiful nose can only be considered attractive if it’s in harmony with your other facial features. In other words, it’s highly individualized and dependent on the rest of your face.
Dr. Ali Razfar has been performing rhinoplasty in Newport Beach, Orange County for years, so he knows how to adapt the procedure to the individual. After all, every person’s nasal shape is unique, so a seemingly simple tweak can have a significant influence on your facial appearance.
Learn more about how Dr. Razfar performs successful rhinoplasties on his patients as you read the rest of this article.
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Rhinoplasty is a procedure that reshapes your nose to make it proportional to your face and enhance facial harmony. Most people also refer to it as a nose job or nose reshaping surgery.
With rhinoplasty, you can:
Rhinoplasty is also one of the few cosmetic surgeries that can be done due to medical reasons. The most common reason is a deviated septum, which causes difficulty in breathing.
With a nose job, your surgeon can adjust the nasal structure to produce better alignment and remove any airway obstructions.
According to the 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty remains one of the top cosmetic surgeries people sign up for.
More than 213,000 people underwent nose reshaping surgery in 2018, three-fourths of them women. It’s also the most popular surgery among people between 20 and 39 years.
Dr. Razfar is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and has expertise in all forms of rhinoplasty. Combining the most advanced techniques with his vast experience, Dr. Razfar can provide customized results for all patients.
Ultrasonic rhinoplasty is a cutting-edge technique that uses high-energy ultrasonic waves to precisely cut and shape nasal bones. The piezo ultrasonic device had been used extensively in oral surgery for many years before being approved for rhinoplasty. This innovative technology selectively works on bone or hard cartilage while preserving the surrounding skin and soft tissues.
Traditional rhinoplasty techniques commonly involve using a combination of rasps (surgical files), hammers, and chisels to alter the nasal bridge. While this approach can produce excellent results in capable hands, there are drawbacks when compared to precision ultrasonic rhinoplasty. Using osteotomes or chisels to narrow the nose can sometimes lead to uncontrolled fractures and deformities that are difficult to correct. Conventional nasal hump reduction with rasps and chisels can lead to irregularities along the nasal bridge.
What are the advantages of ultrasonic rhinoplasty?
What common problems does ultrasonic rhinoplasty treat?
Dr. Razfar is a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon with extensive rhinoplasty experience. He is committed to providing his patients with the most advanced techniques. Ultrasonic rhinoplasty allows for customized nose reshaping with more predictable results and faster recovery. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Razfar today to see if you are a candidate for ultrasonic rhinoplasty.
There are two major approaches to rhinoplasty: open and closed rhinoplasty. Learn the difference between the two techniques here.
In an open rhinoplasty, your surgeon creates a small incision across the strip of skin between your nostrils, known as the columella. Next, he makes additional incisions within the nose on the inner aspect of the nostrils. Through the incisions, he carefully elevates the nasal skin off of the nasal tip and structures. The open rhinoplasty technique provides a complete visualization of the underlying nasal structures and allows for precise surgical changes. The scar is nearly invisible once wholly healed.
With the closed rhinoplasty technique, the incision is made entirely within the nostrils. It’s also called the internal or endonasal approach. Because the incisions are made inside the nostrils, there are no visible external scars. However, closed rhinoplasty gives Dr. Razfar less access to the structures of your nose, so this method may not work for all people who need nose reshaping.
Aside from open and closed rhinoplasty, Dr. Razfar is an expert on all rhinoplasty types, depending on the patient’s characteristics and treatment goals.
As one of the most common types of nose reshaping surgery, primary rhinoplasty involves making your nose more proportional to the rest of your face.
This is commonly done by reducing the size of your nose via lowering the bridge and reshaping the nasal tip. In some cases, patients with a low bridge — such as those of Asian descent — may require augmentation rhinoplasty to create a more defined bridge.
Dr. Razfar removes as little of your tissue as possible to achieve the best possible cosmetic and functional result. Overly aggressive removal of the underlying cartilage and bone increases the risk of complications years after surgery.
To reduce the size of your nostrils, he may also do a base reduction, the removal of small wedges of tissue from the area where the nostrils meet the cheeks.
Revision rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects nasal deformities or breathing difficulties from a prior rhinoplasty. Revision rhinoplasty may involve a minor correction of an external deformity. But in most cases, major reconstruction is required to restore both cosmesis and function.
This often requires harvesting cartilage from a donor site, such as the ear and rib.
Reshaping and resizing the nose should be done while retaining its distinct ethnic features. That’s why ethnic rhinoplasty is performed for people with Asian, Latin, Middle Eastern, or African roots.Many patients, particularly those of Asian and African-American descent, have flat bridges with wide tips. They often have thick skin and weak nasal cartilage internally.In these cases, augmentation rhinoplasty is performed to build the nasal bridge and define the tip. This usually requires using cartilage from your rib and nasal cartilage to obtain the desired result. Through cartilage grafting, surgeons can create a new tip with better support while still preserving their unique facial features. Dr. Razfar is an ethnic rhinoplasty expert in Newport Beach and has extensive experience with noses of different ethnicities.Want to learn about specific ethnic rhinoplasties? Click on the following links:
Do You Need Rhinoplasty?
Try to answer the following questions to know if you should consider getting rhinoplasty:
If you answered YES to any of these questions, you might be a prime candidate for rhinoplasty. The procedure can help improve your nose so that it’s in harmony with the rest of your facial features.
Unfortunately, not everyone who wants a nose job is a suitable candidate for the procedure. Here are some factors to consider before getting rhinoplasty:
Rhinoplasty can only be performed on noses that have already finished growing — around 16 or 17 years old. If you undergo this procedure before that, it may change the outcome of your nose reshaping surgery, causing problems and complications down the road.
Every ethnicity has distinct nasal features that need to be considered before getting rhinoplasty. If you’re of Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Asian, or African-American descent, your plastic surgeon should take special care in preserving the unique features of your face.
Your surgeon’s rhinoplasty technique depends on your nose’s skeletal structure. It differs from person to person.
If you’re getting a rhinoplasty for elective reasons, you need to be in tip-top health without any severe pre-existing condition. Otherwise, it might make your operation too risky. Also, keep in mind that you can get medical rhinoplasty if you have breathing problems due to your nose’s structural defects.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to rhinoplasty. Discuss with your plastic surgeon why you want to get rhinoplasty and the results you want to achieve. You should also be aware of the benefits and risks of the procedure.
A successful rhinoplasty outcome begins with choosing the right surgeon. Since rhinoplasty is widely considered the most challenging cosmetic procedure, your surgeon should have extensive rhinoplasty experience and strictly focus on facial plastic surgery.
Dr. Razfar is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and works exclusively on the nose and face. As a Newport Beach rhinoplasty expert, Dr. Razfar has performed countless rhinoplasty operations using the most advanced surgical techniques.
Dr. Razfar specializes in all types of nose reshaping surgeries, including primary rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty, and reconstructive rhinoplasty.
Get Your Rhinoplasty Done in Orange County and Los Angeles
With a rhinoplasty done right, you can enjoy flattering results that completely change your face’s appearance for the better, making you feel like the best version of yourself. But to achieve that, you need to consult a plastic surgeon who will be all ears regarding your ideal nose and face. You need someone who will take your face shape, facial features, proportions, and ethnicity into account.
Dr. Razfar profoundly cares about your satisfaction with your rhinoplasty outcome. Arrange a consultation with Dr. Razfar today to achieve a nose that better complements your facial features.
Rhinoplasty is a highly individualized procedure, which is why Dr. Razfar takes special consideration of your expectations and goals during the initial consultation.
He will also ask you about your detailed medical history and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery. After listening to how you want your nose and face to look, he’ll develop a plan to produce your desired results. Your rhinoplasty can be performed in a hospital, a free-standing ambulatory facility, or an office-based surgical suite.
To prepare for your upcoming rhinoplasty, Dr. Razfar will give you specific instructions on what to do weeks before the surgery to ensure your safety and avoid complications. You also need to prepare some supplies for your recovery.
Your licensed anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia before your surgery. In occasional instances, local anesthesia with intravenous sedation may be used.
Once your operative site is numbed by the anesthesia, Dr. Razfar places incisions to access the tip, cartilage, and bones supporting your nose. For open rhinoplasty, Dr. Razfar creates a small access incision across the columella — the underside of the nose between the nostrils. It’s connected to other smaller incisions hidden inside the nose.
Dr. Razfar adjusts the nasal bones, cartilage, and other supporting structures to reduce or increase the size, shape, and angle of your nose. The nasal tip is then refined and supported while maximizing nasal function. A deviated septum will also be addressed at this time if needed to improve the nasal airway. Cartilage from inside your nose or another donor site is often used to provide structure and stability.
Once your bone and cartilage have been resculpted, Dr. Razfar pulls the skin back down and stitches it along the columella. Right after your surgery, expect to have a splint outside your nose to support its new shape as it heals. It will also shield you from accidental bumps while you sleep. If you need additional support, Dr. Razfar may place nasal splints inside your nose to hold everything in place. It also keeps your airways clean and free from crusts.
The procedure can take three to four hours on average.
Read the general information on recovery after facial surgery.
Frequently done as an outpatient procedure, rhinoplasty allows you to return home shortly after your surgery. In rare cases, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.
For several days, you need to wear a light dressing over your incisions. Swelling and bruising are to be expected, not just around your nose but even on different areas of your face, making you look puffy.
Dr. Razfar will advise you to apply cold compresses on your swollen areas to reduce swelling and discomfort. You also need to keep your head elevated and still for the first few days after surgery.
You’ll also have a stuffy, congested feeling as you recover from rhinoplasty. You can manage the discomfort you’re feeling with pain medications prescribed by Dr. Razfar.
Avoid straining, exercising, bending, lifting, and other strenuous activities until Dr. Razfar clears you.
Here’s an estimated recovery timeline for rhinoplasty barring any complications:
| Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7 days |
Remove splint and bandages Initial healing completed Return to work Bruising and swelling start to go down |
| 2 weeks |
Bruising and swelling improves Light activities allowed |
| 4 weeks |
Resume normal activities Light exercises allowed Generally, few signs of surgery but the nose will still be significantly swollen |
| 3 months |
Your nose will start to look normal in photos Swelling continues to improve |
| 1 year | The majority of the healing process is complete |
If your nasal bones have been altered, you may need to wait for a few weeks before you can start wearing glasses without special support.
It’s best to wait a few months before exposing your reshaped nose to direct sunlight. As for your scars, they will continue to flatten and get lighter in color as the months pass.
When you get rhinoplasty, you’ll be able to achieve the following results:
It may take time to adjust to your new look, but the results are long-lasting. Even as you age, the shape of your nose post-rhinoplasty will remain.
As mentioned above, rhinoplasty can both be an aesthetic and a medical procedure. One of the most common functional rhinoplasties done among patients is a septoplasty. It involves straightening a crooked or deviated septum — the partition that divides your nose into two nasal passages.Patients often present with nasal obstruction and a long history of mouth breathing. When the septum is severely deviated, this may cause the nose to appear crooked.; functional rhinoplasty is required to rebuild and straighten the septum completely. This is commonly combined with a cosmetic rhinoplasty to achieve both functional and cosmetic improvement.
Read more about septoplasty and functional rhinoplasty here.
The final cost depends on several factors, such as the complexity of the procedure, the technique used, and the experience of your plastic surgeon. Don’t forget to add other costs like surgery location, facilities, anesthesia, medical tests and supplies, and other procedures included in your surgery.
For instance, a straightforward reduction rhinoplasty that lasts for less than an hour will definitely cost less than a more extensive rhinoplasty involving grafts and septal surgery.
Though insurance companies don’t cover rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, you can get it partially covered if you undergo surgery to correct structural problems like nasal obstruction.
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