Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery options for men. In 2022, nose surgery made up 45% of all male plastic surgery, closely followed by chest reduction, eyelid surgery, liposuction and ear correction.
The way we approach rhinoplasty does not differ for men or women, it’s more about doing the right thing for your physiology and the results you’d like to see, whether that’s altering the size or the shape of the nose, or both.
Generally speaking, men usually want rhinoplasty to enhance their masculine features so may prefer to have a slightly larger or more prominent nose compared to the smaller, refined nose shape often desired by women. Whilst men may wish to reduce the size of their nose, we do so in a way that retains a masculine outline, sometimes enhancing a strong nasal bridge with a broader straighter tip. With female patients, on the other hand, we would usually look to achieve a more subtle, curved bridge and a more refined, upturned nasal tip.
When it comes to performing surgery, there may be slight differences in that male patients may require more extensive structural work due to more robust cartilage and bone structures.
You’ll need to undergo a general anaesthetic and we’ll usually operate from within the nose.
During the surgery, incisions are made inside the nostrils or at the base of the nose, providing access to the cartilage and bone, which can then be sculpted into shape. If the operation is to remove a hump then a chisel or rasp will be used, and then the nasal bone will be brought together to form a narrower bridge.
The cartilage will then be trimmed to reshape the tip of the nose. If the surgery involves the narrowing of flared nostrils, we can remove small wedges of skin from their base to create the desired effect.
When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints may be placed inside your nostrils to stabilise the septum, the dividing wall between nasal passages.
Recovery varies from patient to patient. You will, naturally, be sore for a few days and the swelling usually worsens before it gets better. Stitches and dressings are usually removed at the end of one or two weeks and you should be able to return to work within a fortnight. For at least eight weeks you’ll need to take care not to hit or rub your nose and you’ll need to be gentle when washing your face or using cosmetics. Find out more about rhinoplasty recovery and our best tips before your surgery.
If you’re considering rhinoplasty, the best step to take is to book an initial consultation with a member of our surgical team. That way they can assess your unique physiology and understand the results you’d like to achieve, giving you a clear indication of whether your vision can be brought to reality.
This is a great opportunity to ask questions so you can make an informed decision about whether rhinoplasty is right for you.