What you should know about short nose correction in Korea

Short noses are common among Asians. Some are born with it, while some got it as a result of infections from foreign implants from their previous rhinoplasty.

In any case, a short nose is not loved. Because it makes our faces look unbalanced and gives us a flat side profile.

Yes, balance is always the key. And short nose correction surgery may be one of the most challenging type of rhinoplasty, but once corrected, it gives out stunning results.

So, to those with short noses, don’t despair! Read along and find out how to fix it.

What is short nose correction?

First things first, what is considered a short nose? It’s a nose that is short in length, and tend to expose your nostrils. Commonly described as a piggy nose. And if you have a short noses, you probably have a low nose bridge as well.

Short nose surgery can correct your short nose by adjusting the projection of your nose tip and adding height to your nose bridge. This not only makes your short nose look longer, but also balances your facial proportions.

With the correct nose tip projection and nose height, your nose will not only fit in with other features of your face, but also enhance those features.

What is the golden ratio for Korean noses?

By now, you should know that our nose is the most prominent feature on our face, and our nose tip, the focal point on our face. To find out if you need short nose surgery or any other additional rhinoplasty procedures, check whether your current nose is already optimal for your face below.

Optimal nose ratio for women:

• Ideal ratio between the forehead-eyebrows, eyebrows-nose, and nose-chin is 1:1:1.
• Optimal ratio between the length of eyes and width of nose is 1:1:1.
• Inner corner of eyes and corner of nose should be vertically aligned.
• Outer corner of eyes and corner of nose should be diagonally aligned.
• Ideal angle for the “sunken” area at the top of nose (nasofrontal angle) is 120°~140°.
• Optimal angle between the nose and upper lip (nasolabial angle) is 95°-110°.
• Having a supratip break (subtle indentation just above nose tip) is considered attractive for a woman’s nose.
• Slightly curved nose bridges makes women look more feminine.

Optimal nose ratio for men:

• Ideal ratio between the forehead-eyebrows, eyebrows-nose, and nose-chin is 1:1:1.
• Optimal ratio between the length of eyes and width of nose is 1:1:1.
• Inner corner of eyes should be vertically aligned with corner of nose.
• Outer corner of eyes should be diagonally aligned with corner of nose.
• Ideal angle for the “sunken” area at the top of nose (nasofrontal angle) is 140°~150°.
• Optimal angle between the nose and upper lip (nasolabial angle) is 90°-105°.
• Straight nose bridges makes men look more masculine.

How is short nose correction in Korea done?

In general, there are three ways to correcting a short nose. But depending on how “short” your nose is, it could be necessary to use all the methods as well. The 3 techniques used are as follows:

1. Lengthen nose tip
2. Adjust angle of septal cartilage
3. Columella lengthening

There are non-surgical alternatives to short nose correction surgery as well, though results might not be as obvious. As mentioned earlier, you probably have a low nose bridge if you have a short nose. Either that, or your nose bridge will look lower once your short nose is lengthened. Therefore we have included details on nose bridge enhancement as well below.

1. Lengthen nose tip

Lengthening of your nose tip is done by undergoing tip plasty. Depending on the current state of your nose tip, you might need to either reshape your cartilage or use an autologous cartilage implant or both.

In many cases, especially for Asian noses, just lengthening your nose tip with tip plasty is not enough, so you might have to adjust the angle of your septal cartilage as well.

2. Adjust angle of septal cartilage

This method involves adjusting the angle of your septal cartilage to project your nose tip slightly downwards. Hence making your nose appear longer.

However, if your nose is very short, it is not enough to just adjust the angle of your septal cartilage and lengthen your nose tip. In such cases, you need to extend your columella as well.

3. Columella lengthening

Columella is the tissue that separates your nostrils at your nasal base. In cases where your nose is too short, the use of implants to extend your columella is necessary. The materials of the implant used usually include:

• Septal cartilage: Best and most commonly used for columella lengthening.
• Rib cartilage: Used when you wish to use an autologous cartilage but there is no more septal cartilage left for use.
• Donor cartilage: As its name suggests, someone else’s cartilage. Usually cartilage from a cadaver.
• Medpore implant: A biocompatible, porous polyethylene implant.

Additional – Nose bridge enhancement

Due to the projection of your nose tip, your nose bridge will appear lower than before. Unless your nose bridge is originally too high for your face, chances that you will need a nose bridge enhancement to match your new nose tip is high.

The materials used for nose bridge enhancement include:

1. Silicone

Top choice of material for nose bridges.

2. Rib cartilage

In most cases, rib cartilage is actually used during revision rhinoplasty rather than primary rhinoplasty due to its cons.

3. Gore-tex / Sili-tex

Both gore-tex and sili-tex are hardly used actually, because of their cons.

So in most cases (especially for Asian noses), nose bridge enhancement is necessary. Think of it as the final touch to correcting your short nose.

What are the methods used for short nose correction?

There are 2 methods used for short nose correction rhinoplasty – open method and closed method.

The open rhinoplasty approach is most preferred because it enables the surgeon to have full visibility of your nasal structures which allows for greater precision in reshaping your nose. In short, more accurate results.

1. Open rhinoplasty

The open approach involves a cut across your columella (the narrow strip of skin separating your nostrils). This method allows the surgeon full access to your nose, and enables for major or complex reshaping. Hence, a high chance of achieving your desired results.

2. Closed rhinoplasty

The closed approach involves incisions inside your nose, so there’s no obvious scarring. However, this method limits the surgeon’s access of your nose. Hence, major or complex reshaping is not possible. It is suitable only if minor work is required.

How long does the surgery take?

Short nose correction surgery in Korea usually lasts 2~3 hrs and is performed under local anesthesia so you will not feel any pain.

When can I see results?

Major swelling and bruising for rhinoplasty lasts up to 1 week but accurate results are visible after 1 month. Final results are seen after 1 year. After the surgery, you will need to wear an external splint (placed on the nose) to support the shape of your new nose but it will be removed after 7 days.

Do take note that the success of your short nose correction surgery not only lies in the hands of your surgeon but also how you well you recover after surgery. So learn how to properly care for yourself during the recovery period by reading our article on nose surgery aftercare and post-op instructions.

Actual recovery time vary among individuals, and is subjected to one’s health condition & healing response.

How long should I stay in Korea?

Short nose surgery in Korea is not considered a major surgery so hospitalization is not required. But do stay until your stitches are removed. And go shopping in the meantime!

Stitch removal

Stitches are usually removed 7 days after surgery.

Cautions on stitch removal

If you remove the stitches earlier then advised, your wound might reopen, causing an infection. And if you remove it too late, you risk further scarring and pigmentation.

Sometimes due to time constraints, you might consider having your stitches removed at the local hospitals in your home country. Although that is possible (but not recommended), it depends on how well you have been healing and is also subjected to doctor’s approval.

Alternatives to short nose correction

The other alternatives to short nose surgery are nose fillers and nose threading. However, such procedures are not permanent and the effects are not as great. Fillers and threading results typically lasts from 6~12 months.

Also, if you have an existing nose implant, it is not recommended to inject nose fillers nor do nose threading. And if you are planning to get rhinoplasty, make sure that fillers and threads are completely removed at least 2 weeks before your surgery.

What other surgery complements short nose correction?

Sometimes, getting a nose job alone might not be sufficient to achieve the looks that you want!

1. Eyelid surgery

Very often, double eyelid surgery and/or canthoplasty is combined with rhinoplasty to further enhance your looks.

2. Philtrum reduction surgery

If you have a long philtrum, you might need a philtrum reduction surgery. But do note that philtrum reduction surgery should be done 6 months after your nose job.

3. Lip surgery

Well, a smile goes a long way. You may not be born with the perfect lips, but lip surgery can help you achieve that perfectly shaped pout.

4. Facial Contouring surgery

Having a face shape that complements your eyes and nose will further enhance your beauty. But if you don’t have that perfect v-shaped face, facial contouring surgery will help you achieve it.

Conclusion

Having a short nose makes your facial proportions unbalanced and gives you a flat side profile. Thankfully, this can be fixed. For some, simply lengthening your nose tip and enhancing the height of your nose bridge will do the trick. But for many, especially for Asian noses, lengthening your columella as well is necessary.

You will be amazed at just how your new nose can balance out your facial proportions and improve your looks! Just make sure that you get a professional plastic surgeon who is experienced in nose surgeries for the best results.