Scottsdale rhinoplasty

Many people think of rhinoplasty as a procedure that primarily younger people choose. Those who are unhappy with the shape or size of the nose that they were born with often decide to undergo rhinoplasty, or a “nose job,” in their young adult (or even late teen) years, once their growth process has finished and they’re considered to be a candidate for the procedure.

However, the truth is that rhinoplasty can sometimes be an anti-aging procedure as well. Just like the rest of the face, the nose undergoes an aging process, and it can change significantly in appearance as we get older. For those who aren’t happy with these changes, rhinoplasty may offer a way to bring back a more youthful nasal appearance.

What happens to the nose as we age?

With aging, there are a number of changes that occur to the nose. One is that the skin of the nose becomes thinner, due to a gradual loss of proteins like collagen.

There are also changes to the cartilage of the nose. The nose has bone tissue only around its base (the part nearest to the face). The rest of the structure of the nose is made up of cartilage, which is a firm but springy type of tissue. With the gradual breakdown of proteins like collagen that keep the cartilage firm, it slowly loses its shape. This can make the nose look longer, and the tip may sag or droop.

Another change is that there’s an increase in the number of sebaceous glands at the tip of the nose. These are the glands that secrete oil. The extra glands make the area heavier, at the same time that the skin is becoming thinner. 

Studies have shown that, with increasing age, both the height and breadth of the nose increase. In other words, the nose becomes both longer and wider. There’s not actually any more cartilage in the nose, but because of the changes in shape, it may appear that the nose has grown significantly. Although some people may not mind these changes, others find them bothersome.

How can rhinoplasty help?

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure in which the cartilage of the nose is reshaped. The incisions may be made inside the nostrils, or discreetly placed on the bottom of the nose, where they’ll be difficult to see once they heal. An expert facial plastic surgeon can reshape the cartilage structures in your nose to address drooping and sagging, and bring back a more youthful version of your nasal appearance.

If you’ve experienced other aging-related changes that bother you, such as sagging skin, then you might want to consider a facelift. It’s entirely possible to have both a rhinoplasty and a facelift at the same time, to create a full facial rejuvenation. In fact, when patients come to her who are interested in a facelift, Dr. Henderson sometimes recommends considering rhinoplasty as well. In some cases, by addressing the nose along with other parts of the face, better overall results can be achieved.

Scottsdale rhinoplasty

If you’re bothered by the changes that your nose has undergone as you’ve aged, rhinoplasty may be a good option for you. There are also some nonsurgical options that can be used to alter the shape of the nose, such as dermal fillers. These might be a good option for some people but won’t give satisfactory results for others.

If you’d like to know what your options would be, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Henderson. After an exam and a discussion of your goals, she’ll be able to give you her professional recommendation about what results you could likely expect from each of your options. Simply contact our front desk to schedule your appointment.