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BEAUTY AND THE NOSE

PUBLISHED: JUNE 2007
BEAUTY AND BEYOND MAGAZINE

Most of us become acutely aware of our facial appearance and develop a heightened sense of body image around the time of puberty. If we become unhappy with a certain body part or aspect of our appearance then, this feeling will usually persist throughout life. This does not mean that the person must alter their appearance surgically if they do not wish to, but just that they will not “grow out of “ their negative feelings.

Sir Frances Bacon stated that “beauty is harmony”. Furthermore, it can be shown that “harmony is symmetry”. This acknowledges that when our facial features are proportional and balanced we are more attractive to others and, indeed, ourselves.

We usually first notice the eyes of someone else, as they are the “portals of entry to the soul”. Next the mouth, since we talk and smile, and then the hair. Although the nose is in the centre of the face, it is meant only to blend in with these features. It is only noticed when it is disproportionate or asymmetrical and creates facial imbalance, thus distracting the observing eye and detracting from one’s appearance. Furthermore, when the nose is large and the chin is small, the imbalance is exaggerated – the nose seems even larger and the chin even smaller than if either of them alone were proportionate for the face. And so our reader’s observations are very accurate, and confirmed by the science of beauty.

So what are her options? Firstly, a rhinoplasty, or nasal-reshaping, can set back an overly prominent nose, refine the tip, lower the bridge, create an ideal nose-lip angle and straighten and narrow the nose. Breathing problems, if present, can be improved at the same time. If the chin is small, but dental occlusion satisfactory, the bony part of the chin can be advanced or a chin implant placed to obtain even greater facial balance and harmony. If there is dental malocclusion, more advanced jaw surgery to move the lower jaw forward, and sometimes the cheeks backwards, can be combined with orthodontia to improve overall facial balance and occlusion. Less frequently, cheek augmentation may benefit overall facial balance.

More simple options would include sturdy spectacles or eye cosmetics to draw attention to the eyes and away from the nose. Or, lip augmentation with temporary Hyaluronic acid fillers along with lipstick that make the mouth appear larger and draw attention to this more attractive feature.

For such people with good health and reasonable expectations for improvement, rhinoplasty and chin augmentation are very popular. They can provide a life-long improved appearance, relief from worry, and enhanced self-esteem.

Peter A. Adamson, M.D.,F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S.