Rhinoplasty 101: 5 Weird Facts About Noses

It might not be a feature many of us think about too often, but the fact remains that our nose plays a vital role in our appearance and has a major impact on our overall facial harmony. Even the smallest “flaw” or irregularity in the nose can be distracting or throw off the entire symmetry of the face. For example, if you have a large nose, it can make your chin look too small or detract from the other features. On the other hand, a nose that’s very small can make the face look too broad. A way for patients to alter the size, shape, and proportions of the nose to bring it into balance with the rest of the face is a nose job, also known by the medical term rhinoplasty surgery. The Los Angeles-area team at Cosmetic Surgery Institute explain that if you’re thinking of having a surgery like rhinoplasty, it makes sense to plan ahead so that you know what to expect from the procedure itself and recovery. Of course, you also need to arrange for a consultation so that you can discuss your goals with a knowledgeable plastic surgeon who will be able to tell you whether you would be a good candidate. In the meantime, here are five fascinating facts about your nose that you may not have been aware of before.

1. At Least 14 Types of Nose Shapes Exist

Scientists have determined that there are at least 14 variations of nose shapes and that the unique shape is based on the way the nasal bones, upper lateral cartilages, and lower lateral cartilages are positioned. Our nose shape is influenced strongly by genetics and ethnicity. It is now believed that there are five stretches of DNA that give us our distinct nose shape.

2. Your Nose Can Detect Pain and Temperature

While it can effectively distinguish at least one trillion odors and has an estimated 400 scent receptors, our nose does more than just identify smells. There are also nerves in the tip of the nose that have the ability to sense pain and temperature fluctuations.

3. It Influences the Sound of Your Voice

The sounds that are created in the larynx when we speak or sing are processed by the resonating structures in the nose when air passes through them. The richness of our voice is based on how the sounds are processed in the nose. This is why our voice sounds different when we have a stuffy nose. Perhaps this may also be why subtle changes occur to the tonality of our voice when we have a nose job.

4. It's Considered a Symbol of Beauty and Character

Since ancient times in Greece and Rome, the nose has affected our perception of attractiveness and has been seen as an indicator of character. Europeans believed that a hooked nose was a sign of beauty and nobility.

5. Your Nose Does Change as You Age

One of the obvious indicators of aging that is often corrected with rhinoplasty is a drooping nose tip. The nose typically stops growing anytime between the ages of 12 to 16 or 17—or sometimes later in early adulthood. Although it doesn’t grow anymore after that, it can look different because of other structural or anatomical changes it goes through.

For example, skin gets thinner and loses its elasticity on the nose just like on the rest of the face. The cartilage becomes more brittle and may separate, causing the nose to slope downward and look longer, or the outer part of the nostrils may widen.

If you need more advice about having a rhinoplasty, contact the team at the Cosmetic Surgery Institute so that they can guide you through each stage of the treatment. Call them at (760) 837-0364 or submit a contact form online to set up a private consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.