Is There An Ideal Nose?

Although symmetry is considered  beautiful in nature and in engineering. A human being has character and sometimes a little flaw adds a lot to a person's face. Be it a family chin or an inherited high forehead. Numbers aren't usually be used in surgery but can be utilized as a basis to symmetry. Remember that plastic surgery is not an exact science, but there are charts and measurements regarding an "ideal" facial structure. But these graphs are made by men - and beauty, as we all know, is in the eye of the beholder. 

A common graph or measurement system used for rhinoplasty will be explained below. Although not exact, it can be considered a foundation for facial proportion and facial analyzing.

This does not mean that if you are a few mm "off" that you are considered unattractive. In fact every highly skilled surgeon knows that the goal is for facial balance, or harmony, throughout the face. Without taking your other existing facial features into account - this will not happen. 

Consider this, there are measurements which surgeons use as a guideline but overall it is the fruits of an artistic eye that will remain. You must choose a surgeon with this attribute or a cookie-cutter type nose may result. This is why we stress to look at many before and after photos to get an idea of a certain surgeon's style. 

Not everyone likes  every surgeon's noses so remember it is important to find what YOU like - not what society deems attractive. Plus, you aren't going to agree with the next person - hence variety. Just respect another's opinion of beauty and if your opinion isn't asked for, don't butt in and  try to change the other's preferences. It can only cause strife or friction. 

Also please remember - 'painting by the numbers' isn't what makes a good nasal result - the artistic eye of the surgeon, communication with that surgeon and realistic expectations from the patient will put you closer to that desired aesthetic goal.

Again, *You will more than likely need our Online Rhinoplasty Glossary to translate the terminology used. This dictionary will load in a new window for your convenience:

 

"(a) The distance from the infraorbital rim to the base of the nose should be equal to the width of the nasal base (from the outside of each nostril to nostril) and ½ the distance of the middle third of the face (brow to the nasal base).
(b) The nasal length (radix to tip or RT) should equal the distance from the stomion to menton which equals 1.6 x TS (tip to stomion).
(c) Ideal tip projection (alar crease to the tip) equals 0.66 x ideal nasal length (RT).
(d) The line from the mid-glabellar area to the menton should bisect the nasal bridge, the nasal tip, and Cupids bow.
(e) The nasal dorsum should be outlined by two slightly curved divergent lines extending from the medial supraciliary ridges to the tip defining points.
(f) The width of the bony base is approximately equal to 80% of the alar base.
(g) The width of the alar base is equal to the intercanthal distance or one eye width.
(h) The alar rims should have a slight outward flare in an inferior direction.
(i) Lines connecting the tip defining points, the supratip break area, and the columellar lobular angle form two equilateral triangles.
(j) A line outlining the alar rims and columella resembles a gull in gentle flight.
(k) With the eyes in frontal gaze, the nasofrontal angle lies at a level between the upper eyelashes and the supratarsal crease.
(l) The nasal dorsum, in women, lies approximately 2 mm behind and parallel to a line from just above the nasofrontal angle to the tip defining points.  In men, the dorsum is slightly higher.
(m) 50-60% of the tip lies anterior to a vertical line drawn adjacent to the most projecting portion of a normally positioned upper lip.
(n) Tip projection equals alar base width.
(o) Tip rotation is determined by the degree of  the nasolabial angle, measured as the angle between vertical and a line drawn through the most anterior and posterior edges of the nostrils (normal 95-100 degrees in women and 90-95 degrees in men) (nasolabial angle is not the same as columellar labial angle).
(p) The columellar-lobular angle is approximately 45 degrees.
(q) On a basal view, the outline of the nasal base forms an equilateral triangle; the lobular to nostril ratio is 1:2.
(r) The upper lip projects 2 mm more than the lower lip, and in women, the chin lies slightly posterior to the lower lip; slightly stronger in men.
The distance from the mandibular angle to the menton is ½ the distance from the menton to the natural hairline (or trichion)."

above credit: Yale University Medical Curriculum


Leonardo da Vinci's Facial Third Formula
Get out your T square and compass to do this exercise. This is actually more simple than the above but you will need a lateral photo (side head shot) over your entire head so that you can determine your Frankfort Horizontal Line.

  • The width of nose at its base should be approximately the distance between the eyes (medial canthus).
  • The length of upper lip is about twice that of lower lip and chin.
  • Tip - Slight Upward Rotation : better
  • Nasofacial angle = 36 degrees
  • Nasofrontal angle = 120 degrees
  • Nasomental angle = 130 degrees
  • Mentocervical angle = 85 degrees

"Ideal" Vertical Facial Dimensions
 

Ideally, my columella is a little too long

Losing Track Of What IS Attractive: When It Never Looks Good Enough
Please be careful if after several rhinoplasties, you just can't seem to be satisfied. Sometimes it very well may be that you are not aware of what looks attractive on you. Even if you get the EXACT nose that you asked for and you still aren't happy, reconsider what it is you are truly desiring. Rethink what it is you are really trying to achieve. Are there other factors that you do not like. What were your original reasons for rhinoplasty? Is this a functional matter? Is it a low self esteem issue. Unfortunately, oftentimes when a mental or emotional issue is present - you won't think there is. This is when it becomes unhealthy and dangerous.

No one wants to be told they have an image disorder. Not me, not you - no one. But it IS important not to rule this fact out. Please, just consider the possibility of a self image disorder if after 2 rhinoplasties by 2 surgeons, or one very skilled one, you are not happy with your results. Please read our section on BDD: Beyond Typical Depression After Rhinoplasty

References
Yale University Medical Curriculum - Rhinoplasty
Graylab Online Medical Dictionary - UK
Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary
Leonardo da Vinci - Dimensions - rule of thirds, rule of fifths
Aesthetic Dimensions Analysis
Fibonacci Numbers - Ancient Understanding of Beauty

home | understanding the nose | researching the procedure | surgeon information
consultation information | surgery information | recovery information | miscellaneous information | about us

Are you lost? View Site Index

 

(Updated on 03/05/10)
© 2009 - 2015 Ceatus Media Group LLC
Images and text on this site belong to Ceatus Media Group. Copying or reproducing any text or graphics from this website is strictly prohibited by copyright law. Please read our copyright infringement policy.