Differences Between Male and Female Rhinoplasty

When it comes to imagining the ideal nose, men and women have different ways of defining what makes a beautiful facial silhouette. Below, experienced Scottsdale and Mesa plastic surgeon Dr. Genaro Valladolid discusses the varied perspectives, perceptions and preferences that shape male and female approaches to rhinoplasty.

Prominence and Refinement

Although injuries and medical conditions are often reasons why patients undergo rhinoplasty, aesthetic concerns are what have made the procedure one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the world. Men account for roughly a quarter of rhinoplasties in the U.S., but that share is increasing as more men seek out the procedure as a way to enhance their professional and social appeal.

Despite the dramatic change over the decades in social roles, men still generally seek a more prominent nose, and women a smaller and more refined version. Some of this has to do with basic anatomy. Women’s features and bone structure provide the skeletal context for a petite nose. The prominent chins and more expansive facial dimensions of men make a longer, larger nose feel at home. Male noses tend to feature higher bridges, larger nostrils and thicker skin. Female noses typically have a delicate slope from the bridge and a slightly greater upward angle at the end.

These are characteristics that patients usually want to enhance, rather than reverse. For example, men may want to highlight straight, sleek lines, while female patients routinely prefer to accentuate naturally graceful arcs and inclines, along with a subtle upturn of the tip.

Surgical Technique

When it comes to the actual surgical procedure, these gender differences are mostly irrelevant. The thicker skin of the male nose affects healing slightly, but surgical techniques are the same for men and women. During rhinoplasty, cartilage is removed and repositioned, and the bone is sometimes fractured and reshaped. Cartilage or bone taken from other areas can be added to build volume. Rhinoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure, using general anesthesia, and ordinarily requires one to two hours.

For more information on rhinoplasty, please call (480) 770-5015 or email Valladolid Plastic Surgery today.