While it is true your bones stop growing by puberty, some bodily tissues could continue to change throughout your lifetime. Your nose, which comprises bone, cartilage, and soft tissue, may change shape as you get older. The skin and structures of the nose lose strength with age, resulting in a nose that stretches out and sags downward.
The glands within the nose skin, especially at the tip, may enlarge, causing a wider, heavier nose appearance. While there is debate if the cartilage itself grows, it can look that way.
During the teenage years, the nose experiences shape and structural changes. But by the time girls reach the age of 15 or 16, and men reach 18, they have developed adult noses. The nose will remain mostly the same for several decades. However, with age, the nose will begin to change again. These changes may become evident for some in their 20s, although they usually start in the 40s for most people.
How Your Nose Changes As You Age
As we age, our nasal skin becomes thinner, and the nose structure weakens and loses support. These changes cause the nasal tip to droop, making the nose look longer.
Gravity will have the same effect on the nose as it does on facial skin around the eyes, cheeks, and jowls. So, while many complain their noses have gotten larger with age, this is not the case. Instead, the illusion of a more prominent nose results from drooping over time.
This stretching and sagging could also give the appearance of a bump on the nose bridge. While the bump may have always been there, it becomes more evident as the skin gets more delicate. Individuals with thinner skin may notice these effects at a younger age.
A third change can occur to your nose with age – your nose may look like it has more projection because it absorbs different tissue and bones.
By midlife, a nose once at the right shape and size for facial harmony during adolescence and young adulthood could suddenly appear too large, long, or bulbous. Over time, your nose might look completely different from what you saw in the mirror every morning while growing up. It may also function differently, as its nasal passages will shift as the nose changes shape.
While this process is entirely normal (except for cases of trauma or injury), it is not always welcome. The nose is the most prominent facial feature. So, if its size, shape, or projection are off-kilter, it may cause the rest of the face to appear off-balanced and less attractive. Here are some changes you might expect as you age.
Emergence of a Dorsal Hump
One of the most noticeable changes in nose shape with age is the development of a dorsal hump. This hump, composed of bone and cartilage, becomes more prominent over time, potentially altering your profile. Surgical intervention, such as a rhinoplasty, will reduce your dorsal hump and provide a more harmonious facial balance.
Tip Ptosis
As the skin’s elasticity weakens with age, the nasal tip may begin to droop or sag, a condition known as tip ptosis. This downward displacement of the nasal tip can lead to breathing difficulties and aesthetic concerns. Dr. Sajjadian may employ various surgical techniques, such as a tip lift or tip rhinoplasty, to restore a more youthful appearance.
Volume Loss
Aging results in the loss of soft tissue and fat throughout the body, including the nose. This volume loss can lead to a deflated or hollowed appearance, making the nose appear longer or narrower. Dr. Sajjadian can use fat grafting or dermal fillers to volumize and rejuvenate.
Skin Changes
With age, the skin’s collagen production decreases, leading to reduced skin elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. These changes can affect your appearance, resulting in the development of fine lines or deep creases. Non-surgical treatments, such as laser resurfacing or chemical peels, can improve your skin’s texture and tone.
Breathing Difficulties
Aside from cosmetic concerns, aging may also contribute to functional issues, such as trouble breathing through your nose. Structural changes in the nasal passages, combined with decreased elasticity, can lead to blockages and impaired airflow. Dr. Sajjadian may perform nasal obstruction correction to improve your breathing.
Rhinoplasty for Aging Noses
Along the way to earning recognition as one of the top rhinoplasty surgeons in Newport Beach, Orange County, and the United States, he has given countless lectures on corrective nose surgeries, and has had his work published extensively.
He offers various techniques to help his patients overcome functional nasal issues and aesthetic concerns with the nose. These may include:
- Deviated septum
- Bulbous tip
- Oversized nose
- Bump on the bridge
- Droopy tip
- Oversized nostrils
Your nose is your most dominant facial feature. Dr.
Sajjadian understands patients’ expectations, and has dedicated his practice to
compassionate medical care and delivering fantastic results.
Rhinoplasty and Beyond
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure aimed at reshaping the nose and addressing various aesthetic and functional concerns. Dr. Sajjadian is an expert in the field, employing traditional and innovative techniques to achieve optimal results.
Reshaping your nose can include either increasing or decreasing its size. In addition, reshaping the bridge, tip, or nostrils can alter the angle between the nose and upper lip. If necessary, surgery can resolve any breathing issue.
Traditional Rhinoplasty
Traditional rhinoplasty involves making small incisions inside the nose or along the strip of tissue between the nostrils to access the nasal cartilage and bone. Dr. Sajjadian carefully sculpts the nasal structures to achieve the desired shape, addressing concerns such as dorsal hump reduction, tip refinement, and overall facial harmony.
Revision Rhinoplasty
Some patients who have previously undergone rhinoplasty remain unsatisfied with the results or experience functional issues. Dr. Sajjadian specializes in revision rhinoplasty, a more complex procedure that corrects previous surgical outcomes and restores natural nasal function and aesthetics.
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
For those seeking a less invasive approach to address minor imperfections, non-surgical nose augmentation using dermal fillers may be an option. Dr. Sajjadian expertly injects dermal fillers into strategic areas to improve symmetry, correct depressions, and add volume. This procedure is suitable for people who desire subtle changes without the downtime associated with surgery.
Learn more about other non-surgical treatments with Dr. Sajjadian including Botox, chemical peels, laser skin tightening, and more here.
Why Work With Dr. Sajjadian?
For Dr. Sajjadian and his staff, nothing is more fulfilling than watching patients react to their results. Typically, they are overjoyed as their face takes on a more attractive look after rhinoplasty. These reactions include younger patients who are unhappy with the nose they were born with and older patients who may have experienced unwelcome nose changes over the years.
Choosing the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Newport Beach is vital. While any licensed physician can legally perform nose surgery, your plastic surgeon must have the appropriate qualifications and credentials. These include board certification and good standing within the medical industry. In addition, specialized rhinoplasty training and experience are critical. Glowing reviews from a host of satisfied patients are always a plus.
Don’t forget the support staff. Ensure they are professional, friendly, and caring. These will be the people you lean on during your recovery, so you should be comfortable with the entire team.
It is imperative to do your research and visit the doctor personally, and visit the facility where the surgery will take place. Don’t rush! You should take the time to get well informed.
Dr. Sajjadian is one of the few plastic surgeons in Newport Beach and Orange County who is triple board-certified. He holds certifications from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology, and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Call our Newport Beach office at (949)-515-0550 or contact us today to set up your rhinoplasty consultation.
Also, be sure to visit Dr. Sajjadian’s gallery and connect with him on both of his Instagram accounts, @rhinoplastybysajjadian and @sajjadianplasticsurgery. You can also follow him on his Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Yelp, and RealSelf pages.