What Is a Drooping Nose?
A drooping nose, also known as a Nasal Tip Ptosis1, occurs if the tip of the nose is longer than what is deemed ideal, so it tilts downward and away from the face. Some people also refer to it as a droopy nasal tip.
An elongated nose may occur from excessive tip cartilages, elongated shape of the tip cartilages, lack of bony support to the tip, osteoporosis of the maxilla (supporting bone of the nasal tip and upper teeth), or loosening of the ligaments and connective tissue. Some people naturally have a drooping nose, while others may develop it over time as the skin and muscles around their nose become weakened. This can be caused by age-related changes, trauma to the bridge of the nose, or genetics. Now that we understand the features and symptoms of a droopy nose, let’s discuss how to address this common issue.
Can a Droopy Nose Tip be Fixed?
A droopy nose tip can be corrected with rhinoplasty. This procedure involves making small incisions at the base of the nostrils to reposition the cartilage in order to raise and support the tip of the nose. The procedure also helps to straighten the bridge of the nose and remove any bumps or irregularities. In addition to rhinoplasty, skin tightening treatments around the nose can help improve the appearance of a drooping nose. These treatments involve using lasers or radiofrequency devices to stimulate collagen production in order to firm up the skin around the nose.
Dr. Rizk strongly believes that tip support using strong cartilage either from the septum, if available, or banked rib cartilage, and shaping these supportive grafts to customize them to the nose, is one of the most important things to lift a droopy tip and also define the tip. He has a customized approach to noses and does not believe in one technique or one size fits all. His custom grafts beautifully integrate into the nose to support and define them. He pioneered the use of powered instruments to sculpt graft edges into smooth contours that integrate well (instead of sharp edges by cutting cartilage with a surgical blade).
Rhinoplasty is the surgical procedure used to correct nasal deformities, such as those caused by a drooping nose. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your drooping nose, it is important to talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Sam Rizk about your options for treatment. They can discuss which procedure will be best for achieving your desired results and help you feel more confident in your appearance. Click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rizk in New York City today!
Rhinoplasty for Drooping Nose
During the procedure, the surgeon will reposition and reshape the tip cartilage to give it more support. This helps raise the nasal tip back into its normal position and gives it a more defined shape. The exact technique used depends on the individual’s anatomy and the cause of their drooping nose. It is important to work with an experienced surgeon to ensure proper tip rotation. The results from a drooping nose surgery will vary depending on the individual, but most patients will see an improvement in their nasal shape and definition.
Dr. Sam Rizk will give you a totally personalized treatment specific to your individual anatomy and cause of your drooping nose. He will carefully choose the best technique to guarantee you achieve the most natural-looking and desirable results. He will be your guide, ensuring you have the information required to make an educated decision about your treatment.
Determining Cause & Treatment for a Droopy Nasal Tip
The first step to correcting a drooping nose is to determine the cause. A complete physical examination and imaging of the nose can help your doctor pinpoint the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Usually, this step involves measuring the nasal tip angle and rotation, which is determined by drawing a line from the tip-defining points to the alar crease and measuring this angle in relation to the vertical facial plane.
When evaluating your nose, your surgeon should ask you to smile to evaluate some of the muscles, like the depressor septi muscle because it acts to pull the nasal tip down and this event usually happens with smiling. It is also important to ask the patient if they have difficulty breathing to determine if a functional issue is involved in addition to a cosmetic deformity.
Causes of Drooping
Genetics | Born with Drooping Nose
While some people may develop a droopy nose as they age due to weakened skin and muscles around their nose, others are born with droopy noses. This can be due to genetics or caused by trauma to the bridge of the nose before birth. The treatment for this type of drooping nose is often more involved, requiring a combination of rhinoplasty and skin tightening treatments in order to achieve the desired results.
Age-related Changes | Skin and Muscle Weakening
The skin and muscles around the nose become weaker with age, causing the tip of the nose to droop downward. Other age-related changes can include decreased collagen production and sagging skin which further contribute to a drooping nose.
Trauma | Injury to Bridge of Nose
In some cases, trauma or injury to the bridge of the nose can cause the tip of the nose to droop over time. This may happen due to an accident or a violent blow to the nose which causes it to collapse. This can cause the tip of the nose to appear droopy and elongated.
Loss of Maxillary Support | Maxilla Osteoporosis
The loss of maxillary support may enhance or worsen a droopy nose tip. In some cases, a condition known as osteoporosis of the maxilla may be responsible for the drooping nose. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones in the body to become weak and brittle, leading to a decrease in support for the nasal tip. This can cause it to droop over time, making it appear longer than normal.
Excessive Tip Cartilages | Elongated Shape of Tip Cartilages
In some cases, an elongated shape of the tip cartilages may be responsible for a drooping nose. This can be corrected with rhinoplasty, which involves making small incisions at the base of the nostrils to reposition the cartilage in order to raise and support the tip of the nose. This procedure also helps to straighten the bridge of the nose and remove any bumps or irregularities.
Loosening of Ligaments | Connective Tissue Weakened
In some cases, a drooping nose may be caused by the weakening of the ligaments and connective tissue which hold it in place. This can happen due to age-related changes2 or trauma or injury to the bridge of the nose. It is important to talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon about your options for treatment if you are unhappy with the appearance of your drooping nose.
Nose Job Fail | Droopy Nose Tip After Rhinoplasty
A droopy nose tip after rhinoplasty is a common complication. Most of the time, this occurs when too much tissue has been removed and the nasal tip cartilage cannot support the weight of the overlying skin. This can lead to an unattractive drooping appearance that most people would want to correct. The good news is that there are ways to fix this issue with additional surgery, such as cartilage grafts or tissue fillers. Dr. Sam Rizk, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, can help you determine the best treatment option for your situation.
Meet Dr. Rizk | Expert Droopy Nose Rhinoplasty Surgeon in New York
Dr. Sam Rizk is a double board-certified top-rated New York facial plastic surgeon and rhinoplasty expert with decades of experience in performing rhinoplasty surgeries. He has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times and Allure magazine, for his innovative approach to facial plastic surgery. His goal is to create natural-looking results that are tailored to the individual’s needs and goals.
He also discusses the functional and cosmetic implications of Nasal Tip Ptosis in his recent teaching at the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgeons where he lectured on “rhinoplasty in the 21st century future direction and advances“.
If you have additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rizk, please contact us at or call (212) 452-3362. We look forward to hearing from you!
Dr Rizk In The Media
Connolly Best Doctor
Dr. Rizk featured in Town & Country Magazine as one of the masters of the subtle lift and tweak that will turn back time
Voted by peers to New York Magazine’s 2013 Top Doctors
New Advances in Facelifting Techniques by Dr. Sam Rizk
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a rhinoplasty to fix my droopy nose?
The best way to determine if you would benefit from rhinoplasty surgery is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During your consultation, they can examine your nose and discuss the best treatment options for your situation. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sam Rizk, a world-renowned nose surgeon in NYC.
What is Dr. Rizk’s experience with rhinoplasty?
Dr. Sam Rizk is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and rhinoplasty expert with 20+ years of experience performing rhinoplasty surgeries. He has lectured on the topic of rhinoplasty at the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgeons and is known for producing natural-looking results that are tailored to his patients’ needs and goals.
Awards & Certifications
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References
1An algorithm for treatment of the drooping nose. Ali Sajjadian, Bahman Guyuron. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19608069/.
2Nasal changes in different age groups. Dipti Shastri, Pradeep Tandon, and Ankita Singh. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8820299/.
By Dr. Sam S. Rizk, M.D., FACS.
Dr. Rizk is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty surgery and a recognized expert on the latest advances in facial plastic surgery techniques. He performs a range of facial plastic surgeries at his New York practice.