Each year, thousands of searches for “rhinoplasty” or “nose job” are made online. Far fewer people act on their interest for a better nose than who seek information, which is good. A nose job is an enormous decision and one that should be made carefully. It is possible to undergo revision if needed after one year of rhinoplasty healing, but the best approach is to take ample time choosing a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon for the initial surgery.

In addition to choosing a surgeon with whom you are comfortable, you also want to spend time considering the surgical approaches common to rhinoplasty. When you consult with Dr. Rosenthal in our San Jose office, she will provide details about the open and closed rhinoplasty techniques. Her surgical recommendation will be based on your anatomical structure and desired outcome from surgery. Here, we briefly discuss what an open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty entails and why each may be appropriate in certain cases.

Closed Rhinoplasty

A closed rhinoplasty is a procedure in which the nose stays “closed” during surgery. Incisions are made inside of each nostril and therefore there are no visible scars. It is this aspect of the closed rhinoplasty that appeals to many people. However advantageous hidden incisions and a shorter recovery period may be, there are also limitations to closed rhinoplasty that need to be discussed. Closed rhinoplasty achieves limited access to underlying structures, which results in a greater extent of stretching of superficial tissue. Due to the internal nature of incisions, a closed rhinoplasty may also be limited in how much modification can be made to the nasal tip.  This technique may be better suited to patients who require only subtle changes to internal structures.

Open Rhinoplasty

In an open rhinoplasty surgery, incisions are made in the nostrils and connected by an additional incision in the columella, the central piece of tissue between the nostrils. The additional incision will leave a visible scar, but it allows Dr. Rosenthal to lift skin and superficial tissue so the underlying structure is more accessible. An open rhinoplasty may provide better visualization of the nasal tip for more accurate modification. The resulting scar is typically only 5 mm or less and is hidden on the underside of the nose so most people never notice it.

Many doctors train to perform rhinoplasty surgery, but only a plastic surgeon has the extensive knowledge of the soft and hard tissues of the nose. For the best possible results with fewest risks, contact a plastic surgeon to discuss your nose job. To reach our San Jose office, call 408-559-4700.