KOWON Blog
Rhinoplasty before and after — what to check when improving a short tip with septal extension
A male rhinoplasty case with a short tip and nostrils easily visible from the front. Organizes the process of lengthening the tip with septal extension, why artificial dermis was layered over thin tip skin, and the judgment to resect the depressor muscle to prevent re-upturning.
Key points
- For a nose with a short tip and easily visible nostrils from the front, rather than a surgery that only raises the nose, tip design and bridge line should be reviewed together considering the whole face's dimensionality.
- In this case, septal extension lengthened the tip — a method that lowers and supports the tip naturally downward with septal cartilage, reducing nostril show while securing support for the whole nose.
- Because the tip skin was thin, artificial dermis was layered over the cartilage for a softer line, and the depressor muscle was also resected to prevent the nose re-upturning after surgery.
These days, more people say they want "a nose that suits me" rather than unconditionally a high or sharp nose. In actual consultations too, many want a design that can express their own image and mood more than an ideal nose shape itself.
This article organizes the case of one man whose concerns were a short tip and a flat impression, based on rhinoplasty before-and-after.
01
What was the state before surgery?
This man had a relatively short tip and a structure where the nostrils showed easily from the front. The nose's height and size were also somewhat small relative to the whole face, giving a flat rather than dimensional impression.
Looking closely, the midface (center of the face) appeared recessed and the lips relatively protruded — in such cases, rather than a surgery that only raises the nose, it's good to carefully review tip design and bridge line considering the face's overall dimensionality.
02
What kind of method is septal extension?
Septal extension is a method that lengthens and supports the tip downward using the septal cartilage inside the nose. It targets not just tip height but two things together.
- 01Reduces nostril show — improves the structure where the short tip made nostrils visible from the front.
- 02Secures support for the whole nose — props the tip with cartilage so its position is maintained.
Elements checked in tip correction can be seen in more detail in the nasal tip surgery guide.
03
What was additionally considered in this case?
Even with the same septal extension, there are parts judged together by the individual's tissue state. In this case there were two.
| Confirmed state | What was done together | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Tip skin on the thin side | Artificial dermis layered right over the cartilage | To form a softer line |
| Possibility of the tip re-upturning | The tip's depressor muscle was also resected | To prevent the nose re-upturning after surgery |
After surgery the tip came down naturally and the nose line settled with stability, and as the bridge came alive, the somewhat flat impression became more defined. Actual case photos can be seen in before-and-after photos.
However, rhinoplasty before-and-after changes differ greatly by individual, so actual applicability is best judged after consulting a specialist.
04
Summary — we look at the whole face's balance, not just the nose
The nose sits at the center of the face — a part where even small change can affect the whole impression. So rather than just raising and sharpening, what matters is judging within overall balance whether it harmonizes with the face shape and whether proportions with other parts — eyes, mouth, forehead — are right. This case was planned considering skin thickness and re-upturning possibility together while tidying the short, blunt tip with septal extension.
If you're curious about your nose's structure and facial proportions, it can be checked in a 1:1 video consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
It can be considered in structures like this case — a short tip with nostrils easily visible from the front. Because it's a method that lowers and supports the tip with septal cartilage, reducing nostril show while securing support for the whole nose. However, judgment differs by individual nasal structure, so consultation is needed.
In this case, artificial dermis was layered right over the cartilage to make a softer line. Skin state differs per person — it's checked before surgery and the needed supplementation method is planned together.
Remote consultation via photos and video call is possible. Even remotely, facial proportions, the nose's structural traits, skin state and more can be grasped, so a first-round custom design consultation can proceed.
Responses to treatment and recovery progress vary by individual. Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.
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