Upturned, Short, and Contracted Nose Guide | Causes and Surgical Methods at VIBE Plastic Surgery

Hello, this is VIBE Plastic Surgery located near Sinnonhyeon Station :)

‘My nose looks too short for my face.’

‘I’m self-conscious because my nose tip looks upturned in photos.’

These are common concerns shared by many patients who visit our clinic seeking help for a short nose.

In such cases, it is crucial to accurately identify the reason why the nose appears short and select a surgical method tailored to the individual’s nasal structure.

In this post, VIBE Plastic Surgery will provide a simple summary of the causes of upturned, short, and contracted noses, along with the 📝 surgical methods applied to each situation.

Characteristics of Upturned, Short, and Contracted Noses

The following are common nasal characteristics seen in patients visiting VIBE Plastic Surgery:

Commonality of Upturned, Short, and Contracted Noses

All three types are characterized by the nostrils being highly visible from the front.

Contracted Nose

This occurs when internal tissues clump together and the nose tip is pulled upward due to inflammation or tissue damage following a previous rhinoplasty.

Upturned and Short Noses

These are often caused by congenital nasal structures, characterized by an upturned tip or a nose that appears short in length.

Causes of Upturned and Short Noses

During consultations at our Sinnonhyeon clinic, we frequently meet patients with nasal shapes where the nostrils are prominent from the front, such as upturned, short, or contracted noses.

Upturned Nose

This is a state where the angle between the nose and the upper lip (nasolabial angle) is excessively wide, making the nostrils very visible from the front.

It is sometimes confused with a ‘dragon nose,’ but a dragon nose refers to a case where the alar cartilage forming the nostrils is underdeveloped, rather than the tip being upturned.

Short Nose

In this case, the nasolabial angle appears within the normal range from the side profile, but the actual length of the nose is short, making the entire tip appear lifted.

Surgical Methods Based on Nose Shape

Contracted Nose

A contracted nose, caused by inflammation around an inserted implant, is characterized by hardened skin, a shortened nose, and the 👃🏻 nose tip being pulled upward.

The surgery is often highly complex, as the external appearance alone suggests a high level of difficulty, and most cases involve revision surgery.

Unlike typical revision surgeries, this is a challenging procedure that often proceeds in stages:

☑️ Removal of the internal silicone implant

☑️ Stabilization of internal adhered tissues

☑️ Sufficient recovery period of about 6 to 12 months

☑️ Revision surgery using autologous tissue (using autologous rib cartilage)

Upturned Nose

In most cases, both the nose tip and nostrils are elevated, and the bridge of the nose is low.

Bridge: Silicone

Tip: Autologous cartilage

The surgery is performed using methods that reduce the wide nasolabial angle.

⚠️ Caution against over-correction: There is a high possibility that the tip may drop too much or create a counter-effect like a ‘hooked nose,’ so we proceed with a surgical plan and design appropriate for the skin condition and internal tissues.

Short Nose

This falls into the high-difficulty category because there is a lack of sufficient bone, cartilage, and surrounding skin tissue to form the nose.

By appropriately raising a low bridge, one can expect the effect of the nose appearing longer overall. Additionally, a surgical method is needed to lower the tip and supplement height through septal extension.

Why Accurate Diagnosis for Your Nose is Essential

Upturned, short, and contracted noses may look similar on the surface, but the surgical methods and approaches differ entirely depending on the cause and nasal structure.

Above all, it is more important to accurately diagnose the current state of the nose and choose a method tailored to the individual rather than attempting excessive correction.

When choosing a plastic surgery clinic in Sinnonhyeon, a diagnosis that considers not just the external appearance but also the internal structure and tissue condition is vital.

At VIBE Plastic Surgery, we comprehensively analyze the length, angle, cartilage, and structure of the nose to reduce unnecessary procedures and aim for safe, stable results.

If you are curious about your nose condition, we hope you will discuss your surgical direction with VIBE Plastic Surgery through a thorough consultation 💜