Male Rhinoplasty vs. Female Rhinoplasty: Key Differences

In many cultures, the ideal of beauty has been shaped by the geometries of classic Greek and Roman statues. We know the graceful profiles, the splendid contours; we see softness, power and beauty in the faces. But sometimes, we notice something important missing: Time and weather have worn away the nose, presenting us with an unfinished work of art.

We use our imaginations to fill that void, just as we sometimes imagine what the ideal nose for our own face should be. Our perspective is shaped by fashion and the prevailing social aesthetic. But across cultures and throughout ages, there has always been a distinction drawn between the sexes. Below, skilled Troy plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda discusses what that enduring difference means today, as men and women turn to rhinoplasty to sculpt their own vision of a classic nose.

Perspectives on Nose Proportions

In the surgical specialty of rhinoplasty, it’s still a woman’s world. Men account for roughly a quarter of rhinoplasties in the U.S., but are increasingly seeking out the procedure as a way to magnify their professional and social appeal, as well as their self-image.

Despite the dramatic change over the decades in social roles, men still generally seek a more prominent nose, and women a smaller and more refined version. Some of this has to do with basic anatomy. Women’s features and bone structure provide the skeletal context for a petite nose. The prominent chins and more expansive facial dimensions of men make a longer, larger nose feel at home. Male noses tend to feature higher bridges, larger nostrils and thicker skin. Female noses typically have a delicate slope from the bridge and a slightly greater upward angle at the end.

These are characteristics that patients usually want to enhance, rather than reverse. For example, men may want to highlight straight, sleek lines, while female patients typically prefer to accentuate naturally graceful arcs and inclines, along with a subtle upturn of the tip.

Difference in Rhinoplasty Surgical Techniques?

When it comes to the actual surgical procedure, these gender differences are mostly irrelevant. The thicker skin of the male nose slightly affects healing, but surgical techniques are the same for men and women. The surgeon may remove cartilage; add fillers, fat transfers, cartilage grafts or implants to build volume; and change the architecture of bone structure if needed. 

If you would like to learn more about rhinoplasty, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation with experienced Southeastern Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda by using our email form, or calling our Novi office at (248) 305-8400 or our Troy office at (248) 530-0000.