Emma García denies having had a nose job: what she said and what rhinoplasty is

Emma García has already responded on television to the rumour that she has had a nose job: she said no. Here are her words, with the outlet that reported them, and the essentials of rhinoplasty: what it corrects, how it differs from non-surgical nose reshaping and why a photo is not enough to judge a nose.

What has Emma García said about her nose?

According to Diez Minutos, on 12 March 2023 Emma García was presenting Fiesta on Telecinco, and other people's rhinoplasties were being discussed. At that point she herself responded to the rumour circulating online that she has had her nose done for years and was categorical: she said no.

She then joked that perhaps she should, but not for now. It is the only statement we have found from the presenter on this subject, and it is a denial. Anything written to the contrary about Emma García has no source from her.

Can you tell whether a nose has been operated on by looking at photos?

No, and even less so with the photos that circulate on social media. A modelling study published in 2018 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery (Ward and colleagues, PMID 29494735) calculated that a photo taken at about 30 centimetres, like a selfie, makes the base of the nose look around 30 % wider than in a portrait taken at a standard distance. At 1.5 metres the difference disappeared.

On top of that distortion come lighting, angle, make-up and filters. That is why celebrity photo comparisons, like the ones circulating about Emma García, prove nothing.

There is another reason. According to SECPRE, a well-performed rhinoplasty aims for the resulting nose to go unnoticed and fit in with the face as a whole. When the work is done well, there is no way to «spot» it by eye.

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is the operation that reshapes the nose. According to SECPRE, it can make the nose smaller or larger, redesign the tip or the bridge, narrow the nostrils and change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. It is also used to correct congenital malformations, the after-effects of injuries and some breathing difficulties. If a deviated septum is also straightened, the procedure is called septorhinoplasty.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) details what can be treated: size in relation to the face, width, a hump or depressions on the bridge, a wide, drooping or upturned tip, the nostrils and asymmetry. And it makes an important point: all faces have some asymmetry, so the aim is harmony rather than an identical result on both sides.

If you would like to learn about our techniques, the ultrasonic rhinoplasty page explains them. And if you also find it hard to breathe, on the blog we explain nasal septum reconstruction.

How is rhinoplasty performed?

According to the ASPS, the surgeon lifts the skin covering the bones and cartilage of the nose to access its structure, either through incisions inside the nose (closed technique) or through a cut across the columella, the strip of tissue that separates the nostrils (open technique). If the nose is too large, it is reduced by removing bone or cartilage.

When extra material is needed, cartilage can be added. The most common source is the septum; sometimes cartilage from the ear is used and, in a few cases, from a rib. If there is a deviated septum, it can be straightened to improve breathing. Finally, the skin and tissues are redraped over the new structure and the incisions are closed. Which technique suits you is something the surgeon decides when examining you.

What is the process like and how long does it take to see the result?

According to SECPRE, rhinoplasty is performed in an operating theatre, usually under general anaesthesia, and generally takes between one and two hours. Most patients return to their normal lives within a week or a little longer.

The result is not fully visible in the first few weeks. The ASPS explains that the swelling of the first few days subsides within a few weeks, although the shape you will truly see can take up to twelve months to settle. SECPRE agrees: the final result is achieved after about a year. We explain this in more detail in our article on rhinoplasty recovery.

During those first few days, according to the ASPS, a splint or packing may be placed inside the nose, and another splint or bandages on the outside, to protect the new structures while they heal. As well as instructions for caring for the area, the team tells you when to come back for check-ups. Swelling may come and go, and be worse in the mornings, during the first year.

Once settled, the same society describes a long-lasting result. Like the rest of the face, the nose changes naturally over the years, and consistent sun protection helps maintain its appearance.

Who is a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

The ASPS puts it clearly: it is a highly individualised surgery, and you should have it for yourself and not to fulfil other people's wishes or to look like an ideal. According to this society, it suits people who have finished growing, are in good health, do not smoke and have realistic goals.

SECPRE adds that rhinoplasty can improve your appearance and self-confidence, but it will not make you look like someone else or make people treat you differently. If the main reason is to breathe better, the assessment focuses on function before form.

And non-surgical nose reshaping? Is it the same?

No. Non-surgical nose reshaping is not surgery: hyaluronic acid is injected at specific points on the nose to correct small irregularities, such as a slightly drooping tip or a mild hump. The results are temporary and it cannot reduce the size of the nose or correct a deviated septum. In those cases, surgery is needed.

According to the ASPS, the effect of fillers can last from several months to several years, depending on the product. And if you are not happy with the result, there is an enzyme, hyaluronidase, that dissolves hyaluronic acid, as Kroumpouzos and Treacy report in a 2024 review. More information on our non-surgical nose reshaping page.

How should you prepare for the first consultation?

The UK's NHS advises three things before any cosmetic procedure: be clear about why you want the change, talk to a qualified professional about your expectations and ask which products or techniques will be used. It also recommends taking time to decide and being wary of advertising from social media accounts.

According to the ASPS, at the rhinoplasty consultation it is worth discussing what you are looking for in terms of appearance and breathing, your medical conditions and drug allergies, the medication, vitamins and supplements you take, and any previous operations. The surgeon, for their part, will examine you and measure your face, take photographs and explain the options for reshaping your nose and the likely result.

Bring photos of yourself taken at a normal distance, in natural light, from the front and in profile, and not just selfies. Tell the surgeon what bothers you, what you would like to keep and whether you breathe well. Like any operation, rhinoplasty carries risks, which are explained in detail during the prior assessment.