Upturned nose (or turned-up nose): what it is, who it suits and what options there are

The nose is one of the features that most defines facial harmony, and the upturned nose, also called a turned-up nose, is one of the shapes most often sought for its delicate, youthful air. But what exactly is an upturned nose, how many types are there, who does it suit and when does it make sense to consider a rhinoplasty? Here we explain it clearly and simply.

What is an upturned or turned-up nose?

The upturned nose, or turned-up nose, is a type of nose characterised by a slight upward angle at the tip, which gives the face a delicate, youthful look. It is usually associated with three ideas: feminine aesthetics, because it is a shape sought above all by women for the refined air it brings; youth, because it is linked to a youthful look; and symmetry, because it helps balance facial proportions.

How is an upturned nose measured? The nasolabial angle

Plastic surgery specialists measure the tilt of the tip with the nasolabial angle, the one formed by the base of the nose and the upper lip. A study published in 2014 in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Sinno and colleagues) recalls that ideal angles between 90 and 120 degrees have been described in rhinoplasty, and that in a sample of 98 volunteers the most attractive angle for a woman's nose was about 105 degrees, and about 97 degrees for a man's.

Another paper from 2024 in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (Alshawaf and colleagues), with 197 participants from Canada, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon, found an average of about 110 degrees for the ideal female angle. The practical conclusion is that there is no single figure: the angle varies with the preferences and characteristics of each face, and it is planned with the surgeon.

Types of upturned nose: they are not all the same

Although we talk about an «upturned nose» in general, at the consultation several features are distinguished that are worth understanding, because they change what can and cannot be done.

By rotation of the tip

In an upturned nose the tip points upwards. That rotation can be slight, which is what is usually sought, or more marked. The plastic surgery literature describes cephalic rotation of the tip as one of the most frequent reasons for consulting about a rhinoplasty: Afrooz and colleagues (2019) detail six methods to achieve it, from cartilage trimming to rotation sutures, used alone or in combination.

By the profile of the bridge

Seen from the side, the bridge can be straight or have a small concavity before the tip. The combination of the bridge and the tip changes how the whole looks, which is why the complete profile is studied, not just the tip.

By the front view

From the front, the rotated tip shows the nostrils more or less. It is a detail that influences how the nose is perceived and that the surgeon takes into account when planning the tip.

How to get an upturned nose? Options

There are various options, from surgical procedures to non-invasive treatments, to get closer to the desired shape. Here is the comparison.

Rhinoplasty: the lasting solution

Rhinoplasty is the surgery designed to change the shape of the nose. It allows structural imperfections to be corrected and an upturned nose to be achieved. According to SECPRE, rhinoplasty can change the size of the nose, the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the nostrils or modify the angle between the nose and the upper lip, and it is one of the most frequent procedures in plastic surgery.

There are four steps: initial consultation, personalised planning, the operation and recovery. At the consultation, the surgeon assesses the features of your face and your expectations. In the planning, 3D software is used to simulate possible results. The operation usually lasts between one and two hours, longer in complex cases, and can be open or closed: the ASPS explains that in the open approach the incision crosses the columella and in the closed approach it sits inside the nose. Recovery is usually one to two weeks, although the final result can take months to settle.

Rhinoplasty can correct a drooping tip, a deviated septum or a disproportionate size, and according to the ASPS also breathing problems caused by structural defects of the nose. Among its advantages are lasting, personalised results; its disadvantage is that it is a surgical procedure, with anaesthesia and recovery time.

Nose reshaping with fillers (rhinomodelling): another route that does not involve an operating theatre

If you are looking for a temporary, less invasive change, nose reshaping with fillers may be an option. It uses injectable fillers to improve the shape of the nose without a scalpel. A 2023 review in Clinics in Plastic Surgery (Saad and Stallworth) describes it as an increasingly popular alternative and recalls that it requires a good knowledge of nasal anatomy.

Its advantages: it is quick (the procedure lasts between 15 and 30 minutes), and it is temporary, because the material is reabsorbed over time. It can be useful to see how the profile changes before considering surgery. Its limitations: it cannot reduce the size of the nose or correct serious structural problems.

Who does an upturned nose suit?

The upturned nose is not for everyone, and the success of the change will depend on the proportions of the face and on personal expectations. It can suit those who want to bring out their cheekbones, balance an oval or round face or project a more delicate, feminine image.

It is essential to have the guidance of a specialist to ensure that the change is in harmony with your features. The ASPS reminds us that rhinoplasty seeks facial harmony and the proportion of the nose with the rest of the face, and that no face is completely symmetrical, so the result may not be either.

When to consider a rhinoplasty?

It is worth considering a rhinoplasty when you want a structural, lasting change that neither fillers nor make-up can give, or when, besides the shape, there is a breathing problem to correct. The ASPS puts three ideas first for deciding: that the decision is yours and not someone else's, that you are not trying to fit an ideal image and that what you expect is realistic. SECPRE adds that the ideal candidates are those who seek an improvement and not absolute perfection, in good health and with psychological stability.

Before deciding, think about what you want to achieve and discuss it with the surgeon. If you have already had surgery and the result is not what you expected, there is secondary rhinoplasty. And if your doubt is which technique to choose, on the blog we explain the difference between ultrasonic and traditional rhinoplasty.

Ultrasonic rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty in your city

At Clínica EGOS you can find out about ultrasonic rhinoplasty, and there is a page for each city with the clinics and the details of the first visit: rhinoplasty in Barcelona, ultrasonic rhinoplasty in Madrid, rhinoplasty in Alicante and ultrasonic rhinoplasty in Bilbao.

Recovery from a rhinoplasty: what to expect

After the operation a cast or other support is placed and, sometimes, plugs or gauze inside the nose, according to SECPRE and the ASPS. SECPRE explains that the swelling and bruising around the eyes peak at 2 or 3 days and that most of it disappears in about 2 weeks; the cast is removed after a week or, at most, two. It recommends avoiding intense exertion for 2 or 3 weeks and knocks to the nose and sun for 8 weeks, and it usually allows a return to work or class in a week or so.

The ASPS adds that, although the initial swelling goes down within a few weeks, the final contour takes up to a year to refine, and that the swelling can come and go, and be worse in the mornings, during that first year.

Informative text about the upturned nose. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace the assessment of a healthcare professional, and the result of an operation varies from one person to another. Clínica EGOS.