Functional vs aesthetic rhinoplasty: differences and benefits

Have you ever felt like you’re not breathing properly through your nose, or that it just doesn’t look the way you’d like? Trust me, you’re not alone!

But what exactly is rhinoplasty? And more importantly: what’s the difference between functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty? Stay with me, because today I’ll share everything you need to know from my experience as a plastic surgeon.

🔍 First things first, what is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery where we reshape and resize the nose. Broadly speaking, it’s used to change the nasal bone and cartilage structures to improve facial harmony or function.

With rhinoplasty, we can:

🔹 Change the shape of the nasal bridge

🔹 Lift the tip

🔹 Reduce or increase the size of the nose

🔹 Fix a deviated septum

🔹 Adjust the nasal angle

🔹 Make the nostrils wider or narrower

🔹 Correct deformities

Functional vs Aesthetic Rhinoplasty: Know the Differences

There are different techniques in rhinoplasty: it can be done closed, open, on the septum or the cartilage. Today I’ll focus only on functionality and aesthetics.

🏥 Functional Rhinoplasty: What It Is and Its Benefits

Functional rhinoplasty, as its name suggests, aims to restore the function of the nose. This means it’s done because there’s a structural problem that’s affecting breathing.

These problems can be caused by injuries, previous surgeries or congenital anomalies. The most common issues are:

🔸 A deviated septum making breathing difficult

🔸 Hypertrophy or enlargement of the turbinates

🔸 Polyps or non-cancerous growths in the nose

Patients who’ve had functional rhinoplasty tell us they’ve experienced benefits such as:

✅ Less nasal congestion

✅ More efficient breathing

✅ Improved sense of smell and taste

✅ Fewer respiratory infections

✅ Better sleep quality

Plus, by fixing these structural problems, patients can also prevent other issues like sinusitis or allergic rhinitis.

💄 Aesthetic Rhinoplasty: What It Is and Benefits

Aesthetic rhinoplasty is focused on correcting the appearance of the nose to improve facial harmony. Patients who come to us for this surgery often have goals like:

✨ Reducing the size of the nose to make it more proportional to their face

✨ Eliminating bumps or irregularities on the bridge

✨ Lifting, refining or making the tip less bulbous

✨ Correcting asymmetries

✨ Narrowing the nostrils

✨ Changing the nose-lip angle for a more balanced profile

“As a surgeon at Soulya, one of my main goals is to create a natural appearance, making sure the new nose fits harmoniously with my patients’ features and reflects their personality and desires”

🔄 Can You Combine Aesthetic and Functional Rhinoplasty?

Yes! The nose is a complex three-dimensional structure where breathing and appearance are closely connected. This means we can do a functional rhinoplasty to correct septum deformities or swollen turbinates and, in the same surgery, address aesthetic concerns like a drooping tip or wide nostrils.

As a surgeon, I want to tell you that combining these procedures is the best of both worlds, because you get to improve both your appearance and your breathing—and in turn, your quality of life.

⚠️ Are There Any Risks Associated with Rhinoplasty?

Like any surgical procedure, rhinoplasty has some risks, although they’re rare—especially when you’re in the hands of expert surgeons like the team at Soulya.

These risks include infection, excessive bleeding, bruising and adverse reactions to anesthesia.

📆 What to Expect After Rhinoplasty

After your surgery, it’s normal to have difficulty breathing through your nose due to changes in the structure and swelling. It’s also common to have some scarring and temporary numbness. These side effects are temporary and part of the healing process.