Noses are like annoying relatives — everyone’s got one. Unfortunately, rather than seeing them once a year at Thanksgiving, you have to see your unwanted nose every morning in the mirror. The reasons we like or hate our nose is personal and varies between people. It may be a size issue. Maybe there’s a bump on the bridge. Nostrils can be flared or too visible.

No matter. Rhinoplasty, the clinical term for nose surgery, is a popular surgery in the U.S. In 2017 over 218,000 people opted to change their nose. This is true with Dr. Smith, as well, as nose surgery is a popular procedure every year.

Here are reasons Dr. Smith’s patients seek to change their nose. Do you put your nose in any of these areas?

Different reasons for wanting nose surgery

• Surgery for the tip of the nose — Many people don’t like the tip of their nose, thinking it is either too flat, too full, or lacks projection. Dr. Smith can downsize by removing cartilage from inside the nose. Projection can be extended by using cartilage from the ear or nasal septum, grafting it onto the tip.

• Dorsal reduction or augmentation — This has nothing to do with sharks off the Carolina coast. This has to do with manipulating the bridge of the nose. Dr. Smith removes humps on the bridge with what is called a dorsal reduction. An incision is made inside the nose and the cartilage on the bridge and bone of the nose is reduced.

• Columellar reduction or augmentation — The columella is a fancy-sounding term for the little area of skin and cartilage under the nose between the nostrils. On some people, this sticks out from the underside of the nose and is visible. Fixing this is easy, as Dr. Smith makes a small incision inside the nose and lifts the columella so it stops protruding downward.

• Minimizing nostril flair — Flaring nostrils may be perfect for cartoon bad guys, but most people don’t appreciate them on their nose. To make them smaller, Dr. Smith removes tissue at the corners of the nostrils (the Weir Excision) to decrease the flare and make the nose appear narrower.

• Rhinoplasty for breathing — Your ability to breathe efficiently depends, in part, on the anatomical configuration inside your nose. This includes the condition of the nasal septum (the cartilage that divides your nose into two chambers), along with the nasal turbinate (tissue along the sides of the nasal wall). Usually Dr. Smith can improve breathing by either straightening your septum or reducing the size of your turbinates. He can also repair previous injuries to improve breathing performance.

Maybe you could use a new nose, one that you actually like to see in the mirror every morning, for the New Year. If so, call Dr. Smith at (843) 705-8940 to schedule a consultation.