Rhinoplasty is a well known operation that has a long history of changing the external shape of the nose. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is a more recent concept which can make some small changes to the nose through the use of injectable fillers. Small dorsal humps can be camouflaged by adding volume to the upper end of the dorsum.
Another approach found in the internet is that of non-surgical compression for nasal reshaping. This is best illustrated b the Nose Huge device. This nasal compressive device purports to work by cartilage reshaping. Stating that cartilage is a flexible and malleable tissue, it can be gradually changed to a desired shape with appropriate pressure. To show how ‘easily’ cartilage can be reshaped, they use the illustration of using your hand to push your nose back and forth and up and down with the resultant realization of how easily it can be moved. Applying pressure to flexible cartilage is how the Nose Huggie is supposed to correct the nose’s appearance. Further proof of concept comes in comparing it to the use of nose and ear expansion devices in African cultures.
While the Nose Huggie is a cute device, the science behind how it is supposed to work is quite flawed. Cartilage is flexible because it is not stiff like bone, but this flexibility is cartilage bending not deforming or changing its inherent shape. Cartilage may resorb under continuous pressure but it will not change its shape. It most certainly won’t change its inherent genetic shape with low pressures of just a few minutes a day. Your nasal tip can be easily moved in three dimensions because the lower alar cartilages are only connected to the septum and upper lateral cartilages by fibrous tissue allowing it to be suspended but not rigidly fixed. This allows the nasal tip to be like a bumper on a car, able to withstand some impacts without permanent injury.
While I don’t think it can work for nose reshaping, it may have a role in postoperative rhinoplasty management. Compression is well known to help swelling and the periodic application of this device may help lessen the persistence if swelling of the nasal tip in particular.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana