The relationship of the nose to the lip is an important consideration in facial aesthetics. Known as the nasolabial angle, this is a measurable angle in profile view between the columellar skin of the nose and the philtrum of the upper lip. This relationship is often changed in rhinoplasty surgery. A recent clinical study has shown that this relastionship differs between men and women. In men the angle should be 90 to 95 degrees while in women it is higher at 95 to 105 degrees. In essence women’s noses are more turned up than men’s! This is an important consideration when doing rhinoplasty in men and women.
In today’s beauty trends there are some women who want to exceed the upper end of normal (105 degrees) for the nasolabial angle. Known as the Barbie rhinoplasty the tip of the nose is highly upturned and the bridge lowered…which magnifies the opening of the nasolabial angle.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana