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Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas Clinic logo: Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Istanbul

The Golden Ratio in Rhinoplasty

Apr 15, 2021
4 min read

Updated: Oct 3

As Told by Op. Dr. Suleyman Tas, Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist.

Rhinoplasty is the most common cosmetic operation performed in Turkey. The reason actually lies in how the brain perceives the face. Recent scientific studies have revealed how the brain perceives the face and which points draw the most attention. Using eye-tracking technology, researchers have found that when we look at a human face, our eyes scan the entire face in as little as one second, but 90% of that time is spent, in order, on the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips, with only the remaining 10% spent on the rest of the face.

Since the nose is the one of these four features (eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips) most often considered less than ideal and most in need of surgical correction, rhinoplasty ends up being the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery.

What Should You Expect from Rhinoplasty?

A nose that suits your face type, or a nose shape you simply admire? Which matters more to you? Remember that working with a qualified rhinoplasty specialist to have your facial features analyzed will leave you far happier with the resulting nose shape. If the nose type you like doesn't actually suit your facial structure, you'll feel regret every time you look in the mirror.

In rhinoplasty, identifying the patient's expectations and wishes and ensuring their satisfaction is one of the key factors behind a successful outcome. The first step in any rhinoplasty procedure must be proper planning. Important factors such as your facial structure, nasal skin thickness, cartilage structure, and any breathing problems need to be assessed so that a successful surgical roadmap can be created for you.

How Is the Nose Shape Planned Before Surgery?

In our examination rooms, we use professional cameras with studio flashes and backdrops to take photographs on a par with a professional photo studio. From these, we assess the nose's proportion and balance with the face from every angle, work out what changes would achieve the facial proportions known as the golden ratio, and then demonstrate the result through computer simulations.

Why Golden Ratio Rhinoplasty Matters

To explain this, I should say a little about what the golden ratio actually means. It's a mathematical concept: the answer to the question of at which point a line, when divided into two parts, gives a ratio of the larger part to the smaller part equal to the ratio of the whole line to the larger part — that point is the golden ratio, and it works out to approximately 1.6. This ratio, which has been used throughout history in art and painting, has also been studied in the human face, and it has been found that people who possess this ratio have been considered attractive by society throughout history. The ancient Egyptians, Cleopatra, and today Angelina Jolie — despite living in entirely different centuries — all share the golden ratio as the common thread behind being admired across societies. This shows that no matter how much time passes, our sense of aesthetic perception and attractiveness doesn't really change, and doesn't vary much between societies either. Thanks to the golden ratio, a rhinoplasty result takes on a natural appearance. You can learn more about this topic by reading our article "What Should You Pay Attention to for a Natural-Looking Rhinoplasty?".

What Are the Latest Developments in Rhinoplasty?

Today, the focus is on how to perform surgery without damaging tissue, without causing harm, and without disrupting the connections between structures — in other words, operating as if no operation had taken place at all. Thanks to this philosophy, we have moved away from the classical approach of exposing everything and then correcting it, and instead use an atraumatic technique (meaning one that creates no trauma or damage), addressing only the problem areas of the nose. As plastic surgeons, we bring our microsurgery experience into cosmetic surgery, approaching every tissue at a micron level, and we apply this same approach to rhinoplasty as well. This is why I personally prefer to perform my operations by combining the closed technique with the atraumatic technique.

What Is the Surgical Process Like?

We perform our operations under general anesthesia, in comfortable, fully equipped operating rooms. The operation takes approximately 2 hours. On the day of surgery, the patient stays overnight at our hospital. The patient is discharged the following day and is asked to rest at home for 6 days. After 6 days, the patient comes back to have the thermoplastic splint placed on the nose removed. Once the splint is removed, the patient can return to work and resume daily life from where they left off.

Core Rhinoplasty Guides From Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas

 
 
 

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