Things to Consider for Improving the Side Profile

When consulting about cosmetic surgery, I sometimes hear people say they were startled when they unexpectedly saw their own side profile in a photo taken by someone else.

Celebrities who are frequently tested by cameras pay attention to both their front and side profiles, but ordinary people often only see their faces in the mirror, so they may go through life unaware of the important features of the side profile.

Side view before surgery. Rhinoplasty and fat grafting review

'Side Profile and Rhinoplasty'

In rhinoplasty, the height of the bridge and tip of the nose is important, but to have a good side profile, the 'nasolabial angle' and 'Ricketts line' are important.

First, the 'nasolabial angle' refers to the angle formed by the nose and the lips.

The nasolabial angle is a term that refers to the angle formed between the area under the nose and the lips, using the Chinese characters for nose (鼻) and lip (脣). Recently, the Korean term "nose-lip angle" is also used, and in English it is called the nasolabial angle.

The improved nasolabial angle after revision rhinoplasty

Generally, the ideal nasolabial angle differs by sex: about 95–105 degrees for women and 90–100 degrees for men.

If the nasolabial angle is an acute angle smaller than the ideal range, the mouth may look protruded and the midface may also appear sunken.

To improve the nasolabial angle, rhinoplasty tends to be more effective when cartilage with strong support is used at the tip of the nose.

As in the photo above, strengthening the support structure of the nasal tip using septal cartilage can improve the nasolabial angle, and using stronger rib cartilage may create an even better angle.

Second, the next thing to consider is the Ricketts line.

The Ricketts line was created by dentist Robert Ricketts as a guideline for orthodontic treatment. It is a reference line named on the basis that when the upper lip is 4 mm and the lower lip is 2 mm away from the line connecting the nasal tip and chin tip, one can have an ideal appearance.

The Ricketts line corrected through rhinoplasty and fat grafting

Because the Ricketts line was originally created as a guideline for orthodontics, it is also used in orthodontic clinics as an important guideline for correcting protruding mouth shape, and in plastic surgery it is used as a reference line to make the lip line look better when performing double-jaw surgery, rhinoplasty, or fat grafting.

'Side Profile and Fat Grafting'

To make the side profile look beautiful, it is good if the forehead line has a soft, feminine curve.

Also, the height of the nasal bridge should be moderate so that the line from the forehead to the bridge of the nose connects naturally, and a round, soft forehead is also one of the conditions for a youthful appearance.

Side profile features that can be corrected with fat grafting

If the forehead is too flat or tilted backward, it can give a masculine impression and a strong image, so fat grafting to the forehead can complete a natural and soft side forehead line.

And when the midface looks sunken, fat grafting to the front cheekbones and nasolabial fold area can help complement the sunken midface along with rhinoplasty.

Lastly, in cases of protruding mouth or a recessed chin, fat grafting to the chin tip can help improve the Ricketts line together with rhinoplasty.

Various reference lines and angles to consider in the side profile

Rhinoplasty and fat grafting are good procedures for creating facial dimensionality, and when performed together, planning the surgery while considering the various reference lines and angles of the face can result in a better side profile.