How to Fix the Bump in Your Nose

A bump in the nose can detract from an otherwise attractive profile. Fixing it can make a huge difference to both your appearance and confidence.

Dorsal hump removal is one of the most common requests we get at Ocean Clinic, but patients often want to know if it’s possible to fix the bump in their nose without surgery. People can be reluctant to have rhinoplasty surgery because they think it’s a painful and complicated surgery and they don’t want to have their nose broken. Often they don’t like the idea of having a general anaesthetic either or having to spend time recovering from surgery. But what are the alternatives?

Is there a way to remove the bump in my nose without breaking my nose?

One possibility is for the dorsal hump to be filed or shaved down. With this technique, it’s not necessary to break the bones of the nose (osteotomy), which avoids the bruising and swelling traditionally associated with rhinoplasty. It can also be carried out under local anaesthetic. 

However, filing or shaving is only suitable if the bump in your nose is very small (i.e. one millimetre). If the bump in your nose is a bit larger, this method is not recommended. Here’s why: when the dorsal hump is filed down it creates gaps between the nasal bones (which run on either side of the nose) and the septum (in the middle). The more you need to file down, the larger the gaps will be. This leads to a nose that appears wide and flat. You might also be able to see and feel the sharp edges of the nasal bones - it’s referred to as an “open roof” deformity, and it’s not something you want.

Can I fix the bump in my nose without surgery?

Another possibility is sculpting your nose with facial filler. The filler is injected above and below the bump to smooth out the transition and make the bump less noticeable. It can be an effective technique but it does have a couple of drawbacks. 

Firstly, because you are adding volume to the nose it can make it appear bigger. If your nose is already on the larger side in proportion to your other facial features, it’s undesirable to emphasise the nose in this way. Secondly, the filler is not permanent, so you will have to have the procedure repeated every 12-18 months (depending on how quickly your body absorbs the filler). With that said, it can be a good way to “try on” a nose job before committing to surgery.

Why is traditional rhinoplasty usually the best option for fixing a dorsal hump?

While you want to get rid of the bump in your nose, you don’t want to be left with a nose that looks flat and wide. When we carry out a nose job to fix a dorsal hump we make small cuts to the nasal bones where they meet the cheek. This allows the surgeon to reposition the bones so that they connect with the septum and close the “open roof”. The procedure is called an osteotomy.

If your nose is wider than you’d like, it can be made narrower at the same time. This is done by moving the nasal bones inwards. It may leave small gaps between the nasal bones and the cheekbones but these will heal and fill in naturally, without being noticeable. 

Although it sounds like more extensive surgery, it’s all carried out within the nose, with no external cuts required. This is known as “closed rhinoplasty”. Even for small lumps and bumps, osteotomies are usually the best way to achieve a great looking result. 

But won’t an osteotomy be very painful?

People are frequently worried about the pain of having their nose broken during rhinoplasty but because you are fully anaesthetised for the procedure you won’t feel a thing. And to minimise any initial discomfort when you wake up, you’ll be given pain medication via an IV line.

In recovery, you’ll be looked after by a specially trained nurse. They will ensure you are comfortable and you won’t be sent home until your surgeon has checked you over and made sure everything is fine. After the first 24-48 hours, you’ll find your pain subsides and can be managed with over the counter painkillers at home. 

And won’t I be left with black eyes and have to wear a nose cast?

When bones are broken and repositioned it is necessary to wear a nasal cast to keep the bones in the correct position as they heal. You will need to wear this for 10 days and when it comes off you may still have some bruising and swelling. But when you consider the recovery period in the context of being able to spend the rest of your life with a nose you love, most patients conclude it’s well worth it. 

Find out the best solution for you

Everybody is different. To find out the exact surgery required to fix the bump in your nose, make an appointment with one of our surgeons. We can also advise you on non-surgical solutions, should they be suitable in your case. Get in touch with us today.