Can You Reshape Your Nose with Exercise?

The most frequent method people use to alter the appearance of their nose is a surgical procedure called rhinoplasty, often referred to as a “nose job.”

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 207,000 rhinoplasty operations were carried out in the United States in 2019.

Rhinoplasty is usually performed for cosmetic reasons when someone is dissatisfied with the look of their nose. The operation is also used to:

• repair nasal injuries
• correct congenital deformities
• improve breathing difficulties

The procedure can modify the size, shape, or proportions of your nose.

Recently, many sites have been promoting nose exercises as a noninvasive substitute to surgery. Although these sources claim exercises can sculpt and refine your nose, there’s no scientific proof supporting their effectiveness.

Let’s review what research indicates about nose exercises and explore other non-surgical and surgical approaches to altering nasal appearance.

Do nose exercises work?

There is no scientific proof that nose exercises or so-called “nose yoga” can reshape your nose.

An often-promoted exercise involves pinching the nose while flaring the nostrils.

The form of the base of your nose, where it joins the face, is determined mainly by the shape of the underlying bone. The tip of the nose is largely determined by the soft cartilage that provides flexibility.

There’s no evidence that exercises can meaningfully change the form of either of these structures.

Nose exercises activate the tiny muscles around your nose used for facial expressions. These muscles do not play a major role in determining nasal shape.

Can you make your nose smaller with toothpaste?

Some online claims suggest applying toothpaste can shrink your nose.

Again, nasal shape depends primarily on bone and cartilage. Toothpaste will not alter the size of these tissues.

There’s likewise no evidence that other home remedies — such as applications containing apple cider vinegar, ginger, or garlic — will change your nose’s size or shape.

How to alter your nose’s appearance naturally

The two methods below can help you change how your nose looks without undergoing surgery.

Contouring and makeup

Makeup won’t physically change your nose, but it can create the illusion of a different shape. Plenty of online guides demonstrate various nose-contouring techniques.

Here are the basic steps for contouring your nose:

1. Trace along both sides of your nose with a bronzer that’s about two shades darker than your skin tone.
2. Highlight the bridge of your nose with a matte highlighter.
3. Blend shadows and highlights using a beauty blender to manipulate perceived contours.

In the video below, makeup artist Wayne Goss demonstrates how to contour several nose types.

For related concerns about how your voice can sound from nasal structure, you may find resources about nasal voice helpful.

Dermal fillers

A nonsurgical rhinoplasty involves injecting a dermal filler under the skin to alter the nose’s appearance. This technique is also called a “liquid nose job” or a “15-minute nose job.”

During the treatment, a clinician injects a gel-like filler beneath the skin. Common fillers contain hyaluronic acid (such as Juvederm) or calcium hydroxylapatite (such as Radiesse), among others.

The procedure can be completed in under 15 minutes, and many patients return to normal activities the following day.

While the results of a nonsurgical rhinoplasty aren’t as dramatic as those from traditional surgery, this approach can smooth bumps and create the appearance of a straighter or slimmer nose.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty has several benefits compared with conventional nose surgery:

• No general anesthesia or nasal splints are required.
• Recovery time is short.
• There is minimal swelling or bruising.
• It’s considerably less expensive.

The outcome is not permanent, but effects can last up to around six months.

Surgical options

The following surgical procedures can help reshape your nose.

Rhinoplasty

The most common cosmetic procedure to change nasal shape is rhinoplasty. This operation can:

• reshape the nostrils
• straighten a crooked nose
• recontour the nasal structure

There are multiple variations of rhinoplasty, but the two principal approaches are open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty.

Open rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty is typically performed for extensive reshaping. In this method, the surgeon makes an incision on the strip of skin between the nostrils to access the internal nasal structures.

This technique can potentially leave a noticeable scar; however, most patients report the scar is barely visible or effectively hidden.

Closed rhinoplasty

Closed rhinoplasty is generally used for less extensive changes. Incisions are made inside the nose to avoid external scarring.

Septoplasty

A septoplasty straightens the bone and cartilage that divides the nostrils — the septum. When the septum is displaced, it’s known as a deviated septum.

A deviated septum commonly causes symptoms such as:

• nasal congestion
• headaches
• facial pain
• reduced sense of smell
• nasal discharge
• snoring

Takeaway

Nose exercises are a trendy internet phenomenon, but they are very unlikely to change the shape of your nose.

Your nasal form is mainly determined by your bone and cartilage and cannot be altered substantially without surgical intervention.

If you dislike your nose’s appearance, the least invasive and most affordable approach is to use makeup to contour it.