What is a Roman Nose Shape?
A natural variant in nose shape, a Roman nose is one with a high bridge, a slight outward curve, and sometimes, a slight hook at the tip. Also called an aquiline nose, this shape is easiest to see when viewing the nose in profile (from the side). A Roman nose is one with:
- A strong nasal bridge that stands out from the face
- A gentle outward bump along the bridge (sometimes quite subtle)
- A downward bend or curve at the tip, although this is not always present
A Roman nose creates a very strong, angular profile that is often considered very attractive. Many people feel it signifies strength, leadership, and power. Celebrities with Roman noses include Jennifer Aniston, Meryl Streep, Paul Mescal, and Tom Cruise.
Roman Nose vs. Dorsal Hump
People often wonder if they truly have a Roman nose or a dorsal hump. A dorsal hump is a bump along the bridge of the nose that looks very similar to the characteristic bump of a Roman nose. It can be very difficult to distinguish between the two. A dorsal hump can appear on any nose shape and is sometimes the result of an injury. A Roman nose shape includes a bump, but it is part of a larger nose with an angular shape.
A dorsal hump is considered by many to be a defect, whereas a Roman nose is one of many perfectly natural nose shapes. Neither is a medical issue, although sometimes people do opt to fix a dorsal hump or refine their Roman nose.
What Causes a Roman Nose Shape?
A Roman nose shape is a genetic trait often, but not exclusively, found in populations from the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, and Southern Asia. It is passed down through generations and usually begins to take shape during puberty. This trait is simply a mark of your ancestry and heritage.
How Common is a Roman Nose?
Although Roman noses are less common than straight and button noses, they aren’t considered a rarity. No one keeps statistics on this type of thing, though, so we don’t have any hard data about how many people share this nose shape. Some estimates suggest that Roman noses are in the minority but seem common because of their prominence. The reality is that the Roman shape likely lies somewhere in the middle — it’s not the most common nose profile but is hardly rare and is seen regularly.
Is a Roman Nose Considered Attractive?
Beauty is subjective, so what one person finds attractive just might not do it for someone else. Many people do find Roman noses quite appealing, often associating them with strength, decisiveness, character, and nobility. The bottom line is that it’s your nose, so your opinion is the most important one. Some people love their Roman nose. Others feel it is too large or angular for their faces and opt to tweak or refine the shape.
Either way, this nose shape is not a problem or something that needs “fixed.” It is a perfectly normal facial feature handed down to you from your ancestors.
Can You Change a Roman Nose Shape?
If you wish, you can make changes to the shape of your Roman nose. The specific options you have depend on your goals as well as your unique anatomy. Patients desiring a change to a Roman nose commonly wish to remove or reduce the hump on their nose, soften its angular shape, and eliminate the hook shape at the tip of the nose.
Treatment Options for Refining a Roman Nose
If you wish to redefine the shape of your nose, there are surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Understand, however, that surgery is the only way to create a permanent change in nose shape.
Rhinoplasty (Permanent Structural Change)
More commonly called a nose job, rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that changes the structure of the nose. The surgery can physically remove the bump on the bridge of the nose and make the nose sit closer to the face, making it less prominent. Our surgeons can also reshape the tip of the nose, eliminating the hook sometimes associated with the Roman nose profile. This procedure is fully customizable, allowing for a result that matches your desires and the rest of your facial features for a harmonious, balanced look.
Non-Surgical Nose Job (Temporary Option)
If you’re not ready for or just not interested in surgery, we can help change the appearance of a Roman nose with dermal fillers. This option is temporary and best for making mild, subtle changes to the nose. Fillers can plump things out to smooth and camouflage the bump on the nose, lift the tip, and improve proportion.
Patients often express a concern that adding dermal fillers will make their nose look bigger. This is not the case, however. Fillers are strategically placed to create a specific look, sometimes by tricking the eye in much the same way as makeup. It seems counterintuitive, but we can actually use fillers to make your nose look smaller, despite adding volume.
No Treatment (Embracing Natural Features)
Sometimes the best treatment is no treatment at all. If the shape of your nose bothers you, we’re happy to help. But many people like their Roman nose, and that’s perfectly fine. There is no flaw here that needs to be repaired.
Whether you feel the shape matches your other features, feel a connection to your ancestors, or simply never bothered to compare your nose to other noses, if you’re happy with your nose, then we’re happy with your nose. As they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nose Shape Refinement?
If the shape of your nose bothers you, you’re likely a good candidate for some type of shape refinement. The choice is a very personal one with no wrong answers. Dermal fillers and rhinoplasty have different candidacy criteria, outlined as follows:
- Good dermal filler candidates
- Are bothered by and self-conscious about their noses
- Want to make minor, subtle changes
- Desire a nonsurgical option or aren’t good surgical candidates
- Have good skin quality
- Lack breathing problems caused by nasal issues, such as a deviated septum
- Good rhinoplasty candidates
- Are bothered by and self-conscious about their noses
- Desire a permanent structural change
- Have been unhappy with temporary solutions
- Are in good health overall
- Don’t smoke
- Have other issues, such as a deviated septum, that they also wish to fix
Benefits of Refining a Roman Nose Shape
If your Roman nose bothers you, there are benefits you can expect to gain from refinement practices. Your expectations need to be realistic, however, or you’ll likely be disappointed in your results. Dermal filler, for example, will camouflage or hide a bump, but it won’t get rid of it. Surgery suffers fewer limitations than dermal fillers, but it can’t guarantee perfect symmetry. Here is what you can expect from refinement:
- More balanced facial proportions
- A smoother profile line down the bridge of your nose
- A nose that is (surgery) or looks (fillers) smaller
- A boost in self-confidence
Want to learn more about these benefits? We are happy to offer free virtual consultations, allowing us to provide personalized advice and answers to your questions. We can help you decide whether dermal filler or rhinoplasty may be right for you. The decision about whether to love or change your nose, however, is yours alone to make.