
A smooth nasal bridge creates an elegant, continuous line down the center of the face, but when a dorsal hump interrupts that line, it changes the overall balance of your profile. Smoothing it out is an exercise in meticulous engineering. We carefully reshape the underlying bone and cartilage to flatten the curve without compromising your airway. Our team at Eos Rejuvenation is here to help restore your natural facial harmony to leave you with a clean, straight bridge that looks like you were born with it.
"A dorsal hump reduction requires a deep respect for your anatomy. You can't shave away bone and cartilage without meticulously rebuilding the structural support underneath. A beautiful nose must also be a strong nose." — Dr. Nima Shemirani
A dorsal hump is a bump on the bridge of the nose, over 80% of which are inherited genetically. They develop naturally as the nasal bones and upper lateral cartilages grow during puberty, though it is possible in rare cases that they form due to physical trauma. Dorsal hump rhinoplasty is a plastic and reconstructive surgery that removes the excess bone and cartilage from the nasal dorsum. By smoothing the bridge of the nose, a rhinoplasty surgeon creates a straight or gently sloped nasal profile.
A prominent dorsal hump consists of bone at the top and cartilage at the bottom. A surgeon must address both materials to create a flat nasal dorsum. This remains one of the most frequently requested cosmetic changes in facial aesthetics.
At a Glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Hump removal and smoothing the nasal bridge |
| Treatment Type | Surgical procedure |
| Downtime | About a week of social downtime |
| How Long Results Last | Permanent |
This rhinoplasty surgery addresses the physical bump and the structural mechanics of the nasal dorsum.

Taking down a dorsal hump provides a dramatic improvement to your overall facial aesthetics. It balances the face instantly.
Good rhinoplasty patients want a smooth slope to their nose and understand the surgical recovery period required for a successful outcome.

A dorsal hump reduction involves a precise surgical technique to safely remove bone and cartilage. Removing a dorsal hump involves exact control over the nasal structure.
"The middle vault of the nose relies heavily on the hump for structural support. When we execute a large hump reduction, placing spreader grafts is absolutely critical to preserve normal nasal function and prevent the bridge from looking pinched years later." — Dr. Nima Shemirani
You'll wake up with a nasal splint and mild congestion. The immediate recovery period requires rest.
Take about a week off from social events. Once the nasal splint comes off, the bruising fades enough to cover easily with makeup. You can return to work comfortably.
Avoid heavy workouts for four weeks. Do not wear heavy glasses on your nasal bridge for at least six weeks to protect the healing nasal bones.
Use a saline spray to manage mucus. Avoid blowing your nose entirely.
You see a straight profile the minute the cast comes off. The nose holds swelling for several months, but the physical nasal hump is gone immediately. Many patients experience a dramatic improvement right away. Final refinement takes a full year as the skin shrinks tightly to the new bone and cartilage framework.
Dorsal hump removal is permanent. The bone and cartilage are physically gone. Your new nasal profile lasts a lifetime.

An open rhinoplasty leaves one tiny scar across the columella. With precise control, this small incision heals flat and becomes invisible to the naked eye. Visible scars remain incredibly rare when working with true rhinoplasty specialists like those at Eos Rejuvenation.
Many patients ask about a non-surgical rhinoplasty, also called a liquid rhinoplasty, as an alternative to a surgical procedure.
Feature | Dorsal Hump Rhinoplasty | Liquid Rhinoplasty |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Removes bone and cartilage | Adds dermal fillers to camouflage the hump |
| Best For | Permanent hump removal | Minor bumps, temporary fixes |
| Functional Fix | Yes | No |
Liquid rhinoplasty adds volume above and below the dorsal hump to create the illusion of a straight bridge, but this will straighten your bridge to match the hump, meaning your nose will look straight, but larger. If you want a smaller nose overall, adding dermal fillers works against you. It's also not a permanent solution, as the filler will need to be replaced periodically to maintain its appearance. Surgery physically reduces the nasal structure.
Yes. Many patients combine hump reduction with chin augmentation to strengthen the jawline and balance the facial features. Eyelid surgery also pairs exceptionally well to refresh the upper face. Rhinoplasty techniques easily integrate with other facial plastic surgeries.

Taking down a dorsal hump requires advanced techniques and precise control over the nasal anatomy. As a board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Nima Shemirani delivers exceptional, structurally sound results. Our Beverly Hills practice focuses heavily on complex rhinoplasty techniques. We prioritize an aesthetically pleasing appearance and your long-term nasal function simultaneously.
Ready to smooth your profile? Schedule your consultation at Eos Rejuvenation today.
Pricing varies based on complexity and whether your treatment plan involves primary or revision surgery. We provide a clear estimate during your initial consultation.
Yes, it improves it. If you have breathing difficulties, we correct a deviated septum and use cartilage grafts to open the airway during the hump removal.
No. Once the rhinoplasty surgeon removes the excess bone and cartilage, the dorsal hump cannot grow back.
A dorsal hump consists of both. The upper section is bone, and the lower section is cartilage. A successful dorsal hump reduction addresses both materials.