All About Upturned Noses: Shape, Causes & Treatments

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Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner explains what an upturned nose is and whether it’s attractive

Co-authored by Ellen Turner, MD and Amber Crain

Last Updated: January 28, 2026 Fact Checked

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What is an upturned nose?

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Impact on Appearance

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Procedures to Correct It

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Procedures to Get It

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FAQs

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Video

You’ve probably heard people discussing different nose shapes, and you may be wondering what an upturned or button nose is. Is it attractive or unattractive? Does it need to be corrected? We’ll discuss all of that (and more) below! In this article, we’ll explain what an upturned nose is and what it looks like, how it impacts your appearance, and which cosmetic procedures can fix or create an upturned nose, depending on your goals. We also spoke to a double board-certified dermatologist and board-certified plastic surgeons for their professional insights.

What does an upturned nose look like?

An illustration of what an upturned nose looks like compared to a straight nose.

Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner says an upturned nose is one where the nasal tip aligns upward rather than downward. This makes the nostrils slightly more visible, which many people find charming and youthful. It's one of the most highly requested nose shapes in rhinoplasty.

Section 1 of 5:

What is an upturned nose?

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An upturned nose is a nose with a tip that angles upward. According to Dr. Turner, the nasal tip is aligned “more superiorly rather than downward.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} The angle of the tip varies from subtly elevated to more pronounced. Generally, when the nose tip is upturned, the nose looks shorter and the nostrils look more prominent from the front. In some cases, the nose may have a short bridge or a slight dent. The more dramatically upturned the angle, the more visible the nostrils will be.^{[2]
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Research source} Having an upturned nose is totally normal and usually doesn’t pose any health risks whatsoever.
- Also known as: Piggy nose, button nose, snub nose, Barbie nose, celestial nose.^{[3]
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  - A celestial nose is when the tip is just slightly upturned, while a piggy nose is when the tip angles up more dramatically.
  - A snub or button nose is upturned and delicately rounded, with a short nasal bridge.^{[4]
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- What causes an upturned or button nose? Nose shape is usually determined by genetics. Less commonly, an upturned nose can be the result of a trauma/injury, birth defects, or complications from previous rhinoplasty procedures.^{[5]
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- Celebrities with upturned noses: Emma Stone, Zac Efron, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Middleton, Cillian Murphy, Ariana Grande, Elizabeth Taylor.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Ellen Turner is a double board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, Texas. She offers an array of dermatology services, including medical, cosmetic, surgical, and laser procedures.

JoAnna Nguyen, MD, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Los Angeles, California. She specializes in eyelid surgery, labiaplasty, and breast augmentation.

Edward S. Kwak, MD, is a dual board-certified plastic surgeon and the owner of ESKMD Facial Plastic Surgery based in New York City.

Section 2 of 5:

How an Upturned Nose Impacts Appearance

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An upturned nose tends to be perceived as youthful and cute. An upturned nose with a subtly elevated tip (a “celestial” nose) can look very delicate and feminine. If the tip angles up more dramatically (a “piggy” nose), it can make the nostrils very visible from the front, which some people dislike the look of.^{[6]
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Research source} If the tip is rounded and the nasal bridge is short (a “button” nose), an upturned nose can look playful and cute.^{[7]
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- Whether an upturned nose is aesthetically desirable tends to be a “grass is always greener” situation–people with upturned noses often dislike theirs (especially if the upward angle is dramatic), and people without upturned noses often wish they had them!
- Are upturned noses attractive? Yes, upturned noses are considered attractive because they look youthful, delicate, and charming. The upturned nose is one of the most requested nose shapes in plastic surgery because so many people find it aesthetically pleasing. Dr. Turner says she doesn’t get many revision requests for this nose shape, so “most patients find it attractive.”^{[8]
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  Ellen Turner, MD
  Double Board-Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview}
- Does an upturned nose need to be corrected? An upturned nose doesn’t need to be corrected unless the angle makes breathing difficult (which is pretty uncommon). That said, if you don’t like the way your nose looks and want to change it, there’s nothing wrong with that (and you have options).^{[9]
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  - If you’re considering a procedure, Dr. Nguyen says it’s really important to ask yourself why you want plastic surgery. It should be something that will make you feel better and happier with your life.^{[10]
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    JoAnna Nguyen, MD
    Board Certified Plastic Surgeon & Reconstructive Surgeon
    
    Expert Interview}

Section 3 of 5:

Correction Options for an Upturned Nose

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Dermal fillers Nose reshaping with fillers is often referred to as a nonsurgical nose job. It’s a temporary procedure with varying results, so it’s ideal for patients who want a subtle change. Hyaluronic acid fillers (like Juvéderm and Restylane) have a gel-like consistency and can be injected into different areas of the nose to make the tip look less projected. Typically, the aesthetician injects the filler into targeted areas and then uses their hands to push the gel-like filler around and customize the shape.^{[11]
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- Ideal candidates: Healthy patients looking for subtle, non-permanent results.
- Recovery: 24-48 hours (mild soreness; minor bruising at the injection site).
- Duration of results: Filler typically lasts 6 months to 2 years before it naturally dissolves. For most, the results last 12-18 months. You’ll need to be injected again to maintain your results.
- Cost: $1,000-$3,000
- Potential risks: Side effects are usually minimal, but in rare cases a patient may experience necrosis or nerve damage at the injection site.
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Rhinoplasty “The only way to repair an upturned nose is through cosmetic surgery,” according to Dr. Turner.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} Surgical rhinoplasty can offer dramatic and permanent results. It is performed under general anesthesia. The exact process depends on your particular nose structure and the exact type of rhinoplasty you need, but usually a bone or cartilage graft (taken from the ribs or ears) is placed at the bottom of the septum to lengthen and widen the nose, which reduces or completely removes the tip’s upward slant.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Ideal candidates: Healthy patients looking for more dramatic, permanent results.
- Recovery: Usually 1-2 weeks before returning to normal activities. Swelling and bruising go down after 2-3 weeks.
- Duration of results: Permanent. Full recovery and results after 6-12 months.
- Cost: $6,000-$20,000
- Potential risks: Numbness, bruising, swelling, asymmetry, or scarring.
EXPERT TIP

Edward S. Kwak, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Edward S. Kwak, MD is a Dual Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and the Owner of ESKMD Facial Plastic Surgery based in New York City. After earning an MD from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Kwak completed an Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) residency at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery under Dr. Russell Kridel at the University of Texas Medical Center in Houston. He is a member of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and a Diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. Furthermore, Dr. Kwak is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Kwak has been awarded a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Newbeauty Top Beauty Doctor, New York Super Doctor, NY Top Doc, and an Expert Injector award.

Edward S. Kwak, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Selecting the right plastic surgeon can be daunting. Always make sure the surgeon is board certified and has an affiliation with a recognized hospital.

Section 4 of 5:

Procedures to Get an Upturned Nose

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Dermal fillers If you want your nose tip to angle up more in a subtle, natural-looking way, hyaluronic acid fillers (like Juvéderm and Restylane) can be injected to subtly lift to the tip (often referred to as the “Tinkerbell Tip Lift.”) Usually, the filler is injected at the base of the columella (the part between the nostrils) or right under the tip to lift and rotate it slightly upwards.^{[14]
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Research source} Dr. Turner says you cannot permanently obtain an upturned nose with filler.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} However, it can add volume and support to temporarily lift the tip.
- Ideal candidates: Healthy patients looking for natural-looking, non-permanent results.
- Recovery time: 24-48 hours (you may experience mild soreness and bruising).
- Duration of results: Filler lasts 6 months to 2 years before naturally dissolving. You’ll need to be injected again to maintain your results.
- Cost: $1,000-$3,000
- Potential risks: Mild bruising. Less commonly, necrosis or nerve damage at the injection site.
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Non-surgical thread lift A nose thread lift is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure where threads are inserted along your nose under your skin with a cannula to create more height and lift the tip. The results are subtle and natural-looking, but even a small elevation to the nose tip can make a big impact aesthetically. Threads cannot change the overall structure of your nose, though, and the results are temporary.^{[16]
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- Ideal candidates: Healthy patients looking for subtle, non-permanent results.
- Recovery time: 24-48 hours (you may experience mild soreness and bruising).
- Duration of results: 1-2 years. You’ll need to repeat the procedure to maintain your results.
- Cost: $1,500-$3,000
- Potential risks: Infection, thread migration, asymmetry, scarring, lumpiness, nerve damage, and skin necrosis.
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Rhinoplasty Cosmetic surgery is the only way to create an upturned nose, says Dr. Turner.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} A rhinoplasty offers dramatic and life-changing results. The exact process for your surgery will depend on your particular nose structure, but typically, the surgeon makes an incision and manually reshapes the bone and cartilage to change the nasal structure and create an upturned tip.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Some surgeons insert cartilage grafts to create a natural-looking, upturned nose tip.^{[19]
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- Ideal candidates: Healthy patients looking for more dramatic, permanent results.
- Recovery time: Usually 1-2 weeks before returning to normal activities. Swelling and bruising go down after 2-3 weeks.
  - Dr. Kwak recommends sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery.^{[20]
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    Expert Source
    
    Edward S. Kwak, MD
    Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
    
    Expert Interview}
- Duration of results: Permanent. Full recovery and results after 6-12 months.
- Cost: $6,000-$20,000
- Potential risks: Numbness, bruising, swelling, asymmetry, or scarring.
- When choosing the right person for your surgery, Dr. Kwak suggests that you “ask the surgeon how often she/he performs your planned procedure. Ask to see examples of work performed by the surgeon."^{[21]
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  Edward S. Kwak, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 5 of 5:

FAQs

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Is having an upturned nose rare? Yes, having an upturned nose is fairly rare. Only about 13% of people in the general population are born with an upturned nose.^{[22]
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Is an upturned nose bad? Nose shapes aren’t inherently good or bad, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Many people like the appearance of an upturned nose, while others don’t. Generally speaking, a nose with a subtle lift at the tip is more desirable than having a more dramatic upward angle. Whether an upturned nose is “bad” or not really depends on how the nose looks in relation to a person’s other facial features.
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Does an upturned nose suit all faces? No, an upturned nose does not suit all faces. For example, a snub nose can emphasize features like a long face or prominent chin. The important thing to consider is whether the nose shape is proportionate to your other facial features–the most attractive faces have harmony and balance. A person born with an upturned nose is more likely to have natural harmony and balance (as opposed to someone seeking this nose shape via surgery).^{[23]
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