What Is a Dorsal Hump on the Nose?

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Learn what causes a bump on the nose and how to smooth it out
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When you look at your profile, do you have a bump on the bridge of your nose? If so, it’s very likely that you have a dorsal hump. A dorsal hump is a bump of cartilage or bone on the bridge of your nose. This hump is usually genetic and harmless, but it can potentially cause functional and aesthetic concerns. In this article, we’ll explain what causes dorsal humps and why they may be a risk factor. We also spoke to board-certified plastic surgeon Asif Pirani, MD about the available treatments for dorsal humps.

Dorsal Hump Nose Explained

Board-certified plastic surgeon Asif Pirani, MD, says a dorsal hump is a bump of bone or cartilage on the bridge of the nose that creates a “hump” rather than a smooth slope. The bump is often genetic. While this is a common facial feature, many prefer to have it removed to improve breathing or for cosmetic reasons.

Section 1 of 6:

What is a dorsal hump?

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  1. According to Dr. Pirani, “A dorsal hump is when you look at the nose from the side and see a bump with a slight curve to it on the nose bridge. Dorsal humps can be formed partly by bone and by cartilage, and it’s usually a bit of both.” [1] While some dorsal humps are larger than others, they’re all the most prominent or noticeable at a side profile. [2]
    • In some cases, a dorsal hump can cause nasal swelling, pain in the nostrils, redness, or tenderness.
    • Is a dorsal hump rare? No, dorsal humps are not rare; they’re actually the most prevalent type of nose irregularity. In a study with 293 participants, 173 participants had a dorsal hump—that’s 59%. [3]

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Asif Pirani, MD is a board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon and founder of the Toronto Plastic Surgery Center. His goal is to enhance the beauty and confidence of his patients while upholding the highest standards of safety, comfort, and discretion.

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Section 2 of 6:

What causes a dorsal hump?

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  1. Dorsal humps are naturally occurring and can be a very normal part of the facial structure. More often than not, a dorsal hump is genetic or something passed down through familial generations. In some cases, a dorsal hump can be caused by trauma to the nose, such as a fracture or break. While rare, it is possible to get a dorsal hump over time as tissues and cartilage in the nose can change with age. [4]
    • A dorsal hump could also be caused by an underlying medical issue, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum.
Section 3 of 6:

Can a dorsal hump affect your health?

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  1. While dorsal humps don’t always pose a health risk, they can cause discomfort or difficulty breathing in some cases. The overall structure of the nose can impact the nasal airways, which can impact how you breathe out of your nose. Breathing difficulties related to a dorsal hump typically only occur from humps caused by trauma. [5]
    • It’s important to note that not every dorsal hump affects breathing. You can have a hump and be able to breathe normally!
    • If a dorsal hump is causing difficulty in breathing, a doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove or reduce the hump to open the airways and provide relief.
  2. Even if a dorsal hump isn’t affecting your breathing, it could still affect how you see yourself. Society is constantly deeming certain physical qualities as attractive or unattractive, and studies have shown that those deemed to have an “unattractive” nose are more likely to have lower self-esteem and poor body image. [6] A dorsal hump could cause feelings of doubt, insecurity, and self-consciousness. And while it’s not a risk for every individual, it’s important to be aware of.
    • If you’re experiencing intense feelings of insecurity, reach out to a therapist or counselor. They’ll be able to help you navigate these feelings and provide tools to improve your body image .
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Get Rid of a Dorsal Hump

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  1. A dorsal hump can be removed for physical or cosmetic reasons. Depending on the specific case, the hump is either removed surgically or with a noninvasive procedure or treatment. [7] Dr. Pirani notes, “Surgery is the gold standard for treating dorsal humps. This is where you go in and reduce the cartilage and the bone to make the shape more straight from the side, or give it a little bit of a slope, depending on the patient's requests.” [8]
    • Open rhinoplasty is the most traditional way to permanently get rid of a dorsal hump. The patient is put under general anesthesia and a surgeon sands and reshapes the bone and cartilage of the nose. [9]
      • Recovery: 2 to 4 weeks
      • Cost: $12,000 to $18,000
    • Closed rhinoplasty is similar to an open rhinoplasty but is done by making fewer visible incisions. The patient is put under general anesthesia, and the surgeon modifies the bone and cartilage through the nostrils. [10]
      • Recovery: 1 to 2 weeks
      • Cost: $5,000 to $25,000
    • Nonsurgical rhinoplasty (liquid rhinoplasty) is a nonsurgical procedure where a plastic surgeon fills the nose with dermal fillers to smooth out the nose’s silhouette. The effects of this non-invasive procedure are temporary and typically last 6 months. [11]
      • Recovery: 1 to 2 days
      • Cost: $600 to $1,500 per session
      • Dr. Pirani says, “I often treat dorsal humps with dermal filler. If someone has a hump, I can put some filler above the hump to reshape the nose and make it look more straight. I can also put some filler at the tip of the nose, at the bottom of the hump, to bring that more forward and reshape the nose.” [12]

    A dorsal hump can’t grow back if it’s permanently removed. After a surgical rhinoplasty, some patients develop calluses where the bone and cartilage were removed, but it’s not the hump growing back.

Section 5 of 6:

Should you get rid of your dorsal hump?

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  1. Most dorsal humps cause no pain or discomfort; they’re just a feature on your face. But in some cases, a dorsal hump can pose a medical risk. If a dorsal hump is negatively impacting your everyday life by making it difficult to breathe out of your nose or causing insecure thoughts, it might be time to talk about removal with your doctor. [13]
    • Listen to your doctor if you’re considering dorsal hump removal. They’ll be able to provide personalized advice on whether removal would be beneficial and which procedure would be best for you.
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Section 6 of 6:

In Conclusion

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  1. A dorsal hump isn’t something to immediately worry about—it’s a natural part of the facial structure. A dorsal hump or bump on the bridge of the nose is caused by genetics, trauma, or natural aging. Those experiencing difficulty breathing or insecurity about their appearance may consider getting the hump removed with rhinoplasty.

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      References

      1. ↑ Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://guywattsplasticsurgeon.com.au/blog/what-is-a-dorsal-hump/
      3. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11459581
      4. ↑ https://guywattsplasticsurgeon.com.au/blog/what-is-a-dorsal-hump/
      5. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/nose-reshaping-rhinoplasty/
      6. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3783328/
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11011-rhinoplasty
      8. ↑ Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/rhinoplasty/about/pac-20384532
      1. ↑ https://ohns.ucsf.edu/facialplastics/closed-vs-open-rhinoplasty-differences-know
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22880-nonsurgical-rhinoplasty-nose-job
      3. ↑ Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11011-rhinoplasty

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